Here's the story: My dad bought this bike new, in 75. He rode it several years, the in 84, upgraded to a husky 250. The zuke went to mom, and was ridden I few years. Then it was sent to live in the barn, until somewhere in the late 90s, I dug it out, cleaned it up and got it running. I then proceeded to learn to ride/beat the crap out of it. That lasted a few years, until it became really hard to start, so I put it back in the barn teenagers, I tell ya. This brings me to now. I've dug it back out of the barn, and brought it home with me. So, what say you? What should I do with it? Restore? Cafe? Street tracker? First thing, obviously, is to get it running again, but then what should I do with it?
Clean it up, get it running nice and ride it. It's only original once and since it's been in the family since new, the patina is all home grown.
It looks like all the parts are there. I'd restore it to as close to original as possible. If your were missing a bunch of pieces the hours of ebay searching for parts would make think otherwise, but it looks good. You probably already know, but make sure the oil injection is working right and resist the temptation to go premix because it is easy. Old Suzuki like the GT185, and GT380 used an oiling system that was way ahead of their time. The crank bearings were lubed by the autotlube system. I think the TS185 was similar so it is worth it to make sure the autolube works right. There was a thread over on the HUBB from a New Zealand couple who had decided on TS185 ER for their around the world bikes. I'm not sure if they are still out there somewhere leaving a thin trail of blue smoke. So perhaps ride it to Siberia and China after the restoration?
Make it run and enjoy it for what it is. I saw one within the last year and it brought back memories. Dad put a 185 engine in a TM125 frame way back then. I think it bolted right in. He was in search of the perfect tight woods bike.
Actually that is pretty much exactly what Suzuki did. The TS185 is a 185 motor in a 125 frame.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
Clean it all up....Perhaps CRANK SEALS. Keep it basically stock and RIDE IT. Maybe an expansion chamber (difficult to find......my '71 still has the one that was on it when I purchased in '74 or so) and a fork brace. FRESH fork juice..grease steering head bearings AND SWINGARM BUSHINGS.....maybe rear shocks and a brighter headlight. VERY RELIABLE MOTORCYCLE! Clean and grease all electrical connections.......Buy a spare CDI box off ebay. Have Fun!
