Triumph Twins Performance Products:As most of you probably know, we are continually developing our range of products for Triumph, this includes development of our Thunderbike Triumph twins performance range. Recent tests with our new Performance Camshafts and mufflers on the new Triumph Scrambler and Speedmaster have revealed some astounding and very exciting results. Below is a power (bhp) graph of the result of a recent test on our in house dyno machine with the Scrambler. As you can see there has been a vast improvement on stock power using our new Performance cams and the Thunderbike mufflers.

This 'Stage1' Performance kit is available to buy now and we will continue our development for the others in the twins range.

SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY OFFER - ENDS JUNE 30th: By clicking on 'Buy Now' you can go straight to our online order page and buy these items online now. Please note that freight is additional. NZ residents - please remember to add GST.

Remember - ENDS JUNE 30th!

Pictured above is the dyno results of testing on the 900 Speedmaster and on the right are the results of initial testing with the Thunderbike Scrambler Stage 1 Performance Kit. Standard Scrambler 46bhp but a signifficant rise to 66bhp with the Thunderbike Kit.

PLEASE NOTE: All our dyno figures are actual rear wheel horse-power, factory claimed figures are measured at the crank.

Included in both the Speedmaster and Scrambler kits are: Performance Mufflers, Performance Camshafts, an air injection removal kit and a DNA performance air filter.

Exclusive Kim Newcombe Commemorative Konig t-shirts: A few issues back we told you about Kim Newcombe, the New Zealander who competed in the World Grand Prix Championships on a Konig powered bike in the 1960's, who also had a film documentary made about him. The film, LOVE SPEED AND LOSS is out very soon on DVD, which we will have copies to buy on our website as soon as we get them.

We now have some very cool and exclusive Kim Newcombe Commemorative Konig t-shirts. This is your chance to own a piece of Kiwi Motorcycling history, these excellent quality T-shirts have the famous KONIG logo on the front and have Kim Newcombe's Kiwi helmet design on the sleeve, with Arai logo and Kims name. They are slightly larger than normal, so you may want to order a size down than usual.

THUNDERBIKE STAFF TOUR: Thunderbike's sister company GoTourNZ organise and run guided and self-guided tours around New Zealand as well as the facility to hire from their extensive range of late model motorcycles. At the end of the tour season every year, The entire Thunderbike staff go on their own tour of the South Island for a week of fun and a chance to discuss ideas and initiatives for the future of Thunderbike.

We set off on a very sunny saturday at the end of April, twelve bikes from the GoTourNZ fleet with riders and pillions as well as the support vehicle and a camera crew that were taking shots for the latest GoTourNZ promotional video. We headed to Karamea which is the furthest point north on the West Coast, as the road stops and no vehicular access is available past here. A great ride through the Buller Gorge, onto Westport for fuel and finally Karamea.

The next morning we woke to torrential rain for our short ride down the coast to Blackball, near Greymouth and the famous "Formally-The Blackball Hilton", a wonderful and peculiar place to stay in a traditional West Coast mining town. Next day was long ride to Wanaka through some of the country's most awesome scenery as we rode through the glacier towns of Franz Josef and Fox. The weather had been fairly kind to us on this day compared with previous days, dry and even a glimpse of the sun in places. We stopped for a break in Fox, one group then headed ahead of the rest as we were due to go on a jet boat ride up the Haast river and the boat could only accommodate half of us at a time. As the first group carved their way towards Haast through some incredible twisy roads with virtually zero traffic, they encountered a 4x4 with flashing blues coming the other way, a ticket for Jason in the front of the group acting as 'radar' kinda spoiled the ride.

A great jet boat ride up the Haast and then onto Wanaka, ready for the short hop over the Crown Range to the adventure capital, Queenstown. Another very wet ride over the hill to Queenstown which was thankfully a short trip and staying in a very luxurious motel in the town. Again the weather put pay to some intended activities, but hey, the bar was still open!

New Zealand seemed to be experiencing some rather adverse weather conditions that were far worse than normal, as reports of flooding, snow and more rain were coming in! We were due to ride to Dunedin to stay in Larnach Castle on the Otago Peninsula, but as we made our way down, we were being met with road closures and diversion signs due to the flooding. We evetually ended up back-tracking our way to Gore, after riding through floods and horrendous weather, as all road that led to Dunedin were closed.

Next day, time to head north and hopefully some better weather, Kaikoura, NZ's whale watching/dolphin/crayfish and sealife capital was the destinantion, which was a very long ride. The weather did start to clear and the sun started shining. We took the inland route 72 to bypass Christhurch and for some more entertaining roads getting to Kaikoura in the evening. Next morning was time to relax a little, no riding, but a sunrise trip out to sea to swim with the Dusky dolphins. A great experience which is highly recommended, although the swell on the sea was a little rough, as Jason again was the victim of the day, needing a bucket instead of a snorkel.

A good ride back towards Nelson on the final day, there must have been a law enforcement convention on somewhere, as that would seem to be the only obvious explanation for so many cops on one road in one afternoon!

A great week away and a chance to talk about the year gone by and the year ahead of us, as well as having some fun and honing our riding skills in the wet. Bring on next year!

To find out more about the motorcycle tours please logon to the GoTourNZ website at www.GoTourNZ.com

NEW THUNDERBIKE STAFF: We have even more new staff at Thunderbike, Dave Read, who has worked for us a few years ago, joins us in the shop to assist in the parts & accessories department, so does Selwyn Findlay who is also assisting in the parts & accessories. We also have a new import from Germany, Anja Wenger has joined us as our office administrator, welcome to New Zealand Anja. Eryn Campbell is now John Fitzwater's PA, who will be learning to ride a motorcycle very soon! Glyn Stephens, who is still studying at school, is an avid bike fan and has also joined the ranks of Thunderbike Racing with a Suzuki RG150 streetstock bike, he is helping us out as our general assistant. 12 year old streetstock racer, Jesse Fitzwater is providing help around the shop as one of our new general assistants, another race junkie!! :) Dave Bessant from Three Cross Motorcycles in Bournemouth UK will soon be here in motorcycle sales, And, one more, Andy Squire is our motorcycle groomer and detailer.

SUPPORT NZ's BID IN MOTO GP: Last issue, we told you about Karel Pavich and Lester Ferdinand (KP RACING) who had recently won the NZ Nation 250GP Championship. They now have their sights set on a higher goal, which is to compete at this years AUSTRALIAN MOTO GP round at Phillip Island in the World 250cc championship. Previous winners of this title include Dani Pedrosa, Max Biaggi, Loris Capirossi and 'The Doctor' Valentino Rossi.

Despite New Zealand's huge global presence in sport, there is not a New Zealand representative in the World Grand Prix motorcycle road racing championship this year, so it would be a great boost for us to have Karel racing for our country at this event. Motorcycle racing in New Zealand is a sport that does not get the same attention and support that so many other sports benefit from, despite having some very talented world class riders and as you can imagine, the preparation and budget is huge just to prepare and then compete at this level.

KP Racing now have their own quality merchandise that they are selling, to help raise enough funds to get them to Phillip Island in September and represent New Zealand at this years World 250cc Grand Prix.

Please show your support for Karel and Lester and lets get a KIWI representative in the World Motorcycling Championships. Log onto their website or go to Trade Me where they are auctioning T-Shirt and Cap sets. Please click on the link to read more about Karel, Lester and the bike on their website www.kpracing.co.nz

RALLIES, RUNS & EVENTS: We have had a request to list any motorcycle events including rallies, rideouts, racing etc. So here is a list for the next few months, if you have any events that you think we should let everyone know about, please contact us and we will publish them in future issues.

3rd - 4th JUNE - BRASS MONKEY RALLY OTEREHUA, OTAGO

Saturday June 10th Teretonga Flying Quarter

Sunday June 11th South Island Cup Rd 2 Teretonga

Saturday July 22nd Levels Winter Series Round 1

Saturday Aug 19th Levels Winter Series Round 2

Saturday Sept 9th South Island Cup Round 3 - Ruapuna

Saturday Sept 16th Levels Winter Series Round 3

Saturday Oct 14th Ruapuna Have a Go Day

October 22nd - Greymouth Street Races - CONFIRMED, IT'S BACK!

Saturday Oct 28th Ruapuna Formal Training Day

Sunday Oct 29th Ruapuna King of Ruapuna Round 1

January 2nd - Port Nelson Street Races - Track/Flag Marshalls and any volunteer help needed. Please call Chris Hogan on 021 1700862 or call us direct.

Please let us know of any other coming events and we will list them, if you don't tell us, we don't know!

STEPPED OFF : Some time ago we received an email from Steve Pape, a reader in the United Kingdom about a book that he had written inspired by his recovery from a horrific motorcycle accident on his Honda Fireblade while on holiday in Scotland. He has his own website where you can buy the book. Below is a short synopsis and links to the website and how you can buy the book. Thanks Steve.

'Stepped Off’ is a book about my experience whilst on a short motorbiking holiday in Scotland with friends and the months that followed.
The morning of the 14th July 2000 was like any other and I was looking forward to the ride home to Leeds after two days of fantastic riding around the Highlands. As it turned out, I didn’t leave Scotland for another six weeks.
I was only seven miles into my journey home when I lost control of my motorbike on a left hand bend. The scene was apparently like the aftermath of a bomb blast. Fortunately, I was in one piece but unconscious as I had suffered a pretty serious head injury. I was luckier than most in that there was a nurse and a policeman on the scene who saved my life when I stopped breathing.
The next few weeks in Intensive Care Unit were equally touch and go and I wasn’t expected to make it. Carol, my wife of four months and a nurse, lived on the Unit and took over most of my day-to-day care.
I was finally fit enough to transfer to Leeds after six weeks, but a coma returns you to zero so I spent another month in hospital and a further year recovering from some of the most serious effects of the head injury. ‘Stepped Off’ is the story of my journey back to health after my near-fatal accident. It recounts the struggles and the laughs Carol and I have had along the way and the ability of two ordinary people to cope with one extraordinary situation.

Email Address: post@steppedoff.co.uk
Web site address: www.steppedoff.co.uk
Available from –http://www.publishamerica.com/shopping/shopdisplayproducts.asp?catalogid=10845 or any major Online Book Store.

TOP GEAR! A local innovative team of engineers in Nelson are producing racing gearbox's and casings for older British motorcycles. TT Industries who operate just around the corner from Thunderbike are headed by Bruce Verdon, who has raced in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, displayed his gearbox's at Australian and NZ race meetings and now has geared up his manufacturing with CNC machining centres to cope with the high demand for his products. Trans Tasman Industries manufacture to order 4, 5 & 6 speed heavy duty gearboxes for use in Manx Norton, Matchless G50 or similar racing motorcycles.

They also manufacture 4 & 5 speed extra heavy duty gearboxes for use in big bore Norton Commando, Vincent HRD twins or similar high powered racing motorcycles. Using a fresh design approach, they have built a completely new and modern, quick changing & reliable gearbox. These gearboxes are available in Burman or AMC casings, and in either heat treated aluminium or magnesium. Due to the strength & reliability of these gearboxes the affordability of these gearboxes is unparalleled.

Bruce says that 95% of his gearbox's are for export, with most orders going to the United Kingdom and Europe, although many are sold in Australia and New Zealand. Most of the gearbox's are designed for racing use, although Bruce has produced some that have a kickstart that can be used on the road.

TT industries have their own website at www.ttindustries.com where you can browse through the different products and configurations of gearbox's. Or contact Bruce by email bruceverdon@hotmail.com

Thunderbike service manager Dave Wilson shares his knowledge and wisdom to hopefully help you out or just give you some general useful information. If you have any questions please email us and we will do our best to answer it, or, if you have any tips of your own, let us know! Anyway here goes:

Now that winter is pretty much on its way and what with all the wet weather of late, it's probably the right time to talk about winter maintenance. If you are the "summer only rider" then it's also time to talk about correctly "winterising" your bike for those down time months.

I have spoken before about correctly lubricating your chain, but I will do it again. After a ride, and while the chain is hot is the best time to lube your chain. Make sure you coat it evenly from the inside and out, using a good quality chain lube. By doing this while hot the oil will penetrate into it for better lubrication. The benefit also continues as by the time you go to ride your bike again the lube will have dried off. This stops it from flinging off straight away like it always does. While you are there after you have lubed it, also check the all important chain free play.

Checking all lights and tyre pressures are also something everyone forgets about. Now is the time to do it.
Because it is dark at such an early hour most of us will encounter night riding before long. Check the beam adjustment. If you normally ride solo and now two up, or visa versa. Your lights will be not correctly adjusted.
This was something we all encountered on our staff south Island tour just a few weeks ago. And even though they were set to VTNZ requirements, they did not work for us. Also a way of gaining some better lights is to upgrade those standard halogen bulbs to a xenon plus 30 or similar. These bulbs put out a whiter and brighter light.

If storing your pride and joy over the winter months then it’s a good idea to drain your carburetors and removing fuel from the tank, or at least adding a fuel conditioner to it. Nobody likes the stale, smelly green fuel build up that blocks jets and lines, it takes time and money to sort that. If fuel injected then a fuel additive is the way to go. Disconnect the battery and use a trickle charger on a bi weekly basis for a night or so to help keep it alive. A good coating of rust preventive also would not be a bad idea about metal areas, especially if the bike is being stored in a damp environment.

We offer off peak winter servicing. It is a popular time for most customers to catch up on there maintenance/servicing schedule. It tends also to be more convenient for the customer. Plus there's also the cost saving benefit, as our off peak pre booking system works a treat.

Be safe, be seen, and be sensible. But ride like you stole it:)
Cheers Dave

We now have an even bigger range of t-shirts, including these new ladies cut Thunderbike T-shirts with the famous GET ON! SIT DOWN! SHUT UP! HANG ON! on the back. We also have shirts from our sister company GoTourNZ.com (motorcycle tours), these are available on our website as are our new range of Harley Davidson-New Zealand shirts.

If you would like one of these shirts for FREE, then send in one of your own motorcycle related jokes.

Last time we asked you to send us your cool bike pics, this one was sent to us by Steve & Lorna Slater from Coffs Harbour NSW in Australia of their grandson Seth, colour co-ordinated Triumph fan in the making! We don't have T-shirts in his size, but he'll grow into it!

Entries to alan@thunderbike.co.nz

Been caught speeding? Try this next time! or maybe not!

• A rookie police officer pulled a biker over for speeding and had the following exchange:
• Officer: May I see your driver's license?
• Biker: I don't have one. I had it suspended when I got my 5th DUI.
• Officer: May I see the owner's card for this vehicle?
• Biker: It's not my bike. I stole it.
• Officer: The motorcycle is stolen?
• Biker: That's right. But come to think of it, I think I saw the owner's card in the tool bag when I was putting my gun in there.
Officer: There's a gun in the tool bag?
• Biker: Yes sir. That's where I put it after I shot and killed the dude who owns this bike and stuffed his dope in the saddle bags.
• Officer: There's drugs in the saddle bags too?!?!?
• Biker: Yes, sir. Hearing this, the rookie immediately called his captain. The biker was quickly surrounded by police, and the captain approached the biker to handle the tense situation:
• Captain: Sir, can I see your license?
• Biker: Sure. Here it is. It was valid.
• Captain: Who's motorcycle is this?
• Biker: It's mine, officer. Here's the registration.
• Captain: Could you slowly open your tool bag so I can see if there's a gun in it?
• Biker: Yes, sir, but there's no gun in it. Sure enough, there was nothing in the tool bag.
• Captain: Would you mind opening your saddle bags? I was told you said there's drugs in them.
• Biker: No problem. The saddle bags were opened; no drugs.
• Captain: I don't understand it. The officer who stopped you said you told him you didn't have a license, stole this motorcycle, had a gun in the tool bag, and that there were drugs in the saddle bags.
• Biker: Yeah, I'll bet he told you I was speeding, too.

Thunderbike Powersports Ltd. 29 Bolt Road, Tahunanui, Nelson, New Zealand Ph: +64 (03) 5485787 Fax: +64 (03) 5485783 Email: sales@thunderbike.co.nz Website: http://www.thunderbike.co.nz

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