The Thunderbird has been a motorcycling icon since Triumph first released it to the world. You may think of the Ford Thunderbird when you hear that name, but it was Triumph that licensed the name to the American auto company for use in its new 1955 ‘personal luxury car’ coupe.
The first designated Triumph model ‘Thunderbird‘was produced in 1949; it was called Thunderbird 6T and it ran on 649c.c. motor. This model lasted until 1966. In 1981, the Thunderbird TR65 began production with an identical, but very different sized engine. The 885c.c. The 1994 Thunderbird was more in tune with the original purpose of lead designer Edward Turner, who developed the bike primarily for the American market. If that model was up to the task, the Thunderbird Sport took it to a new level in 1997; 82 hp and 56 ft-lbs of torque originated in the triple 885c.c. Engine: more than enough to make it a quality sports / touring motorcycle.
This is the past but very relevant story of Triumph as it leads us to the 2010 Thunderbird 1600. This powerful cruiser carries the name forward and manages to maintain the original spirit of the breed.
However, if you’re looking for parts for that early T-bird, you won’t find them at the Hinckley factory. As with most manufacturers, you will have to look for NOS (New Old Stock) parts wherever you look for such items – dealer networks, local stores, and more and more these days, the internet. The internet is becoming an incredible international hunting ground for tracking down those hard-to-find parts.
The good news is that Triumph has parts for every model produced after 1993, that is, almost every motorcycle produced at Hinckley. Every part made by Triumph is of the highest quality and manufactured to the exact stock specifications of the model to which it belongs. Triumph manages to maintain a 99% first-pick rate across its network, the highest in the industry. Within days, if your part is not in stock at your local store, Triumph can ship any of the more than 25,000 parts directly to your dealer.
Additionally, available Triumph Genuine Accessories are included in the same ordering system, so you’ll see the same quality of craftsmanship and can be purchased quickly. For example, if you own a new 2010 Thunderbird and think 98 cubic inches is too small; in a matter of days you can have a 104 cu in Big Bore kit ready to install.
If you own a Triumph Thunderbird and need parts or accessories, your solution is as close as your nearest Authorized Triumph Dealer … or even right here on your computer screen.