31st October 2009, 00:26
| #481 | |
| Newbie Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: chennai
Posts: 7
Thanked: 0 Times
| Correction - 350 Classic is non EFI Quote:
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31st October 2009, 01:13
| #482 | |
| Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Bangalore/Goa
Posts: 1,302
Thanked: 2,074 Times
| Quote:
In theory, auto manufacturers in India are expected to produce spares for discontinued models for ten years after the date of discontinuation. The ground reality is the exact opposite. Some models have spare parts issues even when are being produced and the AVL500 unfortunately happens to be one of them. I have personally experienced this. Consider this, the AVL500 was launched in 2007 with a "beta test" batch of 500 models released. Plenty of people had issues with the sprag clutch not to mention some having the dreaded piston slap. RE corrected most of this issues under warranty and in some cases even goodwill warranty, especially for the sprag clutch victims. By 2008, the sprag clutch issue was zeroed down to EMI causing premature ignition. So, RE introduced a simple delay mechanism in the TCI module which greatly reduced sprags grenading often. People having issues with the piston were given new cylinder kits under warranty. After 2007, RE began to sell many more than 500 LB500s a year though the website continued to harp about "a select 500" being able to own the LB500 each year. Unofficial estimates peg the figure at 2000 units/year of the LB500 across India. The sales chart for the LB500 peaked in 2008 until now as many more motorcyclists became smitten by the addictive torque of the LB500. So, all in all I expect RE to have sold almost 8000(very optimistic) units of the LB500 across India from it's launch date on 19th May in 2007. So, what we have here is a motorcycle that has done minuscule numbers in India. Expecting spare parts dealers to support such a number isn't too probable, especially when many don't even know that the AVL500 existed. This leaves us with the rather difficult choice of approaching the dealers directly for every part. In Pune, when I tried to find head valves for my LB500, no dealer had it in stock. I had to order the spare directly from RE and pay for the shipping too. Finally, it took me almost 15 days to receive the spare. I must mention that RE was very supportive in arranging the spares, but 15 days just for valves just doesn't cut the ice for me. I have a decent rapport with the RE brand store at Bangalore which helped move things a wee bit quicker, but what about the people who have no clue about what to do? Another alternative is to get the repairs done at the RE dealers but the shoddy work done there forces many of us to stay away for good. So, having access to spares whenever we want is very important so that we can have our trusted mechanics work on our steeds. Also, since the AVL500 is pretty reliable, demand for parts is sporadic. Also, the AVL500 is a lifestyle motorcycle that isn't used too often by majority of the owners. That makes it a perfect recipe for spare parts issues. A good friend of mine is still struggling to get tappets(not pushrods) for his LB500 and his bull has been grounded for more than a month now.  The situation is clearly pissing even the most diehard bulleteers. So, it is better for LB500 owners to start hoarding spares slowly albeit steadily so that they don't have to run pillar and post for them.Here is a list of spares, a few of which I have procured for future use. Head Valves: not easy to find. Valve stem seals: easily available. Valve guides: not available, the spares guys ask us to resize them at the machinist.  Entire gasket set: not available readily, shared part with the AVL350s. Cam set: Easily available, shared part with AVL350. Rockers plus spindles: Not easily available, shared part with AVL350 Tappets: tough to find, shared part with AVL350. Pushrods: Sometimes available, shared part with AVL350 Cylinder kit: not easily available. Have to order and wait. Crank: forget it. Have to order directly from the factory. Roller bearings: Heard that SKF makes them. Should be easy to source. Complete Head assembly: Ditto as crank. Decomp cable: have to search around. Decomp o-ring: Forget it. I bought industrial grade ones directly from a factory which produces o-rings. Clutch cable: I changed mine to the STD350 design so that it is much easier to replace. The AVL mechanism is a pain with no special benefits. Carb jets: buy a new carb or get jets from Bajaj. Crank seal: Buy a couple of sets. Clutch: I'm not sure about the entire assembly but the clutch plates are available easily. All cables: since AVL cables are different from the CIs, it is better to have two sets of cables at hand always. Sprockets: Not available off the shelf at most places. Stock up. The AVL bottom end lasts quite a bit and many people I know have done close to 1L Km with the AVL350s bottom end still strong. The valve train however is prone to niggles. The gear box is bomb proof. All this stocking up is for the bulleteers who want to enjoy the LB500 for a long-long time. Others simply needn't bother. Cheers, Jay Last edited by Eddy : 1st November 2009 at 23:11. | |
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31st October 2009, 08:20
| #483 |
| Senior - BHPian  Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dehradun
Posts: 2,264
Thanked: 2,983 Times
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31st October 2009, 09:59
| #484 |
| Newbie Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: pune
Posts: 22
Thanked: 2 Times
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31st October 2009, 17:56
| #485 | ||
| Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Bangalore/Goa
Posts: 1,302
Thanked: 2,074 Times
| Quote:
Quote:
Transmission seizure. Caused due to the third gear having too less clearance between the main shaft resulting in transmission seizure. RE have redesigned this unit. Navpreet, It is my duty mate.  Cheers, Jay | ||
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31st October 2009, 20:40
| #486 |
| Senior - BHPian  | Great Post Jay. I agree with you. Sourcing the parts make sense if you intend to keep the bike long. I am happy to see your post as some people think I am foolish to spend money on an old bike. I have a Suzuki Fiero 2000 model. The engine is in very good condition. The exterior got damaged while shifting the bike from Chennai to Bangalore. The fuel tank started leaking recently when I was in a remote village while coming back from Hoggenakal. The bike was taken for a long drive after a gap of 3 years. I had to drive the bike very fast to Hosur TVS as M-Seal sourced from a shop was not sticking to the tank filled with petrol. As expected, Hosur TVS did not have the tank in stock and wanted me to leave the bike there. I called my friend who is in a senior position in TVS and they repaired the tank with M-Seal after removing tank. I drove the bike to Bangalore. The tank was still leaking mildly and I took it to service center in Bangalore. They repaired it with M-Seal and ordered for a new one from TVS factory which never came. I did not want to weld the tank as the tank was dented badly and corroded from inside. My friend used his contacts in TVS and got me a new tank which was lying in another service center store room for close to 2 years. I also sourced body parts (fairing, side panels etc) in different colours. Now I am repainting the new parts and the entire bike in black. The bike was dismantled fully for painting today. I know I am spending money on an old bike and some of you may think I am foolish. But I have realised how irritating it is to live without parts and I do not want to sell the bike which is my first and only bike. So, all the body parts are getting replaced as the situation would get only worse. I do not see much issue for mechanical spare parts as most of them are shared with Apache. Cost of parts: 8000 (As per the current estimate from TVS) Cost of painting, powder coating and chroming the bike: 10000 I had spent another 11000 on new tyres, clutch plate, decarbonising etc. Last edited by PatienceWins : 31st October 2009 at 20:47. |
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31st October 2009, 21:08
| #487 |
| BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: bangalore
Posts: 423
Thanked: 14 Times
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31st October 2009, 22:07
| #488 |
| Senior - BHPian  Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Brighton
Posts: 1,193
Thanked: 355 Times
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31st October 2009, 23:01
| #489 |
| Senior - BHPian  Join Date: May 2009 Location: Lucknow
Posts: 1,391
Thanked: 18 Times
| Royal Maroon or the Classic Green... Can't decide between the two. Wait.. The black looks good too. Argh!  @Jay Thanks a lot for the info. Do give it a try asap and let us know how you feel about it. |
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31st October 2009, 23:01
| #490 | |
| BHPian  Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Delhi
Posts: 85
Thanked: 0 Times
| Quote:
Cmon man grab it fast and send us the pics. I am so eager, cant wait anymore | |
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31st October 2009, 23:32
| #491 | |
| Newbie Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: chennai
Posts: 7
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| Here's mine Quote:
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1st November 2009, 00:31
| #492 |
| Senior - BHPian | |
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1st November 2009, 01:02
| #493 |
| Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Brighton
Posts: 1,193
Thanked: 355 Times
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1st November 2009, 02:28
| #494 | |
| Senior - BHPian | Quote:
It is the ugly rear seat which spoils the look. The other colours look a bit flashy which does not suit classic. The classic looks elegant in black. | |
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1st November 2009, 11:29
| #495 | |
| BHPian  Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London
Posts: 250
Thanked: 13 Times
| Quote:
 + 1. Same dielema for me. All 3 colors are superb in their own way. I guess I will go for whatever has the shortest wait period. | |
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