Cheaper maintenance / parts alternatives

[Fred W]

This thread was originally about just the sparkplugs mentioned in the first post below. I've edited the title so we can add other lower cost alternatives to buying the maintenance parts we need on a regular basis like filters, o-rings, washers, seals, what have you...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm coming up on my big 75k maintenance. In my books that is when you do everything (on the 25's) so I needed to buy a set of plugs to throw in while I have them out already for the valve check. Did some searching online and then remembered that I had seen these guys selling NGK plugs for just about any motorcycle application. I use them quite a bit for car parts, so I looked it up:

RockAuto.com

My preferred regular NGK CR8E plugs are only $3.43 ea. and if you prefer to drink the iridium kool aid you can get CR8EIX plugs for $6.46 ea. Plus, they will ship a 4 pack of plugs via First Class mail for just $2.53. I opted to buy a 4 pack of plugs for the VFR at the same time which pushes the shipping to Priority Mail for $5.24.

No affiliation, previous satisfied customer. Just sharing the joy.

 

[BobbyBlue]

Thanks Fred ! I do my checks on the '30's though and i got my 60K coming up...almost like having 2-strokes again...spoiled I am !!!....friggin heat has kept me in a cage too much last 3 years here !

Appreciate the link buddy, i shall use it directly.

Blessings,

Bobby

 

[ahchiu]

Thanks for the info, that's a good price.

 

[JamesK]

Excellent, thanks Fred.

 

[fljab]

I haven't run the numbers, but what I do is go online and order from Advance Auto. They have both regular and the fancy NGKs; they almost always have a 15% off code, and sometimes 20% - then select for in-store pickup. I just go down and get them along with anything else I get from there (filters for the most part).

It's gotta be just about as cheap as Rock Auto doing it that way I'd think, and sometimes better if you catch the discounts right.......

 

[Fontanaman]

Thank you! Awesome web site. And they take PayPal. I ordered some plugs today.

 

[Fred W]

I haven't run the numbers, but what I do is go online and order from Advance Auto. They have both regular and the fancy NGKs; they almost always have a 15% off code, and sometimes 20% - then select for in-store pickup. I just go down and get them along with anything else I get from there (filters for the most part).

It's gotta be just about as cheap as Rock Auto doing it that way I'd think, and sometimes better if you catch the discounts right.......

That's a good reminder. It's always good to have options. But not everyone has an Advance Auto nearby. My closest one is ~10-15 miles from here, but I have used them (Advance Auto) for Purolator filters before in the past and it was great deal then (forget the actual deal but it involved a coupon and buying a quantity). How do you get on Advanced Auto's list of specials?

 

[oldgun]

Below is an e-mail and DISCOUNT code for RockAuto.

Your RockAuto discount code 71780365952974 will expire on November 18, 2012.

If you or anyone you know is thinking of doing some vehicle repair, now's the time to order the parts!

Taking advantage of this discount opportunity is easy! Simply enter your code in the "How did you hear about us" line of the shopping cart. If you are using our traditional HTML catalog, please click the "Apply" button to the right of the field. Your discount will automatically appear, subtracted from your parts order total. Orders using discount codes must be placed online. Phone orders are not eligible for discounts.

RockAuto carries a full line of mechanical parts, from small items like filters and wiper blades to complete remanufactured transmissions and engine long blocks. We also have a growing number of body parts: door handles, mirrors, sheet metal, bumper covers, even carpets! Our online catalog includes vehicles from 1945 to today, making it easy to find parts no matter what you drive.

Thanks again for buying your auto parts at RockAuto!

Tom Taylor

VP Marketing

www.RockAuto.com

[email protected]

1-866-ROCKAUTO (1-866-762-5288)

(608) 661-1376

Fax: (608) 819-6350

 

[fljab]

That's a good reminder. It's always good to have options. But not everyone has an Advance Auto nearby. My closest one is ~10-15 miles from here, but I have used them (Advance Auto) for Purolator filters before in the past and it was great deal then (forget the actual deal but it involved a coupon and buying a quantity). How do you get on Advanced Auto's list of specials?

True, but there are many all over, so for those that one is near it's an option.

As to their list of specials - you have to have an account (free) as in username and PW w/email address. I get all my filters this way now, spark plugs, and lately have had an old F150 4WD that's kept me busy so been ordering parts for that - All for in store pickup. My local store is also ~10 miles away, so I order when I'm headed that way.

Not to take away from Rock Auto - they do good deals also.

 

[Fred W]

OK, here's another tip for the cheap frugal minded FJR owners among us...

The FJR air filters (for all years) are Yamaha part number 5JW-14451-00-00 and they list for a painful $34.85. Your local dealership will want most of that $35 list price. A quick google shows that the best prices are around $30 plus (usually exorbitant) shipping.

I found this place online, MX Megastore that sells what turns out to be the EMGO clone of this air filter for just $15. ea. I didn't know they were clones when I ordered them, but after receiving and inspecting them, they look every bit as good, nearly identical actually, to the OEMs. If you can tell them apart from the OEM filter then you have a better eye than I do.

I ordered two of these for the price of one OEM, and my shipping was still only $3. :thumbsup:

PS - I'm going to change the title of this thread, so if anyone else has some leads on cheaper parts, especially for regular maintenance items, go ahead and pile them on here.

 

[JamesK]

I've been running the UNI filter, which is of course "serviceable" and costs around $32 (from eBay), but lasts for "ever", the part number is NU3255.

I like it because not only is it a high-flow filter but being a foam with oil filter is supposed to actually be a better filter than the paper elements or even K&N.

https://www.unifilter.com/online%20catalog/streetyamaha.html - $35 from UNI directly.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-FJR1300-FJR-1300-Air-Filter-UNI-03-06-/270915320026 - $32 from eBay.