Triumphrat

07-20-2004

The afermarket mufflers on my 95 Thunderbird are way too loud -- ringing ears and hearing loss occur after just a couple hours riding. The previous owner added these mufflers, and I suspect any baffling they might have had was blown out years ago. So, I am looking for a pair of original mufflers off of an early 95 Thunderbird (before ser. # 071698.) I know this is the oposite way most folks go, but with the riding I do I think it really is the best way to go. New units are avialable from Triumph, but it is an older bike and I'm trying to keep the cost down. Been watching e-bay for a few months and haven't seen anything. Anyone have any suggestions where I might find good original take-off mufflers?

97TB · 07-21-2004

I have the original pipes from my 1997 Tbird. If you're interested, I am sure we can work out a deal.

Dan

07-21-2004

Thanks for the offer, but I would probably have to do quite a bit of work to make the later model mufflers fit. It seems the mounting of the mufflers is different between the early Thunderbirds (mine) and the later models. The local dealer explained that the swingarm and muffler mounting points were redesigned after the 1995 model year when the axle adjustment system was changed. Hence, I can only use mufflers taken from Thunderbirds with serial numbers before . . . . 0716698.

Jodel · 07-21-2004

LuckyAce,

Don't think your dealer is correct. The swingarm was indeed changed, the muffler mounts were not. I have a set of 'normal' mufflers from a '95 bike which fit just fine on my '04 TBird. I also have '02 model mufflers (drilled out) which I use. In my experience, all types of TBird mufflers should fit without any problem.

Triumph made several modifications and changes over the years to these bikes. However, the only external change I know of to the muffers was an increase of 2mm in the diameter of the two cap headed screws used to mount the mufflers to footpeg bracket and this might be what your dealer means. The metal bracket which attaches directly to the muffler is a cheap item (under $10), so even if you needed to buy those, it's a cheap fix.

Internally, later model mufflers have a single baffle, early ones had two baffles - but that won't affect the mounting points.

The biggest change for the TBird was in '99 when (amongst other things) the rear subframe was modified, but even that did not alter the mounting point (at the rear footpeg hanger) for the mufflers.

Happy to be corrected by any of the site 'Gurus', but I think you're on a pretty safe bet using any TBird muffler.

cafetbird · 07-21-2004

A 1995 and 1997 muffler should be the same. In 1998, they changed the guts of the muffler design (1 baffle instead of 2) but the mounting points to the frame are identical. I do not believe that there is any relationship between the swing arm and the rear subframe on the T-Bird. The rear sub frame did change slightly when going from the locking seat, but that didn't affect the mounting points. Now, TBS mounting points are entriely different!

You know, you should be able to find someone that would TRADE you outright for your performance mufflers - maybe even give you a couple of bucks in the process...

Scot

FALSTEN · 07-21-2004

I think the first set I bought are from a 95. Started to put them on my 2000 Adventurer and they didn't fit nad realized that the later Tbird peashooters was what I needed. They are in nearly new shape. I have a set off of a 2000 Tbird now, and I was planning to sell the 95s. Shoot me a PM or e-mail and we can talk. I'll check and see if they have a model number or something. I have a camera so I can probably e-mail a photo if you decide you are interested.

[ This message was edited by: FALSTEN on 2004-07-21 18:59 ]