Shopping for bike stuff

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Why does it have to be so difficult? and why are people in bike shops so unhelpful? I spent all day today out on the bike. I have covered over 200 miles in total and visited ten shops. I was looking for the following:

ER5 front wheel. I have found out that they are "Like hens teeth mate." end-of.

Big KLR fuel tank. Same as above.

Bark busters (bash bars that fit round the ends of your handlebars to deflect brush and protect the levers in a crash). Answers ranging from "No such thing mate." to "Oh, we should've had some in" only one of the five shops I asked at offered to order some.

New exhaust. Going to take six weeks now.

WP Shock. "They're really expensive you know?" Well yes I did know that, I wanted you to tell me how expensive and if you could get me one.

New front tyre will be here on wednesday.

I did get the brake fluid in the first place I looked though Thumbs Up

I also got a bag of brass M8 nuts from the third place I looked. First (B&Q) gave me a blank look and a grunt. Second (Specialist fastener shop) didn't stock them but pointed me in the direction of the third place (Steel factors) who did.

So, 20 quids worth of petrol and a full day for a bottle of brake fluid and a handful of nuts. Brick Wall

It is no wonder I have so many unfinished projects.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

Lee_367 · Brolly Dolly Joined: 22 May 2004 Karma :

Try some bike training schools for the ER5 wheel, There were a couple of wrecked ER5's at the place i went to that they kept for spares, one place might sell you one.
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?It?s mercy, compassion, and forgiveness I lack?not rationality.?

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

The internet + a copy of biketrader Wink

.

I generally only go to bike shops if I know they'll have what I want (had masses of hassle finding somewhere that stocks shoei lids within 30 miles Confused

).

mr.z · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Feb 2004 Karma :

Probably why bike shops get pissed allover by internet shops...

I know what you mean, there used to be quite allot of good bike shops, now most of them are run by unhelpfull self important nob necks who haven't got any time for you unless your rimming them every ten minutes Rolling Eyes

that and they never have even very simple generic items in stock..

Me-
"I'd like a banjo bolt please, x size"

Shop-
"-sigh- we don't have them"

Me-
"Are you sure? can you get some then?"

Shop-
"Grunt, i'll get the book... Yeh we can get them it will take a week and will cost £x (30% more than david silvers, where they get them from)

Generally i'll get it myself now...

Only good bike shops i know of.. one localy owned by mick bull (and called mick bulls) (very helpfull, knows his stuff and usually has stuff your after, if not gets it with a day or two)

A small moto-x shop which has hardly any stuff now Sad

And Hein Gericke (absoloutely top, never been served by more helpfull folk)

no_shad · Trackday Trickster Joined: 17 Apr 2005 Karma :

How much are you looking to pay for the ER5 front wheel?

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Flip · Super Spammer Joined: 28 Feb 2004 Karma :

mchaggis · World Chat Champion Joined: 10 May 2004 Karma :

A decent breaker seems to always outperform the larger chain store (CMC). CMC seem to have not a lot of initiative unless they can order a part from their catalogue, which isn't much use for an obscure model which doesn't exist in any catalogue. Rolling Eyes

Ask the breaker for a part and he'll get something which will fit and work, never mind what bike it's for; it doesn't bother me. Smile

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I must not be a troll...
Mmmm, Guinness
Discovering the delights of Hammerite and a 3/4" brush. Very Happy

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

One thing I did find out though, which is useful.

The guys at trade shops selling things like fasteners, bearings and such do not object to someone walking in to their shop area and ordering a small number of something cheap (such as 20 M8 nuts). I asked the guy and he basically said that is why they have the shop counter in the first place, large orders go out in the post.

So don't be afraid to go in and ask for stuff, you aren't wasting their time. What you DO need to know is exactly what you want. If you want to piss them off big style, go in and ask for "A bolt about this long that you use a 14mm spanner on.". What you need to ask for is "20 stainless hex head set screws, M8 by 45mm, standard pitch.". The next best is to take an example in with you and ask for "Ten of these please".
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

muddycoffee · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 18 Aug 2005 Karma :

Ok mate I'll just have a look in the back.

[five minute wait]
[bloke comes back and phone rings he answers]
[five minute wait]
right sorry about that, we haven't got any in at the moment I'll just check if they're on order.
[looks in a scruffy book on the front counter, but I get the impression that he's humouring me]
Yes the're on order, we should have them in monday.
.. Ok thanks than I'll try next week.
[walks out feeling a bit miffed]
[starts up bike to leave thinking, why do they treat customers like we're all a pain in the ..]
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