 Re: My Thunderbird 1700
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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 |
Yeah, that's what I was referring to. I priced out a complete new Rocket III headlight assembly on bikebandit. $620.  All of this gives me a great idea for mounting up two of these lights using my stock block (assuming they get more in stock some day). http://www.lowbrowcustoms.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1496
Last edited by FriarJohn; 08/18/2011 1:10 PM.
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Re: My Thunderbird 1700
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 26
Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 26 |
Quote:
Picked the bird up yesterday, New pistons, rings and liners and she sounds as sweet as lark first thing in the morning.
I had a look at the liners and pistons they had taken out and was suprised to see the pistons worn at one side and the liners marked to he11.
Anyway it was not my imagination that something was wrong....
Not saying this is what has caused your problem, but worth a thought anyhow. The worn piston. was it worn on the side away from the sidestand??
I remember reading a few years ago that mechanics had started to notice that on bikes with only a sidestand, in some cases the camshafts were showing "blueing" on the opposite side to where the sidestand was. .......it was believed this was due to oil starvation on initial start up as the sump oil had all drained to the lowest point and it was taking a vital few seconds to circulate through the oil pickups. YOu only have to look in the sight glass to see how much the oil level drops.
Ever since I always stand my bike up before firing it up, and then waiting 10 secs or so before putting it back down.
As I said, the artice was a few years ago, so hopefully manufacturers have addressed this on newer models, but as most of us on here have bikes registered over the last decade just thought I would mention it.
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Re: My Thunderbird 1700
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643
Monkey Butt
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OP
Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643 |
Quote:
Quote:
Picked the bird up yesterday, New pistons, rings and liners and she sounds as sweet as lark first thing in the morning.
I had a look at the liners and pistons they had taken out and was suprised to see the pistons worn at one side and the liners marked to he11.
Anyway it was not my imagination that something was wrong....
Not saying this is what has caused your problem, but worth a thought anyhow. The worn piston. was it worn on the side away from the sidestand??
I remember reading a few years ago that mechanics had started to notice that on bikes with only a sidestand, in some cases the camshafts were showing "blueing" on the opposite side to where the sidestand was. .......it was believed this was due to oil starvation on initial start up as the sump oil had all drained to the lowest point and it was taking a vital few seconds to circulate through the oil pickups. YOu only have to look in the sight glass to see how much the oil level drops.
Ever since I always stand my bike up before firing it up, and then waiting 10 secs or so before putting it back down.
As I said, the artice was a few years ago, so hopefully manufacturers have addressed this on newer models, but as most of us on here have bikes registered over the last decade just thought I would mention it.
From what the mechanic said it was from manufacture, oversized liners and standard pistons Neil.
Ray(UK)
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Thunderbird Sport 2004
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643
Monkey Butt
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OP
Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643 |
Ray(UK)
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Re: Thunderbird Sport 2004
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 192
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 192 |
Sweet looking bike. Why the change? I ask because I've considered getting a Thunderbird 1600 and would welcome your thoughts.
'08 America, AI removed, National Cycle windscreen, bags, tach, dresser bars
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Re: Thunderbird Sport 2004
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643
Monkey Butt
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OP
Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643 |
Quote:
Sweet looking bike. Why the change? I ask because I've considered getting a Thunderbird 1600 and would welcome your thoughts.
Fed up with the 1700, had major issues with it after I bought it, got them sorted eventually. Chrome on it was appalling and starting to peel, then to top that the cam started rattle when it had been stood up over night. It would go as soon as the oil pressure came up.
Once the bike had fired up the cam would disappear for the day no matter how many times you stopped and started. But for those few seconds on inital fireup it bug the ar$e out of me.
Ray(UK)
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Re: Thunderbird Sport 2004
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,212
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,212 |
oh i like the T-bird sport much better, but i beautiful bike, but i hear they can be a pain to get parts for? is that so?
2007 Speedmaster and miss it!
2013 T-Bird Storm and Luvin it!
Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at 70 mph can double your vocabulary
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Re: Thunderbird Sport 2004
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 192
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 192 |
Thanks, Ray. Very good to know.
'08 America, AI removed, National Cycle windscreen, bags, tach, dresser bars
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Re: Thunderbird Sport 2004
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643
Monkey Butt
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OP
Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643 |
Ray(UK)
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Re: Thunderbird Sport 2004
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643
Monkey Butt
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OP
Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643 |
Well the last couple of days I have had the front forks out and polished the lowers. (dirty job) I wanted to put some gaiters on. hence why I polished the fork lowers as the worming under the laquer was driving me mad. Just started rebuilding it around teatime today so should be all done for tomorrow and i'll take a few pics.
Ray(UK)
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Re: Thunderbird Sport 2004
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643
Monkey Butt
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OP
Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643 |
Ray(UK)
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Re: Thunderbird Sport 2004
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,254
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,254 |
Lookin good Ray. 
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Re: Thunderbird Sport 2004
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
Lovely, lovely, lovely. You should be well pleased.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: Thunderbird Sport 2004
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643
Monkey Butt
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OP
Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643 |
Quote:
Lovely, lovely, lovely. You should be well pleased.
Over the moon with it, just needs a full service and the carbs tuneing. Booked in for a tune at the local Dyno
Ray(UK)
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Re: Thunderbird Sport 2004
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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 |
IMO you should have kept both the 1700 and the sport. Two Thunderbirds in the garage are better than one. 
"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 2004
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643
Monkey Butt
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OP
Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643 |
Yea I agree Pes, but I can always pickup a 1700 Storm later on in life and the sport will just become more and more sought after through the years
Ray(UK)
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Re: Thunderbird Sport 2004
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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 |
That's true. And that Sport is pretty sweet. 
"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 2004
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643
Monkey Butt
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OP
Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643 |
Quote:
That's true. And that Sport is pretty sweet.
Ray(UK)
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Re: Thunderbird Sport 2004
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 39
Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 39 |
This is a beautiful machine ! I take it these arent available in the states ?
Where the Hell do all these parts go. 04 America,73 Daytona,85 Rebel
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Re: Thunderbird Sport 2004
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,721 Likes: 5
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,721 Likes: 5 |
Quote:
This is a beautiful machine ! I take it these arent available in the states ?
they are available, you just have to look for them... usually craigslist and local classifieds
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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