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 1996 Triumph Thunderbird
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 373
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 373 |
Hey everyone. Saturday I'm gong to look at a 1996 Triumph Thunderbird to add to the garage. I'm curious does anyone know of anything special that I need to check on it before trying to talk him down on the price? Don't worry the America is staying with me too.
'06 America, Raask foot controls, the bike use to be Graphite and Silver, now its Red and Black.
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 Re: 1996 Triumph Thunderbird
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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 |
Hi Bruce. The only Achilles' Heel with the early "T-300" series Triples would be the sprag(starter) clutch, and primarily caused if the previous owner had repeatedly tried starting these bikes with a weak battery. If you hear any kind of a "clunk" sound while tempting to start this Thunderbird, then that would be an indication that sprag clutch's engagement dogs have been worn down and will eventually begin to freely spin and not engage at all.
This will not be an easy fix, as to get to the starter mechanism which is located entirely inside the engine cases, you will have remove the engine from the frame and split the cases in order to repair this problem.
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: 1996 Triumph Thunderbird
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
OH MAN!  That IS a problem! 
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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 Re: 1996 Triumph Thunderbird
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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 |
Yeah, and the very problem I've been puttin' on the ol' back burner to fix for years now while my '95 Sprint sits in my garage collecting dust with ITS sgrag clutch inop.
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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