Royal enfield thunderbird - xBhp.com : The Global Indian Biking Community

amandeepkamboj19 · 08-05-2009, 10:37 AM

ROYAL ENFIELD

The name which is known from decades in INDIA.
R.F. the only company which manufactures 350 and + c.c. bikes here.

THUNDERBIRD
Most attractive cruzzz ever to hit the indian roads.
350cc producing 18bhp @5500rpm
2.8kgm @3500rpm.

TB is the bike which gives you divine pleasure of riding.
It is soo smooth that u can lay down your head on the tank and go to sleep when u are on highway in 5th gear b/w 60 to 80kmph( dont do this this is just for explanation

). While riding it gives you so much pleasure that you dont want to stop you want to go on and on and on.
With its lean burn engine it gives a wonderful mileage as compare to its siblings of around 35+. One thing special about this bike is the riding position it is very comfortable even if you ride 100 km it feel that you have done only 10km.

Talking about style its a beautiful machine. Finely crafted.

Now i am starting this thread to discuss all the positive and negative aspects of this machine.

One thing all TB owner are aware of is the timing gear problem after on an average 10k-15k km the timing gears are worn out this thread is to discuss this problem mainly and some other drawbacks also. like Rear breaks some time give KKKAAAADDDAAAAKKKK sound and break lever vibrates like any thing some tine in this event pads get broken

This machine is one wonderful piece or art. Its a complete cruz and if u want to ride fast it can give strong competition to all the bikes available presently. But problems associated with it made it a flop. I have been sorting out these problems from past 5 years and now i finally got all the answers, now i want to share them with you.

[IMG]file:///G:/d%20drive/amandeep/aman/pics/zoomtb.jpg[/IMG]

Aryan · 08-05-2009, 05:01 PM

Motorcycle Ownership Experience Approved.

amandeepkamboj19 · 08-06-2009, 03:49 PM

Timing gear problem

When initially when R.E. launched the thunderbird it become a flop. All of the customers were complaining about the wear and tear of timing gears. I myself got 2004 model and faced the same problem. i got my timing gears changed 2 times in just 27k km.
i asked all the mechanics what is the problem whats wrong.
some said the material is not good. some said design is not good.

But what reason realy looks convincing is high tension springs. stiffness of head valve springs are very high. I replaced my head valve spring in 2007 after that i didn't faced such problem.

But in 2007 company launched the new variant.
this time there were more then 120 alterations in the bike.

now timing gears are mounted on adjustable spindles not like the old model fixed spindle.

Spindles are the rods on which gears rotates. now in adjustable spindles one can adjust the clearance between the gears and which lead to perfect meshing of gears due to which sound is reduced and also the wear problem. But still the problem is not resolved completely there are still some issue with timing gears not up to previous extent but still after around 30k i most of the cases they are worn out.

niks_devil666 · 08-06-2009, 05:06 PM

interesting read , I think you haven't put the pics correctly. you need to upload on a photosharing site and then share the link.

amandeepkamboj19 · 08-06-2009, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by niks_devil666

interesting read , I think you haven't put the pics correctly. you need to upload on a photosharing site and then share the link.

i will but i am waiting for next survive of my bike so that i can post the meaning full pics instead of posting the whole bike pics

MadMax46 · 12-05-2009, 04:20 AM

Does any one have the workshop manual for thunderbird ? Any help is appreciated. Cheers

Ananth · 12-05-2009, 10:59 AM

oow.. Never knew such a topic existed. Anyway, sharing my 12,000 kilometer report of my ThunderBird TwinSpark..Just copy pasting from a review i wrote..

Quote:

Blackbird, as I call it fondly – has been more than a two-wheeler for me and my family. In fact, it has become a part of my family. Even when I’m not around, my parents take care of it – My neighbors love it and it has been my pride where ever I ride it to. I have covered about 12,000 fun filled kilometres on my bike till now which I bought it on 31-January-2009. There were both Ups & Downs owning the Bike, but overall it has been more of smiles than sad endings. I will take this moment to review the interesting 10,000 Km’s on my ThunderBird TwinSpark. The review is solely in my perspective of how I see things and what I feel about my Bike – It is bound to vary for others.

[IMG]http://**********.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Thunderbird-Twinspark-Black.JPG[/IMG]
Looks (9/10): The Bike looks Sturdy, Macho and makes head turn where ever you go. Keep it shining, and it will shine up your day! The Nice Big Fuel tank, comfy sofa’ like seats, bigger tyres, relaxed high lift chopper style handle bars make the bike look the best. The Bike comes in three colours, I personally liked & favoured Black colour all the time – Also Silver and Red are other two wonderful variants for the ThunderBird.
The Instrument cluster is that of a Twin Pod comprising of Speedometer and Trip meter in one side and The RPM meter and Fuel Gauge on the right end. I’m content with the odometer designing, it looks classic, not too flashy and that it gives required details clearly.
[IMG]http://**********.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Thunderbird-Twinspark-Black-2.jpg[/IMG]
The Rear-View-Mirrors (RVMs) are of immense use, But the view ability is not top-notch. It happens so that you end up bending up to get a clear view of who is behind or sometimes, you just won’t get proper view of who is behind you. If you are a regular Highway rider, I suggest you change it to that of Bajaj Avenger, Which not only adds better looks to the Bike, but also gets you more view of what’s behind you!
[IMG]http://**********.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Thunderbird-Twinspark-Black-4.JPG[/IMG]
Engine, Power & Refinement (8/10): The Bike has a 350cc Engine, powered with Twin Spark feature which enhances quicker starts and better pickup / acceleration. It has Automatic Hydraulic Tappets, which helps in efficient combustion, optimal valve timings and not to forget the noise free engine!! Also, The Engine is fitted with an Automatic De-Compressor, which enables us to start the engine without any fuss.
Overall, the engine is stress free, relaxed and pulls away like a wild bull. I have personally ridden 250+ Kilometres / 4 – 5 hours non-stop. There were no signs of engine getting very much over heated or breaking down. Though, the engine does get heated up – That’s normal for a Bullet and once you got used to it – It will never fail you!
[IMG]http://**********.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Thunderbird-Twinspark-Black-3.JPG[/IMG]
The power delivery is crisp; Throttle response is quick and was never sluggish – Not even when I rode a 12 hour ride in rain from Chennai to Coorg last Monsoon. The vibrations are plenty after you hit 4000 RPM and till then it just eases away! Also, try to run in your bike during every long trip – do not just hop on and start milting 100+Kmph. Run in gradually increasing the speed and change the gears at proper RPM levels. Vibrations are normally less once you run the bike constantly increasing the speed from 60 to 80 to 90 than hitting 90 right away.
Top speed was never in my thought and it just vanished away after buying ThunderBird TwinSpark. I bought the bike for relaxed touring and not for high speed runs. I always try to keep it around 4000 – 4500 RPM and the maximum speed I was able to obtain was 115 KMPH on the Speedo @ 5000 RPM, Not to mention the vibrations that you would have to incur speeding away at 5000 RPM.
[IMG]http://**********.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Thunderbird-Twinspark-Black-5.JPG[/IMG]
About the technical details: The Bike powers a 350c Engine, Cranking out a nice 19.8 BHP @ 5250 RPM. And for the torque, which always is a backbone of bullets – The TBTS has 28Nm @ 4000 RPM. The engine Gear-Box is equipped with five speed transmission (One Down – Four Up) favourable for mid-range torque!
Main Advantages & Features:

350cc Unit Construction Engine with Twin spark
Engine: Single cylinder, 4 Stroke, OHV, Dual spark ignition engine, air – cooled
Power: 19.8 BHP @ 5250 RPM and Torque: 28 Nm @ 4000 RPM
280mm disc-front brake and 150mm drum-rear brake for instant stop
Rear gas filled shock absorber
Fatigue Free Riding
Comfortable Sofa’ like seats
Chopper like Handle Bars
Front Disk Breaks
Powerful Halogen 55W Bulb offering better visibility at Night
19” Tyres –Useful for both off-roading / touring
Higher Mileage because of UCE Engine – More than 40 KMPL

Disadvantages & Problems:

Breaks aren’t effective as they could have been.
Oil Leakage is a Big issue for all New TBTS Bikes.
At least for the first 1000 kilometres, the engine gets heated up pretty quickly and engine gets a bit noisy.
The Bike is heavy, and for those thinner ones like me – It takes two to lift up a fallen Bike!
Not so very easy to manure in the dense traffic.
Rear-View-Mirrors could have been designed for better view ability
The price seems a little costly, But for the dominance of Technology – which again holds good for both advantages / disadvantages!

My Verdict (8/10): The ThunderBird TwinSpark is overall an amazing bike. It covers almost all of the newer technological aspects, has stricter emission norms, gives you incredible mileage and has less or very much little maintenance issues comparing to the older Bullets. For a touring freak like me, there is no other bike which gives me a comprehensive package like that of a ThunderBird TwinSpark and happy that I bought one and will always recommend for my friends to buy one. Why wait? Leave Home, on a ThunderBird TwinSpark!
- Ananth

Nitin_traveller · 12-08-2009, 06:25 PM

@ananth.. nice writeup dude..

hey just a clarification..i heard it has 35W bulb and even on RE site technical spec. shows 35W bulb.. is it not updated one?

also, no tubeless tyres.. are those toughed up tubed tyres.. any reviews about puncture proneness of tyres?? thinking of buying the bike, but couple of things stopping me

jd666 · 12-08-2009, 08:02 PM

though i agree, you can actually sleep on the RE. My GF would actually doze off sitting behind me after a night shift!!

the cam issues strangely did not occur with my bike.

though i would like to suggest/advise owners of the old AVL engine, to keep the revs high. not below 2000 rpm. That will help reduce wear and tear. Done about 66-70k on my bike.

AshishShah · 02-26-2010, 05:17 PM

Hi! all,

I recently faced an issue with my TBTS. Though I've had the experience of a lifetime with the bike and love it more than anything else, the bike does have some issues and as I used always tell my girlfriend everyones not perfect otherwise we would have never had the need of the Marriage Funda.

It all started when i just got my refueled @ a Fuel station in Hinjewadi, Pune. The bike simply refused to start after that, there was some problem with the electric starter and that was pretty obvious from the sound it made. I tried the Kick start option and it made a sound like the electric start. So was pissed of, puzzled, irritated, etc. whatever would want me to call it. I pushed my bike to a near by Mechanic parked it and asked if he would have any idea. (Free fund Advice: Never let these run of the mill mechanics even touch your bike). He said, "Nahi Sahib, humne kabhi Bullet ko nahi repair kiya" and he gave up. I tried all my "Bullet Doctor" Friends and my regular Mech, Friends suggested put it in a Tempo and send it to the Mech. So I did.

So I talked up a bit with this Mech of mine and asked him what exactly was the issue. He said Saprk Clutch had taken a Beating. On asking How? the reply Shot off: "Woh part hi Faulty hai, Electric start bar bar marne se Kharab ho jata hai". No Specific number for that "Bar-Bar" on repeated attempts to get that info out

. So the Learning is "Don't Forget, This is an RE at the end of teh day. Kick start is the Best". So I asked what is to be done he said Badlna padega. Price 3.5 K.

Time: No Clue

(Parts in Shortage) ... "RE parts are Costly and Rare". Then the Temprary Solution was remove it and use it with Kick start till it the parts Arrive.

2 Days and Still waiting.

So Now the question how many have seen this issue with their/ Their Friends bikes? Trying to get the picture as to where did i go wrong.

Waiting for replies guys.

Oh before I forget, the Bike is awesome and this price paid and effort put in is all more than worth it. Trust me you'll fall in Love with bike.

08-05-2009, 10:37 AM	#1 (permalink)
amandeepkamboj19 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Delhi Posts: 361	Royal enfield thunderbird ROYAL ENFIELD The name which is known from decades in INDIA. R.F. the only company which manufactures 350 and + c.c. bikes here. THUNDERBIRD Most attractive cruzzz ever to hit the indian roads. 350cc producing 18bhp @5500rpm 2.8kgm @3500rpm. TB is the bike which gives you divine pleasure of riding. It is soo smooth that u can lay down your head on the tank and go to sleep when u are on highway in 5th gear b/w 60 to 80kmph( dont do this this is just for explanation). While riding it gives you so much pleasure that you dont want to stop you want to go on and on and on. With its lean burn engine it gives a wonderful mileage as compare to its siblings of around 35+. One thing special about this bike is the riding position it is very comfortable even if you ride 100 km it feel that you have done only 10km. Talking about style its a beautiful machine. Finely crafted. Now i am starting this thread to discuss all the positive and negative aspects of this machine. One thing all TB owner are aware of is the timing gear problem after on an average 10k-15k km the timing gears are worn out this thread is to discuss this problem mainly and some other drawbacks also. like Rear breaks some time give KKKAAAADDDAAAAKKKK sound and break lever vibrates like any thing some tine in this event pads get broken This machine is one wonderful piece or art. Its a complete cruz and if u want to ride fast it can give strong competition to all the bikes available presently. But problems associated with it made it a flop. I have been sorting out these problems from past 5 years and now i finally got all the answers, now i want to share them with you. [IMG]file:///G:/d%20drive/amandeep/aman/pics/zoomtb.jpg[/IMG]

08-05-2009, 05:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
Aryan Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New Delhi/ Shillong Posts: 18,274	Motorcycle Ownership Experience Approved. __________________ ...in search of that perfect world - My Travel Blog :)

08-06-2009, 03:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
amandeepkamboj19 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Delhi Posts: 361	Timing gear problem When initially when R.E. launched the thunderbird it become a flop. All of the customers were complaining about the wear and tear of timing gears. I myself got 2004 model and faced the same problem. i got my timing gears changed 2 times in just 27k km. i asked all the mechanics what is the problem whats wrong. some said the material is not good. some said design is not good. But what reason realy looks convincing is high tension springs. stiffness of head valve springs are very high. I replaced my head valve spring in 2007 after that i didn't faced such problem. But in 2007 company launched the new variant. this time there were more then 120 alterations in the bike. now timing gears are mounted on adjustable spindles not like the old model fixed spindle. Spindles are the rods on which gears rotates. now in adjustable spindles one can adjust the clearance between the gears and which lead to perfect meshing of gears due to which sound is reduced and also the wear problem. But still the problem is not resolved completely there are still some issue with timing gears not up to previous extent but still after around 30k i most of the cases they are worn out. Last edited by amandeepkamboj19; 08-06-2009 at 03:51 PM.

08-06-2009, 05:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
niks_devil666 Impulsed Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Local Area Network Posts: 2,065	interesting read , I think you haven't put the pics correctly. you need to upload on a photosharing site and then share the link. __________________ The Moto Cafe - India's first bike theme cafe @ Chandni Chowk The Moto Cafe video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XztkK4ej2U My Youtube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/niksdevil666

12-08-2009, 08:02 PM	#9 (permalink)
jd666 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Gurgaon/Faridabad Posts: 3,390	though i agree, you can actually sleep on the RE. My GF would actually doze off sitting behind me after a night shift!! the cam issues strangely did not occur with my bike. though i would like to suggest/advise owners of the old AVL engine, to keep the revs high. not below 2000 rpm. That will help reduce wear and tear. Done about 66-70k on my bike. __________________ My offerings to the gods of speed - - KTM Duke 200 - Yamaha RXZ 5 speed

12-05-2009, 04:20 AM	#6 (permalink)
MadMax46 Banned Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 427	Does any one have the workshop manual for thunderbird ? Any help is appreciated. Cheers

12-08-2009, 06:25 PM	#8 (permalink)
Nitin_traveller Exceeding the Limits.. Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Pune Posts: 371	@ananth.. nice writeup dude.. hey just a clarification..i heard it has 35W bulb and even on RE site technical spec. shows 35W bulb.. is it not updated one? also, no tubeless tyres.. are those toughed up tubed tyres.. any reviews about puncture proneness of tyres?? thinking of buying the bike, but couple of things stopping me

02-26-2010, 05:17 PM	#10 (permalink)
AshishShah Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Pune Posts: 17	Issue i faced :( Hi! all, I recently faced an issue with my TBTS. Though I've had the experience of a lifetime with the bike and love it more than anything else, the bike does have some issues and as I used always tell my girlfriend everyones not perfect otherwise we would have never had the need of the Marriage Funda. It all started when i just got my refueled @ a Fuel station in Hinjewadi, Pune. The bike simply refused to start after that, there was some problem with the electric starter and that was pretty obvious from the sound it made. I tried the Kick start option and it made a sound like the electric start. So was pissed of, puzzled, irritated, etc. whatever would want me to call it. I pushed my bike to a near by Mechanic parked it and asked if he would have any idea. (Free fund Advice: Never let these run of the mill mechanics even touch your bike). He said, "Nahi Sahib, humne kabhi Bullet ko nahi repair kiya" and he gave up. I tried all my "Bullet Doctor" Friends and my regular Mech, Friends suggested put it in a Tempo and send it to the Mech. So I did. So I talked up a bit with this Mech of mine and asked him what exactly was the issue. He said Saprk Clutch had taken a Beating. On asking How? the reply Shot off: "Woh part hi Faulty hai, Electric start bar bar marne se Kharab ho jata hai". No Specific number for that "Bar-Bar" on repeated attempts to get that info out . So the Learning is "Don't Forget, This is an RE at the end of teh day. Kick start is the Best". So I asked what is to be done he said Badlna padega. Price 3.5 K. Time: No Clue (Parts in Shortage) ... "RE parts are Costly and Rare". Then the Temprary Solution was remove it and use it with Kick start till it the parts Arrive. 2 Days and Still waiting. So Now the question how many have seen this issue with their/ Their Friends bikes? Trying to get the picture as to where did i go wrong. Waiting for replies guys. Oh before I forget, the Bike is awesome and this price paid and effort put in is all more than worth it. Trust me you'll fall in Love with bike.

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