From 'NOS' to reference.
People used to do something.
Manufacturers made something. Importers ordered but something. Dealers only took a few items in stock. And because no one was already counting how much a square meter of warehouse space cost and some things lost in value if they stayed for years ...
That is why we have been able to enjoy 'NOS' for years. New Old Stock. From stuff that had been forgotten.
And holes from all over the world, such as Greece, Verggistan and Bokkiebokkieland, were full of stuff. Components. Harleys, Triumphs ...
Of course there are still unexpected finds. Perhaps there is still a whole lot in your village ...
From NOS to reference
Yet. The chance of finding a batch of NOS stuff is now relatively small. Instead of NOS there is now 'reference' or 'replica'. These are parts made to the original. Or at least look a bit like that. For Harley, the reference market has been around for as long as the brand has existed. Enthusiasts of British icons can turn completely new parts into a completely new Norton Manx. And with a little good choice from the items on offer, it can be better and faster than a real one. The supply of parts for classic Japanese motorcycles has been driven by NOS for years. There was almost no reference. The Japanese motorcycles were designed to be mass-built. For this, production techniques were used that were used in the car world.
Presses instead of crafting
Parts that were very simple (and therefore often beautiful) were usually crafted in the old (European) motorcycle world. With a minimum of required tools plus a dose of old-fashioned craftsmanship.
The Japanese parts were drawn to be molded into their optimal shapes with huge presses. If a model disappeared, then the press molds were used up, or they were simply scraped up.
Everything has its price
And it took years before Japanese engines were seen as so interesting that entrepreneurs saw the usefulness of, for example, making exhaust silencers and curves for Honda CB 750 and Suzuki T 500s. Of course, the investments they had to make for that were reflected in the price.
But yes: it is simply the saying 'Better expensive than not for sale'.
