How to get parts when it breaks

Denial

'Houston, We Have a Problem'

"I know it's making a funny noise, but I'm sure if I ignore it, it will go away."

That's exactly what a friend thought as he drove to pick up his sister late one night from Heathrow Airport.

Five minutes later, he felt a 'clonk' and saw one of his wheels disappear off into the darkness.

"Hi Jerome, it's Dave."

"Er, do you have a torch? One of my wheels has fallen off and gone down a bank but it's too dark to see it."

You have no idea what the problem is.

So, either go into denial, or get some local help.

You know what the problem is and how to fix it.

Even so, it's a good idea to get local help – see below.

Local

From Home

Internet

A local dealer or fellow motorcyclist is the way to go.

Can you phone a friend?

Is there a HUBB Community contact nearby?

Bodge It Yourself

Get Someone Else to Bodge It

Just use the force, lots of gaffer tape and liquid metal.

Get some one to weld/braze/ a permanent / temporary / instant solution.

I got split link welded on my chain when the circlip fell off.

New

Dealers

Depending on the parts should be the best and quickest source..

Finding a dealer who has all the parts in stock may take a while.

New - Warranty claim

Dealers

The cheapest.

Possibly the slowest. Everything depends on the efficiency of the manufacturers warranty system.

Not so quick for KTM's. I'll sort it out later.

Second hand/ breakers etc

Commercial, Private

Possibly the cheapest and quickest.

Could take a while to find a seller.

Yes

No

The perfect answer.

Go to the next section, 3.2.3

How many days to get them?

Sommer's did not have them in stock but they get deliveries from the factory everyday.

My parts were ordered on Wednesday and shipped to me on Thursday.

Days =
US$ =

Days = 1
EUR = 200

Same Country

Different Country

The best as there are no duties.

Go to the next section, 3.2.3.1

There may well be Customs challenges and delays.

Go to 3.2.3.2

This is where most of the time will go.

It is a basic choice between speed/reliability and the resulting Customs charges.

Fly and pick them up yourself

The fastest and most reliable.

Most expensive.

Courier - DHL/Fed Ex etc

Fast and expensive.

Parcel post

Less problems with customs but slow.

A friendly tourist

Donkey.

It may be the fastest option.

Days =
US$ =

Days =
US$ =

Estimate = 2
Actual = 7!
EUR = 46

Days =
US$ =?

Days =
US$ =

Days = < 7
US$ =

How Shipped?

This is where most of the time will go.

It is a basic choice between speed/reliability and the resulting Customs charges.

Diplomatic bag

The best if you have the contacts.

Fly out and get them yourself

The fastest, most reliable but the most expensive.

Courier - DHL/Fed Ex etc

Fast and can use Web tracking but expensive.

Parcel post

Less problems with customs but slow.

A friendly tourist

Cheap and good for customs.

Days =
US$ =

Days =
US$ =

Estimate = 3

Actual = 3
EUR = 390

Days =
US$ =

Days =
US$ =

Invoice Details

Find out what the rules are for your country.

What Language?

Local language

The best option.

This will probably be the most efficient but maybe the most difficult to arrange with your shipper.

Other

I have just shipped parts from Germany to Peru. German was not an option as Peruvian Customs couldn't understand a word. The only two options were Spanish and English.

This can have a dramatic effect on the speed of Customs clearance.

What Consignee?

Yourself

i.e. 'a foreigner'. This may mean more cost and more delays.

A national e.g. local dealer

The preferred option.

The owner of the local bike shop. If they regularly get shipments from the same source and shipper it may be a good bet.

To reduce duty payable.

What Values?

Some suppliers will only ship at the price paid. In this case I suggest the parts are shipped to a friend in the same country who can re-invoice at a fairer value.

Ask your supplier to reduce the invoice values to reduce duty payable.

Customs

Find out what the duty and tax rates are for your parts and what the value limits are before Customs want to have a look inside.

You then have two choices:

Through Customs

Courier - DHL/Fed Ex etc

Standard procedures may mean more duty.

Local Customs Agent

Most reliable?

Costly

Do It Yourself

Cheapest

Slowest

Days =
US$ =

Estimate = 2

Actual = 5

Days =
US$ =

Days =
US$ =

Avoiding Customs

The Diplomatic bag
The winner every time.

Fly out and get them yourself

The fastest and most expensive.

I heard of a guy who flew from Chile to Miami to get his parts. Now I know why.

Go to Customs armed with your carnet.

Not an option in Peru. Find out what the local rules are.

In Nairobi I avoided all import duties and taxes.

Days =
US$ =

Days =
US$ =

Days =
US$ =

Days =
US$ =

With a Workshop Manual?

With What Tools?

Where?

Is one required for this job?

If it is and you don't have one maybe it's time to order one.

Do you, the local shop or dealer have the tools needed?

There's no point in getting your lovely new parts only to discover you need special tools to fit them.

Splitting the crankcases in the desert isn't an ideal environment.

Is there a friendly house or garage nearby you can work in?