1980 Suzuki TS185 found behind a shed sitting for over 20 years...will it run?

Finally getting to this bike...found it back in September of '23 locally for $300 where it was sitting behind a shed for over 20 years in many Pennsylvania winters with nothing but a tarp over it. This is part 1 of its revival to becoming a "rider" once again.

[@samlwackson8696]

My dad’s old boss just fully restored a 73 TS 400, it’s a beauty, hard to beat the looks of these older bikes!

[@Garage2Trail]

That’s awesome! Id love to find a 400 sometime. I agree, the lines and colors on the old bikes are though to beat.

[@mikeatcora]

It deserves to be restored, it's defied all odds and could be a real show winner that you can still use every day. It made my day to see it, thanks.

[@Garage2Trail]

Thanks Mike! I’ll do my best to make it a reliable rider again!

[@indiomonk123]

I had this same bike in 1982 when I was a teenager.

[@john_anders]

i would love to ride one of these one day. definitely a fan of the early two stroke dual sports. i had a yellow 1973 ts100 for a little while and it was a great little bike.

[@user-ol5zr3pb9n]

Your patients and perseverance goes a long way and with your knowledge and experience the bike gets going in the right direction.

[@Garage2Trail]

Thank you! Much appreciated 👍

[@d.brayman3165]

Great video! Some advice from an old gunsmith, who's lost a lot of springs over the years...if a part might have springs, take it apart inside a bag, clear if can find one.

[@Garage2Trail]

Thank you! And that’s a great idea, I’ll have to remember that! Luckily the furnace wasn’t running when that spring and ball went flying lol. It was dead silent and I could hear where they hit. I was blown away when I found both pieces on opposite ends of my basement floor.

[@d.brayman3165]

Sometimes, it's better to be than good. Every time I can't find something, it's out of stock...go figure. Keep doing what you're doing. I, for one, appreciate your videos.

[@Garage2Trail]

@@d.brayman3165 I appreciate it very much! Thank you for watching!

[@55ablebof]

I have 2 of these.Super tough. They were in production until fairly recently and were available in South America and Africa.

[@Garage2Trail]

That’s good to know! You wouldn’t happen to have an extra fuel tank would you? 😆 this one is in BAD shape.

[@redtobertshateshandles]

Assembled lots of these out of the crate when I worked in a Suzuki shop. It was like we sold one every day. Dunno where they are now.

[@Garage2Trail]

Nice…funny how you don’t see many of them.

[@cainbeeping8480]

A awesome project brother.

[@Garage2Trail]

Thanks!

[@pedrothewise2584]

well good engines, lush power band if i remember right.

[@inglwud5625]

I rescued a 77 ts185 and for an 'old bike it runs strong still I had to find a 2 stroke oil tank because the previous owner took it out n mixed fuel. Those old injection systems were reliable but people removed them.

[@Garage2Trail]

That’s cool, did the 77’s not have the oil line separately for the crank bearings? I’m wondering how those bikes survived when people removed the oil injection lol

[@inglwud5625]

@Garage2Trail I wondered that too but it runs fine the injection line goes in same as yours right at the intake on the cylinder.

[@Garage2Trail]

That’s good to know! I am always worried it’s not getting enough oil with that 2nd line when I’m relying solely on that for mixture.

[@inglwud5625]

@Garage2Trail yea when I first start it, it smokes bit but it clears up when you start driving. Longest trip I've taken so far was a drive to the next town 30 miles and it ran fine, I just wish it had a speedometer!

[@peterlobb6456]

Another great video, as soon as I've watched one of yours it makes me want to get out in the garage and start working on one of my old bikes!

[@Garage2Trail]

Thanks Peter! Glad to be an inspiration to get more old bikes back on the trail 👍

[@upchuckchops]

Big win buddy! That is awesome. I didn't think it would go on this episode.

[@Garage2Trail]

Thanks man! I didn’t think it would start with such low compression either!

[@benspeedschannel888]

I had a feeling she’d go, nice work man 😎😎

[@Garage2Trail]

Thanks! It was a relief to get it going!

[@wattie1050]

That's a proper barn find bike !!! Really crusty but looks all there , the tank looks goosed right enough 😮 great job cleaning the carb and amazed to hear it running. Nice project .👍

[@Garage2Trail]

Thanks Wattie, always good to hear from you. Thanks as always!

[@paulthompson8613]

20 years plus outside and not stolen and still starts one key fits all you should buy a lottery ticket. Nice one

[@Garage2Trail]

Thanks! What’s the power ball up to right now? 😆

[@paulthompson8613]

Cash prize about $105 million what would you buy first.🛻🚜🏎🏍🛵🛺@@Garage2Trail

[@rafaelpelizza5757]

Hermosa motompara restaurar.saludos Rafa de mardel plata Argentina

[@Garage2Trail]

Thank you!

[@Eric--zs6um]

I'd say kudos on getting it to fire up. The fact it's a 2 strokes makes life alot easier. I did catch vid when ya got it. 👍 👍 👍

[@Garage2Trail]

Thanks! 2 strokes makes life easy…especially air cooled lol

[@dandersonjr]

I thought for sure after looking at that carb you weren't going to get it running in this video. Nice job.

[@Garage2Trail]

Thanks and me too! It was one of the worst ones I’ve opened up.

[@steveh7823]

The tank is a goner but the fuel tap should be recoverable. I think she will surprise you in a good way after compression is fixed. The TS 185 had fairly low compression ex-factory, I think under 8:1, but still delivered great performance.

[@Garage2Trail]

I hope so…I’m fearing the crank seals might be gone and that requires the motor to split for the right hand seal. After cleaning up the tank a bit more, I may try to seal it. It won’t be real pretty but I think I may be able to make it function for now. The stuff I thought was rubber sealer was just caked on mud. The fuel petcock is destroyed however. Completely frozen. Still want to try a few things before I determine if it’s the crank seal too.

[@robinbrowne5419]

Wow. It looks like my Mum's old Ford after about 20 winters of salt.

[@Garage2Trail]

😆

[@jeffferguson899]

I remember when those bikes were new. always thought they were cool

[@Garage2Trail]

This one caught my eye…a blue Suzuki with a boxed swingarm and dual shocks, a very unique headlight and lines. Such a cool looking bike.

[@bananabrooks3836]

Known as the ER model in Uk. All the tanks from the 50 to the 250cc rot out there, you'll be very lucky to find a good one (125cc tank is same as 185) maybe in a 'hot/dry' State? The earlier models don't seem to suffer quite this badly. Good method on the slide un- seizing.

[@Garage2Trail]

Thank you! I know better than to pry with a screwdriver like I see a lot of people do! I’m hoping I can find a tank. Not going to be easy I can tell.

[@bananabrooks3836]

Maybe 78-80 Rm plastic tank and mountings not too far off and could be made to work.

[@Garage2Trail]

Good idea! I may have to look around for one but I may be able to make this one work believe it or not. After cleaning it up a little more thoroughly, the rust is bad but I’ve had worse on other bikes that I’ve been able to seal up with JB weld tank sealer…I’m going to at least give it a shot.

[@jeschreindl]

Great job getting it running! I remember when you did the XL500 video for 500 subscribers :) are we going to see the AT1 again soon 😬

[@Garage2Trail]

Thanks Josh! Yeah for sure..I’m just waiting on some decent weather to get that out for a ride along with a couple other bikes which I’ll be sure to show here.

[@jeschreindl]

Awesome :)

[@theplantpotman]

Hello from the 🇮🇲 (uk) ive got 3 of these in my collection 👍😂 the 125, 185, and the 250 er as they were badged up as here, my 125 is a 79, 185 a 81 and same for 250, but sorry your not having any of the tanks! Might know of someone in maine with a 125er are you east or west coast? I will message him, so great you got her running, good ole suzy 🥰🔧🛠️🔩⚙️💵💵💸💸

[@Garage2Trail]

Hello and thank you! I’m located on the east coast (Pennsylvania). I really appreciate you reaching out. The tank is beyond my abilities to fix and patch I’m afraid.

[@toddbachman3912]

DAMM...OLD SUZIE

[@jeffferguson899]

I have heard that dielectric grease rejuvinates rubber. I have never tried it but its worth a shot for those old intake boots

[@Garage2Trail]

Ohh nice I’ll have to try it! I have a tube of the stuff. Thanks!

[@theburger_king]

When is the part 2 for this coming out?

[@Garage2Trail]

Hopefully soon. Got a bit side tracked and had to work on my daily rider with some maintenance. Also waiting on some parts too. It’s currently on the lift and I will be opening up the top end to have a look at the rings.

[@lawerncemiller6557]

Id just go ahead an pull the head and cylinder and clean it all up like you did the carburetor

[@Garage2Trail]

I’m probably going to do that. Just once more going to let it run longer outside and assess if she smokes because I would think crank seals could be bad too.

[@sasvanwyk5886]

I have the same bike. I bought it new in 1981 and it's still in much better shape, but I cannot get it going. I think the problem lies with the float level. Exhaust is smoking and it goes for a sec or two but just dies again. Later on it seems to be flooded. Sparkplug is wet. It is sparking. But I am so frustrated now. How the heck could that machine in video with that low compression start but mine does not?

[@Garage2Trail]

I understand your frustration…def sounds like a fuel delivery problem in your case…what happens if you spray some starter fluid in the intake? How clean is your carb? Just wait until the next video on this bike which will be out tomorrow and you see the condition of the piston lol

[@sasvanwyk5886]

@@Garage2Trail thanks for your interest. Must tell you what happened yesterday. My son suspected the coil is faulty and replaced it with a “universal” one some time ago - brand new - the no-starter....smoker....but sparkplug-show-sparker. Yesterday he put the original (old) coil back and there the engine fired with the second kick. Off the bike flew like a wild horse....only to die 200 yards down the road. Again, after kicking his leg lame, it started and operated as new, again for only a few hundred yards. Dead. Towed it back home. Now, what can be the problem? Coil? Wiring? Ignition? Magnito? We need more skills here. What bothers me: I saw the sparkplug sparking and I saw it came out wet but I could not find the universal guilty. I thought a coil is a coil and sought the problem in the carburetor - float level, air mix up, down, in, out. Humiliating. But I think we will win - eventually.

[@Garage2Trail]

@@sasvanwyk5886 how long will it run at idle speed? It really sounds like fuel delivery problems. How good is the flow from the petcock? Maybe the bowl can’t get enough gas and takes forever to fill back up. When riding it, it would suck the gas down faster which is why I ask if it runs a while at idle. If it was electrical I would think it would need to get hot to start acting weird. My bet is on fuel delivery…petcock or float as you mentioned. You’ll get it though…just keep eliminating one thing at a time.

[@sasvanwyk5886]

@@Garage2Trail now, after being towed back, it is back where we were...with each kick, prrrrr pup pip, litle smoke at exhaust, kick, purrrer pip pip, smoke kick.....completely as if there is a shortage of fuel. But how can it come alive by itself? The old coil is now the same as the new coil. Now you throw me back into the carb again. We have not tested that flow into the carb yet.....nor even sure what it should be. Only saw the overflow when we had the level too high...no way to measure the actual level. The thong is already cracked from bending it up and down. A new float & needle plus seat would be the next smart move. This bike was standing indoors for Ten years or more. It carried my two sons up and down...now the two grandsons become 13......SONS. But I was one too.... Funny to see them get on the dead horse, kicking it in hope....but.

[@Garage2Trail]

Dang…it’s gotta be the carb. Just test the flow coming from the fuel petcock to be sure. Unhook it from the carb and turn it on. It should flow out and not drip. Carb may need rebuilt like you said. Narrowing it down….

[@evannelson4479]

Low compression.

[@garywinterbottom4930]

My cousin had the exact same but in green a 1980 model .

[@Garage2Trail]

Nice I didn’t know they came in green too