There’s a very important point to keep in mind when selecting aftermarket parts.
You absolutely need to check whether overhaul is possible and whether small parts are available. There are actually cases where overhaul isn’t possible or small parts aren’t supplied. Check before you buy so you don’t run into trouble later.
It’s the same as knowing whether clothing can be washed or dry-cleaned, or whether shoes can be repaired.
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For aftermarket brake calipers, are seals and maintenance services properly supplied?
Or whether an authorized dealer will handle overhaul—you absolutely must check before buying, or you’ll face serious problems down the road.
You should also know about the cost side of things.
If overhaul isn’t possible, you’ll be forced to replace the part entirely.
If the replacement is cheap, that’s fine, but if it’s not, you’re in for real pain. If brake caliper seals or rear master cups aren’t supplied, you might end up having to give up on that part altogether.
And if you’ve fallen in love with the design, it becomes even harder to find a substitute.
Suspension and front forks also need caution if they’re too unconventional. The image shows a Yoshimura KYB 40φ.
Oil seals and slide metals are basically standard parts, so if you find them, you can reuse them.
However, inner tubes are often custom-designed, and the outer diameter, length, and other dimensions sometimes don’t match up properly.
If you have a crash or accident that causes irreparable damage, you could end up replacing the entire front end—an extremely painful expense. You need to always think ahead about recovery options.
Were original factory parts really that great?
Before we knew it, decades had passed, and we’ve entered a precarious era where the supply of absolutely reliable factory parts is uncertain.
For bikes called “classics” like the Z or CB, recovery is still possible, but for those called “rare bikes,” keeping them running is becoming quite difficult, I think.
When even a single throttle cable or a piece of bodywork can’t be found and no aftermarket parts exist, you’re left with nothing but used parts or donor bikes to cover the gaps.
We’re increasingly living in a world where you have to think ahead or you can’t keep riding, and I feel this pain every day as this hobby becomes more and more expensive.
Since part prices never go down, I recommend stocking up on parts yourself when you have the means.
