Parts for classics. That is a thing. This is usually not possible - for a long time - ex factory. In the past, when whole stocks of new old stock were still floating around the world in former colonies, provinces and other countries, it was still fairly easy to score original parts.
Stocks: something from the past
That was also at the time when those stocks of unused stuff could still be quite impressive because the 'just in time' supply of parts had not yet been conceived. The factories rumbled bravely. They just made something. They exported bravely and learned to do it a bit smarter. You had to do something to score parts. You had to go out for it, because we are talking about the pre-digital age.
Production and demand are now perfectly attuned to each other. There is no longer any question of 'overproduction' of parts. So NOS of about twenty + young? You don't find that much anymore. Because the stuff was just never made. But find stuff? You do this via the advertisers in AMK and online worldwide.
No more great finds
The globally dormant stocks of new old stock are now pastures grazed by professional parts seekers. We know a trader who traveled deep into Africa and the Americas to buy old colonial stocks of cars, engines and parts there. Then you talk about forty broken ex-government BSAs with minimal mileage from an ex African colony, ten unused Ford Transit ambulances that had also once been development aid and a few containers of cannibalized ex-police Harleys from a country where the transition from police camel to police motorcycle had not run smoothly. Later, he had a global network that did the research for him. Funny thing is that he went for quality from day one. That is why he only had about 20% per container that he thought was worth selling.
From NOS to reference
In the meantime, the flow of containers has not decreased. But our friend now just has the stuff he scrambled together around the world 25 years ago made new. According to official factory specifications. In China. In the same factory that makes many parts for Harley-Davidson.
'Reference' comes in many qualities. Much is mediocre at best. But there has also been a lot of reference 2CV platforms that do not fit for years. And in the Chinese carburettors sold as an alternative to pre-war BMW motorcycles, there is a casting error that makes things impossible to adjust. The also Chinese reference ignition locks for BMW R71s are in fact a reference of Russian reference and somewhere in that translation process the internal circuit diagram has changed.
Original isn't always better
Now that does not mean that 'original' is always everything. Because panels made during the run-out stages of models are often made on press molds that missed their last upgrade. As a result, it is not without reservation an advantage to buy a car from 'the very last year'.
Our BX expert is able to report, for example, that in the last year of construction of those BXs that were suddenly gaining popularity, suddenly a lot more kit was needed to seal seams.
There is plenty of good reference available. For example, you can build a Willys Jeep or Harley-Davidson 'Liberator' completely from new stuff. In doing so, the trade has come up with the best of both worlds. We already know examples of 'reference', good reference, which was first allowed to 'mature' outside in all kinds of weather for a few years to become 'real'. And if it is profitable to bury things for three years before you hose them down and put them on the market for the main prize? That's just neo liberal entrepreneurship.
Long story short: look before you leap. Because good stuff is half the battle. And good stuff is never the cheapest stuff. But stay vigilant.
NOS is unused but certainly not new. Example. If I were to find NOS seat covers for my '82 GSA (whooppie!), It would be just as pulverized as the upholstery in my car. NQS (new quality stock) is the solution and that may cost quite a bit for my cars (not necessarily the cheapest but not unaffordable either) 😉
Agree. NOS door seals are often past their expiration date. But give it a try via leboncoin
The parts position of the aforementioned 'Liberator' is, due to the many aftermarket parts, even better nowadays than it was 15 years ago.
The disaster is that if such an engine is put on sale again after two or three owners, it is often impossible to find out whether it is original or a reference.
The bike is sold without looking or blushing as an “original” with the corresponding top price ...
DO YOUR HOMEWORK and avoid disappointment!
And that's great advice!