Who do you use for parts and why?

[v2plus20]

Guy's and Gal's,

I am a new owner (1976 R75/6) and am somewhat overwhelmed by the number of online parts distributers. Can you tell me who you use and why? The closest BMW dealer is about an hour away, so I won't be going there for everything. I don't mind paying a little extra for quick shipping and great customer service! Thanks!

[Brettendress]

Bob's BMW in Jessup Maryland, they have everything in stock for both my 04 Gs and my 1970 R60/5 just call and they know what your talking about even if you describe things like " that little thingy that goes here" they have it, send it right out and service and prices can't be beat. No waiting etc. They are simply the best

Brett Endress
Altoona Pa

[edwarddieck]

Good to see Airheads in the neighborhood. Are you a member of the Airheads Beemer Club? I live in Mandeville.
Ed
La. Airmarshal

[King]

You might try Twin City BMW in Savoy, IL. They stock an amazing number of doo-dads and knick-knacks for my R75/6, my R100RS, and, of course, my K1200RS. 217-356-0399. You can look up the 800 number in your Anonymous book, or check out their add in the BMWON. Call after 11:00 a.m. CST and ask for Jack Hawley. He is the airhead guru.

[20774]

Ted Porter at The Beemershop - NorCal
Rick Jones at Motorrad Elektrik - Alabama
Vech at Bench Mark Works - Mississippi
Hucky's BMW - Florida

All have websites. All are good people to deal with.

[jad01]

I have had very good luck over the last few years with Max BMW in New Hampshire- Rusty or Drew in parts. They also have an online parts fische that is helpful. I have also used Motorrad Elektrik for various upgraded electric bits (I especially like my LED tail light assembly!).
Jim
78 R80/7

[kwb210]

I have used Hucky's BMW, aside from quick orders, a nice printout of my items and quick shipping plus some verbal advice, the web site lets you view pictures of the parts, very helpful to me as a DIY kind of guy.
I realy like working/tinkering on these German bikes. High quality parts but not over priced and the fitment is great. Lots of common sense in the engineering, typical German actually. I have an old Mercedes that is also fun to work on.
Kurt
1977 R100/7

[Yarddog]

I'm a big fan of using a brick and mortar shop when I can...their prices may be somewhat higher than on-line sources, however, my expectation is that they will make up with that with much better service...

However, if the prices are WAAAAAAAYYYY outta line, then I kinda gotta rethink that...I'm goin' thru that deal right now where I'm trying to decide whether that's the case or not...one particular part comes to mind where it was advertised on Bob's BMW website for $106.00...I ordered it from my local B&M shop, and it turned out to be $190.00!!!! That's dern near double...and there's only so much smiling I can tolerate when I write the check, ya know? So, in the future, I may be sourcing a lot more stuff on-line...there have been other things that have been similarly out of line...doesn't make me too happy...

When I've done other projects, I've actually gotten a bunch of catalogs (this was before the time of the on-line on-slaught) and put together a list of parts I knew I was gonna need...I used this list to build a matrix, and this helped me to determine which company generally was the least expensive...in my case, it turned out that there was this company in Kansas City that was the cheapest across the board, along with a company in my home state only 80 miles away... However, the KC company offered free shipping for orders over $300, and I didn't have to pay sales tax, so it got the nod for the vast majority of the parts I needed... For this that and the other, I used the more local shop, and drove there on a Saturday morning, usually...

I think that it's a lot easier now to get an idea of who's the cheapest anymore, and somewhat more difficult to get a handle on who offers better service...I, too, have heard good things about Bob's BMW...however, I haven't had the opportunity yet to order anything from them...

Hope this helps...

[mikeb921]

I like using Hucky's BMW as well. You just won't find a nicer gut that really knows what he's talking about. Fair prices, great parts, excellent service.

Ride Safe
MB

[murphychuck]

I have been using Capital Cycle for parts on my '83 R100 and have been very satisfied with both the price and fast shipping! I compared their prices with several online sites and found them to be the lowest. Make sure you give the VIN no. on your bike,that way there is no confusion about the correct year and model when ordering.:clap

[BubbaZanetti]

I have had very good luck over the last few years with Max BMW in New Hampshire- Rusty or Drew in parts. They also have an online parts fische that is helpful. I have also used Motorrad Elektrik for various upgraded electric bits (I especially like my LED tail light assembly!).
Jim
78 R80/7

my choice as well, always good service, nearly always in stock parts and who else do you get free m&ms with each order from?

tried chicago once, not worth the 20 percent off. slow and virtually no customer support.

[AKBeemer]

Hey!!!!!!!! I didn't get any M&Ms!!!!!!!!!!!

[BubbaZanetti]

Hey!!!!!!!! I didn't get any M&Ms!!!!!!!!!!!

ok, i'd say 75 percent of the time there's some in there, i don't always get them either.:brow

[osbornk]

I have used BMW Motorcycles of Lynchburg (formerly Hammersley) for years. Prompt service, good prices and online parts fiche. http://www.webparts.com/

[MIAirhead]

http://www.re-psycle.com/

I had good luck with these guy, in fact I stop there last summer while in Ohio with my son on his KLR. They ship, repair, and know AirHeads. Seems to have a acre of old parts. Also have a Ebay store I think.

[83014]

I have been using Capital Cycle for parts on my '83 R100 and have been very satisfied with both the price and fast shipping! I compared their prices with several online sites and found them to be the lowest. Make sure you give the VIN no. on your bike,that way there is no confusion about the correct year and model when ordering.:clap

I agree. I have used Bob's, A&S, San Jose,etc. I also have been pleased with my local dealer. They have matched prices on some items with the internet order vendors. You might find that your dealer will do the same. It doesn't hurt to ask and it'll help them stay in business too.

[habdala]

I have been using Capital Cycle for parts on my '83 R100 and have been very satisfied with both the price and fast shipping! I compared their prices with several online sites and found them to be the lowest. Make sure you give the VIN no. on your bike,that way there is no confusion about the correct year and model when ordering.:clap

+1 Capital Cycle great service good prices, I also get parts from Fleebay when in a pickle.

[enfoman]

ok, i'd say 75 percent of the time there's some in there, i don't always get them either.:brow

None in my delivered package that came today either!:cry:cry:cry, But, I did get a free Max tee shirt when I came in as Elvis on Halloween for those parts Ah -Huh!

[Lee]

I use the dealer we bought our bikes from, Engle Motors in Kansas City.
Why. Because I want them to stay in business.
They are 180 miles from us so I usually call and have them ship what I need. They are very reasonable on shipping and since I'm out of state no tax is charged.

[rolyak]

They are within driving (riding) distance of Butler OH and have been extremely helpful in getting my '85 R80RT back in shape. :thumb

They have rows of used parts all catergorized. The folks are friendly and knowledgeble.:bow

They even had an obscure speedometer cable bushing that's not available from the OE. Saved me about $45.:D

[v2plus20]

Wow, thanks everyone. I knew I came to the right place!

[carockwell]

Any of the BMW dealers that have been around since the Airhead days are good candidates. I have started using Matt at Boxerworks for all parts that require some discussion because he will go out and measure stuff and generally knows which parts will fit and which need some modification to work properly. He can do the modification at his shop. This is very useful when you are mixing parts to make your own bike.

[jforgo]

My local dealer stocks squat for airheads. I typically have to wait a week anyway. For "major" stuff I have been using Capital Cycle - better prices than the dealer. They will also get parts from Europe, as I found when I wanted k75S bars for my RS. I even "stock" certain common parts I get from Capital, due to my stable.

I do use the dealer for the odd small parts where I need stuff like, say, an under seat rubber bumpon thingy. Then the BMW parts system comes in handy, I think. The dealer also seems to grimace as they have realized how many bikes I have, but none of them ever see the shop.

But a caveat; to do this, I take the time to order everything, whether dealer or Capital, by part number only. No mistakes, no regrets!

[From MARS]

I use the dealer we bought our bikes from, Engle Motors in Kansas City.
Why. Because I want them to stay in business.
They are 180 miles from us so I usually call and have them ship what I need. They are very reasonable on shipping and since I'm out of state no tax is charged.

Not to mention the great sidestand pucks they include with the order.:thumb

Tom

[jad01]

It didn't occur to me when I posted the other day, but depending on what type of parts you need, I would also recommend Airhead Salvage (owner: Mike Hamende) in Austin. I have purchased a number of "big ticket" items for a substantial discount over new parts, and have been very pleased at the quality and prompt service. I did a dual disc conversion last year, and bought a number of the parts, including the master cylinder, from Mike. Everything I have purchased thru Airhead Salvage has been very good quality (like new). There are obviously some parts (cables, etc.) that I would only buy new, but I think good quality salvage is a good option, especially for those of us on a budget.