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School me!

3K views 19 replies 9 participants last post by  Pappy! 
#1 ·
Been lurking here for a while. Interested in picking up one of these gems. Since I am not up on the changes from year to year what years are or seem to be more trouble free than others? I know there are differences in carb manufacturers and am more familiar with Keihins than Mikuni. Differences in suspension between the Sport and the others and a few other differences but what changes really made a nice difference ?
I have plenty of time to look but am getting more serious about it. Currently there are two for sale near me in Central Florida. One in Orlando and one closer to Ocala. Both in Craigslist. The Orlando one is a 96 with a 2003 engine/trans. The one near Ocala was made with parts from a couple different bikes but sounds like the guy is an enthusiast and knows what he is doing.
One other, a Sport, near Gainesville. Been emailing on this one and it is not running and sounds like a kid that owns it from the way he writes.
Thanks for your enlightenment!
 
#2 ·
I'm no expert, but I owned a Legend TT, and while a LOT of fun & a really nice bike, I think it really needed a 6th gear. That's the biggest reason that I sold it. Look for a T-Bird (I think '98 or newer; I'm certain I'll be corrected if wrong) that has a six speed. Later versions had plastic parts where metal ones resided before.
TBS is the choicest. Look for one in the best condition you can afford.
 
#3 ·
I don't think the Thunderbird has six gears... but yes, the Thunderbird Sport does. The Thunderbird Sport is also tweaked for more HP. I have a 1999 which seems to be a good year for the TBS. Also, it's tight and dry... no leaking like my ex-Harley.

If you can find a good TBS (one recently listed in Virginia), you'll be one of the few. I was in the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride in Dallas this weekend and was the only Thunderbird Sport among lots of T-birds, Bonnies, and new Thruxtons.
 
#4 ·
Early T-birds had Mikuni. Mid Run they switched to Keihin and stayed that way through the run. I own bikes with each, and, honestly, neither is better or worse, they're just different. I wouldn't not buy an otherwise perfect bike on account of having one or the other.

Late T-birds DID get the same 6sp as the Sport. I think it was the last year - but I'm not 100% on that.

I have a 99 Legend. Keihin's and the 5 speed box. The 5 speed is liveable if you don't do a lot of high speed slab. If you do, get a later model with the 6 speed.

There were variations in who made the forks and what wheels are on it and such, none of that makes a huge difference to performance or reliability, just something to know when you're servicing it.

They're all equally susceptible to coil and crank sensor failures, so no need to be pro/against any particular year on account of that.

Scott
 
#5 ·
I have four of these series bikes... Find one with Keihin carbs and 17" wheels front and rear. 5 or 6 speed doesn't matter, to me personally I like the 5 speed.

First pick would be a Thunderbird Sport, second choice would be a Legend. Any one of these bikes are a good buy, sweet motor, good handling and pretty easy to work on.

The Thunderbird Sport (TBS) have adjustable suspension front and rear, dual disk front brakes, "rear sets", higher handle bar risers, 17" front and rear wheels, Keihin carbs and 6 speed transmission across all years. Subframe differences and exhaust difference on the 1998-1999 and 2000-2004 years. 1998-1999 had alloy wheels, later models had chrome steel wheels.

The Legend 1998-2001: Keihin carbs all years, 17" wheels all years, 5 speed trans all years. These are hard to find, most were marketed as beginners bikes and were trashed and wrecked. 1998-1999 alloy wheels, later years had steel wheels.

Thunderbird 1995-2004: 1995-1997 Mikuni carbs, alloy wheels 18" front 16" rear, 5 speed gearbox. 1998 Keihn carbs, alloy wheels 18" front 16" rear, 5 speed gearbox. 1999-2004 Keihin carbs, chrome steel wheels 18" front 16" rear, 6 speed gearbox.

Adventurer 1996-2002: 1996-1997 Mikuni carbs, alloy wheels 18" front 16" rear, 5 speed gearbox. 1998 Keihn carbs, alloy wheels 18" front 16" rear, 5 speed gearbox. 1999-2002 Keihin carbs, chrome steel wheels 19" front 16" rear.

Someone sticky this post!
 
#6 ·
The TBS (6 speed) and Legend (5 speed) both came with a 17 tooth front sprocket. The T-bird 5 speed and Adventurer (I think) came with a 18 tooth front sprocket. The result is a 5th gear that is nearly identical to the 6th gear of the TBS. Of course, the first gear ratio will be a little higher and the spread between the 5 gears wider than with 6, but RPM at top speed will be about the same.
 
#7 ·
TBS Horsepower

The air box and jetting are the same across the range (T3) the cams are identical as is the compression ratio. The exhaust system is ever so slightly different. I have often wondered about the veracity of the HP claims made by the factory. Perhaps they had a Trump like figure doing the sums?
 
#13 ·
Oh Heck yes....all it takes is money in the owners hand and the test ride is on.
On the one in Orlando the owner I think said he is a Triumph Master Tech if that helps. Is that engine swap an easy one?

I see you are in Huntsville. I used to visit my Uncle up in Fayetteville, Tn. all the time. Only about 30 miles from you. We used to go visit a huge gun shop on the main North South road through Huntsville. Seems like it was on the North side of town.

Here is the third one. Probably the best deal................
http://orlando.craigslist.org/mcy/5753182207.html
 
#16 · (Edited)
It is the best looking one.
I thought you said black was out?

Anything unique about an Adventurer?
They have what I call a cruiser rear fender. (Like this photo). You either love it or hate it. No difference in engine, transmission, brakes, etc. Not sure about wheel diameters, off the top of my head.
 
#18 · (Edited)
Not to me, no. Lesa will be riding it as well though whenever she wants and she is not a black bike person. She likes a bit of color. Was a bit concerned about the color of the right side pipe in one of the photos.
Yep, was Larry's that we went into. I remember having a conversation about how many lever guns he had on the shelves....it was spring time....and his reply was that after hunting season around there everybody pawns their guns off. He said they all disappear again in late Summer/early Fall though!

Lesa's first Valkyrie was the red/white in the middle. Her current one is the Blue/Cream nearest in the photo. The Black/Red is mine.
She does like color in her bikes.

 
#19 ·
I have a 2000 Legend and had a 2002 Thunderbird at the same time for a couple of years. The sixth gear was not really a big deal only lowered RPM so slighlty. I believe there are some 1998 regular T-Birds with 6th gear but after a certain VIN#. 1999 all were 6 gears on the thunderbird.
 
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