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Rufus357 |
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Rufus357 L Plate Warrior
Joined: 30 May 2020 Karma :
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Posted: 19:45 - 30 May 2020 Post subject: How to know which part brands are good quality? |
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Hi folks - noob question
I need some parts for my bike (Bullit so retro style Chinese) and don’t want to replace like for like the low quality plastic parts. Eg front indicators, bar switches, rear shocks
There are a million options on eBay or amazon. How do I tell what is decent quality. Are there brands or online shops I should look for?
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Nobby the Bastard |
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Nobby the Bastard Harley Gaydar
Joined: 16 Aug 2013 Karma :
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kramdra |
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kramdra World Chat Champion
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Riejufixing |
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Riejufixing World Chat Champion
Joined: 24 Jun 2018 Karma :
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Posted: 21:08 - 30 May 2020 Post subject: Re: How to know which part brands are good quality? |
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Rufus357 wrote: | I need some parts for my bike (Bullit so retro style Chinese) and don’t want to replace like for like the low quality plastic parts. Eg front indicators, bar switches, rear shocks
There are a million options on eBay or amazon. How do I tell what is decent quality. Are there brands or online shops I should look for? |
Hm, tricky. Indicators, take your pick, LED ones are sometimes really poor, if you go from (saw) 10W incandescent to 21, make sure the flasher unit can handle it (might need another one).
Switches? See if you can get something original that will fit. You could poke about looking at others, Chinese components are often "generic", but OE is probably the way to go.
Rear shocks, similar situation to indicators, probably, but OE ones you know will fit, or look about to see if they're "generic" again.
As to quality, if there are lots being sold at the same low price they are cheap, but that does not necessarily mean "unfit". If there are a few exactly the same as the cheap ones but much more expensive, that's a rip off. If they are all exp[ensive, that means they are quality but not necessarily fit, or it's a rip-off. Helpful, huh. |
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NJD |
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NJD World Chat Champion
Joined: 11 Mar 2015 Karma :
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Posted: 21:08 - 30 May 2020 Post subject: |
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Depends how mechanically able you are, and I don't mean that as an insult.
Front indicators should just be a case of picking a type you like and messing with the wiring to work with O.E.M connectors, and perhaps changing the flasher unit to support L.E.D if not already.
Bar switches can be customised and don't have to be standard, but again would come down some time spent on wiring. There are plenty of chinese 125's around that might have something similar as opposed to a whole new aftermarket part to save time and money.
Rear shocks may be an issue, but I say that only because I'm not sure how "bolt on" they are. Spring length, for example? I imagine you've got a shock each side bolted on, but do your research before buying.
I'd go eBay over amazon, but that's only based on never seeing anything of quality on there that wasn't generic imported stuff. eBay is always my go to for second hand parts. ____________________ The do it all, T̶h̶e̶ ̶b̶r̶o̶k̶e̶n̶ ̶o̶n̶e̶,̶ ̶T̶h̶e̶ ̶b̶i̶g̶ ̶l̶u̶m̶p̶,̶ ̶C̶h̶o̶n̶g̶ ̶N̶o̶o̶d̶l̶e̶ |
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Riejufixing |
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Riejufixing World Chat Champion
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Rufus357 |
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Rufus357 L Plate Warrior
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NJD |
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NJD World Chat Champion
Joined: 11 Mar 2015 Karma :
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Posted: 22:08 - 30 May 2020 Post subject: |
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Riejufixing wrote: | For new, it is good to be careful, and look for the part all over the place, since eBay is quite often more expensive than elsewhere. |
I agree, but can be said for basically anything that's new that's sold on eBay.
For example I buy tools from FFX (folkestonefixings) via their website with free delivery for cheaper than they do on eBay, and it all comes down to fee's. I'm not sure what business sellers pay but for basic users it 10% including postage.
Inflated prices are probably just so sellers get the profit margin they require from the eBay platform post fee's being taken.
Second hand sellers probably do better simply because they can accept far lower profit margins meaning lower prices.
~
Rufus357 wrote: | but I have yet found a consolidated view on upgrade replacement parts |
Probably because there's not a profit to be made when there's people selling road legal adequate parts new for far less. To take on a "dealer/importer" at their own game would probably create prices that most people wouldn't bother with. I'd hazard a guess most bikes like these rot and get flogged for far less than new prices with many owners being first time riders.
I've worked fitting these parts for a brief period, and the people I worked with were convinced that their over inflated prices were worth it. A seat that can be had for £70-80 on eBay was sold to their customers for £200 (or so I was told by them, I never saw an invoice) because "hand stitched." That's a seat very similar to the one you sit on. I'd say all these bikes use the same parts from same supplier and just have suttle differences in quality and design. ____________________ The do it all, T̶h̶e̶ ̶b̶r̶o̶k̶e̶n̶ ̶o̶n̶e̶,̶ ̶T̶h̶e̶ ̶b̶i̶g̶ ̶l̶u̶m̶p̶,̶ ̶C̶h̶o̶n̶g̶ ̶N̶o̶o̶d̶l̶e̶ |
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Bhud |
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Bhud World Chat Champion
Joined: 11 Oct 2018 Karma :
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Posted: 22:56 - 30 May 2020 Post subject: |
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I don't think there's an easy rule of thumb unless it's an original part, new or old stock. Otherwise, you can only try your best to find the best part.
Example: I bought an OEM brake master cylinder kit. The kit arrived, with no instructions. It was made by a fairly reputable company (TRK). The replacement master cylinder piston was completely different in appearance from my old one, insofar as it was shorter, it came with a longer spring, and it had an Archimedes screw section. Why was this? Not clear, but it seems it might have been a generic item designed for later models of the same bike, which was "compatible" with the older model (my bike). It was sold as OEM for my earlier model of bike. Minus the instructions and a bit of common sense in how to orient the piston, and where to place the seals, and where to place the cheap end caps, it would not have worked. It was clearly a cheaper to make and inferior item to the original Kawasaki part.
Another example: "OEM" brake seals from Ebay. No brand name. Did not fit, and there was no apparent reason for this as there was no difference in brake caliper between model years.
Where it's critical, my first choice would be the manufacturer's recommended parts stockist for component parts (for example, in the UK, Cradley Kawasaki), or a reputable parts manufacturer for a specific class of product (e.g. DID chains, Denso plugs, Ikon springs, YSS rear shocks, etc.) Second choice, Fowlers, MSP EU, or specialists (like David Silver for Honda, or Z-power for old Kawasaki, etc.) Third, higher tier OEM coming from a reputable parts supplier (e.g. the big one beginning with "W", which often lists a cheaper "OEM" alongside a more expensive "OEM").
Where it isn't critical, I take my chances. You never know with things like seat covers, mirrors or indicators if the cheapo no-name item will be any good, but at least you won't have wasted much money. |
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Old Thread Alert!
The last post was made 3 years, 322 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful? |
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