After market wishbone frame

[portagepan]

Shouldn't this thread be somewhere else? I thought this was the AMCA Panhead thread. Not new manufactured parts.
Mike

[Robert Luland]

Mike it’s funny you should mention that. I just tried to turn this tread around. There is a difference (I don’t care what the charter says) between ripping and original frame apart and replacing a couple of castings and cleaning it up. That’s blood and sweat. That’s the so called right of passage. Buying a knock off out right and showing up at AMCA meet to display it is deplorable. I mean BALLS!

[exeric]

So where would you guys put this discussion? Obviously you didn't look at the sub-heading: This is the PANHEAD forum and we're talking about PANHEAD frames! I thought this was exactly the type of exchange of ideas that make this forum so valuable. Part of this discussion addressed the very thing you two are complaining about, which is reproduction vs. genuine. If you have a worthy argument, put in a respectful letter. If that doesn't work, then get mad.

[koanes]

Steve Little, The Australian Frame manufacturer is a very nice man, determined to build the most accurate reproduction frame possible. Purchasing a frame from him to make a 48 PANHEAD a solid and ridable restoration does not make you less of a restorer or diminish the machine in some way. I can appreciate the effort involved in repairing a chopped and/or damaged frame, having done a few myself, but its not for everyone. Like Bob, I love the vision of some diehard sweating profusely over the forge, hammering out a new neck for his machine, but personaly I'm happy to be able to buy a very accurately reproduced piece, to make less of a nightmare of a major resto. The problem in buying a frame from out of country isn't the purchase price, its the shipping, import duties, and brokerage fees. Add 30-40% to the initial cost.

[Paps]

Kyle, if the part is a replacement part, for an American manufactured motorcycle, there should be no customs fees due. Shipping is the only cost involved. Paps

[Robert Luland]

Eric, I think fifty percent of the time I post here just to lie and wait for the guaranteed battle to ensue! I got a front oil tank casting today from the guy in Australia. This piece is dead on accurate. You can’t tell it from the original. This guy must make some assume frame. Bob and Katie the super beagle.

[exeric]

Bob, it's nice when you get a part that you're happy with. I remember getting a set of fenders for an early Indian. The fenders were actually nicer than the rest of my bike which was a heck of a lot better than I expected. The good side was, I worked harder to bring the rest of the bike up to the quality of the fenders. The bad part was, I sold the bike before it was finished.

[koanes]

Paps, I have had to pay duty and broker fees on labor charges to get back heads I sent to Canada for flow work. I talked a friend of mine into purchasing a frame from Steve for his knuckle. A 2800.00 dollar frame became a 3800.00 investment before it was released from customs in Minneapolis, MN. Perhaps the paper work wasn't handled correctly.

[Paps]

I don't know about the labor charges Kyle but the parts should have been duty free. There is, what is called, a "Harmonized Code", which exempts the parts from duty/customs fees. I'll dig it out for you as soon as I can, and post it here. The code must be fully visible on the packaging. It must also be on the paperwork. Paps

[Paps]

Here it is Kyle. "HARMONIZED CODE" #87141900 Paps

[koanes]

Thanks Paps. I hope to be ordering some repair parts from Mr. Little soon and this information will make it much easier.

[KDR]

That code is only good to $2000.00, so have whoever sends the parts mark the invoice lower.

[Paps]

Thanks Kurt ! That I did not know. Paps

[davidsonp9]

I am presently working a project that I have used a V-Twin frame and my experience with V-Twin has not been pleasant. The first frame I returned due to dimensional issues of which they said they could not find the problem and stated that all the other 48 frames were the same. This being the case I had them ship me a 52 style frame which seems to be OK other than a few items not being period correct such as no flat spots on the front down tubes under the horn mounts. I also had an AMCA member who is a reputable restorer ask me if I had the frame straightend because every V-Twin frame he has worked with was not straight. Bottom lines is that V-Twin quality sucks and customer service is non-existent. Go for an original if you can handle the cost or another repop supplier other than V-Twin if for anything just to avoid the poor quality hassles.

Good luck with your project
Paul

[jurassic]

48 frame ,just listed on george's. ready for paint.i know the seller and he is stand up.if he says its ready for paint ,it is.