[abhinav.s]

Originally Posted by Vihari

I am not able to make up my mind but personally I feel it will be a lot comfortable to ride a TB than drive my car in this dirty traffic.

It is better to be on a bike than a car in bumper to bumper traffic. But I am not sure if TB or a scooter are good choices. Since you are looking at a used TB, you might not know the existing issues in it. If left stranded, pushing the bike to a side will take its toll on your back. Same with pushing a punctured TB!

Scooters are ok for 1-2kms grocery shopping or at max. around 5kms. More than this you will worsen your back as they dont have a good suspension set up to take in the pot holes.

You will be better off with lightweight commuter machines which are 150cc and above as Ravi sir has suggested; because most of them have gas charged, adjustable shocks at the rear and also shocks with a good travel range in the front. The shocks of 100cc bikes leave a lot to be desired coupled with their mileage oriented "cycle size" tyres which are hard compound and make the ride quite harsh.

All the best in your selection.

[dhaval-mehta]

Originally Posted by Smokeymist

I have observed that the catalytic converter is discoloring like hot iron. is it normal? i got it checked at the service station, initially they said they will replace, later they claimed that it is common across all 500 cc engines. is it so?
1) I am planning to use synthetic oil going forward, will it help in my engine maintenance significantly?
2) Is there any air-filter model from K & N which is compatible with TB500?? If yes, will it help the performance in any way??

1. The discoloration is not normal. It means that your catalytic converter is being pushed over the temperature that it can bear and is now undergoing internal reactions due to the high temperature which I believe can be accredited to your daily 60km rides. Just get your back pressure checked by a mechanic. Cause can be either plugged pipe or a faulty spark plug.
2. Synthetic oil will keep your engine cleaner and will run it smoother. You engine maintenance should improve though I won't say significantly. Try using speed as well and that should get you to significant.
3. There are aftermarket K&Ns for TB500. The job of an air filter is to remove restrictions to air flow and not force air into inlet. So the pressure is quite the same and that is one reason why you don't need to upjet your carb. So in short words, it will take your acceleration and top speed a notch upwards.

However do consult a mechanic regarding your tail pipe. Hope I was helpful in some way.

[akshay4587]

Exhaust pipe turning golden brownish near catalytic converter is pretty normal and it doesn't affect the bike in any way,i have the similar colour/issue in my CL500,so you don't need to lose sleep over it.

[arjun.r]

Hi

Has anyone seen a rear seat luggage carrier for the new TBs? The rear seat comes off and there are slots to fit a luggage carrier. I cant find one online.

[Smokeymist]

I have not seen one online but have seen one saddle installed on TB500 in blore, but it was in traffic so couldn't get a closer look. I am sure some thing is available in shops close to RE showrooms , you may want to check.. Also some cool options are available for luggage ..and below is one from lets gear up!!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=1&theater

[ku69rd]

Originally Posted by arjun.r

Hi

Has anyone seen a rear seat luggage carrier for the new TBs? The rear seat comes off and there are slots to fit a luggage carrier. I cant find one online.

Why not go in for the trusted Ladakhi Panniers? You can get one altered for TB. understand the TB has a shorter wheelbase and is way shorter when compared to the Classics.

there is an interesting thread on a different forum which i will post it anyways.

http://www.bcmtouring.com/forum/moto...nfield-t23297/

@Mods:
Would it be acceptable to post links from other forums? Searched for it in Team BHP and could not find one. if this is not to the best taste please delete it. Spare me from an infraction please as i want to keep a clean slate

Yesterday, my Blue Bird flew from Chennai to Bangalore and will remain there for the next coupla months. I left T Nagar, Chennai, by 1:40 pm, had a 45 minute food break at Saravana Bhavan, Vellore and a 15 minute fuel break at BP COCOO at Chinnar, between Krishnagiri and Hosur, and reached my home at Basaveswara Nagar, Bangalore, by 9:15 pm.







My Blue Bird recorded a fuel efficiency of 29 kmpl perhaps due to my aggressive riding this time.



After filling petrol upto the brim of the tank at Chennai and Chinnar, I observed 4 bars only as against 6 bars normally displayed on the fuel gauge; perhaps, this has something to do with the replacement of new petrol tank. Today, I discussed this issue with Mohanakrishnan, service manager. He assured me that he would coordinate with his counterpart at Bangalore company service station, where this fault would be rectified. I intend to go there on 13 July 2013 [Tuesday].

Originally Posted by J.Ravi

After filling petrol upto the brim of the tank at Chennai and Chinnar, I observed 4 bars only as against 6 bars normally displayed on the fuel gauge; perhaps, this has something to do with the replacement of new petrol tank. Today, I discussed this issue with Mohanakrishnan, service manager. He assured me that he would coordinate with his counterpart at Bangalore company service station, where this fault would be rectified.

Today, I rode on my Blue Bird to the company-owned service station near Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore after calling Suraj, service manager. First, they tested with a brand new instrument cluster, which also showed the same 4 bars when the tank was full. Then, they removed the tank after draining out petrol. They replaced the fuel float with a new one, fitted back the tank and filled back petrol. Then, the fuel gauge displayed 6 bars instead of 4 thanks to Suraj.





My Blue Bird successfully completed 3,000 km within 4 months of purchase at the Inner Ring Road, BTM Layout, Bangalore, on my way to the service station.

[ku69rd]

Originally Posted by J.Ravi

My Blue Bird successfully completed 3,000 km within 4 months of purchase at the Inner Ring Road, BTM Layout, Bangalore, on my way to the service station.

Congratulations on completing 3000 kms on your blue bird. Wishing you many more miles of smiles now that you have got a new tank and float Hopefully that will be the last of replacements.

Out of curiosity think Rajajinagar does have a couple of Autorized Service Stations. But why all the way from one end of the city to another to reach BTM Layout?

PS: wow appears that they are really busy with such a huge number of motorcycles to be serviced.

Originally Posted by ku69rd

Congratulations on completing 3000 kms on your blue bird.

Thanks a lot, Mahesh.

Hopefully that will be the last of replacements.

I too pray for the same!

But why all the way from one end of the city to another to reach BTM Layout?

This was coordinated by Mohanakrishnan, the Chennai service manager with his Bangalore counterpart. I did not mind going alll the way to Bannerghatta Road as long as the work was done satisfactorily.

wow appears that they are really busy with such a huge number of motorcycles to be serviced.

I reported at 12:30 pm, bike went into the work station at 2:45 pm and got back my bike by 4 pm including lunch interval between 1:30 and 2:30 pm. Yes, they are very busy.

[Jimmy_u]

Hi Sir,

congrats, glad to see a robust and steady companion with you complete 3000 Kms.

I too seem to have the fuel bar issue but not sure completely.

I filled Rs 1000 petrol when I took delivery and i think it showed 6 bars, today the reserve bar started to blink, filled in Rs 500 worth of petrol, the bars jumped to 4 then in few min the bars stood at 3 .

I recollect it was mentioned that each bar is approx 5.5 liters , not sure if this is correct.

Please let me know your thoughts.

Cheers again on this milestone :-)

Thanks, Jimmy_u, for the compliments.

Originally Posted by Jimmy_u

I filled Rs 1000 petrol when I took delivery and i think it showed 6 bars

When petrol is filled upto the brim, the number of bars should be 7. My Blue Bird has shown 7 bars many times. But, even after changing the float recently, the number of bars did not exceed 6 when the tank is full.



But, today, when I took my Blue Bird out to KR Market area to buy multi-bit Stanley ratchet screwdriver, the fuel gauge displayed 7 bars and I was very happy. But, my happiness was short-lived. Within a few minutes, one bar vanished into thin air.

I don't depend upon the number of bars in the fuel gauge. Open the tank and check for yourself, and if necessary, go for refuelling irrespective of the number of bars. Even if the last bar flashes, please note that more than 5 litres of petrol will be available in the tank!

[ku69rd]

Originally Posted by J.Ravi

Open the tank and check for yourself, and if necessary, go for refuelling irrespective of the number of bars. Even if the last bar flashes, please note that more than 5 litres of petrol will be available in the tank!

It has been the same with my TB as well. Find the fuel meter to be highly unpredictable and instead rely on the number of Kilometers logged before i head for a refill. Out of curiosity how many kms do you get to a full tank of petrol both on highway & city traffic.

Also did you install the cigarette lighter?

Originally Posted by ku69rd

Out of curiosity how many kms do you get to a full tank of petrol both on highway & city traffic.

I rode Bangalore>Mysore>Gopalaswamy Betta>Mysore>Bangalore with a tankful of petrol and 3 bars remained after 480 km! The details are here.

Also did you install the cigarette lighter?

No. I have decided not to mess up with my Thunderbird's fragile electricals. Instead, I got solar charger. The details are here.

[ku69rd]

Originally Posted by J.Ravi

I rode Bangalore>Mysore>Gopalaswamy Betta>Mysore>Bangalore with a tankful of petrol and 3 bars remained after 480 km! The details are here.
].

480 Kms with 3 bars left does seem to be very frugal. Appears that you have kept a steady right hand. With the average speed being 43 Kmph am sure you have reined her in well. Last time on the highway, my TB gave me 475 kms before it started to blink and she easily took in 15.2 liters of petrol. Offcourse the average speed was 68 Kmph.

But do you think running a cable along the battery would cause so much of an issue? Am thinking of doing one and will keep you informed incase you are keen to know more about it.