Triumph Thunderbird User manual

Foreword

FOREWORD

This handbook contains information on the Triumph Thunderbird motorcycle. Always store this

owner's handbook with the motorcycle and refer to it for information whenever necessary.

Warnings, Cautions and

Notes

Throughout this owner's handbook

particularly important information is

presented in the following form:

Note:

• This note symbol indicates points

of particular interest for more

efficient and convenient operation.

cfcu

Warning

This warning symbol identifies special

instructions or procedures, which if not

correctly followed could result in personal

injury, or loss of life.

Caution

This caution symbol identifies special

instructions or procedures, which, if not

strictly observed, could result in damage to,

or destruction of, equipment.

Foreword

Warning Labels

At certain areas of the

motorcycle, the symbol (left)

can be seen. The symbol

means 'CAUTION: REFER TO

THE HANDBOOK' and will

be followed by a pictorial

representation of the subject

concerned.

Never attempt to ride the motorcycle or

make any adjustments without reference to

the relevant instructions contained in this

handbook.

See pages 12 and 13 for the location of all

labels bearing this symbol. Where necessary,

this symbol will also appear on the pages

containing the relevant information.

Maintenance

To ensure a long, safe and trouble free life for

your motorcycle, maintenance should only be

carried out by an authorized Triumph dealer.

Only an authorized Triumph dealer will have

the necessary knowledge, equipment and

skills to maintain your Triumph motorcycle

correctly.

To locate your nearest Triumph dealer, visit

the Triumph web-site at www.triumph.co.uk

or telephone Triumph Motorcycles America

Limited on (678) 854 2010. Their address is

given in the service record book that

accompanies this handbook.

Foreword

Noise Control System

Tampering With the Noise Control System is

Prohibited.

Owners are warned that the law may

prohibit:

a) The removal or rendering

inoperative by any person other than

for purposes of maintenance, repair

or replacement, of any device or

element of design incorporated into

any new vehicle for the purpose of

noise control prior to its sale or

delivery to the ultimate purchaser or

while it is in use and,

b) the use of the vehicle after such

device or element of design has

been removed or rendered

inoperative by any person.

Owner's Handbook

Thank you for choosing a Triumph

motorcycle. This motorcycle is the product of

Triumph's use of proven engineering,

exhaustive testing, and continuous striving for

superior reliability, safety and performance.

Please read this owner's handbook before

riding in order to become thoroughly familiar

with the correct operation of your

motorcycle's controls, its features, capabilities

and limitations.

This handbook includes safe riding tips, but

does not contain all the techniques and skills

necessary to ride a motorcycle safely.

Triumph strongly recommends that all riders

undertake a safety course approved by the

Motorcycle Safety Foundation to ensure safe

operation of this motorcycle. Information

about the nearest Motorcycle Safety

Foundation course to you can be obtained by

calling the following nationwide toll free

number: 800-447-4700, or by writing to the

Motorcycle Safety Foundation at: 2, Jenner

Street, Irvine, California 92718. To ensure a

long and trouble free life for your motorcycle,

maintenance should be carried out as

described in this manual by an authorized

Triumph dealer.

This handbook is also available from your

local dealer in:

•Dutch;

• French;

•German;

•Italian;

• Japanese;

• Portuguese;

•Spanish;

•Swedish.

Foreword

Note:

• The fitting of some accessory kits

requires removal of the original

pillion seat, which houses the

handbook. In these circumstances,

ensure the Owner's Handbook is

removed from the pillion seat and

carried with the motorcycle at all

times.

Information

The information contained in this publication

is based on the latest information available at

the time of printing. Triumph reserves the

right to make changes at any time without

prior notice, or obligation.

Not to be reproduced wholly or in part

without the written permission of Triumph

Motorcycles America Limited.

America Limited.

Publication part number 3851646 issue 2.

Warning

This owner's handbook, and all other

instructions that are supplied with your

motorcycle, should be considered a

permanent part of your motorcycle and

should remain with it even if your

motorcycle is subsequently sold.

All riders must read this owner's handbook

and all other instructions which are

supplied with your motorcycle, before

riding, in order to become thoroughly

familiar with the correct operation of your

motorcycle's controls, its features,

capabilities and limitations. Do not lend

your motorcycle to others as riding when

not familiar with your motorcycle's

controls, features, capabilities and

limitations can lead to an accident.

Foreword

Table of Contents

This handbook contains a number of

different sections. The table of contents below

will help you find the beginning of each

section where, in the case of the major

sections, a further table of contents will help

you find the specific subject required.

Foreword. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Warning Labels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Parts Identification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Serial Numbers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

How to Ride the Motorcycle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Accessories, Loading and Passengers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Maintenance and Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 3

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 5

Foreword - Safety First

FOREWORD - SAFETY FIRST

The Motorcycle Fuel and Exhaust Fumes

Warning

This motorcycle is designed for on-road

use only. It is not suitable for off-road use.

Off-road operation could lead to loss of

control of the motorcycle resulting in an

accident causing injury or loss of life.

Warning

This motorcycle is not designed to tow a

trailer or be fitted with a sidecar. Fitting a

sidecar and/or a trailer may result in loss of

control and an accident.

Warning

This motorcycle is designed for use as a

two-wheeled vehicle capable of carrying a

rider on his/her own, or a rider and one

passenger (subject to a passenger seat

being installed).

The total weight of the rider, and any

passenger, accessories and luggage must

not exceed the maximum load limit of

509 lb (231 kg).

Warning

GASOLINE IS HIGHLY FLAMMABLE:

Always turn off the engine when refuelling.

Do not refuel or open the fuel filler cap

while smoking or in the vicinity of any

open (naked) flame.

Take care not to spill any gasoline on the

engine, exhaust pipes or mufflers when

refuelling.

If gasoline is swallowed, inhaled or allowed

to get into the eyes, seek immediate

medical attention.

Spillage on the skin should be immediately

washed off with soap and water and

clothing contaminated with gasoline

should immediately be removed.

Burns and other serious skin conditions

may result from contact with gasoline.

Warning

Never start your engine or let it run for any

length of time in a closed area. The

exhaust fumes are poisonous and may

cause loss of consciousness and death

within a short time. Always operate your

motorcycle in the open-air or in an area

with adequate ventilation.

Foreword - Safety First

Helmet and Clothing

When choosing a helmet, always look for a

DOT (Department of Transport) sticker

indicating that the helmet has DOT approval.

Do not buy a helmet without DOT approval.

Warning

When riding the motorcycle, both rider

and passenger must always wear a

motorcycle helmet, eye protection, gloves,

boots, trousers (close fitting around the

knee and ankle) and a brightly coloured

jacket. Brightly coloured clothing will

considerably increase a rider's (or

passenger's) visibility to other operators of

road vehicles. Although full protection is

not possible, wearing correct protective

clothing can reduce the risk of injury when

riding.

Warning

A helmet is one of the most important

pieces of riding gear as it offers protection

against head injuries. You and your

passenger's helmet should be carefully

chosen and should fit you or your

passenger's head comfortably and

securely. A brightly colored helmet will

increase a rider's (or passenger's) visibility

to other operators of road vehicles.

An open face helmet offers some

protection in an accident though a full face

helmet will offer more.

Always wear a visor or approved goggles

to help vision and to protect your eyes.

cbma

Foreword - Safety First

Parking Parts and Accessories

Triumph does not accept any liability

whatsoever for defects caused by the fitting

of non-approved parts, accessories or

conversions or the fitting of any approved

parts, accessories or conversions by

non-approved personnel.

Warning

Always turn off the engine and remove the

ignition key before leaving the motorcycle

unattended. By removing the key, the risk

of use of the motorcycle by unauthorized

or untrained persons is reduced.

When parking the motorcycle, always

remember the following:

Engage first gear to help prevent the

motorcycle from rolling off the stand.

The engine and exhaust system will be hot

after riding. DO NOT park where

pedestrians, animals and/or children are

likely to touch the motorcycle.

Do not park on soft ground or on a steeply

inclined surface. Parking under these

conditions may cause the motorcycle to fall

over.

For further details, please refer to the 'How

to Ride the Motorcycle' section of this

owner's handbook.

Warning

Owners should be aware that the only

approved parts, accessories and

conversions for any Triumph motorcycle

are those which carry official Triumph

approval and are installed to the

motorcycle by an authorized dealer.

In particular, it is extremely hazardous to

install or replace parts or accessories whose

fitting requires the dismantling of, or

addition to, either the electrical or fuel

systems and any such modification could

cause a safety hazard.

The fitting of any non-approved parts,

accessories or conversions may adversely

affect the handling, stability or other aspect

of the motorcycle operation that may result

in an accident causing injury or death.

Foreword - Safety First

Maintenance/Equipment

Warning

Consult your authorized Triumph dealer

whenever there is doubt as to the correct

or safe operation of this Triumph

motorcycle.

Remember that continued operation of an

incorrectly performing motorcycle may

aggravate a fault and may also

compromise safety.

Warning

Use of a motorcycle with bank angle

indicators worn beyond the maximum limit

(when the bank angle indicator is worn to a

minimum of 0.19 in (5 mm) in length) will

allow the motorcycle to be banked to an

unsafe angle. Therefore, always replace the

bank angle indicator pegs when they are

worn to 0.19 in (5 mm) in length. Banking to

an unsafe angle may cause instability, loss of

motorcycle control and an accident.

(5mm)

0.19in

Warning

Ensure all equipment that is required by

law is installed and functioning correctly.

The removal or alteration of the

motorcycle’s lights, silencers, emission or

noise control systems can violate the law.

Incorrect or improper modification may

adversely affect the handling, stability or

other aspect of the motorcycle operation,

which may result in an accident causing

injury or death.

Warning

If the motorcycle is involved in an accident,

collision or fall, it must be taken to an

authorized Triumph dealer for inspection

and repair. Any accident can cause

damage to the motorcycle that, if not

correctly repaired, may cause a second

accident that may result in injury or death.

Foreword - Safety First

Riding

Warning

Never ride the motorcycle when fatigued

or under the influence of alcohol or other

drugs.

Riding when under the influence of alcohol

or other drugs is illegal.

Riding when fatigued or under the

influence of alcohol or other drugs reduces

the rider's ability to maintain control of the

motorcycle and may lead to loss of control

and an accident.

Warning

All riders must be licensed to operate the

motorcycle. Operation of the motorcycle

without a license is illegal and could lead to

prosecution.

Operation of the motorcycle without

formal training in the correct riding

techniques that are necessary to become

licenced is dangerous and may lead to loss

of motorcycle control and an accident.

Warning

Always ride defensively and wear the

protective equipment mentioned

elsewhere in this foreword. Remember, in

an accident, a motorcycle does not give the

same impact protection as a car.

Warning

This Triumph motorcycle should be

operated within the legal speed limits for

the particular road travelled. Operating a

motorcycle at high speeds can be

potentially dangerous since the time

available to react to given traffic situations

is greatly reduced as road speed increases.

Always reduce speed in potentially

hazardous driving conditions such as bad

weather or heavy traffic.

Warning

Continually observe and react to changes

in road surface, traffic and wind conditions.

All two-wheeled vehicles are subject to

external forces which may cause an

accident. These forces include but are not

limited to:

• Wind draft from passing vehicles;

• Potholes, uneven or damaged

road surfaces;

• Bad weather;

• Rider error.

Always operate the motorcycle at

moderate speed and away from heavy

traffic until you have become thoroughly

familiar with its handling and operating

characteristics. Never exceed the legal

speed limit.

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