Parts availability in the future
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 229
From: Saskatchewan
At work we keep some heavy equipment around for 15-20 year or more. These are usually unique equipment sometimes with proprietary parts that are not mass manufactured. Most of the parts can still be found at junk dealers who specialize in this type of equipment or if we need it bad enough you get a machinist to make the parts. It can get costly but is a nessecity to keep some of this equipment running till it can be replaced.
The biggest issue we run into is with the electronics. Electronics do fail however not at the same rate as mechanical parts and are not manufactured or stocked the same. Many times we will have to do a major computer system upgrade even on an old piece of equipment that may be retired within a year simply because it is still need. Old computer parts a just not available anymore for this equipment.
With that said my biggest consern now a days when trying to save a car or a bike for 20, 30 or even 40 years is if the electronic components that operate it or even the software to maintain it will still be available. You may be able to find a copy of Harley's SEPST software, but will you find a Windows computer that can run the software. With CAN bus systems taking over on most vehicles now you can't even fix many issues by simply re-wiring. And as noted above with some of our equipment, even some of the earlier cans are now obsolete and do not work with newer can busses.
The biggest issue we run into is with the electronics. Electronics do fail however not at the same rate as mechanical parts and are not manufactured or stocked the same. Many times we will have to do a major computer system upgrade even on an old piece of equipment that may be retired within a year simply because it is still need. Old computer parts a just not available anymore for this equipment.
With that said my biggest consern now a days when trying to save a car or a bike for 20, 30 or even 40 years is if the electronic components that operate it or even the software to maintain it will still be available. You may be able to find a copy of Harley's SEPST software, but will you find a Windows computer that can run the software. With CAN bus systems taking over on most vehicles now you can't even fix many issues by simply re-wiring. And as noted above with some of our equipment, even some of the earlier cans are now obsolete and do not work with newer can busses.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
...to that point myself and others in our niche industry keep computer systems running old software so that we may keep old systems running. specifically synthesizers.
I have macs running every major system back to 7.6 with appropriate software and interfaces to edit , back up and restore old synths.
the 3 guys still using the yamaha TX7 rack and KX88 controller are covered.
Mike
I have macs running every major system back to 7.6 with appropriate software and interfaces to edit , back up and restore old synths.
the 3 guys still using the yamaha TX7 rack and KX88 controller are covered.
Mike
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 908
Likes: 96
From: Red Deer, AB
Parts for my 07 Cruise Control were obsolete in 2011. It is what it is. I found the part used at a wrecker and paid 1/2 the price. Bike had 2200 miles on it so I think I'm good for a bit. Everything except the ECM are readily available from aftermarket and at least one tuner company builds a replacement ECM. I'm not worried and plan on keeping my bike at least another 3 years. When I buy new I keep all vehicles a minimum of 10 years. Sometimes 20. But I'm cheap
Last edited by RevBlk; Sep 30, 2015 at 11:36 PM. Reason: sp
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