Wanted: HQ footrest rubbers

[MG]

Hello everyone!

Does anyone here know a supplier of GOOD QUALITY footrest rubbers?
I have fitted the THIRD set of pillion rubbers on the A10 and the second set on the A7 already as they always burst after a few days when pushed onto the footrest.
The pic shows what the new front footrest rubber looks like after 500miles of riding (with plain leather soles on my boots!!!). I bought two full sets of these in the UK, the seller claimed they were "made in England" and "much better than the ones coming from India". I'm not going to comment on this....   

I have seen old rubbers on 30-year old bikes that were hard as stone, but still didn't show any sign of wear. Just depends on the sort of rubber used I guess.

[a101960]

I have had the same problem. I don't think that the rubber is real rubber it is hard before you even try to fit it. Not sure what the actual material is but it has a plasticky  feel to it. "Rubber" grommets also see to be the same.

John

[Beezageezauk]

Yes, I've had the same problem and found that these replica items don't last very long at all. 

In fact during my last rebuild I fastened the wiring harness on by using new rubber (original type) clips that go around the frame.  It was only a year later that the bike was almost ready for the road and these clips had visibly rotted to the point I couldn't trust them.  They were replaced by conventional modern tie-wraps before the rebuild was finished.  In this case I had to forego authenticity and rely on something that could be trusted.

The kickstart rubber on my A10 needs replacing now after less than a year but the one on my B31 is still good after more than 15 years regular service.

Are we supposed to feel grateful that replica parts are available.....because crap quality parts are better than no parts at all??
 
Fortunately my tyres still seem to serve me well and I tend to wear them out before there are any signs of cracking or defects.  I guess that these must be made from a different type of rubber!!

Beezageezauk.

[MG]

Ref rubber cable ties: I cut mine from an old inner tyre tube, using one of the repros as a template. Those last forever, while most of the repro ones couldn't even be mounted without ruining them (The rest fell off after some days).

[LJ.]

Same quick wear problems here also... I turn mine over when they wear down.

[MG]

Looks like all known suppliers sell the same crap once again?

At a price of around 10 Euros per pair they aren't really expensive, but stuff that's damaged almost immediately after it is fitted on the bike is a real p.i.t.a.
You know, I'm not that kind of guy that spends money like water, but if those were available made from long-lasting, good rubber for let's say maybe 40 Euros or so, I would happily spend that money instead of changing the cheap ones twice a year.

[tombeau]

Yeah,
People are always saying that British motorcyclists wont pay the money for good stuff. Thats rubbish. '
I think in the 70's and early 80's there were guys that rode British bikes purely out of frugality. They were happily using stuff that no-one else wanted, and enjoying fixing the bits on a shoestring that they couldn't get for next to nothing. Laughing at what other people paid for spares for their new bikes.
These are different times. I would be very surprised if there is anyone here who only has a BSA because they can't afford a new Harley or Honda.

Cheers,
Iain

[a101960]

People are always saying that British motorcyclists wont pay the money for good stuff. Thats rubbish.

Spot on. Price is not a reliable indicator of the quality of either goods or services. And, I am sad to say the claim that a part is made in England is equally misleading as far as quality issues are concerned. Going off topic just a little bit, but to illustrate how the classic bike scene is riven with greed throughout the trading sector, what about dealers who advertise bikes with no price stated. POA (price on application) for instance, phone, or ask are other common examples, and the self same phrases are not uncommon in classified advertising columns either. When I see this I just switch off. If a vendor will not state a price and wants to conduct some kind of concealed auction then I will seek out what I want elsewhere. Same thing with ebay I really cannot be bothered with bidding for an unknown quantity, At least at a jumble you can look at what is on offer and make an assess the item.

John

[RichardL]

As a "True Confession", yes I will appreciate "crap quality" over no part, but I'm on the bandwagon with those screaming for better quality and willing to pay more.

Love the idea of cutting cable ties from old tire tubes. I'm going to make some this weekend.

Richard L.