How do I get parts shipped from japan?

[uNople]

I've found a (semi) decent repository for parts for my bike (1989 GSX-R250R). It's Yahoo Japan's auction site.

The problem is that
1 - it's an auction site
2 - it's in japanese
3 - it doesn't ship outside of japan

So, if I get someone who knows Japanese to translate things for me (and help me bid), is there a company in Japan that will ship stuff to NZ? I know there's companies in the states that basically give you a small crate, and then you give whoever you're buying stuff off their address, they put it in your crate, then ship it to you. Has anyone ever done this for Japan?

Oh, also I'd have to pay in yen (to the action holder). How do I do this? Do I need to get a japanese bank account, and then pay from there?

Also, how much would it cost to ship? I'm thinking of a (new?) engine for my bike (for me to either strip the gearbox + stater + carbs out of, or to recondition), so it's probably about 70-100kg (ish). That, and other misc parts (taillights, wiring, etc) and it should be under 200kg, but may be more.

I've been told that customs doesn't like importing more than one of the same part. What's the fee for importing more than one? What about just one? Do I have to pay GST?

Of course, the other option is to look locally. The problem is that I can't find any parts for it. Does anyone just happen to have any parts for my bike lying round?

[xwhatsit]

Aha!

Okshon. http://www.okshon.com/

They're sort of a English-language brokers to Yahoo Japan Auctions. They've got a primitive machine-translation, which gives strange results sometimes, but I think you can contact them to get a proper translation (for a fee). Alternatively there are a few Japanese-speaking people here on KB who might help you out if you ask nicely.

Okshon does have a small fee, but it's more than worth it in savings.

EDIT: I believe the Suzuki Bandit 250 shares the same motor (different cams and carbs, I would think) with your bike. If you had the GSXR400, then not only is it the same as the Bandit 400, but the RF400 as well. So there's another option at least.

[uNople]

Aha!

Okshon. http://www.okshon.com/

They're sort of a English-language brokers to Yahoo Japan Auctions. They've got a primitive machine-translation, which gives strange results sometimes, but I think you can contact them to get a proper translation (for a fee). Alternatively there are a few Japanese-speaking people here on KB who might help you out if you ask nicely.

Okshon does have a small fee, but it's more than worth it in savings.

EDIT: I believe the Suzuki Bandit 250 shares the same motor (different cams and carbs, I would think) with your bike. If you had the GSXR400, then not only is it the same as the Bandit 400, but the RF400 as well. So there's another option at least.

I've had a look at some pics, and you're right the bandit looks like it has the same engine. That at least means that I might be able to get a stater from that, and bolt it right in (hopefully) - that's a cheap option if it works. I'd like to have a larger bike, but I want to get this one working properly first . Also, I can't put another engine in (unless it's a GJ73A) because it's a stressed member of the frame (it offers support to the frame).

That okshon site is weird. I can find my auction on the yahoo japan site, but not through them... Is there somewhere I can feed a url to so that I can see a particular auction?