Randy, thank you for the way you post things! Its very good conversation!! You are totally right.
A)they see BM charging $550.00 for calipers, $150.00 for pads, $100.00 for rotors and $100.00 for shoes. PLUS there is more, there is a core charge and if you want the rotors polished.
B) The stock caliper is becoming harder to get, more expensive and it is what it is a 79 celica caliper.
C)USLC said hey why dont we do it better, we will sell it, we will profit and we wont gouge people. Randy you and I rebuild and sell calipers, we do them cheap and they are decent, BUT the number of complaints USLC gets constantly in regards to the BM stuff is alot.
If you were USLC what would you do? I gues that is my question to you, if you were USLC what would you do? Thanks.
C) I hope not, but unfortunately just like many other items, once they become an INEX product they cost more that the one without the INEX label; only time will tell.
To answer you question; I don't know what I would do, that is not something I have given much thought to.
I can tell you I offer and/or steer all of my customers to a cheaper alternative that performs at the same level, or better than anything else on the market.
It all really all boils down to the "buy it" mentality of the person involved in this series. Back in the 70 & 80's when we were racing karts, we called it the pipe of the month club. Every month someone would start winning with a new expansion chamber and everyone would run out and buy the one the winner had.
My dad, decided after a few pipe purchases and we did not get any faster...work on what we have and get faster. Next thing you know everyone had the pipe we were running. I am not one to follow the leader as I want to be the leader, so I research, test and work on my program. Sure, I might have to use a more expensive, better performing brake pad, but there are many other options out there other than BM.
I am still trying to see how this is going to save money over what we have now. If someone whats to buy BM calipers, that is their "option" and they should not be complaining. If they did their own work they would see there are other, more affordable "options" available to them that offer the same or better performance. It just goes back to what I said earlier..."The winner runs it, so I have to have it" mentality. Buy it, buy it buy it...Instant results is what everyone wants.
For now I am going to keep my stock stuff and I will evaluate the new stuff when I see it and it comes out. I will make my decision to buy that "option" then. It will give me great pride to keep using what I have and beating the guys with the new "option". I am sure at one point or another, I will have to convert over because the "option" should be of newer design and will allow a better performing system and that might happen overnight...only time will tell.
Dennis, If you ever have any issue getting a caliper let me know, I can have them normally the same day I order them. I also stock the pistons & seal kits. Once the piston has been replaced the caliper will last forever...
Randy - RPM
