Taking The Plunge Into Mods!

[sikatri]

I love working on my 2005 Thruxton as I do learning to ride it. Been wanting to make a few mechanical and cosmetic changes. Ordered a British Custom airbox removal kit, Motone polished aluminum fenders and Motone polished billet turn signals. I figured the motorcycle had already had a few mods before I got it and I wasn’t too impressed with my last air filter replacement experience so I started contemplating getting rid of the airbox. I thought the fenders needed a bit more of a classic look so decided the plastic ones needed polished aluminum. We’ll see how it all goes. Going to go for a ride shortly and starting to wait in anticipation for the parts.

 

[Vector]

Have fun with it.

 

[Qship]

Make it yours. Enjoy.

 

[sikatri]

Just ordered the last pieces, a Motone bracket for signal lights, brake light and license plate and a Motone polished aluminum LED brake light. I may have to do some adjusting to get the aluminum rear fender to work, but we'll see. They were all listed as components for my year Thruxton so I'm hopeful that the electrical connections can be made easily. If I have to buy a connector to create the connection I'll buy it later. I didn't want "the look" to have the rear light attached to the fender or have to drill holes in the fender, so I'm adapting the plate used for the fender elimination kit. I'll drill into the plate or use spacers where needed to get it to work. I have a vision of what it will look like so it'll be interesting to see how it turns out. Now for more waiting. Hopefully these won't turn into a half year plus wait, but if it does I'll be riding and coming up with repair lists as needed. LoL.

 

[Vector]

Get Er done.

 

[sikatri]

Some of my parts are arriving this week. One order is still in the processing phase, it was one of the orders I placed Saturday. Another Saturday order and this Monday's order have been sent. I realized later I could have made most of my orders from the Monday order vendor. Not sure why I didn't since they are also the manufacturer. I also didn't realize they were a Texas firm which is closer than where I bought their products from. It might have been that when I was looking some items may have not been in stock at the manufacturer's site. Wondering if the retailer has any or is having to wait to process my order.. Anyway looks like I can start the process this week or weekend.

 

[Wire-Wheels]

I buy a few custom parts and make a.few of my own. My motorcycle hobby has taken a hit lately. Too busy with other more urgent projects. Maybe when the winter sets in I can get back in the workshop again.
...J.D.

 

[sikatri]

I buy a few custom parts and make a.few of my own. My motorcycle hobby has taken a hit lately. Too busy with other more urgent projects. Maybe when the winter sets in I can get back in the workshop again.
...J.D.

For years I’ve wanted a metal lathe and mill. Perhaps one day.

 

[Wire-Wheels]

For years I’ve wanted a metal lathe and mill. Perhaps one day.

You have to be willing to commit the resources to those kind of things. All things we want to do have get get high enough up on the priority list before they become reality. I have all the equipment and still have trouble finding time. ...J.D.

 

[sikatri]

Still not a peep from one of the vendors. With the pandemic about I’m wondering if he’s alive or in business. Four business days since the order. The Monday order came yesterday and one of the Saturday orders is coming today. Going through some options on how to modify the plate bracket. I’ll wait to see how it goes together with the fender. I’d be okay with the fender being slightly lower as long as the connections line up. But, until this last vendor fills my order I really don’t have a good idea if it’ll work. Worse case scenario I cut into the plate bracket and make it work. LoL.

 

[sikatri]

I’ve often wondered why “processing” for some companies take days to weeks while other companies turnaround in a day. So what’s a fair number of days to wait before giving a gentle prod? According to the vendor’s own site the order was placed five days ago.

 

[sikatri]

Parts so far.

The airbox delete kit, rear brake light and fender delete plate that I intend to somehow use with an aluminum rear fender. Missing both front and rear fenders and billet aluminum turn signals. I have a few ideas on the rear fender plate issue, but I really need it in front of me and the bike disassembled enough to test fit and see what the problems are. Simplest thing to do would be to put the fender on and cut most of the fender delete kit away leaving the area with the two connection holes nearest the license plate and light assembly. The two bolt holes should go through the same holes as the fender.

 

[sikatri]

Well I've written several e-mails and tried FB messaging to contact the vendor and have received no responses at all. Is it too much to expect some kind of response to an order inquiry? How long should I give him before contacting paypal and saying I have a problem? I can get the parts elsewhere, but I'd like to have my money back in my account. I don't want to mention the vendor, unless it's okay. I wouldn't mind knowing if anyone here has dealt with him.

 

[sikatri]

Update, PayPal e-mail just indicates my order shipped! Still wonder why the vendor was so unresponsive. I’m relieved, I was thinking the worst, like he was in the hospital or dead.

Side note his site order tracking is not up to date, indicates “processing”. Technology is crap if it’s not maintained. I know, some think it’s extra work.

 

[sikatri]

Apparently he had shipped it days ago, it’s arriving today. Failure to update information just isn’t good for clients blood pressure. LoL.

 

[Wire-Wheels]

Some vendors, and oddly enough some areas of the country seem to be in a time warp. There is a vendor in Texas I completely quit doing business with. I like their stuff, but they are SO SLOW ! I also have trouble getting electronic parts in general. With no good source locally, I try to buy stuff like relays, switches, electrical plugs, etc. I find a lot of the vendors from out of the country do not know the basic specifications. Such thing as sending me A.C. relays when I ordered D.C. for example. But I once waited 9DAYS to get 2 D.C. relays from right here in California. 80 miles away ! Vendor was angry at me for giving them a poor review on EBay. ...J.D.

 

[sikatri]

It’s all about information, we’re in a information technology age. It doesn’t do any good to have fancy websites and tracking setup if it’s not used by the vendor. Communication is key.

 

[Vector]

Good customer service seems rare these days.

 

[sikatri]

I’ve done business with vendors that have no bells and whistles. They simply have an information page, explaining average shipping and processing times. Usually they’ll have an e-mail recognizing receipt and that’s it. I’m perfectly happy to wait as long as somewhere they have some statement as to how they process and what to expect. One vendor even goes as far as to say, if you received confirmation don’t contact us we will fill the order in the order it was received and you’re in the cue. I’m fine with that as well.

 

[sikatri]

Good customer service seems rare these days.

Needlessly so, the remedy is simple. Post information once and that’s it. Something general for all customers to read.