Team-BHP - Royal Enfield Thunderbird with Twin Spark

I am a first time RE product buyer and I got my Thunder on 28th. Just finished 70 kms, so nothing much about the issues, except a little Front right fork oil leak - Service guys says it will stop ( I too think it not coming up anymore).
Overall it’s a amazing experience. First, this bike is a head turner. Everyone is asking me about the bike where ever I stop. I remember in 1997, many asked when I bought my KB125. :-)

Overall I am very happy about the vehicle, The gear is not smooth, you can not expect it to work as a Pulsar or Avenger. Initially it was difficult, but I am fine with that today. Probably the reason is, I am driving any bike after 9 years.

It has amazing pickup, revving up greatly, I must say that the vibration is almost nil behind the seats, but there is bit vibration can be felt in the handles.

Few things missing are a central lock. There is a separate lock for the neck. Also the silencer is lengthier than the bike - which I didn't like. I may change it after 5000 Kms.

I drive very less, probably 100 kms a week, so I didn't bother much about the maintenance. But as this is an all new engine, there is only one Service man is available in Coimbatore. I do not think any other service firm can touch this TBTS, it will take some time for them to learn, though the mechanism is simplified.

For the first time buyers, you still need to wait for 2-3 months, for better feedback about the vehicle - If you are keen on mileage, maintenance and service. But if you has a passion about RE products, this is the time to start, and this is the bike to buy first.

I do not think there is another cruiser vehicle is available like this in India can match with this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by amtak (Post 956905)

Hi Ramie, Isn't the Twin Spark Technology new for Royal enfield? I am not too sure how many would be able to repair it outside the auth. service station. However, knowing that Sankar and Lohit(?) own RE's, they can certainly throw some light.

You are right. RE guys adviced me to do only with their TBTS person atleast for an year. They have only one or two trained guys with them. I bought is from company direct outlet, and I have just decided to do all the services only with them (Even electticals for time being).

Quote:

Originally Posted by agbenny (Post 1025659)

Any TBTS owner changed they silencer?
I heard from a reliable source that RE is going to come out with the classic Silencer for the TBTS, since the present one is very lengthy and missing the beat. Anyone has modified otherwise?

lots of tbts in bangalore with the short silencer. and the best part is that the company has a special part number for this item. the bike sure sounds much much better with the short exhaust for sure.

Guys, I have the privelege of owning an Electra 5S which i bought out from a friend for 50000 Rs. Its a 2006 Model and had done only 6k on the ODO. I have a few issue though.

1. The front disc brake squeals whenever I apply them fully. Doesnt happen when I use them partially.

2. Also, I feel the Clutch is a little hard and your hands can start paining when driving in City traffic.

3. Also the handle bars do not have proper dampeners and driving long distance can give you pain.

4. The front crash guard, the saree guard and the traditional short bottle neck silencer have started to rust in parts...What can be done?

5. You think 50000 for a 2006 model is a good deal considering that TBTS is the new thing in the RE stable and CI models are being phased out??

Need your valuable guidance and advise....Please helpplease:

Quote:

Originally Posted by djdryeyes (Post 1050314)

hi first of all 50000 is a decent price for a 2006 5s in good condition you cant expect to buy them too cheap i mean just the gear box costs 19000.

1. if your disc squeaks first thing is remove unbolt the caliper from the fork blow it out with compressed air.if this works fine otherwise you need to check the wheel bearings.if this seems good then you need to check the disc for runout and also see if the disc is eccentric.

if the disc is eccentric which is quite possible , (there was a large batch of bikes in the last two years which came to my workshop with eccentric discs) you will need to remove it and turn the disc on a lathe.

2.the clutch might feel hard and will take getting used too.if you are an experienced enfield rider and still feel it is too hard you might need to change the cable or reroute the cable so the bends in the cable aren't too tight.

dont worry about the ci's being phased out you will still get parts and in my opinion they have a certain charm the uce twin spark cant match.

sorry twinspark uce guys just my opinion!

i read some where in this thread that the twin spark uce engine has a shorter piston skirt.

i think there is still some mystery surrounding the uce twin spark i will shed some light on the subject.

the uce stands for "unit construction engine" all bikes with the transmission ,and engine in one unit are uce.

the ci enfields are all "non unit construction" that is they have seperate casing like the gearbox primary chaincase which houses the clutch etc and the crankcase.

starting with the twinspark head:
1.it has large fins for better heat dissipation.
2.re has change the design for the rockers back to the older design, that is the rocker arms and bearing like the ci engine(unlike the single spark tbird) except the bearings are aluminium and the rockers are light alloy steel.
3.an re first- no external oil pipe to get oil to the rockers and valves.
4.obviously a twin park head with both plugs firing at the same time.
5.the combustion chamber is designed to improve squish and turbulance.

6.The piston is the same design as the older t birds piston skirts,rings etc except for the piston top being dished.the piston skirt has a anti seize coating to protect it in the initial running in phase.

7.The block or cylinder is pretty much the same. except for the internal oil gallery to supply oil to the head.

8.the crankshaft is the same as the older tbird except for the drive and timing shaft(the alternator is now supported on the timing shaft)
9.we still have the same cams mounted on adjustable spindles.
10.one major change is the oil pump which is a toroidal unit.(no more oil pump spindle, wormnut timing cover etc).
11.the engine is now wet sump all other enfields being dry sump engines.
12.the tappets are now hydraulic unlike the earlier solid tappets, so no more tappet adjsutment.
13.the final drive sprocket is now 15 teeth like on the much older bullets.(people wanting better top end can definately go for a 16 tooth sprocket like the older tbirds)
14.the oil used is 15w 50
15.the primary chain(clutch chain) is shorter with a automatic chain adjuster. the clutch is a totally redesigned 6 plate affair.
16 the gearbox is a 5speed using the same internals as the earlier 5 speed box.
17.the starter is the same but is now mounted behind the cylinder.

whew hopefully i havent missed something!

Quote:

Originally Posted by motocamp (Post 1050987)

Also I have a problem with my Speedo/ODO not working. Took it to the neighbourhood friendly mechanic and he told me that it can be repaired only by the ASP....Is that true???:eek:...

Also could someone help me by giving me tips on how to remove the rust of the Silencer, crash and saree guard.....please: