Hey, I did a search or two for motorcycle wreckers and was wondering if any of you have found a place that is a good source of used GS parts or upgrade parts?  Ebay can be hit or miss sometimes as for availability.  And why get a shiny new piece on a place like BikeBandit if that's going to make the rest of your bike look more worn and costs more money than used?

So, any good online or regular wreckers you guys know about?  Ones that might have GS bikes parted out, or other ones that have kat/bandit/gsxr/SV650 bits in plentiful and cheap supply?

Don't mind me, my bike is 6000 miles away and I have ideas  :mrgreen:

My experience with wreckers is that most of them are overpriced. I only use them when I'm in a pinch and need something fast that I couldn't find in the classifieds or on ebay. The general wrecker price formula is 1/2 of retail - which usually isn't a bargain when you consider the bike is in the wrecking yard for a reason and it's probably been laying out in the sun and rain for 3 years. There are of course exceptions, but I think it's rare to find a true bike bargain at the wrecker. Just my opinion...

Also that 1/2 of retail worked OK when GS's cost 2K+ used...Now whole bikes go for 5-700. And Parts depot will sell you new parts at ~60% of new...so you get a nice crappy aged 1/2 dead, wrong color, left to die in the sun, burnt out but not readily apparent crap for 10% less than new. Good deal...
With wreckers...They pick the price I pick the part...If I am paying 50% of new they bring out the whole bucket of the said parts and I pick the one I want. If they say oh...this is the only one they have...I turn around and offer 10% of new....usually they laugh at me...in a few cases I have gone back years later 2 days before they go out of business and buy a whole truck full for 30 bucks...Dont laugh I have done it to one store.
Cool.
Srinath.

Well, along the lines of this discussion, I'm looking for a junk yard or somewhere to order some Katana grips.  I'm doing a bunch of work on my bike in the coming week(s) and one of the planned upgrades/repairs is new bars, new bar-ends, and new grips.  I've heard certain Katana ones are the best, but where to find them?  I'm in San Diego.. not sure if there are any M/C junk yards around here or not.

Any ideas on the grips?

-Roger

i've only used these guys once, but great service.  went out and searched his yard for a part that wasn't listed, thankfully found it and threw it in "free".  some things seem a bit pricey, but at last check they had some katana parts and some gs parts as well.

http://www.roadrocket50.com/Bikes/BikeList.html

Stockers or is that strokers...in San Diego was OK but pricey...I like them for the simple fact that they let you go through their shelves. They do let you know where it may be most likely but you are basically free to roam around. They were pricey though. I thought I coould talk to the guy a bit and reason with him and I made out ok for the 2-3 things I got from him but they are pricey.
Cool.
Srinath.

You said 'pricey' three times!  I hope you didn't have to sign your first-born away to them for those parts!
Being able to look through for the best bits is a plus though

Used grips? They're like 10 bucks new!

Well they wanted $400 for a red GS tank - I wanted white so I dont have to paint mine...I made like I was going to buy it and then switcharooed and bought a Vulcan 750 ear set in perfect shape and air filters for it for $20...He thought he was getting a big sale and softened up on the vulcan parts.....I told him I have to check with the Boss - My wife and I come back for the tank...Needless to say I never intended to...and I went back to Merced (where I used to live then) later that day. Yea PriceyX3 is right at $400 for a 12 year old tank. I doubt if he will ever sell it....so might still be there. Pity too cos it was a nice tank.
Cool.
Srinath.