Tom, Calm down!
No we do not all buy our parts from the sameplaces or samepeople. Some don't do anything to their bikes, some do everything. I have different things from different people. I have somethings on my bike that nobody else has.
Heck take a look at
your bike. Nothing cookie cutter about it, so I am not sure why you are ranting and raving.
There is absolutley nothing wrong with trying to contact mainstream manufacturers about making parts for our bikes. But, if you are going to do that, contact the manufacturers of items, not the retailers. The retailers can only sell what is available.
As far as the vendors around here making a mint off of us, you have it all wrong. They all have started making parts in their garages and shops or whatever because they love our bikes. They had ideas for their own bikes, others liked those ideas and that is the way it goes. Personally I think I would rather buy bits and pieces from someone that has a passion for our bikes than a major manufacturer that could care less. I love telling people that my spiked axle covers came from a guy in Australia, the choke knob custom built by a guy in Pensylvania, the clutch cover made by a guy in Texas, and etc (turn signals custom fit and wired by me).
There are also a ton of aftermarket parts out there that do not list that they will work on our bikes, but they will or with a little bit of this or that will fit nicely.
Soren
