I finally scored one today

Bikegeezer · Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2011 7:16 pm Post subject: I finally scored one today

I picked up a Suzuki TS185 with 1800 miles on it for $900. The bike looks and runs like new, and it has everything with it - tool kit, owners manual, original Limited Warranty. But the best part is that nobody's been screwing around with it. Starts first kick and runs like new. That's the good news. The bad news is that I'm finally going to have to get off my ass and sell something. Too many bikes and not enough time. Pics to follow after I get it unloaded.

Stu

Russell · Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2011 8:01 pm Post subject:

.Great!The TS185 is one tough design. Very much the 'little engine that could' in trail riding and back road terms.Somewhere there will be a factory(s) still producing variants of these.Perhaps not branded as Suzuki and with changed cosmetics.

I like to imagine your challenge is more going to be finding time to RIDE them all,rather than what to sell.

Bikegeezer · Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2011 6:10 pm Post subject:

Here it is. Just needs a set of tires. I gave it a good going over including cable lube, carb & oil pump adjustment, new plug, and a good polishing. It had blown a few bulbs from being run with no battery. Aside from that, it pretty much looks and runs like a new bike. Hard to believe it's 32 years old. Rather than install a 6-volt wet battery, I used a sealed AGM from Batteries Plus.

Stu

Russell · Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2011 9:42 pm Post subject:

What a gem!

Such a neat and utilitarian design.Models I've ridden that were variations on this platform are TS185,ER185,TC185 and TF185.
The TF Mudbug was a really rugged version with single seat,big solid carrier,brushguards, very low gearing, and full knobblies. Sold in large numbers here as a farm-bike it is legendary for its go anywhere, virtually indestructable nature.

By contrast 30 plus years ago I knew people who used the TS 185 as their personal transport. Everything from trail riding to several hundred mile in a day highway trips!

Tango911 · Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 5:57 am Post subject:

great deal looks sweet!!

Steve Searles · Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 6:12 am Post subject: Keep the hobby alive.

Way to go Geezer Stu!! Keep the hobby alive and buy every good bike like this you can. Storage, money, wives are all non issues!! I am proud of you! BTW, I just got a free Suzuki T10 and bought a Honda CB160. Why?? I have no idea why. Laughing

Rizingson · Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 8:06 am Post subject:

Nice bike Geezer, clean dirt bikes are a hard find around here. Steve, I know why you got those new bikes, you're as sick as the rest of us. LOL. I had sights on a T10 awhile back but couldn't justify the price, now for free!!!!! How's the hydralic rear brake working? Now the CB160 I hope to have in about 2 weeks, an all white orginal.

Bikegeezer · Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 8:57 am Post subject: Re: Keep the hobby alive.

Steve Searles · Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 7:32 pm Post subject:

I knew you guys would pick up on that. I am sick and there is no cure! Stu, the TS series Suzuki's are one of my favorite. I grew up on a TS250 and buddies had the 185's. I have 2 185's right now. They are good dependable motors that lug down with good low end torque. Easy to plunk around and ride slow like us old timers like. You will have great fun with the TS185 and will not regret the purchase whatsoever. PS: I got all 4 pilot jets cleared out on the '78 CB550K after soaking for many days in my magic solution. I think a nice running SOHC is in my future. Smile

CaptCatFish · Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2011 2:10 am Post subject:

Beautiful bike and great find! Someday I hope to fall face first into such a sweet deal but thus far, it seems to have eluded me. I've been snooping around old storage buildings here in the mountains of western NC looking for the ultimate "barn find", but it can be dangerous work Very Happy

.

Have fun and enjoy!

CaptCatFish

Bikegeezer · Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2011 8:57 am Post subject:

CaptCatFish · Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2011 8:20 pm Post subject:

Mountain folk in western NC generally don't like any one other than their immediate relatives snooping around their barns and storage houses. I've even run ads in the local paper "wanted to buy - old motorcycles" with absolutely no reponse. But I keep chasing the dream every time some one tells me about some one else who has an old motorcycle. So far all I've found are two panhead "Easy Rider" Harleys and one pre-unit construction Triumph Bonneville 650. But once you've owned and ridden a finely tuned Suzuki T500, who cares? Very Happy

Bikegeezer

So I've got this super low mileage (1800) '79 TS185, and it has to pass Arizona emissions to get it registered. It passed no sweat, but man, it's running way lean. Bogs a bit coming off idle, doesn't take throttle as it should when accelerating in high gear from moderate speeds, and the idle rpm doesn't respond to the pilot air screw. The PO said he "went through" the carb. That right there should have been a warning that the carb was messed up.

So off with the carb for an ultrasonic douche and inspection. 30 years sitting left some light residue on everything inside, but the jetting wasn't blocked. Now this carb is the weirdest thing I've seen on a 2 stroke single. It's basically the same as the carbs on a CB500 Honda, and the slide is lifted the same way - via a throttle shaft and pulley with 2 cables. There's a felt seal to prevent air leaks around the shaft, except it was missing. The seal holder was there, but not the felt. So the bike was sucking air around the throttle shaft. Put in a new felt during reassembly, and it behaves like it should. Some folks shouldn't be permitted within 100 yards of a bike if they have a tool in their hands.

Stu

Freaky_1 · Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2011 9:18 pm Post subject:

WOW! Mine didn't look nearly that good 25 years ago.

SAWEEET.

Wanna trade for a T250J Wink

Bikegeezer · Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2011 8:06 am Post subject: