That was really cool to see, thanks for sharing. I got a brand new TS185 back in '81, looked just like your '80 model. I kept that bike until 1995 when I sold it, but now I wish I had kept it. It was still in great shape, I always kept it clean and in the garage after riding. The only problems I ever had with it were the swingarm bushings going bad a couple of times, the motor mount bolts had to be tightened regularly, and the rear sprocket bolts would loosen, so I had to keep an eye on those. Seems like top speed on the street was around 60 or a little more. And it had a lot of low-end snap, which was great for climbing hills off road.
That’s awesome Trevor, thanks for sharing that. I love to hear from people that had these bikes back when they were new . The ‘80 I had definitely had some great low end power. I sold it this past year at the mid Ohio swap meet to make room for more vintage bike projects
I LOVED my TS185! Very tall gearing for the woods though. I always wished that I had geared mine down back in the day. I remember mine had the BEST "ring ding ding" sounds. It must have had a different pipe than yours (yours sounds almost like a four stroke...LOL). On the carb, can you loosen and rotate the carb without removing it for jetting and cleaning (like on a MX bike)?
That’s awesome Todd, yeah I think if I went down one tooth in the front it would help in the woods. That muffler must still have the packing in it because it’s still pretty quiet. You can turn the carb a bit, but not enough to take the bowl off and get to the jets.
hi! great video. its nice to see suzuki built the185 for so many years. my fav?the 72!! its so much better looking than the newer one. i like metal, not plastic!! cheers
If only we could keep them! There's a few bikes I wish I had never sold. When I was 14, I got hold of a Puch moped by swapping it for a tropical fish tank. That Puch would be a real collector's gem these days. But I sold it for pennies that went towards buying my first Suzuki.
Right on man! You've got a bunch of cool bikes. What is the tire and size on the front of the '72? I'm having trouble finding the tire I want for my 19" wheel on my DT. That tire looks like it would work good on it. I'm wondering if it's a 3.25, 2.75? Thank you!
I’m not a fan of the clocks being square love the old round ones. But she is still a beautiful bike. Would love to have one of all of them LOL. I know most of us would.
Thanks! yeah they kinda grew on me since they are so different than the rest of my bikes…the headlight plastics too. I still prefer the looks of the ‘72 I think.
They both sound like they’re running good love the sound of two strokes I keep thinking about either, saving my money and getting a TS or getting my old one back I don’t know yet
Love Suzy TSs, had a 1975 185 and a 1980 250ER when I was a kid, and have a 78 185 in the garage now, super-fun bikes on the trails, back lanes and around town. Regarding the ER's speedo not working, it's worth making sure the tabs on the speedo drive aren't bent and are properly located with the slots in the front wheel, if you just throw the front wheel in there's a good chance they won't be aligned and home meaning the speedo won't work ... don't ask me how I know ...
had the orange one for while, I drove it to work fora while, was suppose to clear the rocks out of the yard for it parents gave it to me, I was building apartments never found the time to clear rocks, got a car and left it at a buddies in Seattle.. Dans house, kelvin zacher bought it brand new, sold it to my parents for some reason? I rode it on I-5 a lot, geared it up larger front sprocket, got good mpg... did 75 all day long
That air screw thing sounds like textbook air leak. Had the same issue on my TS250, because the screw is on the head side of the carb it's technically a fuel screw, so it makes sense that it's all the way out, probably some air getting in through either of the boots
That makes sense and I was convinced I had an air leak but I sprayed all around the boots and left side crank seal with brake cleaner and the revs never budged…not even for a second. It had me stumped but since it runs near perfect now with that screw way out, I’m just rolling with it! 😆
The old one didn’t hurt my hedphones quite as much. I’d love either but I think I’d take grandpa! I just do a short work commute, what do you get for top speed on those guys, if you had to do a short coupke of exits on a highway staying in the right hand lane at 55-65 could you get away with it?
I think I prefer the older one too. I really didn’t a chance to top them off on the road but the 1980 model is geared taller for sure so I’m sure it will have a greater top speed where as the ‘72 is geared a bit lower and likes to rev. I gotta get that speedo fixed on the ‘80 model before I can say for sure though lol
If the screw is engine side of the carb slide it's a mixture screw & screwing out makes richer, if the screw is airfilter side it's a air screw & screwing it out add air makes leaner. I think you pointed at engine side so that makes sense
They are surprisingly fun things to ride if you’re not trying to keep up with a modern bike. They make great pit bikes too. Strap an Esky (cooler) on the back and they’re good to go 😎🍻
I have a suzuki ts 90 from 1972 j model tare us model runs great may part ex swap for much larger ts 125 duster from 80s or honda XL 125 or similar anything may be considered if enough interest out there
Thanks Stephen, it was a good learning experience for me. Someone else mentioned if the screw is on the back airbox side of the carb, it’s an air screw and if it’s up front it’s for fuel. Learning new things with every bike!
I would take the '72 just from looks alone. I bought a brand new 1980 Yamaha DT175 back in the day, when motorcycles still looked like motorcycles. I don't remember any dual purpose (that's what I still call them) bikes coming with a fairing around the instruments back then. At least the '80 model still has a real gas tank and seat. I recently sold my '94 Yamaha XT225, and, while it was a great bike to ride, it sure was ugly. Square headlight with that huge piece of plastic stuck around it, pyramid shaped gas tank with half the super thin seat actually on top of the gas tank. Squared off rear fender and sidecovers.
@SuicidalRiot the 185s are plentiful it seems. Someone mentioned that those never really got raced because of the odd engine size there wasn’t really a class for them and allowed more to survive which makes sense. Almost got a complete TS400 for $500 but got beat to the punch. I rarely see 250s for sale in my neck of the woods.
My first "real" motorcycle after a Briggs style minibike was a '73 TS185 in 1977, I was 13-which started a life long sickness👍 also, try it with he silencer removed..😁
I know all about loud Suzukis lol…my first real bike after a Briggs mini was a ‘79 RM80 a crack in the exhaust. Still have hearing damage and that was 31 years ago lol
My 72 revs quicker and has a better top end whereas the 80 had good low end but not quite as good mid range and top end. I sold the 80 and kept the 72.
That was really cool to see, thanks for sharing. I got a brand new TS185 back in '81, looked just like your '80 model. I kept that bike until 1995 when I sold it, but now I wish I had kept it. It was still in great shape, I always kept it clean and in the garage after riding. The only problems I ever had with it were the swingarm bushings going bad a couple of times, the motor mount bolts had to be tightened regularly, and the rear sprocket bolts would loosen, so I had to keep an eye on those. Seems like top speed on the street was around 60 or a little more. And it had a lot of low-end snap, which was great for climbing hills off road.
That’s awesome Trevor, thanks for sharing that. I love to hear from people that had these bikes back when they were new . The ‘80 I had definitely had some great low end power. I sold it this past year at the mid Ohio swap meet to make room for more vintage bike projects
I had a brand new 1980 TS100, exactly like this one other than engine size. Loved it.
I’ll that was a little ripper. The TS’s like to rev from what I’m experiencing.
Love the red one. That is the clocks I like. The sound on the 185 is sweet
You can say the head is new. It's new to you lol. Love the videos
Thanks Brian!
I LOVED my TS185! Very tall gearing for the woods though. I always wished that I had geared mine down back in the day. I remember mine had the BEST "ring ding ding" sounds. It must have had a different pipe than yours (yours sounds almost like a four stroke...LOL). On the carb, can you loosen and rotate the carb without removing it for jetting and cleaning (like on a MX bike)?
That’s awesome Todd, yeah I think if I went down one tooth in the front it would help in the woods. That muffler must still have the packing in it because it’s still pretty quiet. You can turn the carb a bit, but not enough to take the bowl off and get to the jets.
hi! great video. its nice to see suzuki built the185 for so many years. my fav?the 72!! its so much better looking than the newer one. i like metal, not plastic!! cheers
Thanks! I agree. I like the ‘72 better. Still have it and rode it just the other day. Sold the ‘80 at mid Ohio this past year.
If only we could keep them! There's a few bikes I wish I had never sold. When I was 14, I got hold of a Puch moped by swapping it for a tropical fish tank. That Puch would be a real collector's gem these days. But I sold it for pennies that went towards buying my first Suzuki.
If I had a warehouse to store these, I don’t think I’d ever sell anything lol. Probably a good thing I don’t 😆
Right on man! You've got a bunch of cool bikes. What is the tire and size on the front of the '72? I'm having trouble finding the tire I want for my 19" wheel on my DT. That tire looks like it would work good on it. I'm wondering if it's a 3.25, 2.75? Thank you!
Thanks Greg! It’s got a 3.00-19 on there. I would think a 3.25 or 2.75 would be fine. Even a 3.50 would probably work.
I love my 72 TS185.
As of now I think I still prefer it over the ‘80, but both are pretty fun for different reasons.
I’m not a fan of the clocks being square love the old round ones. But she is still a beautiful bike. Would love to have one of all of them LOL. I know most of us would.
Thanks! yeah they kinda grew on me since they are so different than the rest of my bikes…the headlight plastics too. I still prefer the looks of the ‘72 I think.
They both sound like they’re running good love the sound of two strokes I keep thinking about either, saving my money and getting a TS or getting my old one back I don’t know yet
Thanks Matt, I really like both of these bikes. They both are fun classics so you can’t go wrong with any era TS.
Love Suzy TSs, had a 1975 185 and a 1980 250ER when I was a kid, and have a 78 185 in the garage now, super-fun bikes on the trails, back lanes and around town. Regarding the ER's speedo not working, it's worth making sure the tabs on the speedo drive aren't bent and are properly located with the slots in the front wheel, if you just throw the front wheel in there's a good chance they won't be aligned and home meaning the speedo won't work ... don't ask me how I know ...
Good to know, thank you! I’ll take a peek at that next chance I get.
had the orange one for while, I drove it to work fora while, was suppose to clear the rocks out of the yard for it parents gave it to me, I was building apartments never found the time to clear rocks, got a car and left it at a buddies in Seattle.. Dans house, kelvin zacher bought it brand new, sold it to my parents for some reason? I rode it on I-5 a lot, geared it up larger front sprocket, got good mpg... did 75 all day long
That air screw thing sounds like textbook air leak. Had the same issue on my TS250, because the screw is on the head side of the carb it's technically a fuel screw, so it makes sense that it's all the way out, probably some air getting in through either of the boots
That makes sense and I was convinced I had an air leak but I sprayed all around the boots and left side crank seal with brake cleaner and the revs never budged…not even for a second. It had me stumped but since it runs near perfect now with that screw way out, I’m just rolling with it! 😆
@Garage2Trail whatever works man, those TS185s will run forever
The old one didn’t hurt my hedphones quite as much. I’d love either but I think I’d take grandpa! I just do a short work commute, what do you get for top speed on those guys, if you had to do a short coupke of exits on a highway staying in the right hand lane at 55-65 could you get away with it?
I think I prefer the older one too. I really didn’t a chance to top them off on the road but the 1980 model is geared taller for sure so I’m sure it will have a greater top speed where as the ‘72 is geared a bit lower and likes to rev. I gotta get that speedo fixed on the ‘80 model before I can say for sure though lol
Thank you! I always learn from your videos!
Thanks for tuning in!
Your thoughts: A 1976 Honda CR 250 Elsinore or a 1975 Honda MT125 Elsinore? No racing.
If the screw is engine side of the carb slide it's a mixture screw & screwing out makes richer, if the screw is airfilter side it's a air screw & screwing it out add air makes leaner. I think you pointed at engine side so that makes sense
It had me all discombobulated!
Nearly correct, 'fuel screw' not 'mixture screw.
Also 5 turns from seated sure seems s long way from a stock setting.
They are surprisingly fun things to ride if you’re not trying to keep up with a modern bike.
They make great pit bikes too.
Strap an Esky (cooler) on the back and they’re good to go 😎🍻
I can vouch for that! I really like the ‘72. Just need to make room for the cooler 🍻
@@Garage2Trail I have a 1975 TC185 with the dual range gearbox and a custom rack made by the farmer who owned it from new😎🍻🦘🏍️
I have a suzuki ts 90 from 1972 j model tare us model runs great may part ex swap for much larger ts 125 duster from 80s or honda XL 125 or similar anything may be considered if enough interest out there
Not a air screw but a fuel screw just works in opposite direction to a air
To a fuel screw
Thanks Stephen, it was a good learning experience for me. Someone else mentioned if the screw is on the back airbox side of the carb, it’s an air screw and if it’s up front it’s for fuel. Learning new things with every bike!
Ts 125 duster from 1972 wanted possibly for ts 90 also possibly swap for suzuki gt xl ts xl or old 60s bikes like honda S90 ect
Sounds like the 72 with the 80 engine would be the perfect blend
I think you are correct!
I would take the '72 just from looks alone. I bought a brand new 1980 Yamaha DT175 back in the day, when motorcycles still looked like motorcycles. I don't remember any dual purpose (that's what I still call them) bikes coming with a fairing around the instruments back then. At least the '80 model still has a real gas tank and seat. I recently sold my '94 Yamaha XT225, and, while it was a great bike to ride, it sure was ugly. Square headlight with that huge piece of plastic stuck around it, pyramid shaped gas tank with half the super thin seat actually on top of the gas tank. Squared off rear fender and sidecovers.
The lines and colors on the 70s bikes are hard to beat
I have a bike just like the blue one great fun!!
wwould love to get myself one of these someday
I recommend either one! Both are great bikes
I prefer from far the older one👍
If it is on the back of the carb it is a fuel screw if it’s on the front it is an air screw. So the one there is a fuel screw.
Good to know, thank you!
I'm all for the 72 all day long brother.
I think I’m with you on that one!
I've saw several 185 Suzukis for sale in Ohio. I've never rode one but I had a 78 TS 250 way back when. It kicked a lotta ass actually.
@SuicidalRiot the 185s are plentiful it seems. Someone mentioned that those never really got raced because of the odd engine size there wasn’t really a class for them and allowed more to survive which makes sense. Almost got a complete TS400 for $500 but got beat to the punch. I rarely see 250s for sale in my neck of the woods.
I had a rm 400 also , 417cc actually n a one ring piston stock.
My first "real" motorcycle after a Briggs style minibike was a '73 TS185 in 1977, I was 13-which started a life long sickness👍 also, try it with he silencer removed..😁
I know all about loud Suzukis lol…my first real bike after a Briggs mini was a ‘79 RM80 a crack in the exhaust. Still have hearing damage and that was 31 years ago lol
It's hard to find the perfect bike. But I would take the engine of the blue one and put it in the orange one. I can always dream can't I :-)
Lol I agree! It would be a good combo for sure
What's not to like about a 185 , nearly the power of a 250 with the weight of a 125.
Buenisima comparación ojo la 72 no desentona percha re bien saludos Rafa de mardel plata Argentina
Thanks, Rafa!
No back break
Dad had a 73 and my brother had a 81 (which I still have). The old one had a much better engine
My 72 revs quicker and has a better top end whereas the 80 had good low end but not quite as good mid range and top end. I sold the 80 and kept the 72.
Send the 72 to Georgia LOL
I think that’s a keeper…for a while at least!
Sand the shoes and hubs
Gas screw