Is there a source other than eBay for new 144BCD chainrings. I need a pair (52-42) to refurbish a bicycle...bringing it back to a top state of functionality. The crank is a Sugino GLP. Any brand of aluminum chainring will do, so long as they fit...it is not a fancy bike (Cannondale 400) so I'm not concerned about replacing with period correct parts. I usually post a picture for your troubles, but in this case there's really nothing special to see. Any advice greatly appreciated.

Most likely cheaper to buy a whole new crankset.

Here are some for about$35 a piece. there are some lowend ones out there but you need be careful they are not 1/8 pitch.

https://loosescrews.com/index.cgi

I don't bother with most LBS in my area for 144 BCD chainrings anymore as they usually don't have them. I tried to look for some last year and I can't even find them in most of the older shops in downtown SF or big bike communities in bay area towns like Berkeley and Marin. Some, mostly younger mechanics aren't even aware that the size even existed.....The internet is your friend in this case....
I guess most of the world had moved on from 144 BCD rings and cranks.....

Chombi

With patience and perseverence, I eventually landed (from Ebay) 42 and 53T 144BCD chainrings for my Avocet crankset, to replace the hooked chainrings that were on the bike when I got it. IIRC, I paid about $20 plus shipping in each case.

I started a thread about this a few weeks ago. Most of the new 144BCD rings out there are 1/8" track rings and won't work with a road chain. The only one I found were these:

https://loosescrews.com/index.cgi?c=C...d=599086828780

and this:

https://www.amazon.com/Origin-Alloy-C...318643&sr=8-10

What's wrong with Ebay? Despite being obsolete, that was a very common size for a long time and everyone made them. I would think with a little patience you can find these at a good price on Ebay with no problem.

You might think so but they are consumables so they do wear out. I was specifically looking for a Campy Super Record replacement or close look alike (like a Sugino). NOS examples sell for $80-$150. Well worn ones (and I do mean well worn) sell for about $40. I have been tracking them for months now and examples with reasonable life left in them for a reasonable price are few and far between. Now Nuovo Record rings are much more common and a bit more reasonably priced.

Of course they wear out with use, but most vintage bikes evidently got very little use. Like the OP, I was not looking for something specific, only a functional fit. The rings I found were either take-offs, or NOS, and I'm sure I paid less than $30 apiece. FWIW, I've had nothing but positive experiences purchasing from Ebay vintage bike parts sellers. YMMV.

Peter White has 144 BCD chainrings from TA listed.

If someone is looking for a 41/52 combination in 144 contact championcity (bf member)... I know he has a spare Strada crankset with these rings and would probably sell the entire lot for less than what most would be asking for single rings.

The 41 is a TA ring and the 52 is a Campy chain ring... condition is most excellent.

The new Origin8 144 BCD chainrings are very good quality. The TA rings may even be better. If you're cheap, your search could be a long one. If you want good, new rings now pony up the $80-100 and you're set.

There are (were) so many non-Campagnolo brands that made either 144 cranksets or 144 rings, it's not even funny. And 144 is still used on track cranks, no?

SR Royal rings can usually be had reasonably, NOS, as can Sugino Mighty or Aero Mighty, or Super Mighty, or Super-de-duper Mighty, or (you get the idea). Gipiemme, Ofmega (=Avocet, too), Edco, SR, Mavic, Sugino, Tevano (TA), Stronglight, Specialized (made by Sugino, mostly), OMAS, Nervar - all marketed 144 road cranksets at one time or another. Check eBay, although the 42s are becoming the most expensive size now, as they are in the highest demand....

I've purchased TONS of old bicycle stuff on eBay...it's a great source for old parts. However, the project I'm working on now is to quickly refurbish my wife's old Cannondale which has been sitting in the attic for more than 12 years (disassemble entirely (done), clean all components (done) and replace all bearings (done)). So while I will normally sweat out the details and wait for just the right NOS C-Record component to show up on eBay, that's really not my directive on this project. However, she's expecting it to look like it did years ago, so putting a new crank on it will depart from that expectation.

So, I simply wanted to quickly purchase any new, well-fitting replacement such as a Vuelta (they don't seem to make 52 tooth and 42 tooth rings in 144BCD). I've got a NOS Shimano chain that will work perfectly fine and the bike received a new six-speed freewheel shortly before it was put up into the attic 12 years ago. I think the brake pads will be easy to find. Tires, tubes and handlebar tape are readily available. It's the well worn chainrings that are the problem.

Go with the Loose Screw offerings, then. I don't see the problem, sorry....

Ebay still brings nice surprises for items like 144 BCD chainrings.
I recently aquired an NOS 144BCD Mavic SSC 53T chairing (the one with the dark anodizing which is more expensive and harder to find than the silver version) from a seller at eBay for much less (40 some bucks, I suspect that it would be usually be at least double that) that it would usually cost because the seller made a mistake on his description/title for the item saying that it was a 130BCD ring for a "Starfish" style crank. The auction pics caught my eye instantly, and I looked at them closer and was sure it was a 144BCD ring.
The "Starfish" crank fans did not bother bidding for it as they don't like the dark anodizing that was never standard for their cranks, while the owners of the older style 144 BCD Mavic SSC cranks did not bother to bid either as they see the "130 BCD" title on the auction.
Blam, I bid for it during the last hour of the auction to stay under the radar and I got it!! Now My dark colored SSC dust caps and chainring bolts have proper chainring company on my 144 BCD Mavic crankset!
Sooo.....If you wait patiently...they will come!

Chombi

You may get some made at Cycle Underground, and whilst located in Australia, we do have a reliable postal service.
May need to check that the teeth profile will allow for use of a front derailleur.

These look really interesting but they specifically say the tooth profile is not designed for a front derailleur. I wonder if they could make one that had a more appropriate tooth profile though as they say they can do just about anything.

Update, FYI: the 42-tooth 144/42 Rocket ring is now on sale at Loose Screws for $36.