I've been mulling a big parts order from motobins to build a new engine from a short block that I have, but I'm a little hesitant though as some of their prices seem a little too good to be true and I've seen mention that their short 1st and high 5th gears are a bit second rate quality-wise. Is motobins selling seconds or reject parts? They sell the siebenrock cylinder kits, but they aren't siebenrock branded (even though they're obviously from siebenrock) - almost like they didn't meet siebenrock spec and they're just getting unloaded through motobins? Does anybody have any solid info on why motobins is so cheap? Are they selling seconds?
Strange that. I regard them as one of the most expensive parts suppliers. even BMW are cheaper for a lot of the parts so it pays to shop around. I do find their parts to be of good quality though. I was looking at their 5% gear the other day. Where did the dodgy quality comment come from? The R80 Barrels they sell are advertised as genuine BMW. The high comp pistons are made by Omega (made in the UK http://www.omegapistons.com/?bm=1115924686) I think Siebenrock have changed their marketing strategy and seem to be using resellers instead of their own brand name. Richie Moore makes high Quality parts and also makes a 10% top gear - http://www.moorespeed.co.uk/ I know Motorworks no longer ship to the states but James Sherlocks do http://www.james-sherlock.co.uk/
I know the higher 5th gear isn't as good as the Kaiser gear, so I assume the 1st is the same. The guy that rebuilt my tranny noticed the difference. Something about the heat treating on the Kaiser gear being superior. Bet Anton could tell you. You will want the Kaiser gear as it is superior. Kaiser was the 1st to make the gears and still the ones to get. I've noticed that Motobins prices haven't been what they were 3-4 months ago. So you might want to compare. Also noticed the gear selection for trannies is less than it was two years ago. Their neutral switch is superior to the stock BMW one!!!!
I know that last year I put a large parts order together for my r100r, I checked out 3 places here in the states, and then checked motobins, which turned out to be about 25% cheaper, so even with shipping, it was cheaper going with them than the US bmw dealers. the dealers in England must be cheaper than those here in the states. none of these parts were engine parts or anything that I worried about tolorances, etc, so I can't verify the quality of parts such as those. I'll order from them again.
I ordered some things from Motobins about ten years ago. The parts were either OEM BMW so I knew what I was getting or they were aftermarket and said so so I knew I wasn't getting OEM. I think you will have to find reports of the specific parts you are interested in. Somebody who says something about the quality of the aftermarket clutch plate is not relevant to what you want, unless you are buying a clutch plate. I bought their clutch plate. It lasted many years. Have only recently replaced it. I didn't like the aftermarket throttle cables I have OEM now but the aftermarkets lasted me for about 6 years. Maybe I expected too much from them. Good luck. I liked doing business with Motobins. I just use other sources lately. Charlie
Excellent service. Ive bought lots of the usual stuff - great service from the other side of the world. I have purchased a power up kit from them (a Siebenrock kit - it even came in a Siebenrock box!) - no problems with quality - it is often better than oem. I'd like to know why you think their gears are second rate?
The cables are made by Venhill (http://www.venhill.co.uk/) When I was riding my airhead every day I'd get through two clutch cables a year. I stopped buying the featherlight and switched to the standard quality. They lasted the same time but cost 25% less.
I didn't say the gears were second rate, just the Kaiser gears are better due different to heat treating. I think, Kiaser gears are heat treated after machining, not sure if that is correct as I'm relying on memory. The MB gears were machined after heat treatment. I had this conversation with my re builder ( Gunther Wurst) some 2-3 years ago, so that might no be 100% correct. But 100% confident the Kaiser gears are the best ones. others are inferior, but that doesn't mean they are garbage. If putting the gears side by side you can see the difference. The Kaiser has a full heat treated look the MB doesn't. As AW knows beware of mislabeled or packaged "X"gears. It's best to compare old and knew gear angles. MB denied there being a problem with that, but there is a problem. Now does that Sound familiar??? BTW- I have made many purchases from MB and will in the future as prices are way better than what US dealers charge.
This is the top in my G/S After 8 months and 14,000 my gear oil is clean as - almost nothing on the magnetic drain plug.
FWIW: I checked out Rob's recommendation for James Sherlock (always on the look out for a bargain). Their online prices appear substantially HIGHER than M'bins and you can't order/pay directly from their site... :huh I've had nothing but good results using M'bins after spending many $00s over the past few years - they're usually my first port of call for parts (if i'm not in a hurry). The only down side is the wait - often 3 wks to this far flung pile of dung. :ddog pete
I have been going back & forth between Motobins and Max trying to work out my parts list for the upcoming rebuilt of the GS, and a few K parts. Prices are significantly cheaper overseas for a lot of parts, all OEM. I just wished they sold ALL the parts I need, they are somewhat limited in their selection, mostly on all the small stuff. But since they sell OEM parts they should give the BMW parts numbers on their website, not just their own number, that would make working out parts lists so much easier. Clutch Pushrod Boot.....Motobins at $12.46 USA online $35.33 :eek1:eek1:eek1
MotoBins most likely sells all you need. When you go to the website click on "all parts" or "complete list", something like that and a compete listing will be displayed.
OH BTW- I have the Motobins 5th gear in my tranny. No problems after about 15,000 miles. If I had known what I know now I would have paid more for the Kaiser gear. Just to have a better gear, but am OK with what I have. 5th gears don't get near the wear and tear as say a 1st gear. I don't know if the lower 1st is a Kaiser gear, but if it is then it would be best to get the Best one available as 1st gear will have tremendous loads placed on it.
Cool, Thanks! I just opened it, quite a monster that parts list, will take a lot of digging, 8 pages of brake hoses :eek1, now where is "that" brake pipe? Oooops, does not look like they have it, G/S yes but not the GS. But I see SS brake caliper pins for both the Rs and Ks and that is something I have always wanted. Still, they really should give the BMW parts number, would make the searches so much easier.:eek1
James Sherlock do not ship to North America,says so in the small print at the bottom of the page. John
Probably just as well at those prices. Not sure what's going on with sherlocks but they were pretty reasonable last time I bought parts from them.
I wonder how Motobins can ship to North America so easily and Sherlocks as well as Moto Works can't.I believe Moto Works claimed it was an insurance problem.Seems to me they are cutting themselves out of a massive market place :huh. John
Dose anyone have a link to ,or contact details for the supplier of Kaiser gears ,looking for low 1st and high 5st for the g/s
I think Anton has them, but he's in the States. It would be cheaper if you could find them on your side of the world. Specify you want the Kaiser gear. Check -siebenrock, motoren-israel.com bmwboxersupplies.com (looks like the Kaiser due to the case hardened look in photo) http://www.boxxerparts.de (probably not Kaiser, look at gear picts and compare to boxersupplies picts) Kaiser Gears, notice case hardened look.. 5th 1st Kaiser Copies 5th 1st
I don't think it is such a big Market to be honest. I'm sure if it was a lucrative Market then the suppliers would be falling over themselves. Motobins are little more than a small shed in little farming village in the back of beyond, if they were selling so much to the states they'd at least have a fresh coat of paint on the door.