Old Britts calling it quits

EstuaryBoy · Feb 3, 2021

I wouldn't pretend to know where they source them, but it would be disingenuous for me to speculate...
In the past 30 years I have used parts and services from all three (RGM, AN and Norvil), a fair proportion of which were more than satisfactory, and I will happily continue to do so.
But NONE of them score 100%....

worntorn · Feb 3, 2021

Roger at RGM stocks a lot of Commando items that no one else has. Especially the lightweight/ racing stuff.
His prices tend to be very reasonable.

Glen

zefer · Feb 3, 2021

swooshdave said:
The internet never forgets.

Fred and Ella have been one of the finest couple of folks to me for a whole lot of years and I’ll miss them terribly however when your spent....your spent ! I wish for you continued good health...much prosperity and to be able to enjoy the things you’ve looked forward to
Thank you for everything you’ve helped me with and I’ll miss you

jsouthard · Feb 4, 2021

Congrats to the amazing Ella.. and of course Fred. Hopefully someone will emerge in the US to cover the territory, but no can replace the Old Britt’s.

swooshdave · Feb 4, 2021

jsouthard said:
Congrats to the amazing Ella.. and of course Fred. Hopefully someone will emerge in the US to cover the territory, but no can replace the Old Britt’s.

You never know who's lurking around...

DogT · Feb 4, 2021

marshg246 said:
I had been riding Triumphs for 7 years when a neighbor bought a 73 850 Commando. He was a tiny guy and had real problems starting it. I would start it for him and once warm, he could just get it done. One day I took it for a ride on Interstate 66. In those days, you could go many miles on I66 without seeing anyone so I opened it up. I was shocked when the vibration went away and by the raw power - my Triumph was a 500cc and a weakling compared to the Norton.

Today, most production 600s will embarrass a Norton, and they just work - push a button and go. Still, I've worked with a few new riders in their thirties/forties who simply like the look of an old Norton or Triumph and they remain customers since they do no work themselves on the bikes.

I bought my 70 in 72 and yes the raw power was a thing to behold, but now it's all changed. My first test ride was across the Teddy Roosevelt bridge and back across the Arlington Memorial bridge and it was bought. The power was stunning for the time, but things have changed. At the time it was the next best thing to sex. But of course back then I could get an 'election' if you pronounce it with an R instead of L.

But there is nothing that looks like a Norton, hands down.

swooshdave · Feb 5, 2021

Well, I got my second order of 2021 in with Old Britts. I've already got a stash of new spare parts as it is but I don't mind adding to it.

drp · Feb 5, 2021

What about Greg Marsh Enterprises? I haven't dealt with them and Old Brits has always been my first choice. Walridge is definitely a class act but it seems like it takes a long time to get parts shipped to the states. I going to miss Old Brits.

marshg246 · Feb 5, 2021

swooshdave said:
Well, I got my second order of 2021 in with Old Britts. I've already got a stash of new spare parts as it is but I don't mind adding to it.

Took your challenge and made an order to help them close out - paid twice would I normally would but hoped to get faster. Got worried when I ordered Monday and heard nothing by Wednesday evening since they are only open Mon-Wed. But I got tracking yesterday that it shipped yesterday so no problem - this was something I actually couldn't wait long to get as it's holding up a customer bike.

swooshdave · Feb 5, 2021

marshg246 said:
Took your challenge and made an order to help them close out - paid twice would I normally would but hoped to get faster. Got worried when I ordered Monday and heard nothing by Wednesday evening since they are only open Mon-Wed. But I got tracking yesterday that it shipped yesterday so no problem - this was something I actually couldn't wait long to get as it's holding up a customer bike.

Elle says they are slammed. I apologized profusely as I might be the culprit. Posting here and on Facebook has overwhelmed them with orders. Please be patient.

If you are on the east coast you should check out what Greg has to offer if you are in a rush.

Deckard · Feb 5, 2021

Yes, Dave you did give us a wake up call about them

I've placed my multi order but not worried about when they'll ship. I know they will take care to fulfill with care. I had to have another oil pressure gauge by them.

DogT · Feb 6, 2021

Everyone has to quit sometime, I guess it's their time. I think they've been talking about it for a while. I wish them luck and health. They were a good company to deal with. Bottom line.

rvich · Aug 30, 2021

Has anybody discussed whether the Old Britts technical articles should be preserved here? They are leaving them posted until the site subscription runs out. There is a lot of good information there.

gortnipper · Aug 30, 2021

rvich said:
Has anybody discussed whether the Old Britts technical articles should be preserved here? They are leaving them posted until the site subscription runs out. There is a lot of good information there.

Yes. I spoke to them and Jerry about that ages ago. I think they are in the process of being migrated to the Andover Norton site.

elefantrider · Aug 31, 2021

Only their technical articles remain on their website.
I was surprised to see a deal was not done for anyone wanting to continue their parts distribution business.

swooshdave · Aug 31, 2021

elefantrider said:
Only their technical articles remain on their website.
I was surprised to see a deal was not done for anyone wanting to continue their parts distribution business.

Getting into the Norton parts business at this time is not a viable business plan when your primary customer base is aging out rapidly. No one wants to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars right now.

jseng1 · Aug 31, 2021

Fred and Elle are great people who I respect and feel grateful to have known and to have done business with.

marshg246 · Aug 31, 2021

elefantrider said:
Only their technical articles remain on their website.
I was surprised to see a deal was not done for anyone wanting to continue their parts distribution business.

swooshdave said:
Getting into the Norton parts business at this time is not a viable business plan when your primary customer base is aging out rapidly. No one wants to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars right now.

They were not a distributor, they were a high-priced dealer (don't take negative). For those things AN sells, you could get them for less at AN. For those things where real dealer accounts exist, they were a resource, but an expensive one. They were around a long time and people liked them - therefore they had a business. Clubman Racing - the same.

I've slowed my stocking. I had over $250k in parts a year ago, but once I quit eBay, things slowed. Still have about $20k of AN parts and $60k of others, mostly Amal, Lucas, and Tri-Spark. Unless you sell for a huge markup, you certainly cannot make a living selling parts, and that's especially true of AN parts since their dealer discounts are tiny.

City Garage · Aug 31, 2021

swooshdave said:
Getting into the Norton parts business at this time is not a viable business plan when your primary customer base is aging out rapidly. No one wants to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars right now.

Same thing with vintage motorcycle shops and Harley Davidson. your average age is 50+ riding both.

Rabers selling was the start of the writing on the wall. I'm sure they were surprised how little they got

swooshdave · Sep 1, 2021

marshg246 said:
They were not a distributor, they were a high-priced dealer (don't take negative). For those things AN sells, you could get them for less at AN. For those things where real dealer accounts exist, they were a resource, but an expensive one. They were around a long time and people liked them - therefore they had a business. Clubman Racing - the same.

I've slowed my stocking. I had over $250k in parts a year ago, but once I quit eBay, things slowed. Still have about $20k of AN parts and $60k of others, mostly Amal, Lucas, and Tri-Spark. Unless you sell for a huge markup, you certainly cannot make a living selling parts, and that's especially true of AN parts since their dealer discounts are tiny.

They were a high service dealer. And for a lot of people that service was worth a small additional cost. They had the best ordering experience website despite it being 30 years old. And it's still better than any other site out there. You knew exactly what the part was, how many you need and the actual availability. Plus you could call and get help.

Old Britts calling it quits

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