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: