Motor Bike

[Darren]

Hi there Guys,
Well I never thought I'd see the day but I have an opportunity to buy a motor bike, the last time I touched one there was way too much throttle and the thing flipped.

There's one at the moment near me for about $700 I think it was, it's a late 70's Suzuki TS185 dirt bike.

Being the first bike I've ever owned it doesn't need to be anything special but on that same token I don't want it to be a dud.

Now I know absolutely squat about bikes so anything in particular I should be looking for?

Thanks

Cheers
Darren

[Shounak]

Are you going to have it road registered or just recreational rego?

[doms3]

for $700 just running is a plus,

[maginoodle]

hi darren, my thoughts is that sounds a bit too much. I have a wrecked one down the back(cost me 3 big bots and it ran). It has elec start so thats a bonus for that type of bike.
The only things i would check are if it runs good, the clutch works properly, and the brakes. Also just have a look over it to make sure the forks arent bent or if its had any other mishaps that may need attention.
Edit- almost forgot, make sure it runs with no battery to check that the magneto works.

[roby02]

also check all the weld joints for cracks and rust
any irregular noises ie motor ticking or grinding
excess oil on or near bike
stand the bike upright (helps to have someone hold it) then run a straight edge or string down both sides of bike
start front take it around rear wheel and back to the front opposite side and then pull tight get down and see if its straight

[Darren]

Thanks guys, some things mentioned I wouldn't have ever thought of.

It will be purely used for off road use, who knows I could end up liking it and buying something better in the long run for actual road use.

[sganro]

Is it a 2 stroke? My brother had a TS 250 and it was a 2 stroke dirt bike, so i thought that one might be too.

If it is, you may not be able to register it as 2 stroke motorcross bikes generally cant be road registered. (CR's, KX's, YZ's etc, although these are getting phased out for the four strokes). And back in the day, the TS was in that category before suzuki brought out the RM.

So make sure that it can be registered for road use. If it doesnt have a speedo then you might be out of luck. The road registerable versions have a speedo and indicators (or at least the indicator button).

The TS's from the 70's might have been a different bike to that my brothers was though (i think his was mid-late 80's) so what i said may be totally irrelevant but i thought i would throw it out there anyway

[maginoodle]

just had a look at the wreck down the back its a tc185 and not a ts185. but the basics will still be the same. being a dirt bike the ts probably wont have elec start but still if there is a battery in it disconnect it to check that the magneto works.

[lxhatch]

the ts185 is a road trail bike so it could be registered for road use so long as lights indicators instrament panel are in tack, kick start only on those,

where rated fairly high in the day for comfort as the seating position, most could be riden all day with out too much fatigue

i had a 85 modle ts185 was good leaner trail bike

[Greekos]

so did u end up in gettin it

[Darren]

I ended up with something a little different and cheapo.

It's probably rubbish but for something for my brother and I to learn on ie riding and maintenance it should be a hoot.

Without further a do it's over here

Since there's still warranty on the car I'm very selective in what I can do so I'm actually looking forward to things breaking

[Skitz]

I ended up with something a little different and cheapo.

It's probably rubbish but for something for my brother and I to learn on ie riding and maintenance it should be a hoot.

Without further a do it's over here

Since there's still warranty on the car I'm very selective in what I can do so I'm actually looking forward to things breaking

Sometimes it's better to look around further for a reputable bike of similar value,rather than the mass produced indonesia style el-cheapo bikes that are so readily available.
Basic components on these bikes can fail prematurely,hence the bargain basement price.
Take care when riding and try not to ring it's neck.

[azzfox]

yeah be careful with cheapo bikes. they look alright.. but thats also what I said before I bought a pocket bike from egay things constantly breaking on it.

with the bike you bought iv noticed that the brake rotors are only held on by 4 flimsy bolts!?!? take a look at a honda.etc dirt bike and they have at least 8 nuts and bolts per rotor.

[Darren]

It was a tough choice, still having never riden one I wasn't sure, something to learn on though is all we'll need and then further down the track will more than likely head

I'd rather break and fix a $1500 bike than go out and break a $5000+ bike on the first run, that's just me though

One things for sure anything that can fall off will have locktite on it

[AttaBoy]

Can that bike be road registered?? Thinking of getting one too.

[Darren]

I could be wrong but you could registered it however a fair whack of work needs to be done ie lights, indicators etc.

I'm happy to stick with a fairly large area on some flat ground for a bit.

Now here's a thought, any idea's other than JAMS that you can rid them without fearing a $2000 fine.

[azzfox]

I'd rather break and fix a $1500 bike than go out and break a $5000+ bike on the first run, that's just me though

I'd rather have a $5000+ bike that doesnt break in the first place

[HoldenMan7]

I'd rather have a $5000+ bike that doesnt break in the first place

But then again you could buy 3 of them bikes for $5000, and have plenty of spare parts

[Skitz]

It was a tough choice, still having never riden one I wasn't sure, something to learn on though is all we'll need and then further down the track will more than likely head

I'd rather break and fix a $1500 bike than go out and break a $5000+ bike on the first run, that's just me though

One things for sure anything that can fall off will have locktite on it

If you just wanted to learn you could have bought a bike thats several years old and in good working order,again something more reputable then the cheap **** you went for.
You did'nt need to pay so much for that rubbish if you are just learning.