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-   -   Take 3 - 2009 Royal Enfield Thunderbird (Ownership Experience) (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorbikes/116339-take-3-2009-royal-enfield-thunderbird-ownership-experience-5.html)

I did some work on the bike today.

1. Replaced the Tank Mounting Bush

It took almost an hour figuring out how to remove the old bush and its internal sleeve from the frame. The ends of the rubber bush had flared open which needed to be cut off. Then I had to push out the sleeve a little to one side and then use the gripping pliers to hold it tight and wriggle it out using liberal amounts of WD40. Putting it back in was also tedious. I managed, but the internal sleeve is not centered. But functions anyway.

2. Fixed side panel beading

Though the chrome on the side panels is far from perfect. Fixing this beading has helped the appearance look a little more pleasing by defining the edges.

3. Installed fresh foot-peg rubber cushions

Thought of trying this out as the old ones were dry rotted. People say it helps reduce vibrations, so it was worth giving a try. Replaced the front ones only.

4. Replaced the upper engine steady bracket.

This has been cracked since a very long time. Should help reduce the vibrations. We'll see.

5. Replaced the bar end weights

Ordered these while they were in stock just to increase the order value and make the shipping free.

Stuff I need to fiddle around with - brake light is continuously on.

It is a wiring issue and I guess it is there because the front brake lever was replaced and the associated wiring harness to trigger the brake light is missing. Time to get the multi-meter out.


The bike comes in handy these days, empty roads make it the easier option for the office run which happens twice a week. Just added up the ODO readings and the figure is above 63,000 km.

So the bike keeps running fine. My dad had been itching to do a longish bike ride since my brother's STD 500 was sent home when he left for doing his field service tenure. On a recent trip home he thought of accompanying me back to Auraiya to pick up my bike. I also needed to send my bike home and the plan was not materializing. He intended to ride it back to Jaipur from Auraiya covering 425 km in two days.

I gave it a good check-up. Except for the front fork seals nothing was amiss. With the chain lubed and tensioned, air and fuel topped-up and the documents handed to him he set off the next morning at 4:00 AM.


Departure from Auraiya - Day 1 | 4:00 AM


Arrival at Jaipur - Day 2 | 9:45 AM

He stayed the night in between at his friend's place at Pathena (near Bharatpur). Rode 311 km on the first day in 6 hours and the remaining on the second day in 3.5 hours.

To my surprise, he reported that the bike ran flawlessly throughout the journey. Most of the journey was done on NHs and he could maintain a comfortable cruising speed of 80-90 kmph. I made a mental note to not write this bike off, at least till its registration lasts.

Delayed Update from 15 Nov 2020

I hadn't ridden the bike since the last post. It was in Jaipur and was occasionally used by my dad.

-The battery had discharged completely and had to be re-charged.
-The swing-arm bushes were replaced
-Front fork seals were replaced
-Rear brake light circuit was checked and it works with the brake lever now but the guy fudged up by disconnecting the tachometer :confused:

So anyway, we had to move the bike to the farm to free up some space in the drive for a few days. I pounced upon the opportunity and got the gloves, helmet and keys. Borrowed a denim jacket from my dad and waited for the drizzle to stop. We had a hail storm earlier that day and the roads were wet and the potholes were slushy. It was a relaxed ride during which it ran well and I could notice a slight pep in the engine which could be due to the cold air.


An my dad has two toys for himself now. The other being my brother's 2015 STD 500 (Forest Green) which he intends to deliver to him at the place of his next posting by riding the 750 km there by himself.

My dad had been itching to go on a bike trip sometime. He roped in my mom for it this time. It might have been the first time in decades that she might have rode pillion on a motorcycle.


A small trip to Ajmer was chalked out. Something about heading to the city where you did your College from on a bike, had a major role to play in choosing it as a destination, apart from its proximity to Jaipur, of course. It called for two stops for the onward journey and one on the return, two days later. Early morning rides both ways to avoid the heat and traffic. They went on to use the bike there as well. Went to Pushkar for a day trip where the stormy weather made the evening even more memorable. Enjoyed a dinner with some friends. It was reported that the bike worked flawlessly for the 430 km trip it was called on for. They came back with happy faces and feeling quite energized.

Great trip for sure. Get a couple of ovrms for the bike, not sure how your dad rides without them. I would insist you get them even if your dad says he is used to riding without them. A fall with a 200kgs behemoth on your legs is not safe if you are clipped from behind, considering how traffic functions nowadays.

You have an absolutely valid concern. I didn't realize the bike lost both RVMs. One got damaged in transit long back and the other was removed when the bike was parked for a long time.

I remember that my mom also asked me why there aren't any mirrors on the bike.

Will order them right away.

Hi Tgo

Very happy to see this thread related to a mighty cruiser, I also own a 2009 thunderbird twinspark and thoroughly enjoying every ride.

I have completely rebuilt this machine and changed almost every part, fortunately no troubles so far

I wanted to change wheels to alloys and tubeless tyres but couldn’t source any reliable alloys. Do you have any suggestions on this?

Hello TM_Turbo,
Thats great to know. I would have kept the bike going if I were back in India. Unfortunately the Registration was never transferred when I moved out of Mangalore and it seems too big a hassle now to transfer or renew. The bike is parked in a garage in Rajasthan still runs, but its kind of sad the way it cannot be used.