Rabers going out of the parts business

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rwalker28

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If this is a redundant post sorry. I have patronized Rabers for parts for a long time. Sorry to see this happen, but times change.

Dear Raber's Customers,

Effective immediately we will no longer be selling parts. We will continue to offer service and repairs of classic Triumph, Norton and BSA motorcycles, engines and engine parts through our restructured service department.

Our complete inventory of parts, new and used will be sold at auction on August 4, see details here: http://www.jwoodandcompany.com/. Included in the inventory auction will be many of Bob Raber’s personal motorcycles and his 1974 Triumph TR6 convertible automobile.


We appreciate your support over the past years and we look forward to serving your repair and service needs in the future. We are working through our previous appointment backlog and will begin taking new service appointments after June 18th. To schedule an appointment, please call (408) 998-4495 and leave a message.


We will also be making changes accordingly to our website www.rabers.com, and eBay store 'rabersparts' to reflect our change in direction, with no further parts sales taking place.


We realize this may present an inconvenience for many of our regular customers, and we appreciate your patience during our transition period. Our service department will remain open, and we look forward to serving you in that capacity.


Regards,

- The Raber’s Crew

http://www.jwoodandcompany.com/?ct=t(Raber_s_Launch6_5_2015)&mc_cid=337ecbaf0f&mc_eid=f14818b55b
 
It's sad to see all the old time shops disappear along with their knowledge of what fits what model. I've been buying parts from them since early 80s.
 
Back in '62 when I was in Monterey at the Army Language School, I bought a BSA 500 B33 from Rabers. I guess everything ends.

That was my first 'love affair' with Brit bikes, if that's what you can call it.
 
Sorry to see them go. A friend, Paul Hudson worked there, not sure if he still does or did.

John in Texas
 
Called a friend who knew more about the closing of Rabers. He said that the cost of doing business in California had gotten so high that they couldn't make a living fixing old motorcycles and selling parts. Between mandatory minimum wages, high taxes on just about everything and the general high cost of living in California.
California isn't small business friendly and at 80 Raber had about as much fun as he could handle.
I expect the land where Raber's is located will bring a pretty penny!

John in Texas
 
N0rt0nelectr@ said:
Called a friend who knew more about the closing of Rabers. He said that the cost of doing business in California had gotten so high that they couldn't make a living fixing old motorcycles and selling parts. Between mandatory minimum wages, high taxes on just about everything and the general high cost of living in California.
California isn't small business friendly and at 80 Raber had about as much fun as he could handle.
I expect the land where Raber's is located will bring a pretty penny!

John in Texas
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Looks like Raber’s is not folding, entirely. Seems rather odd to quit selling parts, yet continue with service. I thought Bob’s son, Mike Raber, would continue on. He was being groomed to do so when I left The Bay Area in 2000.

As for California being anti small business, there sure are a lot of small businesses there. Most of the large technology companies in Silicon Valley were small businesses at one time. California is one of the better places to start a business.
 
A good analysis of why net outflows from California -
https://www.manhattan-institute.org/html/great-california-exodus-closer-look-5853.html

In addition to moving van numbers, U-Haul rates tell the tale - Costs more to haul out of California, less to haul into California -
https://www.ocregister.com/2018/01/19/california-net-departures-by-moving-van-at-11-year-high/

Realtors know where people are moving, to and from -
https://www.redfin.com/blog/2017/04/movement-out-of-california-driver-of-u-s-migration.html

Could be personal issues too that are none of our business.
 
xbacksideslider said:
A good analysis of why net outflows from California -
https://www.manhattan-institute.org/html/great-california-exodus-closer-look-5853.html

In addition to moving van numbers, U-Haul rates tell the tale - Costs more to haul out of California, less to haul into California -
https://www.ocregister.com/2018/01/19/california-net-departures-by-moving-van-at-11-year-high/

Realtors know where people are moving, to and from -
https://www.redfin.com/blog/2017/04/movement-out-of-california-driver-of-u-s-migration.html

Could be personal issues too that are none of our business.
Click to expand...

How does California's population relate to Bob retiring?

Also see California population growth slowing, but continues to grow.
Public Policy Institute of California… but growth has slowed in recent decades. Trust me I'm on the freeways everyday in Silicon Valley and the traffic is getting worse.

Over the past 20 years, California has experienced its slowest rates of growth ever recorded and an unprecedented migration of residents to other states. From 2006 to 2016, California’s population grew by 9%, which was low for the state and barely higher than the rest of the nation (8%). International migration to California has remained strong over the past 10 years: the state experienced a net inflow of 1.6 million. But about 1.2 million more people left California for other states than came to California from other states. Natural increase—more births than deaths—added 2.8 million residents. Overall, California gained 3.1 million residents over the past 10 years.
 
Posts 4 & 5 relate to the whys and wherefores of population flows, in and out of the state. However, I do stand corrected David, I should have qualified my statement to population flows related to businesses. As stated in post 4, the fact that California is not business friendly may have something to do with the Rabers and that fact is bolstered by net negative business flows, in and out.

In post 6, I linked to a PR piece, pro-California, an article about moving vans wherein the story line is "young high earners are moving into the state." Yep, it costs a lot to hire those slick, somebody else loads it, somebody else drives it, Interstate Commerce Commission licensed, moving vans. Typically, corporate or government employers pay for those things.

Below is another PR piece, pro-Texas, a link about non ICC, drive it yourself, U-Haul trailers and their one way destinations. More people are driving U-Hauls out of CA than in. Net outflow. Lots of small business people, medium size too. There's a nice list of the top 50 destinations in that article. I'd wager that there are more do it yourselfers leaving in U-Hauls than are coming in, in ICC licensed let the help do it moving vans.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-rel...n-ranks-as-no-1-us-destination-300654795.html
 
xbacksideslider said:
Posts 4 & 5 relate to the whys and wherefores of population flows, in and out of the state. However, I do stand corrected David, I should have qualified my statement to population flows related to businesses. As stated in post 4, the fact that California is not business friendly may have something to do with the Rabers and that fact is bolstered by net negative business flows, in and out.

In post 6, I linked to a PR piece, pro-California, an article about moving vans wherein the story line is "young high earners are moving into the state." Yep, it costs a lot to hire those slick, somebody else loads it, somebody else drives it, Interstate Commerce Commission licensed, moving vans. Typically, corporate or government employers pay for those things.

Below is another PR piece, pro-Texas, a link about non ICC, drive it yourself, U-Haul trailers and their one way destinations. More people are driving U-Hauls out of CA than in. Net outflow. Lots of small business people, medium size too. There's a nice list of the top 50 destinations in that article. I'd wager that there are more do it yourselfers leaving in U-Hauls than are coming in, in ICC licensed let the help do it moving vans.

Removed broken link
Click to expand...


I would venture to say most of those who are leaving California with rented U-Hauls are not, never were, nor never will be Raber's customers.
 
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I can see costs for small business making it difficult for Bob. Bob told me the Brit bike owners are not using them as 20 years ago and that cuts down on consumables sales. Mike worked to get an on-line presence for the shop, not sure how successful that was.
 
JimC said:
I would venture to say most of those who are leaving California with rented U-Hauls are not, never were, nor never will be Raber's customers.
Click to expand...
I tried many times to look for parts on their web site but it was very difficult for me to navigate. Found it was easier to just call.
John in Texas
 
I'm close enough if I need something, just go to the shop. As above I'm one that doesn't use the Commando that much anymore so I have not needed much as far as parts (that I don't already have).
 
I'm deeply saddened by this news. Mike at Raber's always was helpful with his knowledge and getting the parts I need. Anyone have suggestions for a new parts vendor?
 
I havent bought in a shop but once in years. And the shop was Andover Norton. Like most I do most of all shopping online and the DPD van drops it off
the next day or so. Things have changed. You have to go with the flow. For example, when is the last time you used a pay phone? Or bought a newspaper? Or wrote out a paper cheque? Or paid the council tax bill in person?
 
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