Still can't figure out what's wrong with my Suzuki TS

**neels** · 3rd August 2012, 23:52

As above, start with a new spark plug, kick it over a few times with the plug out to get some fresh air in there. Stick a plug into the plug lead and rest it on the engine, kick it and see if there is any spark.

Headlight probably from a separate coil, so won't work until the engine is running, you may see it light up briefly when it's kicked over. Indicators not flashing could be the battery a bit low, worry about that once it's running.

Not sure about always starting with the choke on, I usually try starting without choke first then flick it on if it won't idle, otherwise it can end up flooded before it's even tried to fire.

Good luck.

**FJRider** · 3rd August 2012, 23:59

Originally Posted by Hotkebab

This is what my father concluded after I gave him the electrical diagrams and had a quick look over the motorcycle, my dad is experienced with electronics and he believes the problem is electrical. He was surprised to see that my motorcycle even had a CDI ignition, but he appears to be pretty confident that he knows what he's looking at.

Me and my him are going to go over it more thoroughly tomorrow.

Take the plug cap off the HT lead ... hold your finger on it's end ... with the other hand on the cylinder ... get your father to kick it over (with the plug out it has better effect)

YOU will know if there is power going to the plug. (trust me on this)

**gammaguy** · 4th August 2012, 00:32

hope you dont have a heart condition because after a shock from a spark plug lead you certainly will

**merv** · 4th August 2012, 00:44

Originally Posted by FJRider

If it's a 2003 one ... it will be "modern" enough for a CDI ignition.(I may stand to be corrected on this) They dont last forever ...

While he's got a 2003 it doesn't matter how modern it is all the TS185 had CDI ignition http://motors.shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=ts185+cdi we had one of the first 1971-72 models and it did.

**TimeOut** · 4th August 2012, 06:50

Originally Posted by Hotkebab

I've had my Suzuki TS now for quite sometime but I haven't been able to enjoy it out on the road yet as I can't figure whats going on with it. I did take it to the local mechanics (Langlands) last time and I ended up having $500 eaten out of my back pocket (mind you they did get it going).

Here are a list of the problems:
Engine turns over but won't start (with the choke up/on,

My '75 185 was choke down/on not up

Also no throttle at all with choke on

**jellywrestler** · 4th August 2012, 09:04

Originally Posted by Hotkebab

Thats ok, I'm fairly new to my town and don't know the folk here very well. I only know of the mechanics behind Challenge (R&B Motors), and I haven't yet spoken to them yet to ask whether or not they service motorcycles.

well how about going up and down west street and seeing if there's anywhere else that looks like they may actually be a workshop, and if there is ask for Doug, he won't bite, and he is addicted to motorcycles.

**Supertwin Don** · 4th August 2012, 09:37

A TS185ER that I had some years ago used to cut out - usually after heavy rain - and I discovered that the main electrical connector behind the headlight was the wrong way up - the socket part faced upwards and water would puddle in the bottom and the corrosion formed would short out some of the connections, killing everything - have you checked for that?

**ktm84mxc** · 4th August 2012, 09:58

Check the kill button for shorts , fit a new plug think its a NGK 8es , tip the bike over to drain the carb of its stale fuel turn the fuel tap on wait to let the carb fill kick away.
the head light won't go unless the motors running, horn indicators brake light run of the battery. A 2 smoke will fire if there's fuel air compression and spark, a battery is not required.

**Dadpole** · 4th August 2012, 10:41

Doug Fairbrother
246 West St Greytown
Ph 304 9049

A genuine GC.

**Jantar** · 4th August 2012, 11:02

With a two stroke of that age, I'm suprised no-one has mentioned the obvious. If you have spark, then forget about the CDI, it is fine. If the spark plug looks wet after kicking it over then it is getting fuel, and those old mikuni carbs can be a long way out and still give a good burnable mixture.

The one BIG thing that affects all two strokes as they get older is the main shaft seals. These get hard and allows fuel/air mix to escape from, and clean air to be sucked into the crankcase. The effective compression is reduced and the mixture is now far too lean. Result - hard to start.

**Matariki** · 4th August 2012, 12:54

Originally Posted by jellywrestler

well how about going up and down west street and seeing if there's anywhere else that looks like they may actually be a workshop, and if there is ask for Doug, he won't bite, and he is addicted to motorcycles.

I will do so if the problem is more than my father can figure out. My dad reckons he can fix the electricals, but if its anything else I will go down and see If I can find Doug.