 2003 Thunderbird Sport - Should I get it?
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 279
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 279 |
Found a Thunderbird Sport at my local dealership. A trade in on a BMW I think. Anyway, I went and looked at it, test rode it, and of course, I loved it. Put a deposit down to hold it. The question I have for you all: Should I buy it? I don't know if I can afford it, but loans are always available. It is $5800 OTD and it is the Black and Orange model with 8900 miles. Give me your thoughts. Thanks. P.S. I am not selling my America, just adding to the stable.
Oh man!! I'm going to jail!!
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 Re: 2003 Thunderbird Sport - Should I get it?
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,012
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,012 |
not a bad price for an '03 with; particularly with the low miles. go for it. you can always sell it after the fact if $$ is an issue. or you can sell your car instead.
if it were me...well, there is a vertical challenge issue here...despite that, i'd be making myself comfy in that saddle without too much hesitation.
allhailthefrenchpress
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 Re: 2003 Thunderbird Sport - Should I get it?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1 |
Does it come with any accessories? I assume that OTD price includes taxes and licencing? It looks like that price is just above the Kelly Blue Book Value. So, Yes, get it! Soren
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 Re: 2003 Thunderbird Sport - Should I get it?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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 Re: 2003 Thunderbird Sport - Should I get it?
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 279
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 279 |
It has no accessories on it. And the OTD price includes tax and license. You guys can see it halfway down this page. http://calmoto.com/motorcycle_specials/used.html I think I gotta get it. 
Oh man!! I'm going to jail!!
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 Re: 2003 Thunderbird Sport - Should I get it?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1 |
Yep, you gotta get it.
Soren
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 Re: 2003 Thunderbird Sport - Should I get it?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
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Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
The TBS is a very nice bike. If my America hadn't originally been intended for the OL, I might have gotten one instead.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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 Re: 2003 Thunderbird Sport - Should I get it?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,630 Likes: 7
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,630 Likes: 7 |
I'm not sure you're asking an objective bunch here  I think we'd all love to have that bike ourselves  get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it 
We all like to think of ourselves as rugged individualists. But when push comes to shove most of us are sheep who do what we are told. Worst of all, a lot of us become unpaid agents of whoever is controlling the agenda by enforcing the current dogma on the few rugged individualists who actually exist.
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 Re: 2003 Thunderbird Sport - Should I get it?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1 |
So what are you trying to say?  Soren
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 Re: 2003 Thunderbird Sport - Should I get it?
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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 |
I agree with everyone. If you can swing it, go for it! I think the orange and black is  . I wouldn't mind having that blue 2004 RT BMW for trips 
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
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 Re: 2003 Thunderbird Sport - Should I get it?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Quote:
I'm not sure you're asking an objective bunch here I think we'd all love to have that bike ourselves get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it
+1
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 Re: 2003 Thunderbird Sport - Should I get it?
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,012
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,012 |
soooooooooooooooooo??? didjagetit?
allhailthefrenchpress
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 Re: 2003 Thunderbird Sport - Should I get it?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
aaaaannnd canwetakeitforaspin?
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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 Re: 2003 Thunderbird Sport - Should I get it?
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 279
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 279 |
I will be getting it this week. I just need to research how to make it "better." If anyone has any suggestions of how to get more power out of it, please let me know. 
Oh man!! I'm going to jail!!
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 Re: 2003 Thunderbird Sport - Should I get it?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,611 Likes: 1
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,611 Likes: 1 |
ooooh, oooooh, have I got suggestions....
This is what I did to mine.... Speed triple cams(ebay used) Super III pistons - 12:1 compression.(new $$$$,IIRC $300) Mild post/polish and reshape the combustion chamers (good to have friends) Epco pipes( MY bike is pictured on their website). No ignition or igniter changes, disconnected the rear airbox from the front one. Dyno tuned. Results - 90hp at the rear wheel, don't remember the torque or jets used right now.
Awesome midrange and upper end.
Stewart
.......
"It's outside your field of expertise."
"Poppycock normally is."
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 Re: 2003 Thunderbird Sport - Should I get it?
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 279
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 279 |
What year are the Speed Triple cams from? Do you have to rejet for those? Did you go with pod filters or stock airbox? Thanks.
Oh man!! I'm going to jail!!
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 Re: 2003 Thunderbird Sport - Should I get it?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,611 Likes: 1
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,611 Likes: 1 |
The cams were from an 885 speed triple, it is my understanding that the cams from a 955 will also work. The airbox is stock. Rejetting is required. I have read about guys getting even more out of them with new igniters and airbox mods/pod filters too, but I'm happy where I'm at.
Stewart
.......
"It's outside your field of expertise."
"Poppycock normally is."
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 Re: 2003 Thunderbird Sport - Should I get it?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
My buddy found a noticable difference going to a KnN filter and rejetting his Legend.
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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 Re: 2003 Thunderbird Sport - Should I get it?
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 279
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 279 |
Are the cams a straight swap? What size jets are you using? I was thinking of getting the Thunderbike pipes and a K&N filter for now. What kind of jets might I need? Thanks for the help, by the way. Not very much info on these bikes as there is for my America.
Oh man!! I'm going to jail!!
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 Re: 2003 Thunderbird Sport - Should I get it?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,611 Likes: 1
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,611 Likes: 1 |
The cams are a direct swap. I don't remember the jets and the dyno sheet is buried. Good pipes and a K&N are a good start- the stock pipes weigh a ton. There is plenty of info available at the yahoo thunderbirdsportriders group and some of the other yahoo groups. You might even want to check out that other site(trat.net).
Stewart
.......
"It's outside your field of expertise."
"Poppycock normally is."
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 Re: 2003 Thunderbird Sport - Should I get it?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 874
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 874 |
This place is not bad either,got most of my stuff for my TBS from these guys http://www.british-customs.com/store/home.php
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 Re: 2003 Thunderbird Sport - Should I get it?
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 279
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 279 |
I picked up the Thunderbird Sport today. Wow, what a bike! Now I am looking for things to spend my money on for it. I think I will get the Thunderbike exhaust for it. It is all stainless and sounds sweet. How much fun to have two great Triumphs!!
Oh man!! I'm going to jail!!
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 Re: 2003 Thunderbird Sport - Should I get it?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 874
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 874 |
Nice! You will have a blast riding it and get lots of attention as well.... 
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 Re: 2003 Thunderbird Sport - Should I get it?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
You wanna sell the front wheel? 
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 Re: 2003 Thunderbird Sport - Should I get it?
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 17
Complete Newb
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Complete Newb
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 17 |
I got a set of red cams I can part with. My Legend just doesn't have the braking for that much power.
THATS WHAT IT SAID IN THE BOOK!!!!!!
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 Re: 2003 Thunderbird Sport - Should I get it?
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,012
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,012 |
Quote:
How much fun to have two great Triumphs!!
don't get me started 
allhailthefrenchpress
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 Re: 2003 Thunderbird Sport - Should I get it?
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,463
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,463 |
Only 2???? 
Gina
03 America - Pretty stock - except the TBS wheel... 
06 America - missing, presumed in bits. With it's TBS wheel... 
09 America - It's very blue....
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