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**mollydog** · #1 27 Aug 2014

Honestly, don't know a thing about the Thunderbird. Never rode that one. A friend had an early one from around '97 or '98 ... so that'd be the 885 Carb model. It was a lovely green color reminiscent of late 60's Bonneville. He loved it ... and still has it but it just SITS! And SITS.

I believe yours is F.I. ..? but no idea what motor you've got. Not sure but I think Thunderbird was discontinued in the US by 2003? Is yours a 885 or 955i?

I'm guessing you've test ridden the bike before loading her onto a Ferry?

If the battery is strong and the bike is running well ... should fire right up. No choke on F.I. Don't touch the throttle ... select Neutral, clutch IN, stand UP, hit the starter. I'd bet she roars to life.

The only Triumph I've had that's sometimes a NO START is my current Tiger 1050 ... as Triumph spec'd a TOO small battery for it

... so sometimes balks. Battery is important with any EFI bike. Next battery will be ONE SIZE up, which just fits in there.

Good luck with the new bike! (I wonder if it's using Sagem (French) or Keihin
ECU unit? My '99 had Sagem (fantastic), 1050 uses Keihin. Also good. At some point Triumph switched ECU's. Not sure why ... probably cost as Bloor was a cheap skate.

**oldbmw** · #2 27 Aug 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by mollydog

Honestly, don't know a thing about the Thunderbird. Never rode that one. A friend had an early one from around '97 or '98 ... so that'd be the 885 Carb model. It was a lovely green color reminiscent of late 60's Bonneville. He loved it ... and still has it but it just SITS! And SITS.

I believe yours is F.I. ..? but no idea what motor you've got. Not sure but I think Thunderbird was discontinued in the US by 2003? Is yours a 885 or 955i?

I'm guessing you've test ridden the bike before loading her onto a Ferry?

If the battery is strong and the bike is running well ... should fire right up. No choke on F.I. Don't touch the throttle ... select Neutral, clutch IN, stand UP, hit the starter. I'd bet she roars to life.

The only Triumph I've had that's sometimes a NO START is my current Tiger 1050 ... as Triumph spec'd a TOO small battery for it

... so sometimes balks. Battery is important with any EFI bike. Next battery will be ONE SIZE up, which just fits in there.

Good luck with the new bike! (I wonder if it's using Sagem (French) or Keihin
ECU unit? My '99 had Sagem (fantastic), 1050 uses Keihin. Also good. At some point Triumph switched ECU's. Not sure why ... probably cost as Bloor was a cheap skate.

It has three keihin carbs. 885 cc triple. Not EFI , sadly no kickstarter

, I did test ride it and found a fault which they have now fixed (alternator pulley with slight rattle at low revs) will test ride it again before parting with cash. BUT.. need to bring it home via the ferry and that will be my first alone cold start. Both the Enfield and my carbed BMW had very specific needs to guarantee a first time start.

Thanks

**mollydog** · #3 28 Aug 2014

Loose alternator belt? Rattle?

This jogs my memory of things long forgotten regards older Triumphs.
The dreaded "Sprag clutch failure" was a deadly issue on some early carb'd
885 Triumphs. If the Sprag clutch breaks from starter clutch kick back its a costly repair. A rattle, I believe, was perhaps a "tell tale" of possible failure? But my memories of this issue are vague ... But check it out.

The key back then to avoid a sprag failure was always having a very strong battery fitted. A weak batt could help cause the failure ... forgot details on how this worked, something like kick back from starter clutch ... or something, would break it.

IIRC, only about 10% of Triumph's had this malady ... but that's just a guess on my part. Several of the guys on the old Tiger forum list serve had this happen. (1998 or so)

Check out the "Steamer Tiger" forums or Thunderbird forums for a more accurate run down on this issue. Hopefully your bike is "A" OK.