New Steed in the Stable - 1977 TS185
 

Son of Weldangrind and I picked up a new (to us) bike today. It's a '77 TS185, and it's virtually the same as my first bike, a '78 TS100, which I still have.

It's really ugly, but it starts first kick and has valid registration. I promptly bought a license plate and insurance for it right after it was in my trailer. I brought it home, changed the oil, cleaned the plug, stuck a China filter on it and took it for a ride.

The only light that works right now is the headlight, but I can use hand signals. We'll be slowly buying stuff for it, but it is rideable.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t...nd/78TS185.jpg

ugly and old school ....i like

Right on :)

Looks good! Did you find it on Craigslist?

Yep. :D CL is my guilty pleasure.

Nice

Sure wish Edmontons Craigslist was better... Maybe I'm just not using it right. Are there key searches that you guys do or something? I'm not too bad with Kijiji but all I find on Craigslist are Harleys and sportbikes.

Back on topic, the 185 looks good! Put a removable trunk on it and you have the ultimate urban commuter/trail riding machine. I'm guessing a 185 two smoke has no problems keeping up in traffic?

I don't use the search function at all anymore; I just scan the posts and look for anything under $1000.00. I find all kinds of interesting stuff that way. BTW, the Vancouver CL has hundreds of posts per day, so there's always something to look at.

The 185 has no problem keeping up with traffic, and I do have a rack that will take some re-working. My good friend Jim donated it. :D The intention behind this bike is a commuter for Son of Weldangrind, because I have my eye on another project. Until he gets his "L", I'll be riding the 185.

Congratulations on the 185! It looks great! You gotta love those vintage street going two-smokes. :wink:

I'm getting all kinds of sick ideas for it now. :lol:

I'm flirting with the idea of a new set of rings (it smokes bad), along with Boyesen reeds. I'll likely use universal front and rear fenders for it, and perhaps change to black in the process; the stock fenders are both done. The wiring is a mess, but I think I can solve that. I'm wondering if a 6v gel cell is a good idea, vs. a liquid acid battery; not sure of the pros and cons there, but I can get a gel cell for cheap. Neither the speedo or tach work, but there's hope that it's just the cables.

It doesn't idle without the choke, so I've got some carb work to do. This'll be a fun project for Son of Weldangrind and I. :D

I can get a gel cell for cheap.

Cheap is good. You've answered your own question there. :wink:

Regarding the rings and the smoking it MAY be crankshaft seals where tranny oil is getting into the combustion chamber. That would also explain some of your running issues.

Check out this article for more detail.

http://www.dansmc.com/vacuum_testing.htm

I was just trying to relay that to BrianW. I don't know much about 2 strokes or anything really.

I'm no expert but I've worked on a few and I've read quite a bit. :wink:

Different animals, that's for sure. As simple as they are they are deceptively complicated in the details.

Brilliant design really. Less weight, roughly twice the power and much cheaper to manufacture than a 4 stroke. :D

A person can rebuild one in 2 hours on the kitchen table for very little money.

The downsides of course are the smoke and the noise and the lousy range due to poor economy. :cry:

There's also the emissions concern for those who care about such things.

Personally if I found a good deal on a KDX I'd jump on it!

Nice find, Weld! :)

Spud :)

Thanks! Son of Weldangrind can't stop grinning, or doing laps around the yard (while he awaits his MC learners permit).

We were chatting last night about the potential of swapping a bigger engine into the TS185 frame, if the right donor comes along. I have some Suzuki experience, but not enough to know what would swap in without major surgery. We were giggling about using a PE or RM 250. :lol:

There's gotta be some forum you can join for people who work on old Suzukis. :P

http://www.suzukits.com/


That bike reminds my of the kawasaki my Dad had when I was little. It was a 100, but I don't know the model.

It was one of these.

http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/kaw..._g4tr_1972.php

Thanks for the link!

Did a little work on the TS185 today, once the XR250S was finished. I started with Castrol Super Clean and a pressure washer, and also took the broken fenders off, along with the seat and side panels. I took the exhaust system off and heated it with a torch to burn 30 years of oil out of it. At my next opportunity, I'll clean out the carb, inspect the clutch and try to make sense of the rats nest of wires.

Here's what the bike is supposed to look like:

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t...ochure_900.jpg

Here's ours the day we brought it home:

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t...85/78TS185.jpg

When I was draining the tank, I discovered that the tank mount is broken. It's good to have a welder.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t...5/DSC06054.jpg

This is just some of what I need to sort out:

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t...5/DSC06055.jpg

Great Find! I had a 73 or 4, TS 185 when I was a teen. I rode the wheels off that thing for years. Had a TS 250 later, but it was heavier than the 185.
I have been thinking about getting another for awhile. There is an 80 DS 185 on ebay right now I have been watching.

I found a TS250 engine on CL, and the mad scientist in me wants it badly. It has just been rebuilt with a new Wiseco piston and Boyesen reed, but I think I'll just focus on this 185 engine for now.

I spotted a good deal on new EBC friction plates on eBay, so I grabbed 'em. I'll report on the installation upon arrival.

As always, I eagerly await your updates, Weld! :)

Spud :)

Thanks. No noteworthy pics yet, but I did remove the headlight assembly to attack the rat's nest of wiring. It's not too far gone, since most of the electrical accessories work. The front brake lever has been replaced with a MX unit, so the brake switch is missing. I'll be looking for a new one.

I'm also going to get a universal rear fender like the one Doc bought for the Dirt Rat.

I cleaned out the carb last night, and the slow jet was completely plugged. A little carb cleaner and a welding tip cleaner solved that. I just wish I could figure out what the float level should be.

You might also wish to consider installing a hydraulic brake switch.

http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/pr...FamilyId=25925

This switch replaces the banjo bolt in the brake's master cylinder. However, you would also need to increase the length of the wires coming from this switch. ;)

Spud :)

Nothing but drums on a '77 TS185. I need to pick up a simple lever with a switch.

Oops! :oops: I forgot to look closely at the front wheel. ;)

Spud :)

Made some slow progress this weekend. Took the carb off for cleaning, removed the clutch cover in preparation for installing new friction discs and removed the engine.

The carb is unlike any I've worked on. One throttle cable splits into two; one side pulls the throttle open, and the other operates the oil injector. There is another cable (the grey one in the pic) that pulls the throttle closed.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t...5/DSC06063.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t...5/DSC06064.jpg

This is the top of the carb, followed by a shot of the slider down and then up. It uses a bellcrank-type mechanism to actuate the slider. It feels very precise, but heavy.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t...5/DSC06074.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t...5/DSC06075.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t...5/DSC06076.jpg

This is the slow jet before and after. No wonder it wouldn't idle.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t...5/DSC06072.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t...5/DSC06077.jpg

The clutch cover is typical, but the clutch linkage isn't. I was surprised to see how clean the clutch and interior is. Kind of surprised that the clutch was slipping that badly at high RPM.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t...5/DSC06083.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t...5/DSC06081.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t...5/DSC06084.jpg

It might be that the clutch is fine, and the chain was slipping on the countershaft sprocket. You think?

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t...5/DSC06085.jpg

I can also see that it was the shifter seal that was leaking on my driveway. I was able to get numbers off of it, so I'll grab a new seal at Precise Bearing. I might as well do the countershaft seal at the same time.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t...5/DSC06086.jpg

I'm not feeling any lateral or vertical play in the crankshaft, so I think we have a winner. Since I already bought the friction discs, I'm gonna soak 'em and install them, but I really need to order new sprockets and a chain.

Yikes! I've never seen a countershaft sprocket so worn! 8O

Spud :)

:lol:

That's the first time I pulled the cover so I could see it, and I'm quite shocked. I rode the bike across town to get a spark plug, and if you stay off the throttle, it's fine. I'm gonna check at the local bike shop on Tuesday and see what my cost would be there; I can get a new sprocket set from Bike Bandit for $26.00, but I'd have to pay shipping on top.

Obviously, the previous owners didn't care much for drive chain maintenance! :lol:

Spud :)

I think that sprockets even worse than the one on my CT was! The PO must have kept the chain pretty tight to get it to move.

I scored well. Gnarly parts (www.gnarlyparts.ca) has the front sprocket for $11, the rear for around $27 and a new RK 520 chain for $32. I also ordered a new countershaft seal and shifter seal from Precise Bearing; all of those parts should be in by Friday.

Today I picked up two cheap dual sport tires, a generic rear fender and a 6 volt gel cell battery for cheap. I'm also going to order a replacement speedometer cable on eBay as soon as the seller confirms compatibility.

I soaked the seat latch and steering lock in lube and worked them until they would operate smoothly. I also got the spare key re-cut to properly works those locks (no charge at the locksmith).

Looking forward to more shop time. :D

Indeed, you scored well on the sprockets and drive chain! :D You made excellent progress today. Thanks for the update, Weld. :)

Spud :)

Not much progress yesterday. I intend to use some small signal lights I have, so I picked up 6v bulbs for those and for the tail light. I also took the tach apart to figure out why the stem is loose, and I think it'll be functional, once I buy a new cable. I also bought some orange paint in anticipation of fixing the dents in the tank and respraying the tank and panels.

Forgot to mention that when I picked up the rear fender, etc I bought a generic pair of aluminum handlebars that will hopefully dampen some vibration. My fillings are loose from riding that bike across town.

Still looking forward to shop time. :D

Yes, the 2-stroke engines tend to vibrate a bit, don't they? ;) My KDX220 is my first 2-stroke motorcycle, and I have noted the bike vibrates a lot more than any 4-stroke bike I have ever ridden. :lol: I'm glad I have aluminum handlebars on my bike. :) I'm also considering installing some vibranators.

http://www.vibranator.com/

Spud :)

That's a cool idea! I'm too cheap to buy one, but it's cool nonetheless. I figured if the aluminum bars don't help enough, I'll wear my work gloves that are designed for using an impact wrench.

Please tell me more about those gloves, Weld. :) Are they thin enough to allow good manipulation of the controls? Are they expensive?

Spud :)

I've had two pairs in the past; one pair of Mechanix M-Pact and a pair of Makita gloves. Neither pair was terribly expensive (although free for me, because they were Christmas gifts :D ).

Mechanix M-Pact

Makita M-Force II Gloves