Parts for Italian Hondas.

[Ministerofsillywalks]

I have now been waiting nearly a month for an exhaust gasket for my Forza. There is a clamp partway down its length, presumably holding two parts together, which blew. My dealer had a clamp but it needs a gasket. They did a temporary repair using exhaust sealant but it needs doing properly using a gasket. They ordered the gasket and were told 7-10 working days. They are now saying another week

Is this normal for the Italian made Hondas? I gather this is the entire Honda scooter range. Anyone else had to wait this long or longer for parts? Is the situation the same as with the Italian brands? Being a Honda I would have expected more, but maybe being made in Italy things are different. If this sort of wait is normal I will strongly consider changing it for something made in Japan. I fancy a Burgman. I have had two Burgmans and parts were always with the dealer in a week at most.

[MrGrumpy]

There used to be a cliche, a companion to the cry of 'Italian Electrics!', that Italian factories all go for a summer break for the entire month of August (given the heat, who could blame them?) and getting any sense out of Italy in August is a completely futile activity! (Rather like getting a response from a Chinese company around the Chinese new year). I've no idea whether this cliche is still true, given that Italian Electrics seem much more reliable these days, and Piaggio's spare parts service revolutionised itself since the early 2000s! But it seems entirely possible that parts of Italian industry are on holiday at the moment.

[knight2]

I don't know about Italian hondas I'm having a similar problem with a japanese Suzuki at the moment. About three weeks ago I went to check the back brake pads when I took the parking brake assembly off I found the cast alloy bit had snapped in half. It doesn't make any difference to how it works but I want it replaced,went to the bike shop and was told with the gasket £207 and it might be weeks, probably have to come from Japan!. Rung around a couple of salvage places, no joy, but I was politely told that it was my fault for not servicing it properly. Apparently I should have taken it apart and greased it at least once a year and if used a lot every six months. I have to admit after taking it completely apart and looking at it he had a point. I didn't realise the center bit came out, I thought it was a sealed unit. How ever I have found some body who might be able to weld it, but I have my doubts

[Ministerofsillywalks]

I have heard of the August in Italy thing as well, but the gasket was ordered in early July. So they had nearly a month before the factory closed for August. But I think what is more to do with it is how small the 2-wheeler market is in the UK. 'If the British don't buy bikes then stuff 'em.' If I was in almost any other country in mainland Europe I would have had the part in a few days!

[Andym]

Honda motorcycle spares come from the manufacturer (mostly China or India) to a DC in Ghent, Belgium. Never touch Italy as far as I know, that's production not parts.

Supplies in general are a mess because of the shipping issues caused by the war and piracy around the Gulf and Red Sea, plus disruption of oil supplies for plastics, plus ships running slower to save fuel due to the price. Most Automotive companies have major cashflow issues because of how much they blew on EV development that is not paying back in the timeframe they told the bankers. They are penny pinching to pay the interest, so aren't going to air freight just to please a few customers.

I can list a half a dozen commercial vehicle parts that are just the same. You won't beat it by buying a Vespa or a Harley Davidson.

Andy

[Ministerofsillywalks]

Looks like the situation is more complicated than I thought then. I thought it was just 'The British don't buy many bikes so stuff 'em.' So I may have quite a wait yet.

It is still blowing, just not as badly as it was. So at least it isn't so urgent.

[MrGrumpy]

The Italian August off wasn't a myth, and still exists to an extent...
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfr ... oductivity

[scootabout]

I'm waiting for the steering head bearings for my Forza (failure at 11K !) to arrive at my local bike shop. They were told they are now on back order, and are trying ebay, as I set off for Scotland on Weds. However, I suspect I might have to got on something else....

[Andym]

Can you read the numbers off the old ones?

Honda may of may not use true branded bearings, they'll possibly be the manufacturers 2nd tier range. Take the numbers to a bearing shop and you'll get actual made in Sweden SKF if that's what you ask for. Price will be industrial not Automotive Aftermarket.

A bearing is a bearing size wise in anything post Second World War and not Russian.

Andy

[Ministerofsillywalks]

I'm still waiting. Just hope it's due to the Italian August off (though my dealer ordered the gasket early July) and not my theory of 'The British don't buy bikes so stuff 'em.' And I really really hope they aren't going to get like Sym. I think we all know about that... Though to be fair that is down to the importers not giving a sh*t.

Luckily the temporary fix is holding up well so no real urgency. Just hope nothing vital like the water pump goes and I am off the road for who knows how long.