Old Britts calling it quits

We have retired and will be using this site to sell off our extensive inventory. Because of this, we will not be accepting returns unless it is a defective part. You can place your order using our on-line shopping cart, or you can e-mail us at ella@oldbritts.com with your list of parts and quantity. You MUST include part numbers, which you can find in your factory parts list or here on our website. We will not be taking phone orders. We will try to process orders in a timly fashion and apologize in advance if you are in a hurry and we do not meet your time expectations.

Any questions about parts we have in stock can be put in the comments section of the shopping cart. We will not be answering technical questions. We have below on this home page “Technical Articles” which will answer most frequently asked questions.

We want to thank you for the many years you’ve supported Old Britts.

It’s been FUN!



Thank you,
Fred and Ella

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http://www.oldbritts.com/ob_main.html

I went up and visited with Fred and Ella some 7 or 8 years ago and he was thinking of retiring then. Well, I think they may be finally doing it. With them soon gone I'm not sure where I will get my AN parts domestically. Not every order will be big enough to order from AN directly, plus small orders take weeks in the mail (bigger orders come more quickly via the carriers).

Clubman Racing was the other place that stocked AN parts although they had nowhere near the ease of ordering that Old Britts has.

I know Matt is plenty busy but it would be great of he was about to step in and take their place. You'd have one place to go for the best factory parts and the best aftermarket parts with @cNw (no slight to NYCNorton but @Holmeslice doesn't quite have as extensive of an inventory although the quality is definitely there).

I am definitely concerned about the parts availability in the future, let's face it, the customer base is... ahem, old and the landscape will look at lot different in ten years. But then again so will I.

If I recall correctly I got into Nortons about the same time as Old Britts started and they have been one of the best suppliers the entire time. In fact most of the suppliers to the Norton community have been absolutely great. I hope people know how fortunate we are with our hobby.

Rgm, Andover, Walridge, Motoparts etc gotcha covered.
I just received a set of big bore exhaust pipes from RGM.
Ordered online late Sunday night, shipped Monday, UPS brought it to the front gate at noon Friday.
That's very quick for Covid times but pretty normal if we ever get back to normal.

Glen

The end of an era for Nortonistas...

Fred & Ella are really nice folks; they were VERY good to me for almost a dozen years in trade with them.

We just missed visiting them in Seattle when we were there a few years ago...

worntorn said:

Rgm, Andover, Walridge, Motoparts etc gotcha covered.
I just received a set of big bore exhaust pipes from RGM.
Ordered online late Sunday night, shipped Monday, UPS brought it to the front gate at noon Friday.
That's very quick for Covid times but pretty normal if we ever get back to normal.

Glen

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RGM and AN are in England, so there's shipping. Who is Motoparts?

Shippers are quick but expensive. Postal services suck but are cheaper.

I've gotten spoiled having Old Britts right up the road.

I wish Fred and Ella the best.

A good opportunity for someone to buy their business, which would include their inventory, name, mailing list, etc. , and make a go of it.

It could be viable from anywhere in the US.

Slick

Dave, you've been paying for shipping, it was in the price of the parts.

texasSlick said:

I wish Fred and Ella the best.

A good opportunity for someone to buy their business, which would include their inventory, name, mailing list, etc. , and make a go of it.

It could be viable from anywhere in the US.

Slick

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To be honest I kicked the idea around but I’m concerned about a customer based that is getting really old quickly and not a lot of younger customers coming in.

swooshdave said:

To be honest I kicked the idea around but I’m concerned about a customer based that is getting really old quickly and not a lot of younger customers coming in.

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Dave, the allure of Nortons will endure.

texasSlick said:

Dave, the allure of Nortons will endure.

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What percentage of Commando owners that you know are under 50?

I put it at 15%. Maybe.

Don't forget Brit Cycle out of Nova Scotia, and Maine.

I have dealt with British cycle supply for almost 40 years.
very happy with their service , prices and delivery.
Givethem a try if haven’t already .

Fine people Ella and Fred. A retirement well deserved. Thanks for helping keep these bikes on the road. Wishing them the best.

Not the news I wanted to read when I logged on. I wish Ella and Fred the best in their retirement. Hoping someone steps up and keeps this fine business operating.

Stephen Hill said:

Don't forget Brit Cycle out of Nova Scotia, and Maine.

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Knucles said:

I have dealt with British cycle supply for almost 40 years.
very happy with their service , prices and delivery.
Givethem a try if haven’t already .

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Yes, the reason I haven't used some of the other dealers, other than the fact that Old Britts always had everything in stock and were only a day or so away is that most of the other dealers are on the east coast which adds a few days to shipping.

Knucles said:

I have dealt with British cycle supply for almost 40 years.
very happy with their service , prices and delivery.
Givethem a try if haven’t already .

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I have always been pleased buying parts from them.

Obviously not a customer due to location, but a big 'Thank you' for the tech articles on their website.....

EstuaryBoy said:

Obviously not a customer due to location, but a big 'Thank you' for the tech articles on their website.....

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Yes, could be usefull to save them .........

Fred rebuilt the engine for my MKIII about 15 years ago and I can say that bike has run great ever since. it has never broken down or given me any problems with anything. Ella was always very helpful with all my parts needs and shipping was always fast. When I arrived with the bike in 2006 Fred took for a tour of his shop and offered me a beer, super clean shop. Great people and sad to see them go.

They will be missed. AN parts delivered in 2 days with priority mail.

marinatlas said:

Yes, could be usefull to save them .........

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The internet never forgets.