Hello New TC'er

Hi. I am a new member and a new biker> I have a 2000 Thundercat that runs like a dream however requires some TLC. I have purchased a manual but am looking for any help in sourcing parts as cheap as possible. The front wheel cover (not sure what its called) is cracked and there are several screws missing from the fairing. There are also a few cracks and things like that on other bits of plastic. I am also looking to have a play around with the suspension settings as it feels a bit soft. Any advice / words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated.

Hi & welcome, i'm no use on anything mechanical i'm afraid, closest i come to working on bike that way is phoning and booking bike in at garage, but just thought i'd congratulate on good choice of bike, and sure some of the other guys on here will be much more use!

Post some pic's when you get chance as well, see if your fortunate enough to have the faster Red/Black/White version or one of the slower colours haha!

Welcome along

I'm sure someone will know the answers to your questions

JDM wrote:Hi & welcome, i'm no use on anything mechanical i'm afraid, closest i come to working on bike that way is phoning and booking bike in at garage, Post some pic's when you get chance as well, see if your fortunate enough to have the faster Red/Black/White version or one of the slower colours haha!

Oh you don't know how lovely that is to see a man post that

Welcome to the site ... as Fi says, fleabay is prob your friend for parts there seemed to be quite a bit the other day - with regard to faring bolts/screws - i got some as part of a christmas present when we went to put them on they weren't all the right size (tho we did have enough to make the visible bits pretty!) so just one to watch.

Hope to see you oot and aboot when you get it sorted .. now over to someone who knows what they're talking about

Suzie

Ezzy's Mum! wrote: Oh you don't know how lovely that is to see a man post that

Presume that mainly refers to Mechanical lack of know how, well yes i'm about as much use as a trap door on a canoe when comes to anything mechanical, sadly no family or friends who ever took me under there wing so i prefer keeping clean & safe as possible hence pay the man who has trained at it! Sad, think my man badge will be taken anytime!!

hi & welcome. front mudguard probably from e bay like most have said. New fairing nuts & bolts from either tasty nuts or bits & bobs if they are still going & maybe look on demon tweeks as well. Now to the fun part with suspension settings i will have a look for a suspension tuning guide i got a few years ago in a bike mag which had settings for all different riding speeds & weights of rider. How many miles are on the bike? because it is possible the suspension is in need of new oil & springs if high mileage. I will look for the guide & get back to you. Paul.

Welcome on board. Again I'll state ebay for the bits and if Paul can do his stuff for the suspension then, hopefully, you will be sorted, for now. If you are anything like me then the money will have little time in the pocket to make the bike stand out and be that little bit different.

Cheers!

JDM wrote:

Ezzy's Mum! wrote: Oh you don't know how lovely that is to see a man post that

Presume that mainly refers to Mechanical lack of know how, hence pay the man who has trained at it! Sad, think my man badge will be taken anytime!!

my thoughts exactly ......... as i always say ....... why have a dog and bark yourself

(plus i like to spread a little happiness and keep julian and stewart on their toes )

Welcome

Hi Matey

Ebay for some bits, Mr Yamaha Dealership (for the odd nut / bolt)......at least you'll know if should fit.

Welcome to the site.

Cheers
Rosco

Wow. I am genuinely shocked to have had so many useful and very friendly replies. That is really great. Well, where to start. firstly, it looks like I bought the slow one because mine is black and silver. What are the chances!!?!? Ha ha. I'm guessing there is some logic as to why why it can be predicted my bike is black and silver? I feel I have a lot to learn. The bike has 22000 miles approx without going to the garage check. So not that many. So maybe it's just me. I'll check out the suggestions for the screws and post some pics of her once I've given her dust down. Got caught in a downpour on Sunday and she's a bit streaky. Once again thanks very much.

Jon

Hi Jon,

Welcome to the site and congratulations on selecting the Thundercat.

Now I'm genuinely shocked that you're genuinely shocked In the nicest possible way. We're a helpful, friendly bunch - welcome to the club?

This is the site you need if you want bolts for your bike
Pro Bolt
I came across them at the NEC and London Bike Show and eventually bought a faring kit of black bolts. Tidied up the bike and meant I knew all the bolts were correct and in good condition. They were really helpful when I spoke to them so if you have an issue and see them at a show - go chat.

As for cracks in the fairing. There nearly always develops a crack in the side fairing above the indicator where the plastic is narrow. If you look closely a lot of 'cats have this. It's goes with the bike so don't worry about it.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Chris

Jon,

Hi and welcome.

JonG wrote: it looks like I bought the slow one because mine is black and silver. What are the chances!!?!?

No chance but then I might be biased (a quick look at my avatar might explain why). Mine is fast, it's just the lump on it that's slow.

Might like to pop by the colour poll and add yours there.

I have a writeup about the suspension settings somewhere (can't find it at the mo) which essentially stated the factory settings are not that bad. might be worth trying that first.
Here is a link to a generic suspension setup it explains how to work out the settings; probably better than an article saying turn x clicks outwards.
The 'Cat suspension is a bit soft anyway, the original rear shock didn't last long on many bikes. Mine is still original and as far as I can tell still works OK, done 60K miles and I'm a hefty sod.

The cracked plastics can be plastic welded - not a cheap solution as invariably a respray of the part is also needed

-Steve

Welcome aboard and greetings from Germany

Hello. Good luck with sorting the suspension - had my Cat eight months and not got around to adjusting my rear shock, which is cranked up to the top. Sponge and a chamois, oil on the chain and air in the tyres when needed - that's about my level of maintenance.
Enjoy being the proud owner of a great bike.

Hi Jon

Ive heard that standard settings aren't that bad aswell.
Although i have recently wound off the pre-load on my shock. More to raise the seat height than anything else- i'm a longer-legged cat rider variety.
It has made the back end a bit bouncy though.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do

Woody

Did the link steve put for you help? My friend has the suspension book & is not sure where it is but will look for it. Paul.

Hulloooooo from me, I'm a newbie too

Hopefully the suspension guide has helped, tis always best to put it back to the stock settings and have a play after that, testing the ride as you go... have fun and let us know how you get on

Lins :bounce:

JonG wrote: Got caught in a downpour on Sunday Jon

yeah we know all about getting caught in downpours on sunday

Hi & welcome! Congrats on your new cat Mine is silver and speedy so all hope is not lost!!!! Good luck on sorting all your bits out!

Storm wrote:Mine is silver and speedy so all hope is not lost!!!!

Following on from Storm. My Cat is Silver and black (not seen another like it yet) and it nearly pulls my arms out of the sockets if I let him rip through to 14K. So don't worry it will keep up with most 2 wheels out there and beat the majority of all things with 4 or more wheels.

Anyway, why be in the majority (blue) when you can be special and in the minority? :cheers:

Enjoy!

Thanks to all the previous pointers that flew in with my various bike quandaries....

However it would appear that I have hit another little gripe, my rear suspension has seized up. There is no play and when i get on the bike and then get off there is no recoil. It just stays put, which makes for some rather spine jingling rides.

Is this a big problem requiring the costly time of my mechanic or can it be resolved in a more economical (DIY) fashion?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks

Jon

Right, well 3 choices really,

1, the swingarm bearings have siezed

2, the the link bars/connection bar on bottom of swingarm/shock have siezed

3, the shocks knackered

either way the rear needs supporting so you can undo bottom of shock and try lifting rear wheel up , if not then bearings have gone in either 1 or 2 above.

if it lifts ok and falls on its own then the shocks gone
hope this helps

pete

Pete

exellent advice. I only have a paddock stand which means I'm struggling to get the bike up with out the swing arm been held. I think it's a trip to the garage.

Thanks for the tips

Jon