If you've spent any time shopping for vintage motorcycle parts, you've seen the acronym NOS — but what does it actually mean, and why does it matter?
New Old Stock refers to genuine, factory-original parts that were manufactured decades ago but were never installed on a motorcycle. They sat in a dealer's parts bin, a warehouse, or a barn — untouched since the day they were made.
A NOS Honda CB750 carburetor from 1972 is genuinely new. It's never seen fuel, it's never been touched by a wrench, and all the rubber is still in its original factory condition. That's incredibly valuable for a restoration.
Genuine NOS usually has tell-tale signs: original factory packaging, period-correct part numbers, no wrench marks, no corrosion on machined surfaces, and intact original gaskets or O-rings. Be skeptical of parts claimed to be NOS that show installation marks or have been repackaged.
At VintageMoto CT, we only mark parts as NOS when we're confident. If there's any doubt, we'll call it OEM or used and describe the actual condition honestly.
Usually — but not always. NOS rubber parts (gaskets, O-rings, seals) can deteriorate with age even without use, especially if stored in heat or sunlight. NOS carb diaphragms from the 1970s may need to be tested before trusting. Hard parts — engine cases, covers, brackets, levers — are almost always better NOS than used.
NOS parts come from dealer liquidations, barn finds, estate sales, and parts hoarders. We source constantly and list NOS finds as we get them. Browse our current NOS inventory →