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The Thunderbird Sport was introduced in the fall
of 1997. It was available in yellow/black and red/black. Based on the Thunderbird it became the third member of the
Classic lineup. Initial sales were less than impressive leading to its
removal from the Classic line-up at the end of the 2000 model year.
Magazine reviewers were less than impressed with the bike as they tried to fit a
square peg in a round hole. What they didn't comprehend was the
appeal of this bikes cafe' attitude coupled with real world torque, power
and sport handling. It's not so much what it was, but what it was not.
That being a cruiser or a sport bike. It was and is a motorcycle.
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Issue 5, August 1997 |
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Changes from the Thunderbird are 17" Akront polished alloy
rims, Avon sport rubber, fully adjustable front and rear suspension, rear
set controls, dual front disc and a narrow low handlebar. The engine has
higher hp, torque, rpm, exhaust with a balance tube and six gears. |
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US Dealer introduction - Photo
Triumph of Santa Cruz County |
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For the year 2000 Triumph calmed the critics of the high
pillion pegs and X75ish silencers to the delight of passengers and luggage
carriers world wide. The only color available is White with
Tangerine Orange. Hard core Yellowbird and Redbird owners quickly began referring to
the color as Creamcycle. As rim maker Akront (Spain) ceases production
Triumph switches to steel rims used on the Legend TT. |
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Photo ©
Triumph Motorcycle
Limited |
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Torque Issue 25, Fall 2002 |
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The rumors were TRUE -
confirmed by dealers who had attended the 2002 Dealer Meeting the 2003
Thunderbird Sport was scheduled to resume production. On September 15th,
2002 (HST) RAT members of Yahoo! Triumph Thunderbird Sport Riders
began posting that the Fall 2002 issue of Torque arrived with the 2003
Thunderbird Sport pictured. By September 16th the Triumph Motorcycles LTD
website was updated with model details. The color originally rumored to be
Black with Orange turns out to be Tangerine Orange with Black. Early
feedback on the color choice proclaims "TBS back just in time for
Halloween!" Use of Tangerine over Lucifer Orange (T509 Speed Triple)
will allow use of colored accessories from the 2k model. Still, the effects
of delays on production of this and other models by the factory fire were
not known at that time. John Bloor, his fine team and the dedicated
workers in England amazed the motorcycle world by rebuilding their factory
after that devastating fire and modernizing the already most modern
manufacturing facility in the industry. |
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Last Chance for a Classic? - 2004 was announced as the last
year for a T-3 powered Thunderbird Sport. Rumors are that less than 150
examples will be built. Triumph has stopped production of the Thunderbird
using the balance of inventories to assemble the 04 Thunderbird Sport. Cost
of replacing expensive tooling and ever increasing anti- pollution
requirements for carburetor based engines are rumored as well. The black and yellow color choice will
allow use of matching color accessories from the 98-99 Yellowbird models.
The color scheme is also available on the Bonneville America variant. |
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Photo ©
Triumph Motorcycle
Limited |
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