Motobins shipping charges?

[AlfromNH]

I'm looking to buy clutch parts and a timing chain kit. Motobins would save me a lot on the cost of the parts, but they don't show shipping charges in the cart. I sent a request for a shipping quote several days ago, but no response yet.

What is people's experience with motobins shipping to the US? Is there a supplier stateside that discounts BMW parts?

Thanks, and happy new year all!

[Bob_Roller]

I've only placed one order with them, timing chain kit , neutral switch, master cylinder and caliper kits and a few other odds and ends, all light parts and I think the shipping was around $10 to Phoenix, this was over 4 years ago also .

If they are heavy parts, the shipping costs will get quite costly .

I don't think there are any sources in the US where you can get discounted prices on BMW parts .

You'll have to do some searching online yourself and see , Max BMW, if I'm not mistaken is in NH, from what I've heard, a very airhead friendly dealer .

[AlfromNH]

Thanks for the input, Bob. Motobins' pricing on the items I'm looking at will save me over $100 vs dealers prices, so I could certainly absorb some shipping costs. They also offer an Italian made clutch plate which is significantly cheaper than the oem part. Not sure if anyone's tried one, but I know from experience that I'm very easy on clutches so I'm thinking its worth a shot.

Max is about an hour away from me, and I have another dealer only about 15 minutes away, although they don't seem all that airhead savvy or enthusiastic. But I've certainly spent a fair amount of time and money there, and will continue to do so.

[donbmw]

http://www.bmw2valve.com

Check out the above link. They have two difference clutches.

Don

[AlfromNH]

Thanks for that link, Don. I hadn't seen that site before. Interestingly, they have an aftermarket compression ring which is 2/3 the price of OEM, but their other clutch parts are about the same or more than dealer prices.

I don't think I'd be afraid to mix and match... 8-)

[AlfromNH]

wait, just looked again and realized they just list parts for 1977-1980 R series. I've been looking at parts for other than R65 I guess. I'll send them an email and see if they have R65 parts.

[MrRiden]

Just got off the Moto-Bins website, ordering my master cylinder parts. I've found that even with the exchange rate and shipping they are the bargain option. Since Chicago BMW and Hammersley have closed up I've been pretty happy to order from them. They do have some rather vague shipping guidelines on their site for international orders.

[balibeemer]

Motobins are the best. Even here in Indo-disneyland I normally receive parts from them in about 1 week - by express airmail- and for some reason, the avaricious Customs Dept. don't charge me a thing!

[montmil]

I bought the Motobins full timing chain replacement package for my '81 R65 and was surprised at the very reasonable Royal Air Mail shipping cost. I was even happier when I discovered the kit included a few bits I didn't know I needed, ie: those two small 'donut' paper washers that prevent an unequal mating of the timing case to the engine case.

I continue to buy Motobins 'pattern parts' -like the Italian-made neutral switch (no leaks)- and other bits. Delivery is often faster than sources within continental USA.

BTW, many North American BMW dealers source Airhead replacement parts from the very same vendors as does Motobins. Not surprisingly, the NA dealers sell them at BMW OEM prices and pocket the huge price mark-up. Your money. Your choice. Just saying...

[AlfromNH]

I just heard back, they've been on Xmas shutdown. Shoulda expected that.

I'll most likely order T/C kit and clutch parts from them. The total savings is >$100 before shipping, so I'm sure to come out ahead.

I need a neutral switch also, so I'll add that to the order.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

You might want to include some beancan advance weight springs.
Motobins is one of the few places that offers them, and if you are using the beancan that was on the front of that bike, you will probably want to take it apart to make sure the weights are freely moving.  Then put in fresh springs.

Part No.72620

[tvrla]

Don't get the stock aluminum BMW neutral switch - the 'pattern' part is much cheaper and a definite step up. The stock parts tend to leak after a year, but the brass after market switches seem to hold up well.

Another source of parts is Countryside BMW in Chicago - I've gotten a 15% discount through them for internet orders. That may have changed, though, since they have a new owner in the last year. Doesn't hurt to ask.

[Luca]

Not surprisingly, the NA dealers sell them at BMW OEM prices and pocket the huge price mark-up.

Where's Chris Harris with Arschloch the greedy pig when you need him?

Motobins price and selection are great and they do ship quickly.  I've waited longer for parts from my dealership than from them.  They are the only place I found that sells the 7 hole rubber fuel tap discs.  Wish I had ordered that when I got my big box of bits from them.  I called ted porters and ordered the disc from them, told them what I had, and they sent me a 5 hole disc and a number of washers that didn't work (though I ended up replacing the tap with the improved, updated version)

They also sell the cloth covered fuel line, which is nice if you want to keep the old look.  My bmw dealer does not carry it.

[AlfromNH]

The shipping charges for clutch parts and timing chain kit will be $56. Not terrible, but definitely eats into the savings on the parts cost. I'm not sure if they calculate by dollar value or actual weight, but I'll be adding the neutral switch and the advance springs so we'll see what the final tally winds up at.  :-?

[nhmaf]

The Royal mail costs are pretty low really, unless the item(s) start to get too heavy for the mail or require extra charges - they stuff usually comes over air freight and fairly quickly... I've had stuff arrive from Motobins before I've had stuff arrive from Bob's BMW in Maryland, both in stock items, and ordered the same day!