| Author | Message | ||
     Rwcfrank |
These may seem crazy but I had idea as I sometimes do that might help someone on this board. Here is the concept. We all pony up say $10 buck. You get your name added to a sticky or a list on the site. The money goes to purchase a new belt, some wheel bearing and maybe even a throttle body (we can add items as we go on). Now comes the beauty of it. As a contributor of $10 you have acces to any of these parts during some type of breakdown or failure. So your riding and your belt breaks. You send a message to the person who is storing the belt, bearings etc. He confirms your name is on the list and then he ships the item to you any way you like. You must of course first pay for the item and shipping the actual cost so it can be replaced and held for the next time someone needs the part(s). This holds some parts for you for instant use rather than having to wait for an order from the dealer. thoughts? | ||
| Andymnelson |
Why don't we just compile a list of the parts that would be needed regularly, and convince Bumpus or Liberty to stock them all the time, and all be committed to ordering from them when needed? | ||
| Gwb |
I think that is a very good idea. Of course, the exchange of much money would be required to buy and resell parts. The people directly involved would need to be entirely trustworthy for your idea to work. And the people involved would need to give up some of their free time to make it work. | ||
| Jphish |
Rwc - There were posts a few years back that discussed this concept. Many of us thought it worthy of figuring out the logistics. (I think you may have been part of the discussion?) Emergency, "stopped in your tracks" situations only. (tailites and such dont qualify)We'd need a reliable # to call - no "gee - I'm on vacation, please leave a message" responses. Ulywife had been tossing out some ideas, but didnt progress from there - busy lives. Anyway, American Sport Bike was one consideration also. Cash of parts available to membership for 10 - $20 - sort of like cost of insurance. Parts have gotten more problematic, so idea is particularly relevent. | ||
| Rwcfrank |
If someone has a connection with American Sportbike, maybe we could "join" and as a member be reasonably guaranteed that the required parts list would remain in stock and those with a membership would get first priority. Seems like a win, win for AS and us. I would pay around $20 but probably not more fo assurance that if I needed a belt or bearings I could get them in a few days. AS could use the membership money to increase "stock" so there is really no risk to anyone. | ||
| Swampy |
I have a set of front ULY bearings sitting around...waiting. I am in need of a spare belt. | ||
| Jphish |
Lets say 50 Uly owners pay $20 - thats $1000 worth of parts held in 'trust'. (2 belts, 2 sets of wheel bearings, 1 set steering head bearings, 1 front/rear wheel, shifter, clutch pac, VR, - what else?) ECM would be difficult, due to different models, but not impossible with EB racing in business. They can use 'em for normal inventory, but only if they have sufficient for 'stash'. Worth consideration - also Al / Joanie would know what parts are most likely to fail, and adjust inventory accordingly. | ||
| Rwcfrank |
Count me in on a program that does what we have been discussing. I want spare parts but dont want to have to stock a grand worth of stuff I hope I never need. | ||
| Gwb |
We would need to determine the particular parts that would be in the pool, and calculate the quantity of those parts required to keep the pool from ever running dry. This would directly depend on the amount of people signing up, rates of breakage, etc. New parts would have to be purchased in a timely way to keep a buffer of parts always available. Maybe I'm over-thinking it, but it seems like it could get complicated. Perhaps Rwcfrank's idea of paying professionals such as American Sportbike to handle it would be the way to go. | ||
| Rwcfrank |
GWB, if your in the pool and a parts breaks you still have to pay for the part you just dont have to wait. If the pool got big we could request that the pool stocks 2,3 belts, bearings etc... | ||
| Gwb |
Rwcfrank, I guess I'm thinking of the lead time for replacing particular parts, some longer than others. And things such as a three-day weekend during the summer might require more belts on-hand than a weekend during the middle of winter, etc. I'm assuming our goal is to _guarantee_ that nobody participating ever needs to trailer their bike home. And I bet if this idea gets off the ground it will become big very quickly. Way bigger than just the few who have responded so far. (Message edited by gwb on July 30, 2010) | ||
| Ksc12c |
I'd be willing to join a "Buyers Club" for spare parts. I also like the idea of approaching American Sport Bike too. I've had good dealings with them. Kevin | ||
| Jphish |
Rcw - I think we called it BEER... Buell __ __ Rescue. Dont recall 2 middle words of acronym. Search engine down on this site right now. Don't recall all the details, but the concept had been refined pretty well. Might be worth a look. I'm in. | ||
| Jhallgren |
I'm in. | ||
| Jphish |
Found it: type in "Buell parts assistance network" in search function. (Start at #3) Need at least 600 days for history - this particular thread goes back to Aug of 08'. Maybe others can pick it up & be successful - from where we left it & were not. | ||
| Iliad |
Great idea, I am in. Most good repair parts stocking systems consider a couple of things before it is decided that a particular part is to be maintained in inventory. A couple of things considered are; lead time, cost, and failure rate. I vote for a '10 rear wheel in stock. | ||
| Iliad |
I just sent Al at AS an email to check out this thread and ask if he would consider such an idea. | ||
| Al_lighton |
I'm not so sure that this would work so well. First, understand that I try to keep these kind of items on the shelf AT ALL TIMES. But the reason that I go out of stock is usually because the lead time for the item goes out of wack for some reason, usually a backorder out of HD. Occasionally it happens just because there is an anomaly in the consumption rates that causes me to blow through my stock faster than what would be usual. I think that often that is a result of a discussion on this or one of the other Bboards that causes several folks to order all at once. Say you put a Uly belt into this system. One person breaks down, takes the belt. If the belt is on backorder, there is no more belt for the next person that paid the same $10 (or whatever) for no benefit. Belts went onto backorder for over 2 months a while back. I've been waiting for 2010 Uly rear wheels for 2.5 months now. They're ordered, and we even receive 5 of the 20 or so that are on order a couple weeks ago. Right side scoops, radiator pods, heat shields, etc. have all gone through this kind of stuff recently. It isn't that I don't try to keep the needed stuff in stock, it's just that my orders don't get filled in a timely manner. The "Vendor Direct" parts, and there are more and more of them these days, are the kiss of death from a lead time perspective. Al | ||
| Reepicheep |
Thanks for trying to stay on top of it for us Al! You will continue to get my business. | ||
| Dynasport |
Al, I am just glad we have someone like you interested in our bikes and stocking parts we need. | ||
| Idaho_buelly |
Thanks Al...  | ||
| Paralegalpete |
When I tour, one saddlebag is full of spare parts and the tools needed to replace them, Belt, Clutch and Trottle cable, front muff clamp, oil, and various other bits | ||
| Tootal |
Buell Emergency Equipment Resource | ||
| Motorbike |
Paralegalpete, Is that why Buell came out with the XT, complete with bags to haul parts?  Just kidding. Thanks. | ||
| Jphish |
Tootal - Thats it. I can appreciate why Al, or any other purveyor, would have difficulty given the parts circumstances. Been over 2 years when we first started discussing the concept. Perhaps we have to just suffer the vagaries of the current parts network - but still thinkin... there has got to be another option. Ive already got spare belt, clutch cable, bearings, shifter, front isolator, front / rear wheel spacers, brake pads etc. And would be willing to help out a stranded uly rider - but I'm also gone 3-4 mos / year - so not reliable as 'stash' holder. We need someone / place that is dependable & would be available pretty much year round. I dont know anyone that fits that description. Hmmm - wonder what my daughters travel plans are for the next 5 years... | ||
| Rwcfrank |
Jpish, I think that 2 people with parts stashes on either coast is best. I volunteer for the west coast. I am usually home and my wife runs a business that ships almost every day. | ||
| Jphish |
Rwc - if you're willing to be the West Coast 'Rep' - count me in. We should get a prioritized list of parts (some, like belts, we should probably have 2) with a running total of costs together, and see where we end up. I'd be good for $25 - cheap insurance. I think whoever is part recipient should immediatly order replacement & gets shipped directly to you. It would have to be an honor system - but it can work w/o excessive hassle. j | ||
| Rwcfrank |
I guess the next step is to figure out how many are in and what parts to stock. I can easily post a members list and pdf the invoices to show how much is coming in and how it was spent. I just assume that we use Al as the vendor. I can start the list with; 1) drive belt 2) Rear wheel bearings ? As far as how the system works, any member can purchase one of the spare parts at cost and have it shipped (buyer pays shipping) how do we determine what constitutes "an emergency" | ||
| Jphish |
Rwc - Thats the $64 question. For instance, I think a spare belt should be standard equip. We know it WILL fail at some point. However, Some folks have waited 3 mos or more to have a 'spare'. So definately 2 of those should be in inventory. I'm heading out on week long Uly ride tomorrow...dirt included. (Gettin my brother off his Harley and making him "ride the Tiger") Why dont you put out a message asking for folks to prioritize the 5-10 most important, "likely to fail and leave you stranded", kind of parts. (Belt, bearings, clutch cable, VR, ECM all certainly qualify) also inquire who would be willing to pony up some $ to join the BEER. I think after a week we should have a pretty good idea of the viability of the concept. & yes - I'd use Al as our parts supply - he would also be a great resource for what we should have on hand. TTFN, j |
