Bike parts - what a rip off!

**WolfCollared** · 22nd April 2009, 19:47

I am in the process of restoring a katana however I have discovered that the magneto has been fried.

Was surprised at the pricing.....

For a recoil of the magneto the local Suzuki shop were going to charge $250.
At a specialist rewind shop the price I was told $320 to have it recoiled
For a second hand magneto $270

I can get a brand new magneto from the UK for $150 (approx) including shipping!

Whats the point in supporting the local businesses when its cheaper to buy from overseas?

**Kickaha** · 22nd April 2009, 19:50

Originally Posted by WolfCollared

For a recoil of the magneto the local Suzuki shop were going to charge $250.
At a specialist rewind shop the price I was told $320 to have it recoiled
For a second hand magneto $270

Try

J Halsey Rewinds Ltd
28b Beach road Howick
Auckland
0-9-534 4161

or this guy

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-214387659.htm

I've had work done by the top guy and turn around ex Chch was about a week and $180

**Blackshear** · 22nd April 2009, 19:51

Originally Posted by WolfCollared

I am in the process of restoring a katana however I have discovered that the magneto has been fried.

Was surprised at the pricing.....

For a recoil of the magneto the local Suzuki shop were going to charge $250.
At a specialist rewind shop the price I was told $320 to have it recoiled
For a second hand magneto $270

I can get a brand new magneto from the UK for $150 (approx) including shipping!

Whats the point in supporting the local businesses when its cheaper to buy from overseas?

There's a company in Aucks somewhere, that does all the coiling for speaker crossovers, and basically anything else that involves lots of wire around and around something.

I can't remember the name off the top of my head, but if you're looking at that much dorrah, might wanna give em a call.

**AllanB** · 22nd April 2009, 19:58

He he - PM me your address so I can post you a opener for that can of worms..........

Realistically on the older stuff the Internet is your friend. Dealers pricing on older parts can be expensive and popular rides are pretty well serviced in the international aftermarket.

I had a old Kawa for years and even common usage parts got dealer as it got older - filters etc. I was told that Kawasaki stock bike parts for 10 years after production stops. Then its whats in store, with occasional production runs on popular parts. in addition there is a percentage added on each year to cover stocking of the old parts. Reasonable when put in that context.

The thing that irks me is you can got on to www.bikebandit.com and price any part for your bike in US$ - and order it if you require. Most often the exact same part ordered from your dealer in NZ will be twice the price even taking shipping and the exchange rate into account.
Don't order handlebars or seats from there though as they'll be left hand drive ones.......
I'd have thought the prices would be fairly similar - a bit dearer in NZ possibly for shipping. A volume thing? Not sure.

**wickle** · 22nd April 2009, 20:03

Originally Posted by WolfCollared

I am in the process of restoring a katana however I have discovered that the magneto has been fried.

Was surprised at the pricing.....

For a recoil of the magneto the local Suzuki shop were going to charge $250.
At a specialist rewind shop the price I was told $320 to have it recoiled
For a second hand magneto $270

I can get a brand new magneto from the UK for $150 (approx) including shipping!

Whats the point in supporting the local businesses when its cheaper to buy from overseas?

Find this myself local price for exhaust gasket $14-00 each bought of net less than $20-00 for set of four including air-frieght and exchange rate. Recently tried for a new chain guard $201.49 plus GST and frieght.

**CookMySock** · 22nd April 2009, 21:00

Gee rewind it yourself. It's only wire.

Steve

**NordieBoy** · 22nd April 2009, 21:04

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

Gee rewind it yourself. It's only wire.

Steve

"How hard could it be?"
"What could possibly go wrong?"

**toycollector10** · 22nd April 2009, 21:56

Use the internet, sign up to the forums.

Start here...

http://www.katanacentral.co.uk/commu...rd/wb-show.asp

You will probably find there's someone with a wrecked bike in their shed who will supply the part for postage only. And a big thank you and some rep on the forum.

It's worked for me over the years. Just be polite and show some enthusiasim.

**pete376403** · 22nd April 2009, 22:03

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

"How hard could it be?"
"What could possibly go wrong?"

http://www.thegsresources.com/garage...atorrewind.htm

**Katman** · 23rd April 2009, 08:54

Originally Posted by WolfCollared

I can get a brand new magneto from the UK for $150 (approx) including shipping!

There's a guy in the UK selling a lot of NOS parts on ebay.

The reason he is selling them at a very reasonable price is most likely because they haven't been much use to him sitting on his shelves for the last 20 odd years.

**WolfCollared** · 23rd April 2009, 11:14

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

Gee rewind it yourself. It's only wire.

Steve

Looked at that as an option but found out if you do it wrong it will fry itself - again. Since I dont have strong wanking wrists I cant do it myself.

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

"How hard could it be?"
"What could possibly go wrong?"

You tell me lol.

**pzkpfw** · 23rd April 2009, 12:47

I'm not denying any of the other posts (like where you can get cheaper rewinding done) but just looking at post 1, you mention 3 "expensive" options and 1 that's cheaper.

I am not surpised at all that the new magneto (even with freight) is cheaper.

It's a part that was manufactured with a million others in some factory that made a bunch of them.

Any rewinding of the part is more of a one-off activity (even if done by a specialist - they don't do Katana coils every day...), so should be expected to be more expensive.

That's why lots of stuff isn't fixed anymore. In electronics, for example, at usual labour rates it often isn't economic to hunt down a dud transistor - a whole board is just swapped out.

The issue isn't support of the local, it's economies of scale when comparing new parts to the cost of fixing parts.

**Kickaha** · 23rd April 2009, 18:23

Originally Posted by pzkpfw

they don't do Katana coils every day...), so should be expected to be more expensive.

They probably used to because they were rubbish

When I was going to have my Katana one done the guy in Tauranga was about $180

PM sidecarbob if you want more info, he knows him

**peasea** · 23rd April 2009, 21:01

Originally Posted by WolfCollared

I am in the process of restoring a katana however I have discovered that the magneto has been fried.

Was surprised at the pricing.....

For a recoil of the magneto the local Suzuki shop were going to charge $250.
At a specialist rewind shop the price I was told $320 to have it recoiled
For a second hand magneto $270

I can get a brand new magneto from the UK for $150 (approx) including shipping!

Whats the point in supporting the local businesses when its cheaper to buy from overseas?

What's the point in restoring a katana?