Triumphrat

07-10-2004

Hi all
I own a 98 TBS and to tell you the truth I sold my 01 RS a couple of months ago because I stopped riding it because the TBS is just more fun in the sun. Sure the RS had gobs more power but the "smiles per mile" were greater with the TBS.

I had a accident about a year ago and I completed all work myself. All cosmetic , a royal pain locating parts but its back to its beautiful self.

There are a couple of things that I need to replace. I'd like to get a middle downtube as the other one has scratches and the master cylinder for the front brakes is scratched. I'd like to know if there are any cross compatible parts with other makes, other T-birds or if anyone makes custom parts like resevoir covers for T-birds.

Thanks again for information.

Slinky · 07-10-2004

The TBS master cylinders are pretty well unique, at least I have never seen them fitted to anything else. Unlike the other Triumphs with rectangular covers-they are all made by Nissin and are common to a lot of other bikes, especially Kawasaki.

If you don't mind switching to rectangular master cylinders, there are probably plenty of good used ones out there. The brake side is a 1/2" cylinder as stock, a more common 14m should work as well or better.

Did you check the price of a new downtube from Triumph?

cafetbird · 07-10-2004

I think the TBS uses a 5/8" master cylinder, T-Bird is 1/2" (twin calipers, remember!)

Scot

07-10-2004

I havent checked with Triumph yet. Remember these are the guys who wanted $68.00 for a footpeg and $900.00 to replace the stock exhaust.

Slinky · 07-11-2004

Quote:

On 2004-07-10 15:10, cafetbird wrote:
I think the TBS uses a 5/8" master cylinder, T-Bird is 1/2" (twin calipers, remember!)

Scot

My T-bird has a 11mm brake cylinder. I had a TBS front end to fit on the bike last year (long story, never happened) and the master cylinder was 1/2" for sure. Maybe it changed over the model years.

07-12-2004

I was wondering if the alternator from other T-birds will fit the TBS. I've been hearing horror stories about about shredding impeller bolts on the '98 TBS.

glgavin · 07-14-2004

Shredding bolts? Well some do, most on the net don't. Mine does. Most just tighten it back up and that's the last of it.

I'd guess the alternators are the same. If the bolt head does break you can extract it with an easy out or have a machine shop do it as I did.

I've tried several things, including replacing the impeller (aka cush drive) and rubbers. My latest experiment involved putting some high temp gasket sealer on the shaft to take the play out of the interface between it and the impeller. I used medium (blue) thread locking compound along the whole length of the bolt. And I raised my warm idle up to 1200 to match the FI bikes.

So far so good. Have to see if it lasts a year.
:-g

tbh9088 · 01-12-2008

On the topic of master cylinders, does anyone know an equivalent part for the front brake master cylinder and the clutch master cylinder? I have slight leaks on both and need to source replacement gaskets. At $30-40 each, I'd like to try the Kawasaki dealer first.

On a lighter note, I'm a first time rider and have had my '98 TBS on the road for all of three days now. What a great machine! Just gave it a wash and wax for the first time, and wow, what a looker! My only complaint (hey we all have to have one) is those wire wheels. It takes me as longer to do the wheels than it does to clean the whole bike. It's all worth it, though.

Thanks for the help!

stevesrs · 01-13-2008

I hate cleaning the spoked wheels, the sooner I can get a three spoke conversion the better!

oil-spitn-rat · 01-16-2008

Then I brought home a 71 Kawi Mach III, **** spokes but its just sitting there waiting on a rebuild so I'm ok.
Oh no not another one. Yeah The Paul Smart at the dealer followed me home on my birthday in 06'. Ah ****s!!!

I use a mild acid wheel spray from Miguires or this stuff called Acid Trip from the bike shop. They both work very well at cleaning up wire wheels. I spray it on a dry wheel and let it sit for no more than 1 or 2 minutes then use a wet cloth with soapy water to wash them down. done in a snap. Then I spray a little bike or chrome polish on them and wipe down again (wax once or twice a year only).

They are still more time to keep clean and are a royal pain when it comes to flats or buying new tires but man they look cool!!