1981 Suzuki TS 185 - Answered Questions & Fixed issues

My manual says 20w/40

It could be as simple as bad fuel. Did you soak the carb or clean out the petcock? I would run some StaBil through it or Sea Foam through the carb. Just put it in your tank and let it run at idle

If you have a spark, you don't have a "Magneto" problem, Check the air filter and the 2 stoke oil tank. And check that the spark plug is wet, if it isn't firing and the plug isn't wet, you don't have any fuel getting to the combustion chamber.

great nice bike to work on... firtly will it run??
if it seems to run ok i would suggest just give a std service as this model was very reliable start with oil change and check spark plug and air filter for ware

hope this helps

Remove pinch bolt completely and pry off splined shaft.

This is a fairly easy job, but make sure the clutch is actually bad and not just mis-adjusted. Suggest you at some of the YouTube videos to get a general sense on what is involved in replacing a motorcycle clutch. If you're still unsure you can purchase an old repair manual on amazon, half.com or ebay. The hard part is usually finding the older clutch parts and seals. You can probably use a tube of automotive Silicon to make your own gaskets. As your disassemble the bike, I highly suggest you lay the parts out in order as you remove them, and maybe even take a few pictures or video along the way. This will make it a lot easier to re-assemble things in the right order. Pay particular attention when disassembling the clutch basket. Make sure your soak the replacement clutch parts in the correct weight oil before installing them. This should be listed in the owners manual, or a repair manual. Sometimes the owners manual is stored under the seat.

Where are you located? give me the address, will send it....

i presume the bike must be in gear to move the front sprocket. does the piston move if try and bump it in gear..if not.the piston has somehow seperated from the krank, need a visual inspection, head needs to come of, possible more. if it does then need to look at kickstart mechanism

Are you serious where does the battery go first question

check the float needle in carb bowl is not stuck & floats are at the right height, and float pin is not worn

get a clymer or haynes manual for procedure--its basic maintenance similar all bikes

Hi, does this bike backfire at all? Noticable as the kickstart hits you hard as you try to start the bike, these bikes used to suffer with cdi ignition failure, eventualy breaking the kickstart ideler gear inside the gearbox which in turn the oil pump drive was also fitted to this,

Hi, the standar for the air/gas screw is 1 & 1/2 turn out from total screw in. Start from there and then you only need minor adjustments. As for the 5 min ride and then nothing, check you fuel suply, start with the buoy level inside the carb.
good luck

If you can't find a replacement tach, go to the auto parts store and get some JB WELD. This is an epoxy that is not bothered by heat, fuel, water or much of anything else. It is so strong that you can drill it, sand it, or tap it for a bolt, etc... Just repair the tach casing with the JB Weld and let it cure for two days so that it is good and solid.

Just remove the kick lever then remove the right side cover. This will allow access to the kick start mechanism. Please rate my answer.

10w-40 JASO MA rated motorcycle oil is the best choice for the transmission of of your TS185 Suzuki motor. If you want to spend a little more money you could use 70 or 75 WT motorcycle gear oil or a synthetic JASO MA rated motorcycle oil.

You only have three options as to what is wrong. Either the float is stuck, adjusted wrong or trash is not letting the float needle close fully. My bet is trash from the gas tank.

Pour break fluid in there let it set awhile, poor more in there, it will eat all the corrosion or rust from the rings and piston walls. Eventually freeing it up, hope this helps you.

if it starts with a bump and not the kick start, it usually means the crankshaft seals are leeking. left one leeking will make it run weak, right one it will run rich.

Hi,

Yes it should have spark, as long as the ignition switch is turned on. You will have to check the coil & magneto circuit if there is no spark.


Best wishes,
Graeme.