Price or Pride?

As many of you know I produce, sell, and distribute for others many parts for the CV Carburetor. Earlier this year I released my new Billet Choke Bracket and the V-Ductor. Now I am contemplating the production of a part that is far more common, carburetor jets.

Some people may not realize this but carburetor jets sold for our carburetors are not made in this country. This includes those sold by the factory. The majority of jets are sourced from Japan (where the CV carb originates) while others are coming out of China and India. While the quality of these jet parts have been good the fact remains that the jobs associated with them (manufacturing, material suppliers) are jobs that could be here at home in the US. The kits I sell have always included OEM jets from the same sources that all others obtain their jet parts from. This has remained the one outstanding part in my kits that are not US made.

So here is the point of my post and the poll. If you had the choice between an American made product and the factory original (or OEM) made overseas, would you pay an additional $1 more for the new US product?

Please cast your vote in this poll and then share with the rest of us what you think.

For only a buck difference, I would go American Made. Where I have problems, is in cases where American Made is 50% more expensive and the quality is 50% less..... For something like a carb jet (even tho I run EFI), If I had 2 products that were essentially the same, only 1$ difference, and one made in USA, would probably go with that one

American made everytime we need the jobs in this country not overseas.

Thanks for all the votes of support. Honestly it probably won't be as much as a $1 but I just threw that number out there. The costly part is tooling which puts me in the hole for at least the first year of production. Also maintaining the level of accuracy I expect with all my parts doesn't make this a cheap operation. With any luck I could get other shops and distributors around the country to change their ways.

wvak47 - I had the same idea but that could add up. We'll see.

The downside to all of this is that carburetors ceased production in 2006 and the demand will gradually taper off. But with all the carb'd bike out there if someone doesn't stick around to take care of them, who will?

I have a efi now but I do believe the carb will be around a good many years , & like AFN I would buy made in the USA But know it's not made with 100% pride only about 50% I try to keep my money here at home

agree with all the above.....

I did a home inspection today on a 5,000 Sq foot house that was 1.5 Mil that sits on the banks of the Willamette River. The people buying it are Chinese from China and work and live in China. The wife told me (speaking very good English) that China is the most industrialized country in the world and says its more capitalistic that the U. S. . They bought this place as a Summer home to come to. Yea, the Chinese are definitely making to much money off us for sure.

sad huh????........

Well I got the ball rolling with the technical drawings. Still working on cost but these jets will likely retail (suggested retail) for a couple dollars cheaper than what the dealerships are asking. So while this American made jet might run you a buck more than what the aftermarket is selling import knock-offs for, it will still be less then what the factory is asking for their Japanese OEM jet.

sounds great ken!!!!

You know I'll hook you guys up!
I have a whole line of parts for CV carbs and I would gladly extend a huge discount to everyone here who has been so supportive. I just don't like to use the forum as my own shameless plug.

It could take about a month before the tooling is done and the CNC programs are completed to make these. Once I get a first run you guys will be the first to know.

again, thanks for what you are doing here, and great wishes for your success in the new venture!!!!!!!