1995 T-Bird Resto/ New to Triumph

[Bebeau]

Hello everyone.
I am about to start restoring my recently purchased 1995 T-Bird. Completely new to the Triumph family!
It sat for 9 years in a shed. I know that the carburetors and brake calipers need rebuilding. Any recommendations on kits to use, OEM or aftermarket?
Any other things to check or look out for?
Considering removing the air box and installing 3 K&N filters. Any suggestions?

 

[CarlS]

Welcome to TT from the Sunshine State. I have no experience with the older T-Birds. I like the idea of removing the airbox. I have no idea of the parts availability. Please keep us posted on your progress.

 

[Qship]

Welcome to TT and love the older T'birds.
Hope you have an easy resto so you can get out riding sooner.
Keep us posted of your progress if you want.

 

[Gogreen]

Try Sprint Manufacturing in England for quality aftermarket Triumph parts. I would caution against pod filters, they make finding correct carburation more difficult. chuck away the inlet silencer snorkel and fit a K&N performance filter in the airbox. There's plenty of threads on here about airbox mods. Always keep your battery in good order as a low energy battery can cause premature starter (sprag) clutch failure. Brakes and suspension serviced and set-up are very good for general use and touring but get stressed with "spirited" riding.

Good luck and have fun

 

[Rocky]

Hello and welcome to TT
Good luck with your project

 

[RECMECH]

Welcome and keep us posted on your progress

 

[Bebeau]

Try Sprint Manufacturing in England for quality aftermarket Triumph parts. I would caution against pod filters, they make finding correct carburation more difficult. chuck away the inlet silencer snorkel and fit a K&N performance filter in the airbox. There's plenty of threads on here about airbox mods. Always keep your battery in good order as a low energy battery can cause premature starter (sprag) clutch failure. Brakes and suspension serviced and set-up are very good for general use and touring but get stressed with "spirited" riding.

Good luck and have fun

Thanks for the info. I was worried about jetting and carburetion after examining the operation of the carburetors. Do you know if the piston valve in the carburetors functions off of the vacuum created by the small intake of the airbox? I think that the intake opening is way undersized. Was wondering if this was designed to provide enough vacuum to operate the piston valves.

 

[triumph david]

Looks like the bike is in good shape and will make a good recovery, keep us posted.

 

[Bebeau]

Anyone have recommendations on parts suppliers for this old bird? How about Service manuals? Super expensive actual shop manuals or the aftermarket ones? Supplier?

 

[Gogreen]

The "snorkel" intake is primarily for intake noise suppression. The CV style carbs work on the pressure difference from the venturi to the outside atmosphere that's what moves the slide.
After installing a hi-flow filter you can cut holes into the filter box (pre filter of course) or even completely dis the back pat of the box. This will increase air flow greatly and allow the lovely induction noise to escape. You will need to go up one main jet size and maybe a pilot size. Jetting will also have to consider any exhaust changes. Try googling Trimph, triumph T300 or Triumph Thunderbird air box mod to get some ideas.

 

[Bebeau]

The "snorkel" intake is primarily for intake noise suppression. The CV style carbs work on the pressure difference from the venturi to the outside atmosphere that's what moves the slide.
After installing a hi-flow filter you can cut holes into the filter box (pre filter of course) or even completely dis the back pat of the box. This will increase air flow greatly and allow the lovely induction noise to escape. You will need to go up one main jet size and maybe a pilot size. Jetting will also have to consider any exhaust changes. Try googling Trimph, triumph T300 or Triumph Thunderbird air box mod to get some ideas.

Thanks for the info. Very helpful. especially since I realized that the decorative chrome shrouds attach to the airbox.

 

[Bebeau]

I read somewhere that the Thunderbird 900 uses a de-tuned engine from another model. Any idea what steps were taken to de-tune the engine? Can the engine be "tuned up" so that it performs as well as the model it was crafted after? Or is this just bunk that I read?

 

[Gogreen]

The Thunderbid is one of a series of T300 models that use basically the same engine. The Speed Triple and Sprint have a few more ponies but slightly less mid range umph. The big only differences are the exhaust systems, camshafts and igniter box. Is it worth upgrading? Well changing the pipes and re-jetting helps but changing the cams, not really unless your rebuilding the engine already for another reason.

 

[Bebeau]

The Thunderbid is one of a series of T300 models that use basically the same engine. The Speed Triple and Sprint have a few more ponies but slightly less mid range umph. The big only differences are the exhaust systems, camshafts and igniter box. Is it worth upgrading? Well changing the pipes and re-jetting helps but changing the cams, not really unless your rebuilding the engine already for another reason.

Thanks again! You seem to have a trove of knowledge to only have been riding for two years.

 

[Gogreen]

My first bike was a 1962yr model T100 in 1974, so slightly more than 2 years!

 

[CarlS]

My first bike was a 1962yr model T100 in 1974, so slightly more than 2 years!

But your profile shows "Riding for 2 years".

 

[Greyfell]

I assumed he meant riding Triumph for 2 years.

 

[CarlS]

I did also after I read his posts.

 

[Stokey Tony]

Hi, I'm doing the same resto on a Thunderbird Adventurer, which has been standing for umpteen years too. Mine has Keihin CVK36 carbs. When removing the Idle Pilot Screw, I counted the number of turns in, to get the same setting on reassembly. The first one was OK, but the second was so gummed up, that the tiny end jammed in the hole and broke off when unscrewing. I would recommend either soaking the hole with cleaner before screwing in, or just unscrewing them and using the specified setting of 1.5 turns out, when replacing.

 

[Rocky]

Hi, I'm doing the same resto on a Thunderbird Adventurer, which has been standing for umpteen years too. Mine has Keihin CVK36 carbs. When removing the Idle Pilot Screw, I counted the number of turns in, to get the same setting on reassembly. The first one was OK, but the second was so gummed up, that the tiny end jammed in the hole and broke off when unscrewing. I would recommend either soaking the hole with cleaner before screwing in, or just unscrewing them and using the specified setting of 1.5 turns out, when replacing.

Good advice