I really think we get the raw end of the deal in the UK with sourcing parts internationally. Espec post Brexit. Postage and customs kills you.
Retro guys in the States seem to more or less be able to get whatever parts they want, whenever. Lucky dogs.
I'm not so sure about this...
Yes, shipping and import taxes post Brexit must be an absolute killer, but for availability and fair trading, it looks to me from afar that the UK has the US largely beat.
Prices here are just as filthy, if not more so. And especially in the past few weeks/months.
Over there people seem to be a little more reasonable with pricing and certainly more willing to help out.
Or maybe that's just this place skewing my perspective?
I'm lucky to work for a UK-based company, so can have stuff shipped there and forwarded on, but shipping aside, I've found a lot more, in better condition, at more reasonable prices over there for this current build.
People in the UK scene really seem to cherish more interesting bits and are happy to work with others who also appreciate the bikes and the era's we're all interested in.
There's a few people I've "met" over here that are the same, but based on eBay there's a lot of chancers here just looking to make a buck on the likes of us. Rather than have a genuine and abiding appreciation of retro bikes and parts.