Triumphrat

Otrorob · 09-29-2004

New Member with a "new" TBS

Hello from one excited dude! I picked up my "new" Thunderbird Sport last Thursday and I am completely thrilled. I want to thank this group for the questions that have already been answered and the advice I’ve already applied.

The bike was one of those rare finds -- a 1998 with only 345 miles! The bike was owned by the proprietor of a used bike shop who had an identical 98 TBS that he rode while this one sat in his basement. He had a D&D 3-into-3 exhaust system installed which sounds awesome. And he took advantage of his position to cherry-pick parts off Triumphs that made their way into his shop and added a chrome engine cover and grab rail to the bike. Finally he had to make room in his basement so the bike made it onto the floor of his shop and into my hands. (I submitted a request to get some pictures uploaded in the photo albums – standby.)

The exhaust pops a bit during deceleration, so I followed the instructions found on this group to adjust the carburetor mix. I tried to do so with the carbs in place (the caps were already removed), but did not have a driver long enough to reach the center screw. So I put the outer screws back to where they were until I can take the carbs out. But here’s the strange thing, the screws were already set 4-5 turns out from the stops! That seems awfully rich. I don’t know if the carbs were re-jetted when the exhaust was installed. Could re-jetting explain the mix settings?

Anyway, I brought my six year-old bike in for its first service tonight and asked them to take a look at the carburetor settings. It’s only been 2 hours since I dropped it off and I’m already going through withdrawal.

[ This message was edited by: Otrorob on 2004-09-29 18:38 ]

97TB · 09-29-2004

It's hard to get the fuel mixture just right for the D&D pipes. I had mine set to 3.5 turns after rejetting. Maybe your carbs are still stock, which would explain the richer mixture settings . .

good luck! sounds like a beauty of a bike.

Slinky · 09-30-2004

Congratz on the new bike. It sounds like you have the bug..

The pilot screws cease to have any effect after about 3 turns out. If they are not coreectly set by this stage then the pilot jets are too small. Stock ones are #38, next size up is #40

mecscc · 09-30-2004

Hi Otrorob, I just want to welcome you to our little rubber room. Welcome aboard!

(I am of no help to you when you need advice about modifications because I am "old school" - as all the guys know! - and my bikes always stay pretty much stock. But many, many of these members have modified their bikes, some significantly, and will be helpful to you.)

Sounds like you got a rare find, and a good one. Enjoy!

Monte

zimtok · 09-30-2004

Otrorob
Welcome to the triumph family.

Keep us up to date on the carb thing.

Otrorob · 10-01-2004

Update -- I got my bike back from its first service yesterday and the mechanic reported that he set the mixture screws out 4 turns, which has the bike running as it did when I first picked it up last week -- easy starting, smooth idle, and a bit of popping on deceleration. (It seems there is more popping when the engine is cooler.)

I suppose a possible next step would be to rejet the carbs to eliminate the popping and bring the mixture screws down. But I went for a 100 mile post-service ride through the Maryland countryside and the bike ran great and averaged 43 mpg. So I'd have to say I'm content with how things are. So, unless there is a pressing mechanical reason, I don't think I'll be making any more changes.

mecscc · 10-01-2004

Sounds good to me. Popping a bit on deceleration is pretty normal for these bikes and unless excessive causes no harm. And yes, a cold engine is worse for it.

Triumphs through the decades have had many eccentricities. I would have been worried in the 60s and 70s if my new Bonnies didn't leave a dime sized oil "present" for me every morning; I would have thought something was terribly wrong, and wondered what was plugged up, and would I have a engine seize?! And I would have been shocked, I tell you, shocked! if the Lucas electrics weren't erratic. To say nothing of the joys of tickling the carbs on a cool morning and kicking the bike over until I was totally winded, going inside for a "cuppa" only to come out in 15 minutes later and have her start on the first feeble kick, as if to say, "Why would you think something is wrong? I just have a hard time waking up on a cold morning."

Drove some people crazy. For me it was part of the "charm" of owning a what was at that time, to me at least, the best ride on the planet.

Enjoy, and ride, ride, ride.

Monte

I forgot to mention. Those "golden days" of Bonneville heaven was when I lived in Frederick. We had a little place in the country about 4 miles east of town on US40, on a hill about a mile south of the highway. I haven't been back in twenty years. Probably all suburbs now.

[ This message was edited by: mecscc on 2004-10-01 22:19 ]

Otrorob · 10-02-2004

Monte,
Your old place may still be there, but now it would only have the illusion of being a little place in the country. I'm sure the view from the front porch is drastically different.

I also live about four miles east of town off of Rt. 144 in a community of over 1,500 housing units sitting on what were three farms about 11 years ago. I moved in about 4 years ago after living in San Francisco for eight years, so it still seems pastoral to me.

Much of western Frederick county is still rural, but that too is sadly slipping away.

-- Rob