Triumphrat

MickMaguire · 04-23-2004, 04:37 PM

So spring is here again (it takes a while up here in NH) and as usual I am waiting on a part to finish this winter's fiddling around in the basement...

Anyway I thought I would share the current list of modifications that I have made to the bike to get my otherwise standard 2000 Thunderbird to how it currently is:

- 2000 TBS rear subframe (modified)
-1998 TBS exhaust system
-TBS solo seat
-TBS rear shock
-TBS rear sets (modified linkage to keep 1 down 5 up shift pattern)
-Eliminated the rear fender - custom inner fender plus Buell Blast/ Monster rear light unit
-Monster rear reflectors
-CBR 600 front reflectors
-Daytona indicators with clear lenses
-Race tech springs and cartridge emulators in the forks
-Relocated horn (it's now tucked in near the battery)
-Trophy 900 triple trees
-TT600 bars
-Speed3 brake master cylinder
-ZX7R Clutch master cylinder
-ZX11 adjustable levers (in black)
-Sprint ST grips
-CRG bar end mirrors
-CB600 heel protector (modified)
-Monza gas cap
-Triumph fork protectors
-Sprint steering damper (sprint is the manufacturer).

Still working on ideas for a front brake upgrade that wont empty the bank account.

Just thought I would share after shocking myself by listing all that out for somebody else. Pictures to follow soon. :-D

Slinky · 04-23-2004, 04:54 PM

It reminds me of that old Johnny Cash song "one piece at a time.." :-D

Tell me, what is your thinking behind fitting the ZX7R Clutch master cylinder ?

Is the bore size the same 14mm? I was thinking that a bigger bore clutch master cylinder would be a good move, because I find the stock clutch heavy and the biting point is early (it still catches me out now, quite a few fast take off attempts have ended in a stall) :whoops:

MickMaguire · 04-23-2004, 05:05 PM

It was totally a cosmetic issue, so that the look matched the Speed 3 brake master which was fitted originally in preparation for going to a larger brake setup (which has yet to happen). It makes for a MUCH firmer lever with the stock front brake. The clutch cylinder is the same size as the original so feel was/is unaffected.

vonbonds · 04-23-2004, 05:51 PM

Mick...do you ever wish you had a Thunderbird Sport as your base to build around or was it no big deal doing this to your standard Tbird?

04-23-2004, 05:57 PM

MM -

Hope your camera thaws out pretty soon. It sounds like you are closing in on an exceptional cafe bike, and we'd love to ogle it.

I go to Jack Lilley's site every couple of days myself and stare at all that Beringer braking tackle. I am always tempted to just scorch a credit card and get it over with, but then I wake up and move on to another shop.

As I can't justify buying it all at once, I'm wondering if it can be added to the bike one component at a time. Start with the master cylinder, then the caliper, then the disc. That might put it within the realm of possibility.

And have you and those RaceTech springs made peace?

Cheers,
Randy

MickMaguire · 04-23-2004, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Mick...do you ever wish you had a Thunderbird Sport as your base to build around or was it no big deal doing this to your standard Tbird?

Well yes and no. I love the TBS, and woudl love to own one. Having said that I dont think I would have been so tempted into mods as I was with the standard bird. I also like the look of the silver and chrome engine which of course I wouldnt have got with a TBS.

It certainyl would have been cheaper to start with the TBS as a base, but not as much fun! :-D

[ This message was edited by: MickMaguire on 2004-04-23 16:10 ]

MickMaguire · 04-23-2004, 06:08 PM

Quote:

On 2004-04-23 15:57, ITCHIN2 wrote:
I go to Jack Lilley's site every couple of days myself and stare at all that Beringer braking tackle. I am always tempted to just scorch a credit card and get it over with, but then I wake up and move on to another shop.

As I can't justify buying it all at once, I'm wondering if it can be added to the bike one component at a time. Start with the master cylinder, then the caliper, then the rotor. That might put it within the realm of possibility.

I actually had it on order just before I lost my job; I gad been waiting about 6 weeks (the caliper had to be ordered from Beringer), but I canceled the order when I had the news of my lay-off. Subsequently JL put the prices up so now that I have (almost) recovered from being out of work for 3 months it's still out of reach.

You can't run the 6 pot caliper without the rotor but you can still upgrade a step at a time in theory at least if you do the switch to the rotor first, then do the caliper. Master cylinder wise you just need to find a use Kawasaki (Nissin) 5/8" or 13mm bore item which is a direct swap, there is even one which will look identical to the stock cylinder. These are very reasonable and easy to come by on ebay.

Quote:

And have you and those RaceTech springs made peace?

Yeah, they still creak a little but I'm okay with that now I know that it's usual. I haven't made any peace with the company. They make a good product but their customer service stinks IMHO.

04-23-2004, 11:04 PM

MM -

That sounds good! I'll get started on the master cylinder hunt and work on Santa for the fine European wares.

Right now I need tires worse than fancy brakes. They're just not as exciting.

RR

Slinky · 04-24-2004, 02:49 PM

I have no idea how much the Beringer caliper costs, but I have been sorely tempted by the Harrison billet 6-pot.
They cost around £225- I have seen and handled them at shows and they are beautifully crafted.

You can check them out at http://www.billet.co.uk/

[ This message was edited by: Slinky on 2004-04-24 12:51 ]

cafetbird · 04-24-2004, 03:23 PM

Mick:

You forget your Ascot air cleaner covers in the list.... I know, I know... it gets hard to keep track of it all after a while!

Here is my list for the '96 Bird, in order of installation:

Tiger carb rubbers
105 jets, and air screws adjusted
5 w lamps in instruments (5 years. 30K miles - no problems)
TBS indicator light bezel (same as the stock in later models)
Speed 3 bars
Aftermarket foam grips
6 Speed transmission
17 tooth front sprocket
Halcyon bar end mirrors
TBS airbox covers
TBS bar risers
Crampbuster throttle control
100/90 w European H4 headlight bulb
aftermarket horn, stock location
TBS rear cowl seat
Bobbed rear fender
Custom paint on fenders and cowl
Lucas vintage taillight
Staintune exhaust
Race tech springs and emulators
Super III ignitor box
Skyking frame sliders
17" TBS front wheel
Legend headlight bucket - hammered gray paint
Legend drag links (to fix quick steering after dropping the front with that wheel

Due to install during the spring/summer:
Speed III cams
TBS front end w/ dual disk brakes
early Speed 3 master cylinder (5/8" - but looks stock)

For the future:
TBS rear sets (have parts - waiting for exhaust mods)
TBS or aftermarket exhaust
Rear shock upgrade???

Surely missed something that someone will point out. I love the burgundy/cream color combo - that and the BRG/cream and 95 in blue are my favorites.

Scot Dail
Charlotte RAT
http://www.queensrats.cjb.net