Triumphrat

durkster · 09-27-2004

I was not sure what to expect given that I had never seen a TBS in the flesh until today,
Coupled with the worry of having something shipped to you halfway across the country after having bid and purchased for the bike with three small photos and a reasonably large dollop of faith in the sellers words.

I was not disappointed when I opened the forwardair crate before signing off on it 'being delivered in good condition".

The bike was everything I had anticipated in my mind but now had depth and texture as i struggled to lever myself into the gap above the bike but below the low forwardair container roof whilst the straps were loosened and removed.

After determining that I wouldnt be required to do a 6 foot stunt jump off the loading dock ( 'take it out the back door' the spoilsport forklift driver told me) I paddled the TBS out doors to fuel up in prepartion to get the TBS and myself away from the large articulated trucks backing in and out of the docks as soon as possible.

A couple of gallons were added to the tank and 3/4 choke applied, cut out switch off, petcock on reserve, select neutral , key on and a shortish prod at the starter easily started the TBS
It was making some glorious noise from its factory 3-2 (drilled) and next thing you know as I try to finish off suiting up several guys from the next unit stopped working and wandered over and began asking me all sorts of questions, mostly when I tried to tell them a few keys things like

Yes, They are still made in england

Yes, Kind of like the x75 look from the Vetter T150.

Yes, They dont make these anymore

They just kept shaking their heads and saying "Yes but "

I tried to explain but they all seemed to be mesmerized by the yowl from the pipes and the red and black coachwork glinting off the Akron rims.

Right then the heavens opened and that prompted to finally get my helmet on and to mount up for the journey to a safer and dryer place.

The ride was great but as I encountered as least 3 car driven enforcement gatherers /generators on the 8 mile journey I was far from able to even get it to begin stretching its legs.

I am looking forward to this latest hurricane weather to blow through in the next day or two so I can take the bike out of its garage for a more serious appraisal of its attributes.

Skyline drive is a distinct possiblity for a clearer shakedown ride.

I also want to try the dragon out this year if I can make it down but I think I should replace the mostly worn rear tire on this fine machine before taking on a road of this nature. with any gusto.

Its currently running an Azarro II Av36 160/70, I have a feeling these were replaced in the product mix by a newer tire by Avon at some point ?

Anyone have any suggestions as I need to put some serious miles on this bike soon before the ice and snow hit.

Is the AV46 the new A36 ?

Anyways my name is Martin and I am a new poster for the most part

I am a kiwi living in Richmond VA who whilst only a TBS owner a few hours now has a much clearer idea of the thrill the TBS can generate.

I just hope some of the other classic forum readers arent all out riding and can throw me a suggestion or two on replacement Avon rubber.

[ This message was edited by: durkster on 2004-09-28 08:43 ]

durkster · 09-27-2004

I was not sure what to expect given that I had never seen a TBS in the flesh until today,
Coupled with the worry of having something shipped to you halfway across the country after having bid and purchased for the bike with three small photos and a reasonably large dollop of faith in the sellers words.

I was not disappointed when I opened the forwardair crate before signing off on it 'being delivered in good condition".

The bike was everything I had anticipated in my mind but now had depth and texture as i struggled to lever myself into the gap above the bike but below the low forwardair container roof whilst the straps were loosened and removed.

After determining that I wouldnt be required to do a 6 foot stunt jump off the loading dock ( 'take it out the back door' the spoilsport forklift driver told me) I paddled the TBS out doors to fuel up in prepartion to get the TBS and myself away from the large articulated trucks backing in and out of the docks as soon as possible.

A couple of gallons were added to the tank and 3/4 choke applied, cut out switch off, petcock on reserve, select neutral , key on and a shortish prod at the starter easily started the TBS
It was making some glorious noise from its factory 3-2 (drilled) and next thing you know as I try to finish off suiting up several guys from the next unit stopped working and wandered over and began asking me all sorts of questions, mostly when I tried to tell them a few keys things like

Yes, They are still made in england

Yes, Kind of like the x75 look from the Vetter T150.

Yes, They dont make these anymore

They just kept shaking their heads and saying "Yes but "

I tried to explain but they all seemed to be mesmerized by the yowl from the pipes and the red and black coachwork glinting off the Akron rims.

Right then the heavens opened and that prompted to finally get my helmet on and to mount up for the journey to a safer and dryer place.

The ride was great but as I encountered as least 3 car driven enforcement gatherers /generators on the 8 mile journey I was far from able to even get it to begin stretching its legs.

I am looking forward to this latest hurricane weather to blow through in the next day or two so I can take the bike out of its garage for a more serious appraisal of its attributes.

Skyline drive is a distinct possiblity for a clearer shakedown ride.

I also want to try the dragon out this year if I can make it down but I think I should replace the mostly worn rear tire on this fine machine before taking on a road of this nature. with any gusto.

Its currently running an Azarro II Av36 160/70, I have a feeling these were replaced in the product mix by a newer tire by Avon at some point ?

Anyone have any suggestions as I need to put some serious miles on this bike soon before the ice and snow hit.

Is the AV46 the new A36 ?

Anyways my name is Martin and I am a new poster for the most part

I am a kiwi living in Richmond VA who whilst only a TBS owner a few hours now has a much clearer idea of the thrill the TBS can generate.

I just hope some of the other classic forum readers arent all out riding and can throw me a suggestion or two on replacement Avon rubber.

[ This message was edited by: durkster on 2004-09-28 08:43 ]

idahotb · 09-28-2004

Martin-
You can find several threads on treads by searching the archives under "tires". I put on Metzlers ME Z4's on my '98 TBS and like them much better than the original Avons. I have heard though that they have been recently discontinued, but there should still be some in the pipeline. I have also heard very good things about the Avon Azaros, and the Bridgestone BT 020s (I am running the 010s on my Sprint and like them too).

glgavin · 09-29-2004

Welcome to the wonderful world of TBS ownership.

While one poster on the Yahoo Thunderbird Sport Riders group did have a problem getting a front tire, I just installed a new Z4 rear on mine. The Z6 is currently not made in the stock TBS size. The Metzeler website still lists the Z4 as the appropriate replacement.

Another TBSR member has the Z6 tires on two other bikes and is planning on putting them on his TBS as well. Take some time to figure if you need/want pure sporting tires or versatile sport touring tires. From the posts I've read it comes down to your personal riding preferences and mileage. The Z4 tires have preformed in both wet and dry conditions and get much better than average wear IMHO.
:-g

durkster · 09-30-2004

I took it out for a 450 mile round trip to an AVON dealer in south west Va.

Needless to say the solo seat was getting pretty hard after the 6th hour of riding.

I ended up putting a AV46 ST on the back and good job too as the rear AV36 was inside the wear bars by the time I had covered the 225 miles to the shop.

I think I saw around 4500rpm @ an indicated 70mph
(at least until it got dark and I noticed my tacho light was out.)

Would that indicate I am currently using stock gearing for a TBS ?

Wombat · 10-01-2004

In the downloads section there are gearing calculators for the TBird and the 6 speed TBS

These are in MS Excel and will tell you what speed for a particular revs and vice versa.

For your TBS, use the TBird calc and change the wheel size.

durkster · 10-01-2004

Thanks wombat, much appreciated

durkster · 10-02-2004

I have had a pretty productive week and got the bike inspected (and passed, thanks Syke !!) and then I changed the mirrors to napolean bar end jobbies ( yesterday) and today I got the flyscreen mounted and the rusell daylong saddle on and centrestand installed.

Bike feels road ready now esp. with the bar end mirrors giving me some really good peripheral vision compared to before. ( which was essentially like having no mirrors, they were that bad)

The Russel Seat is so supportive that I have forgotten about any seating discomfort I may have experienced earlier in the week.

Tommorow morning its off to Leesburg for the Virginia British motorcyle club rally which should easily push me to around to 1000 miles for the week.

For anyone who is interested See www.idalee.org for directions.

60 Ida lee Drive NW
Leesburg VA 20176

This appears to be very close to the maryland border so is not too far from MD/southern VA/DC/WV/PA.