Is it a good idea?

[ragincajun]

Just wondering how hard parts are to find for our bikes and if it's a good idea to just buy parts up (whether engines, drives, whatever) if you find a good deal to kind of have a stockpile if needed?

[Gryphon Rider]

Awesome idea!  I just need to convince my wife that I need a "parts" Valkyrie. 

[Patrick]

I've been buying spare parts that I thought might be needed in the future for years now.. Bearings, u-joint, switches, side stand springs with retainers ,etc. and just general stuff used for normal maintenance.. That big box is getting pretty heavy..

[Chrome]

Hey RC Been doing alot of that the last few years. Had bearings at last Powwow in London for a sick Valk that was visiting.Got alot of spare parts that wear out like U-joints but the shiney stuff that Honda doesn't make. Got spare saddlebag rails,chrome side covers and the expensive stuff like windshield hardware ,wiring, and a gas tank. You just never know when you might need something or the money to get what you realy need bad.
Happy Trails Chrome

[BigMac (SoCal)]

I've been doing that for some years now. I have quite an inventory. Final drive, clutch, alternator( which I got brand new for $50.00), and all the little stuff. I may never need them but I got them anyway. The final drive I got way back when you could get them for a $100.00. I watch for deals and pick them up now and then. I believe you will always be able to get mechanical parts from Honda. It's the tanks and plastics that are no longer available. I could still get most mechanical parts for my old Honda 750's when I was playing with them. It's your call but there is always Ebay.

Dave 

[whitestroke]

Honda will have the parts for a long time.  I bet your stockpile will still be a pile in 20 years.

[9Ball]

In my opinion the parts that will become difficult to get in the future are body parts (tanks, fenders, side covers, engine guards, stock unmodified exhaust pipes, etc.) that can become damaged in a crash or tip over...maintenance parts should be easier to locate, but for a price.

We've already seen OEM accessories disappear at reasonable prices and many vendors have discontinued aftermarket accessories.

Think of stockpiling as a hedge against inflation (or hoarding if you prefer).  

[hubcapsc]

alternator( which I got brand new for $50.00)

Dang... I'll give you $55 for it 

-Mike

[BigMac (SoCal)]

Ya, I really got lucky on that Alternator. It came from a guy who used to have a 1500 wing and got a 1800 wing. He had no use for it and just wanted out of his garage. I also got a perfect standard exhaust for free for doing some work on an Interstate. The owner wanted the stock ones put back on and gave me the Standard. Someday I may put them on my Interstate if mine ever rust out.   

[PhredValk]

There are a bajillion GL1500 Wings out there, so mechanicals will be available for most of our lifetimes. I had no trouble getting bits for my 1980 GL1100 up to three years ago whan I sold her to buy the Valk.

Other's are right, the cosmetics are no longer available, but other bags, farings etc ARE available. They may look a little different, but uniqueness is the greatest personal touch there is.
Fred.

[97Valk_CT_Euless]

I've been stockpiling a few parts (new) so I'll have them if something breaks.  Things I THINK are likely to go out on a 15 year old bike.  Mostly the rubber, Master and slave cylinder parts so far, but eyeing hoses, etc.  I just don't want to be down 2 weeks waiting on them. Local Honda shop rarely has what I need on hand and it's just as quick to get it online, and cheaper. (I say that but they had my radiator cap last night)    Also keeping my eye out for used parts as you say, body parts etc.  But then again, I'm a hoarder 

[olddog1946]

Most bling is very difficult to find and never cheap. Wear items can be had readily, i.e. wheel bearings, brake pads, rebuild kits for calipers and master cylinders. I do have a good goldwing alternator on hand, a spare final drive, all the wheel bearings and a petcock rebuild kit, oh and some spare light bulbs.
I have had to replace the left rear bearing, brake pads, final drive O rings and tires. So far that's all folks. The real reason for having spare parts on hand is LESS downtime waiting for parts and more time to RIDE. I figure I'll probably forget where my parts are before I actually need to use em.

[hubcapsc]

I buy little bits and pieces of hard-to-find stuff when I see it cheap...

I have some parts for saddlebag mounts, the main right hand part for a Cobra light bar,
a couple of non matching saddlebag carcasses, a couple of OEM windshield hardware
bits... I'm counting on Honda continuing to sell the stuff needed to keep the bike on the road ...

-Mike

[Pluggy]

Those grommets, sleeves and other small rubber parts harden and crack.  Rubber items are often the first to go out-of-stock and stay that way. 

When you order a rubber part, consider getting an extra for future use.

[Russell Rice]

forget buying extra parts, just buy the whole bike. Ask Attic Rat about that........lol

[ragincajun]

Just wondering if a rear brake master cylinder might be something that goes out (enough so to buy one if it crosses my path?)

[Mildew]

Still have all the original stuff on my 100+ thousand mile valk. Speedometer broke many years ago and still haven't ordered a cable yet.