Bought as several boxes of disparate parts, I at first wondered if I'd lost my marbles. It was a 1960, bathtub model, but of course they'd gone. The loved/loathed slickshift was present.
A strip of the engine showed pretty good nick, but many non standard parts, like an alloy head and Bonnie ... Read review
Advantages: Free road tax, reliable, appearance, ease of maintenance Disadvantages: lack of security needs aftermarket locks
Bought as several boxes of disparate parts, I at first wondered if I'd lost my marbles. It was a 1960, bathtub model, but of course they'd gone. The loved/loathed slickshift was present.
A strip of the engine showed pretty good nick, but many non standard parts, like an alloy head and Bonnie cams. Pistons were 9.75, up from standard. As I couldn't warrant the cost of nos bathtubs and didn't want fibreglass, I left the alloy head on, ... ...weren't oversize, so that left a bit more meat.
After nearly a year, she was ready for testing. Filled up with unleaded (valve seats modded), Second kick! After 30 years, she was running.
Out for mot, straight through the test. Picked up a tax disc, I asked if they wanted a cheque for £0.00, but they didn't.
Performance? A decent unrestricted 125 would give her a run, only 4 gears, drum brakes, no turn ... more
Bought as several boxes of disparate parts, I at first wondered if I'd lost my marbles. It was a 1960, bathtub model, but of course they'd gone. The loved/loathed slickshift was present.
A strip of the engine showed pretty good nick, but many non standard parts, like an alloy head and Bonnie cams. Pistons were 9.75, up from standard. As I couldn't warrant the cost of nos bathtubs and didn't want fibreglass, I left the alloy head on, even though they are more prone to cracking. The valves weren't oversize, so that left a bit more meat.
After nearly a year, she was ready for testing. Filled up with unleaded (valve seats modded), Second kick! After 30 years, she was running.
Out for mot, straight through the test. Picked up a tax disc, I asked if they wanted a cheque for £0.00, but they didn't.
Performance? A decent unrestricted 125 would give her a run, only 4 gears, drum brakes, no turn signals etc etc. Fun? In spades. What makes it even more pleasant was other bikers and afficianados. Where ever I stop, people speak to me, but ogle the bike.
It tops out at about 110, cruises easily at 70; returns around 55 to the gallon, but no figures can measure the grin factor. Those figures are obviously helped by the bigger (amal concentric) carb, higher compression and the alloy head.
It leaves the usual 1960's mark wherever it's parked, but even overnight is a couple of spots; attention to detail when putting the pieces together, care when placing gaskets and care when tightening up make a difference.
The riding experience of something like this can't really be described in words. It has to be felt. The few friends who have been allowed to ride her have all said just sitting on the bike gives a feeling of dignity and serenity. The easy flow of power (POWER? 34 BHP?) from the long stroke engine, the graceful handling and rider comfort should be experienced by more people.
A nod to a bygone time, remember this machine was one of Ted Turner's pennypinching designs, which went on to win accolades, trophies and records for 20 years. Less than 9 years after inception, it held the world motorcycle speedrecord at a place called Bonneville. But therein lies another story.
Sadly, the years have overtaken both the Tbird and me; my '73 500 Daytona drags me out more, I commute on a GPZ 500 and make more and more use of the car. Very soon the Tbird will be passed on to someone else to love and nurture. We've had fun for the last 5 or 6 years, though.
Triumph is a name that will go down in History, people a hundred years from now will be talking about these classic motorcyles, Thunderbird, Bonneville, names to invoke the `rocker' in all of us. Compared to todays `plastic rockets' the Thunderbird is slower (but is still capable of over 100mph), but that unmistakable Triumph twin sound and the roadholding as you accelerate through the bends belies their age. I toured around Scotland on mine back ... ...and the rest of the Triumph family may take a bit of getting used to (no electric start for a begining) . A major plus for these classic Triumph are all the spares you ever need are available from a wealth of suppliers the world over.
Once riden never forgotten. ...
superlover 21.06.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Triumph Thunderbird
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In the early 1950's i rode my 1950 Triumph Thunderbird from Vancouver BC to Toronto ON (a distance of about 3500 miles). It was early april when i made the trip and quite cold and unpleasant to ride so the operative word was tto get the trip over just as quickly as possible. I made it in just a few hours over 4 days. The bike preformed beautifully without a moment spent on repairs or anything other than usual maintenance. I'd buy another in a minute if i could find one just like it. ...
Surfside334 21.08.2007
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Triumph Thunderbird
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