 Thunderbird Sport
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 129
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 129 |
Loving' the looks of this Tbird cafe racer I found on Craigslist. I'm tempted.  
Jon
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Re: Thunderbird Sport
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,681 Likes: 1
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,681 Likes: 1 |
Looks pretty clean. They are fun bikes. I would do it, then you could convert you TBA back to a touring rig and come to the AR rallies. 
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
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Re: Thunderbird Sport
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 129
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 129 |
Quote:
Looks pretty clean. They are fun bikes. I would do it, then you could convert you TBA back to a touring rig and come the AR rallies.
Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. I've owned two bikes in the past for that very reason. But I keep telling myself to keep it simple and stick to one bike. Besides, I can still do AR rallies with a solo setup. Just put on my helmet w/ face shield and carry what I need in a backpack.
Still tempting tho.
Jon
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Re: Thunderbird Sport
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,681 Likes: 1
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,681 Likes: 1 |
Donny had one and he let me ride it. The Sport is fun to ride especially in the corners but it is NOT a long distance bike. I think I only rode it around an hour or so and I was ready to get off. 
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
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Re: Thunderbird Sport
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643 |
I love mine, but do not have the clip ons on mine but the situp and beg handlebars, I have no problem at 52 doing around 130 -150 mile trips. Saying that though my shoulder blades ache after... 
Ray(UK)
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Re: Thunderbird Sport
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 129
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 129 |
I'm 51 and I haven't been able to last more than an hour on my BA. That was with the Corbin seat tho. I guess it's just too hard for me and leaves me no room to move around. I felt wedged in the saddle for the duration of the ride. I think the stock seat will leave me more room to shift my weight and thus make my mid-pegs more useful. As for the thunderbird, as much as I like it, I think I'm gonna stick with the BA for now.
Jon
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Re: Thunderbird Sport
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,104
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,104 |
My 97 T-Bird is an all day rider. Higher bars, certainly... and the 900 Triple has got long legs 
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Re: Thunderbird Sport
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643 |
Sweet looking T-bird Mike....
Ray(UK)
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Re: Thunderbird Sport
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 129
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 129 |
Found this one on CL too. A little further away but more in my price range. I'm more tempted than ever.  
Jon
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Re: Thunderbird Sport
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643 |
A really nice ride Jon, I wished I had bought one years ago.... plenty of power and torque and a nice smile on my face wherever I ride. My mate has the Thunderbird and it is just a completely different bike all together.
Ray(UK)
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Re: Thunderbird Sport
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,531
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,531 |
The old T-3's are great engines.....
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Re: Thunderbird Sport
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15 |
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Re: Thunderbird Sport
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
The old T-3's are great engines.....
EXCEPT when their starter sprag clutch bites the dust, like the one on my '95 Sprint did a few years back. Yep, that evidently was/is the one Achilles Heel of the old T-300 series engines. Just like this poor soul found out too...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THCUXmp-YLk&feature=related
And so, do NOT attempt to start your early Hinckley Triples and Fours IF your battery is anywhere not up to full charge, as this will cause excessive wear and premature failure upon said unit.
And, because of where the sprag clutch is located inside the engine, once the sprag clutch goes bad, you must remove the engine from the frame and split the cases to get to it...not an inexpensive or quick fix proposition to be sure.
But other than THIS, yeah, these babies are wonderfully smooth running engines that give out loads of torque and very good horsepower, though somewhat weighty.
(...I know I miss ridin' it, as it's been sittin' idle in my garage now for almost 5 years...I keep tellin' myself I'm gonna tackle this job any day now...yeah...sure)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Thunderbird Sport
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,028 Likes: 8
New Tires
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New Tires
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,028 Likes: 8 |
Quote:
I love mine, but do not have the clip ons on mine but the situp and beg handlebars, I have no problem at 52 doing around 130 -150 mile trips. Saying that though my shoulder blades ache after...
Beautiful bike! I've got a Thruxton with clip-ons, I'm 60, 3 hours is the max till the neck and shoulders have had enough. I can ride the BA all day. That TBS is the sh-t 
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
H. L. Mencken
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Re: Thunderbird Sport
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643 |
Quote:
EXCEPT when their starter sprag clutch bites the dust, like the one on my '95 Sprint did a few years back. Yep, that evidently was/is the one Achilles Heel of the old T-300 series engines. Just like this poor soul found out too...
Thanks Dwight I was told after I had bought it about the sprag clutch on the T-300 engines and it being a bit of a pain to get to. I was also told to keep the battery fully charged at all times so put it on the trickle charge..
Thanks Mac appreciated, I will only use it in summersoit should be looked after and kept clean with a bit of luck..
Ray(UK)
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