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No, it's not odd about the frame, either. Don Knight asked the factory to send the US bikes with frames that had no steering locks, since they were street legal bike equipment, and the Factory wasn't interested in complying with the specifications for sending a street legal EC into the US. GasGas did as requested, because they could save time and money on manufacturing the frames (by hand). For that two or three years, most (not all) of the US bound bikes came with no steering head locks. However, if they had an order and didn't have enough of the desired frame, GasGas would sometimes fill an order for bikes with the other frame. GasGas North America would install either ignition on a bike ordered by a dealer, depending on which ignition the dealer specified. For example: In 2000, I had a customer order a 2000 EC250 with a larger ignition and the older 45mm conventional Marrazocci forks (instead of the 43mmm inverted WP forks most of the US bound 2000 models came equipped with). In response, Don Knight swapped the front ends and ignition with a '99 EC250 that he still had in the shop, and then shipped me what the customer ordered. The only really oddball thing (to me) was that my customer's bike then had the Brembo front brakes along with the 'Zoke forks, and the Nissin brakes on the rear. Later, another customer bought the '99 EC250 from Don Knight, and I ended up with it as a trade in. I could tell it was the "donor" bike, because of the WP 43mm forks and the Nissin front brakes being on the '99. :) I hope that I didn't confuse the matter. Jim . |
That's fun to read about how things were done in years past. Thanks Jim!
What street legal equipment/parts did you offer in the shop? |
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Plus, we stocked Trail Tech, and many other DS type accessories, as well as off-road replacement and upgrade parts. I was a better enthusiast than I was a businessman. . |
Jim, so the switches, brake light switch, horn, tail light & plate holder were all a dealer/owner add on for my US EC?
Why did some bikes have radiator overflow bottles? Mine does not. What year did you sell the most bikes at your dealership? What was a good yearly average # of bikes sold? Thanks! |
Holy crap I now understand " standardization " No wonder my local dealer gave me the run around when I first got my bike about telling me what year it was etc... I'm really glad this site exists otherwise I would have no idea what year bike I bought and part #'s etc.... Thanks guys... Lol
Wheelieman |
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The XC models didn't have the "expansion tanks" (as opposed to an overflow bottle, since they were "in line" and pressureized), but we always kept them in stock. We also always kept the KTM 1.4 bar radiator caps as replacements. It surprised me when I saw that my 2011 EC250 came with a 1.8 bar radiator cap. In the spring of 2002, with GGMA (Tampa, FL) doing the importing, the new bikes coming in were more complete, with full wiring harnesses and expansion tanks, and large ignitions, switches, and horns. (No turn signals installed) Basically, they were just stripped enough to not be called street legal, but the horn was loud and the lights bright at idle, with the large ignition. I don't know exactly when I sold the most bikes. I know that I never sold enough to make a good profit. I also know I wasn't the most popular with all the other dealers, due to shipping bikes to customers in other dealers' areas, and our low prices. We were very aggressive, and offered many services that a lot of other dealers didn't perform. Until GoFasters came into play, we sold over 30% of the parts in the country. We just didn't make enough money, and GasGas Spain didn't help, due to their policies and concerns, many of the same problems they cause Clay today. (late delivery of new bikes, etc.) I still loved, and love today, the bikes. I just had to eventually close the shop so I could make a living. . |
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It really helps to have the part numbers when making an order. If it gets confusing, I will do what I can to help anyone out. . |
It's great having Jim around....
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Thank you for your help Jim ! All is greatly appreciated ..
Wheelieman |
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