Houston parts depot

[Rocketman]

I started pondering on this idea after Dave's u-joint problem at GOTF last year, but hadn't put it into motion.  The recent alternator problem reminded me that it needs to be implemented.

I would like to have a Houston area parts depot.  It would work similar to the way we got the alternator job done Sunday.  Basic concept is to have a stash of parts that could be used as "loaners", and if anyone in the area (either locals or especially those passing through) needs that part, he can take it from the depot with the promise of ordering a replacement with all possible haste, to be delievered back to the depot.  The focus would be on "get you back on the road" type parts, like an alternator, rather than the "nice to have" parts, like a seat strap.

Commonly available items (oil filter, fluids, etc.) aren't needed. The purpose is to keep from having a 3-7 day wait for parts, especially if the person in neeed is traveling.

In practical terms, the parts could either live at the owner's house, or at some common point to be determined.  I would have the responsibility of keeping track of the parts, and their respective locations.  If the part is at the common point, someone will retrieve the part and get it to the person in need.  If it is at the owner's house, I will work with the owner to retrieve it.  The recipient will get the donor's address, and have a replacement part delivered directly back to the donor.  
I know this is not a bulletproof plan, since it requires that the owner/donor be available.  If the owner keeps it in a place that's accessible, he could direct me to it in case he's out of town when the need arises.

There would be several phases to the implementation.  
First:  Develop a list of parts that we want in the depot.
Second:  Develop a list of parts that we already have, whose owners are willing to "donate" them.  Donors would be responsible for updating me on the status of the part (if it gets used, when it gets replaced, etc.)
Third:  Decide if and how to expand our available parts list.
Fourth:  Maintain the list, with part names/numbers plus contact information for the owner.  I would share my list with a backup or two just in case I'm not available.  This would reduce our single point failure.

So, my first thoughts on what parts we need:
replacement parts:
Alternator
U-joint
starter switch (esp. for tourer/standard)
shock bushings
Final drive?
brake pads
Assorted switches/wires/etc.

Some of these already exist in the "unofficial" Houston parts depot, but I would like to formalize it and fill the gaps.

Comments?  Additions to the list?  "Donations"?

Edit:
The running list, to be added to as suggestions are made:
Alternator
U-joint
starter switch (esp. for tourer/standard)
shock bushings
Final drive?
brake pads
Wheel bearings (front)
Wheel bearings (rear)
Pinion cup
petcock
petcock rebuild set
drive shaft
shock bolt (right lower)
side stand spring and bolt
Alternator bolts
rear end filler plug
valve stems
clutch master cyl.
brake master cyl.
fork pinch bolts

[bigdog99]

i think you have a great idea.
i also wish there was a way to get some local machine shop to make some of the harder to get parts. i think of the ball joint thing going on. als the dry socket gears for the shaft. one day we are all going to have great tunning ornaments for the living room. the final rear drive stuff scares me.
good luck with the start of something great!

[mario]

 

[wizard -vrccds#125]

It would take me hours to do inventory ! Ask me and I will let you know !       

[Ghillie]

Disco and I discussed this idea earlier today for the DFW/Northeast area

[Red Diamond]

Great idea Mark, you could also add wheel bearings to that list. There are probably other parts, but you have listed the two things that usually strand Valkyrie riders and that is the alternator and the u-joint. I have 2 u-joints of the goldwing variety.

[Houdini]

I've been stranded twice on my Valkyrie, once from a worn out pinion cup and once due to the petcock.  I'd suggest those items should be part of an emergency parts depot.

[QOTFU]

I remember someone getting stranded in Frisco, Co. for a couple of days because of a flat tire.  The dealer was closed Sunday and Monday.

[Daniel Meyer]

In the "more likely to strand" or "unexpected need" category Add
--a pinion cup and driveshaft
--right lower shock bolt (the one in the pumpkin)
--side-stand pin and spring
--along with the alternator--extra bolts to install it (they break often enough) and the dampeners/rubbers and o-ring.
--rear end filler plug (the pot metal one that breaks
--metal valve stems
--clutch and front brake master cylinders (get broken in some drops)
--wheel bearings
--petcock (complete)
--petcock rebuild kits (cover sets)
--fork pinch bolts
--starter button switch
--fuses including main

[Houdini]

--along with the alternator--extra bolts to install it (they break often enough)

I had one broken off when I bought my bike, it is still in there.  How difficult is it to remove/replace these bolts?

[Disco]

I started pondering on this idea after Dave's u-joint problem at GOTF last year, but hadn't put it into motion.

Ditto... 

I was thinking about a Sticky Thread at the top of the Texas Board called Emergency Parts Supply/Depot/Resources, etc that 1) would not turn into a swapmeet or substitute for the Classifieds, 2) would be maintained by everyone who lists extra parts they have on the shelf that would be available on a replacement basis to anyone in a pinch.  It would be decentralized.  In my mind, a centralized inventory presents several potential problems.  My original idea was that each member making his personal stash available to the extended family would post his inventory. 

I believe a better way (more programming???) to sift through the list in a stressed situation would be to click on Emergency Parts and have that take you to a "sub-forum" with a series of threads, each one a part off the lists like Rocketman and Daniel have provided.  At that point, a member could reply to any of the part threads and give basic info like DFW, Houston, CenTex, etc. 

I will gladly delete this and the paragraph above if our administrators shriek in horror.   

[keepinon]

S.Saunders has a secure forum at his place for goldwingers, that only members can access. There folks have posted their location, phone number, parts availability, if they have work area, trailers, etc. It makes it easy to find a willing to help member in the area of your breakdown.

I do think Mark's idea is good, he'll just have some paperwork to keep up. 

I do have some spare parts, drive shaft, u-joint, petcock kit, shock bushings, vacuum line, fuel line, and if it can't be repaired in place, a trailer to move it.

Hope this idea takes off.

[Rocketman]

Keeping it as a post on the forum would either require you to post your contact information for all to see, or for the person in need to contact you via email/PM/board post, none of which are fast enough in the situations I'm envisioning.  I would be willing to keep up with the paperwork, at least for the Houston area list, and as long as I gave copies of the list to several key people, then things wouldn't slow down on that account.  Therefore, I want to keep it as a list off-board.

Those are some good suggestions for additional parts.  I think I will not include fuses and vacuum lines, since they're parts that are easily accessible.  We're not putting together a road kit, which would need fuses etc.  We're putting together a set of parts we wouldn't want to have to wait for delivery on, especially if we were stuck on the road somewhere.

[Rocketman]

FYI, the "common location" will be Phyllis's.  She has offered to be keeper of the depot.
Once again, you can either place it in the common location, or keep it at your home, your choice.  You might want to keep it at your home in case you need it, but it's up to you.

Mark

[Rocketman]

Now that we've had some time to take suggestions for parts that need to be on the list, I'll now take "donations".  So, if you have a spare part that is on the list, and you're willing to offer it up as an emergency repair part, to be replaced by the recipient, let me know.  You can either post here, or let me know via email.  If you post here, please follow it up with an email to me.
In the email, I want several pieces of information:
1)  Part description (include if it's for a Tourer/Standard or an I/S, if applicable)
2)  Where it is (common location, or at your home, and where your home is.
3)  A cell phone number, or whatever is deemed the best way to get a hold of you quickly.  Posting to the board, or emailing is not quick enough for a "we could really use this part this afternoon".
4)  Whether or not you are willing to set it in an accessible place for when you are out of town, in case the need comes up then.
5)  A mailing address for the recipient to ship the part back to you when he gets the replacement.

I will compile a list with all of this information, and share it with a few key people, so that several people have it handy.  Once that is done, if the part's status (availability or location) changes, please let me know.

I will be keeping the Houston area list.  If the other chapters want to follow suit, I encourage that.  However, I would like to keep them as separate lists (and forum threads), so as to reduce confusion of proximity.

Mark

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

I have a spare final drive and have no problem loaning it out. I just want to know it'll be well cared for and returned that way. Also have a spare (used) u-joint to help out. I will also have a spare radiator cap in the near future.

[Rocketman]

Side comment:
Duplicate parts are encouraged.  If I hadn't been able to get a hold of Mike last week to acquire his alternator, having knowledge of another one would have come in handy.