Harbourside cruising

Change over from the TBS…….

Note: This remainder of this blog is now being dedicated to a Hinckley Triumph Thunderbird 900 Triple. Please visit the Hinckly Triumph Thunderbird page to read about the bike swop.

Hinckley Triumph Thunderbird 900

The Triumph Thunderbird pictured here has been purchased today and is now awaiting it’s service and MOT before being delivered. This bike was registered in 2001, had one previous owner and is in immaculate condition having done only approx. 6,500k miles.

As you can see it has the two tone Maroon and Silver paint scheme and comes fitted with an original Triumph Summer Screen, Triumph Sissy bar and genuine Triumph King and Queen seat. More on these accessories to follow.

This blog will now follow this particular bike and new content will be added in due course. The previous material about the Triumph Thunderbird Sport will be retained.

Triumph Thunderbird History:

1995: Triumph Thunderbird 900 launched.
1996: Triumph Thunderbird 900 gets new oval section swing arm.
1997: Triumph Thunderbird 900 gets new chrome rad end covers and grill as standard.
1998: Triumph Thunderbird 900 now with king and queen seat as standard.
1999: Triumph Thunderbird Sport introduced.
2003: Both Triumph Thunderbirds discontinued.

 

Worldwide interest in TBS blog

TBS viewing stats

I thought you might be interested to see the breakdown of visitors to this blog by order of country.

I knew the Triumph Thunderbird Sport was a popular bike in the States, Australia and France; but these figures show a much wider interest. Although not included on the screen shot of Triumph Thunderbird Sport viewing stats, the Czech Republic, Japan and India are all scoring over 30 views (since the blog was launched).

But it goes much wider then that, the full list now sets out over 7,000 visitor viewing stats from another 41 counties around the world, showing strong global interest in the Triumph brand.

They don’t build ’em like this anymore…….

Triumph Thunderbird Sport Brake Fluid Reservoir

Here is an example of good old fashioned British build quality. This photograph shows the Triumph Thunderbird Sport Brake Fluid Reservoir which is a solid metal casing with a brake fluid level window.

Below is the modern Triumph equivalent:~

Triumph Bonneville SE Brake Fluid Reservoir

This photograph shows the Triumph Bonneville 2012 SE Brake Fluid Reservoir, which as you can see is little more than a small plastic tank attached to a metal bracket. The Bonneville is obviously built to a budget, and changes like this must help keep the costs down.

Lovin’ those pipes……

Photograph featuring the upswept retro exhaust pipes on this 2003 Triumph Thunderbird Sport

Triumph Thunderbird Sport side view

Photograph showing the left hand side detail of the bike with the chrome horn in the centre of the picture. Also featured is the trademark ‘cheese grater’ air filter covers which make this model so distinctive.

Triumph Thunderbird Sport Motorcycle Photography

Here’s a photo of the Triumph Thunderbird Sport taken on the quayside at Brixham harbour, South Devon. This photograph was taken using a compact Nikon P7100 camera. Even though the conditions were bright, fill in flash was used to bring out some of the bike detail and add a little sparkle to the shot.

Note to self: Must take a few more shots and add to the blog.

Triumph Thunderbird Sport Motorcycle Photography © Bikepix 2014

Triumph Thunderbird Sport – a brief history

Triumph Thunderbird Sport: This bike was introduced late in 1997 as more sporting version of Triumph Thunderbird 900, complete with uprated suspensions, wider rims, twion disc front brakes and revised styling to suit, inspired by the 1971 X75 Hurricane featuring special 3:2 exhaust and ‘cheese grater’ air filter covers.

Model history:

• 1995: Triumph Thunderbird 900 launched.
• 1996: Triumph Thunderbird 900 gets new oval section swing arm.
• 1997: Triumph Thunderbird 900 gets new chrome rad end covers and grill as standard. 1998:
• Triumph Thunderbird 900 now with king and queen seat as standard.
• 1999: Triumph Thunderbird Sport introduced.
• 2003: Both Triumph Thunderbirds discontinued (Altough you will still see a few 2004 reg models).MCN review gave it an overall rating of 4/5 stars, saying:

“Surprisingly cool, versatile and fun retro – indeed one of the first. Triumph Thunderbird 900 took the pleasing and fruity Triumph Trident and refashioned it into an althogether more stylish package. There’s handling, comfort and decent poke inside those cream and chrome walls, while cred is guaranteed by the name on the tank. Nice.”

They went on to give the engine a 5/5 rating:

“For our money the Triumph Thunderbird 900 hosts one of the best incarnations of the original big Hinckley triple. 885cc three has been detuned from Trident and Trophy spec to give even more oomph. Wound open it sounds like a squadron of Lancasters and with restyle chromy and curvy engine cases it looks the business, too. A classic.”

Here is a photograph of the Triumph X75 Hurricane which the Thunderbird Sport was styled on.

The full MCN review can be read >> here <<

Triumph Thunderbird Sport arrives

Triumph Thunderbird Sport

Hi, I have decided to open a blog to document the ‘life history’ of my newly acquired Triumph Thunderbird Sport. This is my opening post in which I record the initial basic information and add a photograph of the bike as taken from the dealers web site. In time, this will develop into a history for this bike.

This 2003 Triumph Motorcycle was purchased on 31/1/12 with 8117 recorded miles on the clock. I had the bike delivered as I didn’t want to ride it any distance with lots of road salt and grit on the roads. The bike was purchased from Ramoto of Bournemouth.

I was not dissapointed with the condition of this machine, it was excellent; with just one small chip to the left hand side panel. I intend touching that chip in and if that doesn’t work, you can buy replacement panels for about £130. It’s now safely tucked away in my garage, connected to an Optimate 4 battery charger. The dealer did upgrade the battery to a gel type which means I can keep it on trickle charge without the risk of boiling it dry.

I’m obviously looking forwards to taking it out for a spin, but make no apologies for wanting to see the worst of the winter weather gone first.

Although purchased as a hobby rather than an investment, a good condition Triumph Thunderbird Sport is not likely to depreciate in value, provided it is well looked after.