Can anyone tell how I can determine if my 95 thunderbird has the access panel to the sprag starter clutch ??? Seems to be a major plus if it does !! Bike only has 169 miles on it!! Trying to get it back running & learn about these bikes. I understand the cases must be split if there’s no access panel? Major ordeal if it goes out ! Any info greatly appreciated. Thanks
Sprag Clutch On 95 Thunderbird
- Thread starter Catchalot
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I would say you dont have the access hatch with your bike being a 95 the hatch was in the very first bikes 91,92 and 93 after 3 years there some changes made to the engine .
B25bsaboy
Well-Known Member
Sadly if in fact you have a sprag clutch failure, the only way to access is splitting the engine case! But before you get to carried away, make sure you have a new battery and it’s fully charged and change the engine oil to a full synthetic oil. Once you have done this try to start.
If that failed, then you have two choices and that is stripping everything everything off the engine area and dropping the engine. Be aware this engine is a sand casting and heavier than H*#l. Once out of the frame, you will have to turn the engine upside down and split the engine cases. The sprang clutch is right there top left corner under the crank chest. I was lucky in that a good friend of mine was a factory trained mechanic (technician to the younger crowd) and we were able to pull it apart quickly. There is a factory tech sheet that explains what you have to look for in counting the number of teeth on the starter spline sprocket. Sorry to throw water on your fire and I feel for you! Good luck.
And if you have to do that- while you're in there- SWAP IN THE 6 SPEED INTERNALS!!!!! Buy 'em used- they're cheap
B25bsaboy
Well-Known Member
I agree in changing out the transmission to a six (6) speed! I elected to change out the front drive sprocket from an 18 TPI to a 22TPI and changed the rear sprocket to a 47 TPI. Not the fastest bike off the line, but the rpm’s at highway speeds is less thus its smooth enough for this old cowboy!
gecja
Member
Hello dearborn, I've just joined this forum hoping I could get some answers to my scenario. I have a 99 Legend Belt drive. I'm planning to split the crank case since I need to replace it. Long story short the Filter assembly that threads in to the lower crankcase, broken from over tightening it. (rooky mistake). Reading your comment looks like you have done it successfully? What assembly would fit? Remember I have belt drive instead of chain. Would appreciate any feedback.
gecja
Member
Pic of my Original Issue. I have the new lower Crank Case. This will be my winter project.
Attachments
That does appear to be a bit of an issue. Sorry to see that.
A good- REALLY 
! - welder should be able to do a decent repair of that, but it won't be cheap. Sorry, I have zero experience with the belt drive but the transmission internals are extremely likely to be the same as the chain drive UP TO the mainshaft (trans. output) sprocket/pulley. I spent a LOT of time with the FACTORY manual and exploring part numbers on as many sites as I could find. My advice- do the research, look for a good, clean, used set of 6 speed trans. internals. Think I paid about $60- $75 for what I remember was a "Sprint" set which has identical gearing to the Thunderbird save for the 6th gear. That said- I have NOT gotten around to doing the job on my '96 Thunderbird- LOTS of "life' stuff all year, but plan is to do it over winter.
! - welder should be able to do a decent repair of that, but it won't be cheap. Sorry, I have zero experience with the belt drive but the transmission internals are extremely likely to be the same as the chain drive UP TO the mainshaft (trans. output) sprocket/pulley. I spent a LOT of time with the FACTORY manual and exploring part numbers on as many sites as I could find. My advice- do the research, look for a good, clean, used set of 6 speed trans. internals. Think I paid about $60- $75 for what I remember was a "Sprint" set which has identical gearing to the Thunderbird save for the 6th gear. That said- I have NOT gotten around to doing the job on my '96 Thunderbird- LOTS of "life' stuff all year, but plan is to do it over winter.Early '95 models shipped to USA DID have sprag access. Worked as mechanic in Tri/Duc/M-G/Hon/Yam/Kaw/Suz/Polaris/Artic Cat "mega mall "o" motorcycles" at Triumph intro to USA in '94-'96- model year 1995. There were no Triumph models in USA before model year 1995- at least here in Detroit area- possibly some 1994 in Atlanta which was Triumph USA home base
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