I thought i'd add to this thread instead of begin my own, I really only use 2 shops when buying parts and pieces that im happy not to buy on line. I cant speak highly enough of WESTERN YAMAHA at Hoppers Crossing and HARRISON MOTORCYCLES in Melton that are now a Suzuki and Honda dealer, I drop into Harrison's regularly as its on my commute to and from a few regular destinations, i've also worked with the sales guy (Brian) there at another dealership briefly and the store manager (Chris) is an old bike nut as well and always happy to chew the fat on all things vintage, VMX and Vinduro when he's got a bit of spare time.
Chris is only too happy to look up old parts and check availability for me and anyone else, BUT, the other day i went in there after scanning Partzilla for some TM parts......I wanted to go in and give them a chance at the sale as it was gonna be around a $150 order and chances are with shipping the local guy was prob gonna be on par or near enough anyways, BUT BUT BUT their system did not show up ANYTHING for TM250!!!
We checked several data bases through Suzuki and nowhere to be found was any parts lists at all, it seemed there was no way at all of looking up parts Pre75 for anything!!!
Now i know that they're not gonna be retiring early on sales of Pre75 spare parts but i found it quite odd that Chris and I ended up having a bit of a chuckle about it and both agreed id be best just to order through Partzilla!! The particular part i wanted most was the pet cock which was used on many bikes beyond 1975 and the part number (or superseded) number did not even register on their system!! For me it didn't matter as they know i'll be back regardless of what they couldn't supply me on this occasion, but i did leave thinking that Australian retailers really do have to step up to the global plate and have a way to offer any genuine part that is still available or they really are gonna be out of the race, guys like me don't care but its when the new guy in town walks in for the first time and his wishes aren't able to be met, he'll just walk out and probably never bother going back for anything else............
Cheers, Brendan
