Corsa Meccanica no longer a Piaggio (Aprilia/Moto Guzzi/Vespa) dealer (?)

[Priller]

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Try getting parts for your 20+ year old Euro bike, go ahead I dare ya. You'll be digging for a while.

You might be surprised. When I was shopping for a track bike, I actually wanted an RSV1000R, but couldn't find one cheap anywhere closer than New Brunswick, and as Covid was in full swing, traveling was tough. (I ended up getting the Honda instead because I found an ideal donor track bike with decent mechanicals but terrible finish condition.)

Granted, parts availability from Honda is lots faster for some stuff due to shared bits like fasteners that are kept in Canada. But the Aprilia was pretty similar overall, at least according to the online shops showing the parts fiches and selling OEM bits. Neither bike has the larger commonly replaced bits (lower fairings, radiators), but both have most of the rest available. In other words, the availability difference is pretty negligible, and if something does have to come directly from the factory, Aprilia is much faster.

The only other issue is I can pop into Burlington Cycle for Honda parts, describe what I need, and they can find and order it. At Two Wheel they're not great at puzzling out the Piaggio fiche system, so you're better off to order from an online seller to make sure you get the right part...

 

[crankcall]

i have a couple aquaintances with garages of Italian bikes in the 20-50yr old range , you can find parts and yes there is some digging. As there would likely be with Japanese or British at that point, but if your into the hobby that deep you have figured out how to net work and have made friends so when your looking for a 5volt bulb, you probably already know who to call.
Parts becoming obsolete happens in a LOT of transportation industry , its not just a motorbike thing.

 

[bigpoppa]

Try getting parts for your 20+ year old Euro bike, go ahead I dare ya. You'll be digging for a while.

Dont have personal experience with this, but I know a forum full of guys with 60's moto guzzi's that have no problems

 

[TK4]

Dont have personal experience with this, but I know a forum full of guys with 60's moto guzzi's that have no problems

You can find pretty much anything if you know where to look AND don't mind waiting.
If you have a 60's Moto Guzzi I sincerely doubt you're using it for daily transportation.
We used to use a term MCTU ( Motor Cycle Tied Up) when there was a rush order.

 

[bigpoppa]

You can find pretty much anything if you know where to look AND don't mind waiting.
If you have a 60's Moto Guzzi I sincerely doubt you're using it for daily transportation.
We used to use a term MCTU ( Motor Cycle Tied Up) when there was a rush order.

so the argument went from "you wont be able to find parts" to
"you'll have to wait occasionally?"

Even pizza takes 40 minutes these days, does that mean I no longer eat it?

 

[Mad Mike]

i have a couple aquaintances with garages of Italian bikes in the 20-50yr old range , you can find parts and yes there is some digging. As there would likely be with Japanese or British at that point, but if your into the hobby that deep you have figured out how to net work and have made friends so when your looking for a 5volt bulb, you probably already know who to call.
Parts becoming obsolete happens in a LOT of transportation industry , its not just a motorbike thing.

I'm familiar with old Limey bikes, parts are relatively easy to find and generally cheap. I don't know much about Pasta stuff, a quick look on Ebay tells me there are fewer replacement parts for a Diana than a B25, and the Duc parts are a little pricier.

 

[TK4]

so the argument went from "you wont be able to find parts" to
"you'll have to wait occasionally?"

Even pizza takes 40 minutes these days, does that mean I no longer eat it?

I never said that - try again.
I said supply chain has hooped everybody up.
I said European parts are more expensive.
I said if you have an older machine its getting way harder to find parts and will take longer.
Jeez, you're starting to sound like Trials.

 

[TK4]

I'm familiar with old Limey bikes, parts are relatively easy to find and generally cheap. I don't know much about Pasta stuff, a quick look on Ebay tells me there are fewer replacement parts for a Diana than a B25, and the Duc parts are a little pricier.

Old Brit Bikes have their own sub culture. Repro parts are everywhere.

 

[bitzz]

Let's make a bunch of un-informed generalized statements... OK?
I am currently working on a 1970 T100R Triumph. I needed a first gear, one phone call and $50 USD later, it's in the mail. I can buy pretty well ANY part off that bike, even body work.
... or a 1970 Combat Commando: the forks were WHACK. One call (it seems MOST of the parts suppliers for these bikes are better on the phone... they USUALLY like to talk) new metering rods and plungers, seals and sliders (all the internal parts) were in the mail. I can buy pretty well ANY part off that bike, even body work.
... needed a top end for a '78 Guzzi T3: took THREE phone calls cuz "what's his name" at Jambalaya REALLY thought I should have gone with the 1000cc, BUT NO, I want the 850cc set up... $800 USD (Pistons, rings, pins, gaskets AND NEW nikasiled barrels)... the 1000cc is the same price. I can buy pretty well ANY part off that bike, even body work.
You want parts for a '70-80s Yamaha two stroke twin GP racer? If I don't have 'em, I know someone that does. I can buy pretty well ANY part off that bike, even body work.
How about a '60s Ducati single? Same deal. I can buy pretty well ANY part off that bike, even body work.
Got a bevel twin? Remember I said Ducati sells off parts? The parts ended up here in Canada and Australia. If you have a bevel, you're set.
Need parts for your '93-96 900SS? Good luck, try Ebay.
I have a Laverda SF, AFIK there is only one supplier in North America... but he is a REAL nice guy, that will bend over backward to get you parts... mostly cuz' he REALLY likes the bikes and wants to see them on the road.
You want parts for you '78 CB750 or GS1000? You're buying USED or third party pattern parts. AFIK there is no one out there that has a MAJOR stash of NOS parts for UJMs... but Suzuki re-activated a couple hundred thousand part numbers for vintage stuff a couple of years ago... there is usually NO STOCK but the number is good....
If you guys are looking for vintage stuff, get in touch. It sounds like I can help.

 

[bigpoppa]

Its always funny when this topic comes up, inputs from dudes who've never owned one, coming up with all sorts of hypothetical fairytale scenarios or stories of a friend of a friend who owned one in the 70s.

9/10 times when you speak to actual owners, they have no complaints.

that 1/10 guy with an actual issue, worst case has to either wait for a part or go to a dealer to get a free recall.


But yeah, tell me how exciting your vstrom makes you feel on your way to the orthopedic appointment.

 

[TK4]

Its always funny when this topic comes up, inputs from dudes who've never owned one, coming up with all sorts of hypothetical fairytale scenarios or stories of a friend of a friend who owned one in the 70s.

9/10 times when you speak to actual owners, they have no complaints.

that 1/10 guy with an actual issue, worst case has to either wait for a part or go to a dealer to get a free recall.


But yeah, tell me how exciting your vstrom makes you feel on your way to the orthopedic appointment.

I've owned and worked on all kinds over machines for over 50 years, both as an amateur and a professional.
I try to respond in a careful, conscientious manner based on that experience.
Don't try to teach your father how to fornicate.

 

[bigpoppa]

I never said that - try again.
I said supply chain has hooped everybody up.
I said European parts are more expensive.
I said if you have an older machine its getting way harder to find parts and will take longer.
Jeez, you're starting to sound like Trials.

I aint a lawyer,
but you certainly implied it.

 

[bigpoppa]

I've owned and worked on all kinds over machines for over 50 years

do tell, which modern euro bikes have you owned?
(anything in the last 20 years)

 

[TK4]

do tell, which modern euro bikes have you owned?
(anything in the last 20 years)

I don't have to own one to work on them - and what's that got to do with anything ?

 

[TK4]

View attachment 56213

I aint a lawyer,
but you certainly implied it.

So now you're a mind reader too ? Give it a rest.

 

[Mad Mike]

Its always funny when this topic comes up, inputs from dudes who've never owned one, coming up with all sorts of hypothetical fairytale scenarios or stories of a friend of a friend who owned one in the 70s.

9/10 times when you speak to actual owners, they have no complaints.

that 1/10 guy with an actual issue, worst case has to either wait for a part or go to a dealer to get a free recall.

But yeah, tell me how exciting your vstrom makes you feel on your way to the orthopedic appointment.

First off, few riders complain about their ride... even if it's a POS. Even some Hyosung riders like their bikes.

The exciting thing for Vstrom owners isn't ortho appointments... it's chicks.

 

[bigpoppa]

So now you're a mind reader too ? Give it a rest.

your own words, but ok

I gotta go for a ride, im out

 

[bitzz]

My biggest problem with WORKING on old stuff, is not the old stuff but what the idiot that worked on before me did to the poor thing.
That Triumph is NICE. I'm second owner, a friend of mine bought it new in 1972 and it's never been apart. Everything is as it should be, only ever been worked on by me or someone I knew,I have no problems.... other than I HATE Triumphs, but that's MY problem I guess
I bought the Norton off a guy that said he spent $3500 getting the bike in shape... I was told at Corsa by George.
As I said the forks were WHACK, worn out. The swingarm pivot was seized, the shocks were rusty. The isolastics had turned to dust and just flopped around (so the motor vibrated like a paint shaker), it had original 50 year old wheel bearings and loose spokes.
i dunno... I wasn't there, maybe he told him to ignore the bike, just work on the motor and trans....
When I bought it I was told it had a clutch problem... OK.
Clutch was brand new. New fibres and metals... HUH? (In the end there was nothing wrong with the clutch. They had the cable installed wrong).
The motor was newly rebuilt. New Hepolite pistons and rings, new valve guides (and a lousy valve job, I had to redo it), new crank bearings and 4 push rods of 4 different lengths (WTF???)(Combat motors have shorter push rods and intake and exhaust are different lengths... so it had one IN, one EX from a Commando, and one IN and one EX from a Combat. I don't see HOW you could put it together like that and NOT notice)... BUT THE BEST PART: Combat Commandos have a "different" crankcase vent and there is a Norton service memo on how to fix it (you block off the standard vent at the rear of the motor, and drill some holes through the crankcase to vent to the timing cover)... WELL someone did page one of the three page service memo, and blocked off the vent... but there was no holes into the timing case. So the end result was the bottom end pressurized, blew all the oil into the oil can and the crankshaft bearings went bye-bye. The $3500 motor lasted about an hour... because who ever was working on it didn't understand the WHAT or WHY of the job.
I see crap like this ALL THE TIME and it makes me sad.

 

[Mad Mike]

My biggest problem with WORKING on old stuff, is not the old stuff but what the idiot that worked on before me did to the poor thing.
That Triumph is NICE. I'm second owner, a friend of mine bought it new in 1972 and it's never been apart. Everything is as it should be, only ever been worked on by me or someone I knew,I have no problems.... other than I HATE Triumphs, but that's MY problem I guess
I bought the Norton off a guy that said he spent $3500 getting the bike in shape... I was told at Corsa by George.
As I said the forks were WHACK, worn out. The swingarm pivot was seized, the shocks were rusty. The isolastics had turned to dust and just flopped around (so the motor vibrated like a paint shaker), it had original 50 year old wheel bearings and loose spokes.
i dunno... I wasn't there, maybe he told him to ignore the bike, just work on the motor and trans....
When I bought it I was told it had a clutch problem... OK.
Clutch was brand new. New fibres and metals... HUH? (In the end there was nothing wrong with the clutch. They had the cable installed wrong).
The motor was newly rebuilt. New Hepolite pistons and rings, new valve guides (and a lousy valve job, I had to redo it), new crank bearings and 4 push rods of 4 different lengths (WTF???)(Combat motors have shorter push rods and intake and exhaust are different lengths... so it had one IN, one EX from a Commando, and one IN and one EX from a Combat. I don't see HOW you could put it together like that and NOT notice)... BUT THE BEST PART: Combat Commandos have a "different" crankcase vent and there is a Norton service memo on how to fix it (you block off the standard vent at the rear of the motor, and drill some holes through the crankcase to vent to the timing cover)... WELL someone did page one of the three page service memo, and blocked off the vent... but there was no holes into the timing case. So the end result was the bottom end pressurized, blew all the oil into the oil can and the crankshaft bearings went bye-bye. The $3500 motor lasted about an hour... because who ever was working on it didn't understand the WHAT or WHY of the job.
I see crap like this ALL THE TIME and it makes me sad.

I have a small collection of old girls, my 2 faves are a 76 Gl1000 and a 81 XV920r. Both are original, and unmolested including paint. Both were purchased from their original owners with about 60k on the clocks, and were well maintained. Not so lucky with the small volkection of enduros - the list of bad repairs is too long to document here.

 

[xrljoel]

My biggest problem with WORKING on old stuff, is not the old stuff but what the idiot that worked on before me did to the poor thing.
That Triumph is NICE. I'm second owner, a friend of mine bought it new in 1972 and it's never been apart. Everything is as it should be, only ever been worked on by me or someone I knew,I have no problems.... other than I HATE Triumphs, but that's MY problem I guess
I bought the Norton off a guy that said he spent $3500 getting the bike in shape... I was told at Corsa by George.
As I said the forks were WHACK, worn out. The swingarm pivot was seized, the shocks were rusty. The isolastics had turned to dust and just flopped around (so the motor vibrated like a paint shaker), it had original 50 year old wheel bearings and loose spokes.
i dunno... I wasn't there, maybe he told him to ignore the bike, just work on the motor and trans....
When I bought it I was told it had a clutch problem... OK.
Clutch was brand new. New fibres and metals... HUH? (In the end there was nothing wrong with the clutch. They had the cable installed wrong).
The motor was newly rebuilt. New Hepolite pistons and rings, new valve guides (and a lousy valve job, I had to redo it), new crank bearings and 4 push rods of 4 different lengths (WTF???)(Combat motors have shorter push rods and intake and exhaust are different lengths... so it had one IN, one EX from a Commando, and one IN and one EX from a Combat. I don't see HOW you could put it together like that and NOT notice)... BUT THE BEST PART: Combat Commandos have a "different" crankcase vent and there is a Norton service memo on how to fix it (you block off the standard vent at the rear of the motor, and drill some holes through the crankcase to vent to the timing cover)... WELL someone did page one of the three page service memo, and blocked off the vent... but there was no holes into the timing case. So the end result was the bottom end pressurized, blew all the oil into the oil can and the crankshaft bearings went bye-bye. The $3500 motor lasted about an hour... because who ever was working on it didn't understand the WHAT or WHY of the job.
I see crap like this ALL THE TIME and it makes me sad.

100000% true.

I have a 74 850 Commando that I bought from a guy who couldn't start it (injured leg), who got it from a guy who also couldn't start it (not sure how to do it) who bought it from a guy in Quebec who was tired of plowing money into it. No wonder. There's $8,500 in receipts from a Montreal area shop for mechanical work and parts.

I paid 4K and after cleaning the carbs, replacing the leaking petcocks and all the bad fuel lines (and backwards fuel filter), replacing the plugs, adding a new battery and changing the oil it started the second kick. As an older-than-me guy said, "It's a KICK start, not a JUMP-ON start. Keep your left foot on the ground and follow the routine."

I've since rebuilt the forks and front brake and replaced the sacked original springs and shocks. While the original rims were OK, the spokes were ugly and I've ALWAYS wanted a commando with aluminum rims so I had a fellow down near Hamilton lace up a set. Lots of other stuff repaired or replaced too of course, in many cases less out of need but more for esthetics and personal preference.

Throughout the process I've found so many bodged up "repairs" along with weird aftermarket parts I've lost track.

Judging by the photos and documentation the fellow in Quebec was a well meaning guy with some sort of engineering background or interest. For instance, the center stand was attached to the stock mounts and held in place with a strange assortment of what appears to be brass bushings, spacers and clamps on non-stock bolts. It didn't resemble the parts diagram at all, and I can't see the point. At the same time the side stand mount was a pile of welded material with pieces of the stock one mixed in at such an angle that the stand would hit the underside of the primary case when retracted.

Worst of all for me, he replaced the main wiring harness with a clumpy mass of different colored wires that don't match the diagrams all wrapped in several rolls of tape. The tank barely fits over it and it's about as flexible as a hunk of PVC pipe. I've bought new harnesses but have stalled in my progress. It seems like a daunting job, one that I will tackle, but I'm not quite ready for it.

It's been fun though, in general.

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