Triumphrat

FrankD · 02-14-2008, 10:21 AM

I posted here last week about an 02 Thunderbird that I'm thinking of buying. The owner dropped (low speed lowside)it a little over a year ago, rode it home, put it in his garage and hasnt touched it since.
I took a look at it last week. The bike has been sitting (uncovered) in a gagage in manhattan since the crash. The bike is FILTHY. It looks like it hasnt been touched in 30 years. I wish I had brought my camera.
The bike fell on it's right side, then tipped over onto the left side. It was hard to tell how bad the damage was because it was so dirty. Here's what I saw: Broken front turn signals, bent rear fender, dent in tank where left handlebar hit the tank. Slightly bent bars (he's got 2 other styles of handlebar that are new that he'll give me), lightly scrathed/dented exhaust on both sides, bent control levers, bent brake pedal, little "nub" broken off the gear shifter.
Another thing I noticed which concerns me is that there seemed to be some oil on the lower left engine case towards the front. It wasnt leaking because there was no oil under the bike but you could definately tell that it had been "seeping". Is this a common thing with thunderbirds or is it something I should be concerned about? Anything else I should be worried about? In my last post someone mentioned that the gear selector shaft bight be broken. I was able to switch from neutral to first with no problem so I guess it's good.
Sorry for the long post. I've been reading though alot of posts this past week and it seem like you guys really know your stuff so I wanted you opinions.
Thanks!

Chadillac · 02-14-2008, 02:26 PM

Be glad it was the nub that broke on the shifter and not the shaft it is attached to. Seems like something else must have dented the tank, unless those handle bars are really mangled.

Sounds like some good late winter/early spring garage fun to me!
Best of luck

tnsen · 02-14-2008, 05:08 PM

still .....1000.$....go for it .. it can be cleaned...and a few parts be replaced...and you got the best place in the world for some help, right at your desk top..i dont know how much you like to tinker,..but it think it means more when you turn a lump of coal into a gem yourself...rather than just buy the gem....so go for it ,and do keep us posted, pix and all ....tom

paul 64 · 02-14-2008, 05:15 PM

hi
i have owned my t-bird for 7 years from new
i fitted a small screen and the power exhausts( helps the engine breath oh and people hear you before they see you)
it has never once let me down and i give it some stick
i did 1,000 miles in one day last year .......
Whats an oil leak ??????

FrankD · 02-14-2008, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chadillac

Be glad it was the nub that broke on the shifter and not the shaft it is attached to. Seems like something else must have dented the tank, unless those handle bars are really mangled.

Sounds like some good late winter/early spring garage fun to me!
Best of luck

He had different bars on the bike. I can easily see how they dented the tank. Wierd looking bars... almost like fake clip ons. He also is giving me the stock bars as well as some Ducati looking straight bars.. as well as the stock exhaust if he can find it.
It looks like it'll be an awesome winter project. I'm hoping I can just clean it up, drain ou the gas, clean the carbs, change plugs, and fire it up. To me the damage seems minor and cosmetic.
Anyone know anything about this oil leak. It looks like its leaking around the lower end of the clutch cover.
Again thanks for all your input. I'll post pics as soon as I have it.

gregp · 02-14-2008, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankD

He had different bars on the bike. I can easily see how they dented the tank. Wierd looking bars... almost like fake clip ons.

Sounds like "Clubman's". Overall, it still sounds like a decent deal. I don't know about the oil leak, though. These bikes are pretty oil tight.
It sounds like you have a good opportunity to turn that bike into a nice street fighter.

Napalm · 02-14-2008, 10:46 PM

If a friend of mine wanted a Thunerdbird I would try to get them to wait for one that had been loved.

I don't know how many bikes you have to choose from in your area but in my experiance it is best to buy a bike from someone who has spoiled it and spent too much.

Any sign of neglect may be a warning of other areas that have been neglected. Dirty is OK but missed oil changes and sprag cluches can be real heartbreakers to fix.

If you can buy a mint condition bike for 1000 dollars more, I believe it is worth it.

There is enough to do on these bikes without dealing with years of neglect. From what I have read these bikes are a real bargin in the US. A good one would cost 6000 dollars or more in the UK.

I was once told "Choose a bike with the same caution a naked man would use to jump over a barbed wire fence"

IMHO

denny · 02-14-2008, 11:38 PM

I think it mostly depends on you. If you have the space, tools and inclination to do the work yourself, it will be a good deal for you. The cosmetic damage can be expensive to repair properly. Original parts from Triumph are pricey and used parts for these bikes are getting harder to find. So if you expect to get it done quickly the parts alone can run the bill up. If you are patient you can find good deals on many parts.
But if you want to do a cafe Racer style thing the cosmetic damage can be repaired for reasonable prices. There are alot of generic parts that can be used for the body stuff. A good Tank will cost you 150 to 200 if you are lucky on ebay. Of course tanks can be repaired too, depends on the type of damage and who you know that can help you with it.
Shoot the engine, wheels and frame alone could easily fetch 1000 on ebay, so from that point of view it is a great deal.

Dknapp · 02-15-2008, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Here's what I saw: Broken front turn signals, bent rear fender, dent in tank where left handlebar hit the tank. Slightly bent bars (he's got 2 other styles of handlebar that are new that he'll give me), lightly scrathed/dented exhaust on both sides, bent control levers, bent brake pedal, little "nub" broken off the gear shifter.

Take a look on ebay. Someone in the UK is selling a 2000 Legend bit by bit. Many of those parts will fit your TB. I know you're not ready to start your project, but used parts are hard to find without costing you an arm and a leg. Act soon, time is running out.

BTW the "nub" on the shifter rod is a big deal. The whole rod will need to be replaced.

FrankD · 02-15-2008, 11:31 AM

Again, thanks for all your help! I have the space and time to fix it. And hopefully the knowhow as well. I'm going to take a look at the bike tomorrow and bringing a battery just to make sure the motor actually cranks. Turns out the bike hasnt been touched in about 3 years. It just sat there, uncovered in a climate controlled garage. I want to make sure the motor actually turns over... but I'm pretty confident it will.
I'll post pics if/when I get it.