Triumphrat

RONNS · 04-27-2008, 12:45 AM

I have a question about what your RPM's should be as you fully release the clutch when pulling away from a light. It seems to me like my T-bird doesn't like it if my tach is under 2,000 RPM's when I release the clutch. If I let it out at around 1,500 RPM's it seems like the 3 cyclinders are choking. 2,000 to 2,200, she purrs like a kitten. I'm hoping it's not something wrong with the engine. This is my first manuel transmission on a motorcycle, so I just want to see what the norm is.
I've been really happy since I up-graded to the Thunderbird. The only thing that bothers me about the motorcycle is the baffles in the mufflers, (it sounds like a bunch of loose washers in a pipe, and there is a high pitch squeak once in a while) and it's started backfiring thru the exhaust when I down shift.
I've been thinking about getting some cheap mufflers from JC Whitney, $24.99 each side, has anyone else bought these mufflers? The only complaint I've seen is that they turn blue at highway speeds. Ron.

cafetbird · 04-27-2008, 01:07 AM

How many miles on this bike, and how has it been maintained? It sounds like the pipes may need replacing, and you may need to clean your pilot jets...

Give us a link to the mufflers?

RONNS · 04-27-2008, 09:49 AM

My Thunderbird has around 3,200 miles on it. I bought it a few month ago from a motorcycle shop in town, it was a trade in. It had 2,700 miles on it when I purchased it. It's very clean except for a dent in the end of the muffler and a slight scuff on the bottom of the forks and front brake lever, the shop guy was told it fell over in the garage. The guy who traded it in also trade in a Sporster and 3 other motorcycle, then spend almost $30,000 dollars on new TOYS at the dealer ship.
The T-bird drives nice, tracks fine and as I said is very clean. It had the fluids changed, new battery put in and everything was checked over before I took delivery.

Here is the link to JC Whinteys, 2002 Triumph Thunderbird page. I'm looking at the $24.99 shorty CHROME-PLATED REPLACEMENT MUFFLERS.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/...atalogId=10111

BigAl8295 · 04-27-2008, 10:25 AM

I'd like to point out that this bike does operate at higher rpm than an air cooled v-twin, so if you are new to this type of bike you may just not have a feel for it yet.

jimmyj900 · 04-27-2008, 11:30 AM

Quote:

I've been really happy since I up-graded to the Thunderbird. The only thing that bothers me about the motorcycle is the baffles in the mufflers, (it sounds like a bunch of loose washers in a pipe, and there is a high pitch squeak once in a while) and it's started backfiring thru the exhaust when I down shift.

These bikes do some popping during engine braking/overrun and that's a combination of having carbs and a lost spark ignition system that fires on the exhaust stroke.

There's a big difference between the normal popping and a true backfire. Does a flame shoot out the exhaust? Does th backfire set off car alarms and rattle windows? Do folks call the cops about gunfire?

The popping or crackle is normal. Check your carb balance and air filter and also run some fuel system cleaner in the bike -- but take it easy, it's a small fuel tank.

If you have a metallic rattle in the exhaust, check the small chrome trim pieces at the junction of the muffler and pipe. It's common for one of the mounting tabs to break on those and rattle at odd times.

Also check the bolts on the muffler mounting bracket. Some folks have broken the captive nuts loose on the muffler brackets while trying to remove the mufflers the wrong way. The muffler mounting system uses a couple of rubber washers to the subframe so you'll want to check that they're not worn or broken.

FYI: 3,200 miles is WAY below the break-in point on these bikes. It takes about 10,000 miles before they loosen up!

Jim

RONNS · 04-27-2008, 07:20 PM

Thanks for all the good info. The backfiring isn't a major thing, I'm just not use to it. It's more like the popping that was mentioned.
As to the rpm level and the clutch, should I ride it out to the 2,000 rpm's that it seems to like? (It's like a 10 or 15 foot stretch from a complete stop til the clutch is fully released and I'm on my way).
Has anyone had the JC Whitney mufflers? I'm tempted to get them and try them out. Would the carbs need to be rejetted?
Ron.

geoff69 · 05-01-2008, 12:14 AM

i've tried a couple of emgo mufflers. The shorties will likely be really loud. I tried the shorty tapered and they physically hurt my ears (with helmet).

RONNS · 05-01-2008, 12:39 AM

Well, as to the backfiring, I noticed this morning that my right muffler was swaying in the breeze. The bolts had worked themselves loose and are now gone. The backfiring was boosted by the empty holes where the exhaust was leaking out. I put in some new bolts and they sound ok again. I have ordered the JC whitney shorty mufflers. They will be in Thursday. Not sure when I can install them.

jimmyj900 · 05-01-2008, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RONNS

Thank for all the good info. The backfiring isn't a major thing, I'm just not use to it. It's more like the popping that was mentioned.
As to the rpm level and the clutch, should I ride it out to the 2,000 rpm's that it seems to like? (It's like a 10 or 15 foot stretch from a complete stop til the clutch is fully released and I'm on my way).

The key to using a motorcycle clutch from a start is to squeeze it quickly in and ease it out slowly. If you feel a jerk when you've released it then you're releasing it too soon or too quickly.

It takes a little bit of gas to make a smooth start from a stop, but you shouldn't be watching the tacho and worrying about it! Just keep it nice and smooth and you'll have no problems.

It's a wet clutch so it takes considerable abuse to overheat and damage it. Drag starts will do it but regular (sane!) street riding won't.

Jim

RONNS · 05-01-2008, 12:58 AM

The clutch release things is.. when it's released at around 1,500 rpms the engine sounds like it's running on really low octane fuel, if you know what I mean. Should I be using 'high grade' gas? I've filled it the last two times with 'regular' gas. The engine runs fine other then at low rpms, under 2,500 rpms. Good throttle responce, idle, etc. Ron.