Featured New Owner 2014 Thunderbird Abs

Theres been huge debate about the rattle...Triumph have always denied a problem but I'd guess that's to avoid warranty issues.
I think the ratttle seems to affect mainly the 1700 Lt and Commander bikes with 014 being particularly susceptible....
Explanations range from simple harmonics noise to rattling of the cam bobweights to misaligned cylinder liners.......
Whatever the cause it doesn't seem to kill the engine...it just irritates at some revs...e.g. opening the throttle at about 2-3 krpm.....
On mine I got a new set of liners and pistons and rings which cured it...for exactly 400 miles!
My big end bearing was I think a complete fluke....bought the bike from a reputable triumph dealer with 900 miles on it.....4 days later in Holland it gave out big time.
Got my money back and somewhat hesitantly bought a 1600.... Never looked back.
12k service means valve shims ...if you're happy to do these you're laughing.
My bike lives in the front garden....I wasn't happy to do it under those circumstances.

 

Probably the first times it’s been removed for five years

 

I found that slightly slackening off the mounting bobbins did the trick.

 

I think I'l adopt a Hakuna Matata attitude about it. Ignorance is bliss!

I built myself a "Taj Magarage" recently, so I'm all good on indoor working space. I've got plenty of light and room to lay everything out neatly.

 

Yes, it lets them tilt away a bit and releases the pressure.

 

Some pics I took last Saturday when I had the chance to ride the bike. Heading home to the US from Germany on Sunday. Looking forward to getting back home and spending some time with my family and the new bike.

 

I WANT ONE!!!!!!!!!!

 

A perfectly sane response.

 

How is it going Hank? no reports recently, are you managing to get any time in the saddle?

 

Hey there, Hamburg! I road the mighty Thunderbird to work three days this past week! I had to wear electric heated gear on the first day as the starting morning temps were about 2° C. Second day starting temps were warmer at 9° C and the final riding day starting temps were ideal at 15° C.

Ready to roll on the first morning ride to work.


At the office.


Otherwise I've been in the garage all day Friday and Saturday (while it rained) getting the GT ready for sale. I'm pulling off almost all of the aftermarket upgrades and accessories. One big hassle was removing rust from the center stand and corrosion from the sump, prepping and painting both. I did a deep clean and detail of the whole bike. As of tonight I only have to clean and polish the windscreen and then it'll be ready for market.











Monday is predicted to be clear and warm so I'll be back on the T-Bird!

 

Wow, good work Hank, what did you use on the down pipes (headers)?

 

Thanks! It’s called Autosol Bluing Remover. Great stuff with a little effort and a rag.

 

Lunch hour run.

 

Looks great Hank, a bit more interesting than the GT!

 

Late evening ride, stopped to admire some other high-torque machinery.

 

I installed the Viking bags last night and this morning. Installation of the left side was a bear because, per the instructions, I drilled the right side first and then transferred the holes to the left side so they would be symmetrical. Problem was that the catch for the lock is the same L-bracket on both sides, flipped around. So while it was cleared on the right, I ended up drilling a hole right next to the bracket on the left. Long story short, grinding and fabricating a workaround was involved.

That being said, the bags are very nice and look terrific on the bike!

 

Thanks, bikerman! That’s not actually firewood; those are creosote-soaked wooden railroad ties.

 

They look really good Hank, they look OEM

 

HI, welcome. Im fairly new here, not even sat on my new bike yet.... 3 or 4 more days till it arrives... '15 Nightstorm.... Ill be following your thread for info too. Cheers.

 

Any photos?