New engine for the RE Thunderbird

kaustubh_vaze · 28th August 2009, 17:47

Hey guys,
I am planning to get hold of a CI 500 engine and mount it on the Thundebird. The TB just clatters like hell and does not give the "original" thump of the Bullet.
But the Thunderbird provides very good riding comfort and I have experienced it first hand when I did the Pune-Kanyakumari road trip back in December.
So the chassis of the Thunderbird and a new 500 CC heart would be an ideal cruising bike.
What all parts (drive train etc.) will need replacement? Also since the CI engine will be heavier than the original 350 one, will it affect handling? Also will the front suspension need rework?
Will this transplant be reliable for such long trips? I know factory-fit is a factory-fit and I have had no reliability issues at all on the TB but with this transplant, one could get the magical touch of the original Bullet and the comfort of the new Thunderbird.
Also what would be the cost of the engine and can I get a new one from RE?

Regards,
Kaustubh

Sawyer · 28th August 2009, 17:56

Before you do this, remember that the rider hears all the clatter, others hear the exhaust note. And changing the pipes can make a huge difference to that note. RE does not make 500 CI engines for over a year now. And will not in the future. Think again, is my advice.
PS: You will also lose on reliability in a used 500 CI.

kaustubh_vaze · 28th August 2009, 18:03

The "pipes" have aleady been changed.
The thump is there. BUT, the 500 CC will give that genuine feel to me.
Reliability apart, what are the things that require change?

Kaustubh

mantrig · 28th August 2009, 18:07

Hello Kaustubh - Why dont you refer to thread BULLET HEART transplant in this forum?

This thread was focused on where you can source such engine from and also had some approximate costs involved in sourcing of such power mills.

Hope you are able to locate this thread and it proves helpful

Regards,
Mantri G.

MumBiker · 28th August 2009, 18:56

The Thread is Here - http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorb...ransplant.html

Just made your task easier

IndrojitSircar · 29th August 2009, 10:52

Well wouldn't be a bad idea.

bhogalrajnish · 31st August 2009, 20:27

not sure about Pune, but there are ways of doing it here in Delhi. You can find a 500 CC engine and the rest remains the same. Well i did get a quote of 20K once with everything including getting the old engine number embraced on the new engine, Thats when I dropped the idea as it will be agains the law to put the old number on a new engine.

28th August 2009, 17:47	#1
kaustubh_vaze BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 224 Thanked: 53 Times View My Garage	New engine for the RE Thunderbird Hey guys, I am planning to get hold of a CI 500 engine and mount it on the Thundebird. The TB just clatters like hell and does not give the "original" thump of the Bullet. But the Thunderbird provides very good riding comfort and I have experienced it first hand when I did the Pune-Kanyakumari road trip back in December. So the chassis of the Thunderbird and a new 500 CC heart would be an ideal cruising bike. What all parts (drive train etc.) will need replacement? Also since the CI engine will be heavier than the original 350 one, will it affect handling? Also will the front suspension need rework? Will this transplant be reliable for such long trips? I know factory-fit is a factory-fit and I have had no reliability issues at all on the TB but with this transplant, one could get the magical touch of the original Bullet and the comfort of the new Thunderbird. Also what would be the cost of the engine and can I get a new one from RE? Regards, Kaustubh
	() Thanks

28th August 2009, 17:56	#2
Sawyer Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pune Posts: 2,677 Thanked: 1,786 Times	Before you do this, remember that the rider hears all the clatter, others hear the exhaust note. And changing the pipes can make a huge difference to that note. RE does not make 500 CI engines for over a year now. And will not in the future. Think again, is my advice. PS: You will also lose on reliability in a used 500 CI. Last edited by Sawyer : 28th August 2009 at 17:57.
	() Thanks

28th August 2009, 18:03	#3
kaustubh_vaze BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 224 Thanked: 53 Times View My Garage	The "pipes" have aleady been changed. The thump is there. BUT, the 500 CC will give that genuine feel to me. Reliability apart, what are the things that require change? Kaustubh
	() Thanks

28th August 2009, 18:07	#4
mantrig BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 456 Thanked: 178 Times	Thread for reference Hello Kaustubh - Why dont you refer to thread BULLET HEART transplant in this forum? This thread was focused on where you can source such engine from and also had some approximate costs involved in sourcing of such power mills. Hope you are able to locate this thread and it proves helpful Regards, Mantri G.
	() Thanks

28th August 2009, 18:56	#5
MumBiker BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 89 Thanked: 12 Times View My Garage	The Thread is Here - http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorb...ransplant.html Just made your task easier
	() Thanks

29th August 2009, 10:52	#6
IndrojitSircar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Kolkata/Delhi Posts: 2,318 Thanked: 972 Times	Well wouldn't be a bad idea.
	() Thanks

31st August 2009, 20:27	#7
bhogalrajnish BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 215 Thanked: 67 Times	not sure about Pune, but there are ways of doing it here in Delhi. You can find a 500 CC engine and the rest remains the same. Well i did get a quote of 20K once with everything including getting the old engine number embraced on the new engine, Thats when I dropped the idea as it will be agains the law to put the old number on a new engine.
	() Thanks