Why does Honda hate their customers so much?

[Frank Lee]

Exactly. GM and VW were pretty good from the '50s through the '70s too. Many parts interchanged between models and especially model years; they didn't excessively throw away good engineering with "change for the sake of change", you could go to the local Pamida or KMart for brake and ignition parts; and they were good quality and they were cheap.

Now that's all gone.

[bgd73]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Exactly. GM was pretty good from the '50s through the '70s too. Many parts interchanged between models, they didn't excessively throw away good engineering with "change for the sake of change", you could go to the local Pamida or KMart for brake and ignition parts; and they were good quality and they were cheap.

Now that's all gone.

I try not to get angry. I finally got a mig welder, there is the steel problem with a hope, finding sites that generalize even modern ecus, and of course hacks that broaden parts supply. I can say the older sube taught me this...involuntarily. there is no choice. That bike is a winner, I would attempt it the same as an old sube in regards to keeping it going. I want the flat four honda bike, very rare however.

[Frank Lee]

Yes, mine is the flat four. I've hardly ridden it at all yet but I think it will prove to be decent. They have a good reputation.

I did score some used parts from a local guy that dabbles in motorcycles. I will get that damned thing on the road yet! With no help from Honda, thank them very much NOT.

[beatr911]

Well, there's always the possibility of using calipers from another model and/or brand. May take some fiddling or some light machining but I'll bet you could find a close fit. With luck you can find an interchangeable part. I'm sure you've queried the experienced minds on historic Gold Wing sites. Aftermarket or enthusiast groups are the way to go for used original parts, many thanks to the internet.

Parts sales has got to be a significant part of the profit model for motorcycle dealers as unit sales are seasonal and the lights have to stay on somehow. My local shops are incompetent, rude and overpriced. For the few new parts I've needed I've used ronayersmotorsports.com, seem to have relatively good prices.

One can only hope that more manufacturers begin subscribing to long model runs. My old Kawasaki was made from 1986 to 2006 with only one minor update. It was profitable for Kawasaki even toward the end when sales were very low as the development costs had long since been amortized. There are a few other models out there like the Suzuki GS500, Kawasaki EX500 and Honda Rebel and others I'm forgetting. They are all very competent bikes for thier intended purpose but don't draw the wow factor and the showroom traffic like the ones that are re-designed every 2 years. The long model run bikes are the "step-down" ones in the corner of the showroom after the buyer decides they don't want to spend so much on thier new ride.

BTW how many years has the chebby 350 been in production? How many billion sold?

[jcp123]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Exactly. GM and VW were pretty good from the '50s through the '70s too. Many parts interchanged between models and especially model years; they didn't excessively throw away good engineering with "change for the sake of change", you could go to the local Pamida or KMart for brake and ignition parts; and they were good quality and they were cheap.

Now that's all gone.

I am not old enough to remember that directly, but I'm way into classic cars largely for their simplicity.

I was in a funk for my Dad's '00 Passat V6 4motion wagon about three weels ago. I looked up a stack or fairly common replacement items (air filter, wireset, alternator, starter, and some other stuff I can't remember). The list of the same parts ran over $1500 for the Passat, but only $342 for the Mustang even friggin' plug wires were $140 for the VW whereas the oil filter that goes on my Mustang fits almost all the other engines Ford had in that era, including straight sixes, big blocks, and mid-blocks, to give one small example of interchangeability.

*knock on wood* Harley's way expensive on parts, but they've thankfully been very helpful in going out of their way to make me happy.

[Christ]

Oil filters are a poor example of interchangeability, actually, because several of them interchange between Vehicle Manufacturers. For instance, it's quite common practice to replace OEM filters with larger ones from other manufacturers, as long as the basic components of the filters are identical.

i.e. drainback valves, location of components, etc.

[jcp123]

True. First example that came to mind. Ford's Motorcraft FL1A and FL1HP fit almost any engine Ford offered in the 60's.

[Frank Lee]

$140 for some plug wires. Someone's a$$ needs to be kicked.

[Frank Lee]

Originally Posted by Christ

Oil filters are a poor example of interchangeability, actually, because several of them interchange between Vehicle Manufacturers.

That makes them a great example of interchangeability then. Like tire valve stems. Fairly universal. Except maybe VW has a special one for their ****.

[Frank Lee]

Slightly less mad at Honda these days- after much gnashing of teeth, spending of money, and MacGyvering of parts and processes, it's safe to say the thing is reliable now. And... it is fun to ride.





Made a custom mod to the master cylinder to ensure full brake release, that of drilling out the transfer port some. The stealership would have simply put a new one on for $500.