Priller
Well-known member
From where I'm sitting, a 2001 is NOT an old bike. Newer than anything I've owned.
... but I find it MUCH easier to source parts for ol' Ducatis, Nortons, Triumphs and Guzzis than not so old Hondas... a LOT cheaper too.
I needed a first gear for a 350/500 unit Triumph: one phone call, $50 USD later, it's on the way.
Need a top end for a '70s T3 Moto Guzzi? $850 USD COMPLETE. 2 new pistons, rings, pins, gaskets and 2 NEW Nicosil lined jugs All quality stuff
It took me two years to find an air box for a '89 RC31 Honda. Good luck if you need a crankshaft!... or a FUEL PUMP... or a fuel tank. There ain't none.
Hey, it's not old to me, either! In my mind, 2001 was about three weeks ago...
But I quickly discovered it was old in the eyes of the parts departments when I tried to get parts. It's past the magic 20 years now, so officially old.
And I think Honda is way better than the other modern manufacturers when it comes to keeping parts available. The Hawk GT/Bros was a niche bike that sold poorly in very small numbers, and then exploded in popularity after it had been discontinued (especially with racers who butchered bits to squeeze power - I remember drilling out or cutting the top off the airbox was a popular mod), so it's just about worst-case scenario for parts availability. I'm assuming you put the word out on Hawk GT forums and Facebook pages? With the RC51, lots of serviceable bikes get parted out because a few hard-to-find individual bits collectively end up being worth more than the bikes sell for complete. Uncut fenders, CDI boxes, coil packs, clean fairings, crank bearings, etc. If you find a clean, original, full Ti Akrapovic system, you can buy two other running RC51's just for what you could sell it for...