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Ive saw exactly the same thing happen with the vintage Star Wars toy hobby (I used to collect big time). The rise through the 90's, the levelling out and the slight drop off as the best bits get buried in collections never to be seen again and people get bored. You always get the odd new guy to the hobby, but it takes something big to cause a major shift in collecting patterns. The 'new' Star Wars films 10 years ago caused a major influx of new collectors (Olympics BMX 2012 anyone?), but they tend to be in it for the short haul, collect a few pieces then leave. Only the hard core stay around for the duration.IMO repro parts are not the answer to keeping the hobby alive (despite my post yesterday regarding twin pich flights and JDB beartraps). It just waters it down a little, not really affecting the price of originals, but reducing the market slightly as many people are happy to settle for the cheaper, easier to find reissue part. It keeps the part timers happy, but for the hard core the search will always be a major part of the thrill, the fact its a little harder to find nice pieces now compared to 5 years ago wont kill the hobby. Its the scratching of the itch that will (i.e. building everything you always wanted to), and all the repro parts in the world cant stop that.The majority of the members on here are probably 30-40, disposable incomes get spent on BMX parts, when these guys leave, thats when you start to worry as there will be very few following on.
Big difference to the VW scene is that most OS bmx parts dont get used (in anger) whereas most old car bits do. They get fitted to a show bike, then dismantled and sold to someone else to put on their show bike. 'used' will eventually replace NOS as the key term.Ofcourse bits will get used round a track from time to time, but far more stuff gets refurbed than destroyed on a daily basis for there to be any serious shortage in future years. Lack of collectors maybe, not lack of parts.
I've also been wondering where all the good stuff has gone - and quickly too it seems. Has the hobby grown that fast in the last couple years that a lot of parts have become slim pickings?Are guys just hoarding stuff for potential future "maybe" builds?Although I like original bits as much as any other collector, I'll happily buy repro parts if I need them to finish a build that would otherwise stall & sit in a box. The original parts can always be added at a later date when, and if ever, they surface. And that's the BIG problem in this hobby - parts that we need may never see the light of day or may simply not exist anymore. I can understand holding out for parts to match an oem or specific replica spec - but at what cost? Take for example Elina Turbo saddles (or Comp II tyres) - I "need" at least 3 NOS ones if I want "show standard" nos bikes - that just aint going to happen... if there were repro ones I'd have 'em and my 3 Kuwahara replica builds would be complete. I may need to settle for repro Kashi Aeros as alternatives and why not - they're not the ones I had on those bikes so they may as well be repro and not nos originals. A sad compromise.It's a little disappointing not being able to replicate my bikes from BITD with the exact spec by using what's available on for sale threads or eBay. So much time and money has gone into sourcing all the other bits that I'd gladly buy repro Elina Turbo saddles or Comp II tyres so I can match my photo's and have my personal replicas complete. That would be extremely satisfying but obviously not as euphoric as having three originals that didn't cost me my internal organs...so if you have an Elina Turbo saddle please pm me LOLReproduction parts keep a lot of other hobbies alive too.
why would you need re-pro pats? all them bikes in your signature are later stuff anyhow. easy to get bits for with a little patience.
the early collectors had a field day getting what they wanted ,easily and cheaply
You also need to think 'outside of the box' and do some real homework when building. Too many builds go the MX1000's twinned with Tech 3 levers, Comp III's, Kashimax Aero, Araya 7x route, when so many different parts were around bitd. Now don't get me wrong those parts are great, but not needed on every build.
Quote from: Stidds on January 06, 2010, 07:52 PMYou also need to think 'outside of the box' and do some real homework when building. Too many builds go the MX1000's twinned with Tech 3 levers, Comp III's, Kashimax Aero, Araya 7x route, when so many different parts were around bitd. Now don't get me wrong those parts are great, but not needed on every build.can you tell radman that then sean
