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Trucku2 · 01-27-2011, 10:12 PM

I'm thinking about picking up a '95 Thunderbird, only 20,000 miles. I've never owned a Triumph. Is there anything that I need to be concerned about with this year/model ect ect. Thank you for any insight.

"Truck"

Morbo the Destroyer · 01-28-2011, 05:15 AM

The bike was high-maintenance at inception, now at 16 years and 20k miles, it's going to require close attention to avoid getting dumped on the side of the road.

Is there a Triumph dealer in your area with a good reputation, or an independent shop that's known for servicing Triumphs? Of course a lot depends on the price, but if the seller is asking serious money, having a qualifed mechanic check the bike over for you is a good idea.

pushrod · 01-28-2011, 08:25 AM

The earliest 'New' Triumph I have experience with is a '98 Thunderbird Sport. It belongs to a buddy. The 900 Triple is a nice motor. Not as 'good' as a 955i, but then I'm biased...

It seems to be the same as every other Hinckley bike I've been around; it's bulletproof.

Same as any other bike, when it gets some age on it, it'll need new rubber bits, like hoses, carb sleeves, tires, etc. The chrome Triumph uses is not the greatest, so expect pitting, regardless of how well-cared for the bike might be. I think mechanical parts are still readily available for the '95, but body and trim parts may be a challenge.

The engines are rather noisy, and the shifter is not as 'smooth' as some others.

What Morbo said is good; try to get the bike to a Triumph dealership, especially one that's had the brand for more than a few weeks. Tell us where you are, and we may be able to direct you to a Dealer.

The 'new' Triumph has nothing in common with the old bikes. So any 'history' you hear does not apply to the new ones.

Good luck! And, welcome to the site!

BigAl8295 · 03-19-2011, 01:23 PM

Great bikes.

The big issue with the early ones was the sprag clutch.

I'd find out if the current owner has replaced it because it can be a pricey repair.

If that's been taken care of and the price is decent, I'd jump all over it.

@Pushrod: Of course the 955i is better. The 1050i is even better.

The 885 was 1st generation and 955i 2nd generation. Unfortunately Triumph didn't see fit to put the 955i or 1050i into a retro classic body.

01-27-2011, 10:12 PM	#1
Trucku2 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1	'95 Thunderbird 900 I'm thinking about picking up a '95 Thunderbird, only 20,000 miles. I've never owned a Triumph. Is there anything that I need to be concerned about with this year/model ect ect. Thank you for any insight. "Truck"

01-28-2011, 05:15 AM	#2
Morbo the Destroyer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 1,309	The bike was high-maintenance at inception, now at 16 years and 20k miles, it's going to require close attention to avoid getting dumped on the side of the road. Is there a Triumph dealer in your area with a good reputation, or an independent shop that's known for servicing Triumphs? Of course a lot depends on the price, but if the seller is asking serious money, having a qualifed mechanic check the bike over for you is a good idea. __________________ Fun Facts to Know and Tell! Thomas Jefferson wrote that the 1st Amendment erected a "wall of separation" between the church and the state (James Madison said it "drew a line," but it is Jefferson's term that sticks with us today). The phrase is commonly thought to mean that the government should not establish, support, or otherwise involve itself in any religion. Its.......A FACT!

01-28-2011, 08:25 AM	#3
pushrod Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Baja 'Bama Posts: 3,478	The earliest 'New' Triumph I have experience with is a '98 Thunderbird Sport. It belongs to a buddy. The 900 Triple is a nice motor. Not as 'good' as a 955i, but then I'm biased... It seems to be the same as every other Hinckley bike I've been around; it's bulletproof. Same as any other bike, when it gets some age on it, it'll need new rubber bits, like hoses, carb sleeves, tires, etc. The chrome Triumph uses is not the greatest, so expect pitting, regardless of how well-cared for the bike might be. I think mechanical parts are still readily available for the '95, but body and trim parts may be a challenge. The engines are rather noisy, and the shifter is not as 'smooth' as some others. What Morbo said is good; try to get the bike to a Triumph dealership, especially one that's had the brand for more than a few weeks. Tell us where you are, and we may be able to direct you to a Dealer. The 'new' Triumph has nothing in common with the old bikes. So any 'history' you hear does not apply to the new ones. Good luck! And, welcome to the site! __________________ You would not understand, this is not how I am... I have become - Comfortably Numb.

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03-19-2011, 01:23 PM	#4
BigAl8295 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 1	Great bikes. The big issue with the early ones was the sprag clutch. I'd find out if the current owner has replaced it because it can be a pricey repair. If that's been taken care of and the price is decent, I'd jump all over it. @Pushrod: Of course the 955i is better. The 1050i is even better. The 885 was 1st generation and 955i 2nd generation. Unfortunately Triumph didn't see fit to put the 955i or 1050i into a retro classic body.