It marks the end of an era for motorcycle enthusiasts and those in search of unique, used motorcycle parts. Bob’s Cycle Salvage, a fixture in Phoenix, is permanently closing its doors this January. A recent visit to the salvage yard revealed the news from Rod, who manages the establishment. Just last June, there was talk of selling a portion of the land while keeping the warehouse operational as a scrap yard. However, a deal for three acres fell through due to unexpected city regulations regarding sewer line installations. The prohibitive costs associated with tapping into distant sewer lines led Rod to the difficult decision of selling the entire four-acre property.
Among the remaining treasures at Bob’s Cycle Salvage, a notable collection of exhaust systems stands out. During the visit, a dent-free 750F header was spotted, though the chrome showed signs of age. Various 750F and 550K single pipes were also present, but nothing particularly rare, and notably, no lower left-hand side pipes for the 550 models were immediately visible.
The scene at the back three acres of Bob’s Cycle Salvage was one of near-total devastation. This area, once densely packed with motorcycles, has been almost entirely cleared. Only a few bikes remain in a distant corner. The process of clearing involved bulldozing motorcycles into piles and loading them into dumpsters destined for the scrapyard. A final walk through the warehouse revealed a significant reduction in stock, yet rows upon rows of shelves still held vintage seats, fenders, tanks, switches, cables, and gauges. These industrial shelves, reaching five levels high, previously yielded discoveries like NOS 4-2 slip-ons for SOHC4s and other sought-after parts.
Despite the impending closure and the extensive clearing, Rod continues to acquire desirable items and maintains a personal collection of classic motorcycles and select parts that he intends to keep.
It’s estimated that the salvage yard contains hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of motorcycle parts that are unfortunately destined to be discarded. Expressing gratitude to Rod for over 25 years of access to this “paradise” for motorcycle part enthusiasts, and acknowledging the consistently helpful nature of the staff, the visit concluded with best wishes for their future endeavors. Bob’s Cycle Salvage will be deeply missed by its loyal patrons.
