FortNine and Marine Outfitters (for Canadians)

[Sidecar Bob]

I will start by saying that it is getting harder for Canadians to shop online because our dollar is so low that the USPS small box is now about $40 CAD

FortNine.ca
I have been re-assembling Eccles the last couple of weeks. I went to re-install the carbs last Monday evening and noticed that the throttle cable was frayed. I could have ordered one from my dealer but I wanted it fast and I didn't want to go pick it up so I looked at all of the places I have bought cables from before and either they didn't have what I needed or shipping from the US was insane.

I put the Motion Pro part number and Canada in Google's search bar and found FortNine.ca (formerly Canada's Motorcycle). Not only did they have what I needed in stock but figuring in the exchange rate their price was about 10% lower than the US sites. AND they have free shipping in Canada for orders over $49. So I browsed around their site and ended up buying a new rear tire (I will need one soon). By the time I placed the order it was after 11PM and there was an email in my inbox when I got up confirming the order and telling me that the parts would be shipped on Wednesday.

Tuesday evening, I noticed that the clutch cable was frayed too (both were 8 years old & rusty from winter use). I immediately looked up the part number and emailed them (after 10 PM), asking if it could be added. When I got up in the morning there was an email that the clutch cable had been added and the parcel would still ship that day. I had my parts on Friday.

MarineOutfitters.ca
One of the reasons I was putting the carbs in so late on Monday was that the carb clamps were getting pretty rusty and I thought i would like to put more effort into getting something better before the next time so I started a thread on cx500forum.com asking if anyone had found suitable stainless band clamps. After a bit of discussion someone posted a link to a place in California that carries Norma Torro stainless clamps that are only 10mm wide (the ones from the hardware store are 1/2"). Again, the shipping from there would have been insane but once I knew what I wanted I put Norma Torro Ontario into Google and found Marine Outfitters in Kingston On. They had them for $1.89 CAD, $22 minimum order so I ordered 12 (4 for Eccles and 8 for Mr.H - now I have to get the JBM boots). They were at the post office on Friday too.

I can't say how much I appreciated the way both of these companies treated me. I have bookmarked both of them so I can buy from them again.

[ericheath]

It's getting tough and predictions are the CAD to stay pretty close to where it is or lower for two years.

[5speed]

I'm constantly looking for Canadian sources for car parts and now bike parts. A friend put me onto Fortnine.

[flyin900]

+1 on FortNine too .

I buy all my tires from them as they have the best prices and when you buy two tires you get another $10 off, plus in Ontario we pay the Ontario Tire stewardship fee (read another way to add insult to injury, since we are already paying 13% HST on pretty well every purchase)
Shipping out of Quebec as already noted is extremely fast and since it is an out of province purchase there is no tire stewardship fees. I have bought from them for many years and found them very easy to deal with both online and over the phone. For any returns you have they email you a prepaid shipping label that you print off and attach to the return. Once they verify the return back in their warehouse their minimal shipping charge usually $7-$10 is deducted from your credit. Neat clean and no fuss in any way.

[japcrap]

Book marking now, thanks for posting