XL185 What To Do?

[Winston001]

I have an old XL185 which was last running about 10 years ago. At that time the motor had work and it probably only did 200k before I put it in a shed. No running but I haven;t really tried. Its pretty rough but strong.

What should I do with it?

My first inclination is to offer it to someone worthy so they can tinker, parts, or whatever.

Is it worth selling for a few bucks - feel sort of embarrased even thinking that.

I have a 13yr old son who has just managed (barely) the XR200 so one day he can have that. Originally had thoughts of us both riding the two bikes but the XL is sitting outside and being wasted.

Thoughts?

[Pwalo]

Honestly I think you'd struggle to get it going again for a reasonable cost.

Why don't you change the oil (and run a little down the bore, if the spark plug can be removed), replace the battery, and give it a few kicks.

XL185s weren't the most robust machines, and I don't think one thats been laid up for 10 years is going to be in good nick.

[merv]

I'm a bit of the other view and can't imagine it costing much. I'd say if you took the carb off and cleaned it out, drained the fuel tank and put new fuel in, checked the oil and if looks grubby replace it, see if it kicks over and then if you have a well charged battery I'd be surprised if it wouldn't spring into life pretty quickly.

This assumes of course it was all in one piece in the first place and the insides of the engine not exposed to the elements.

Then see if your son can ride that easier than the 200. If he doesn't like it then sell it in going order.

[avgas]

My first bike (82' TS185) was in that exact scenario.
I stripped her down, gave her a clean and got her running again after 15 years parked up the wood shed.
Do it - bloody awesome bikes those old ones. Better than the plastic rubbish you find today. But only do it for love.
There is no money in sorting it

[Griffin]

You could get it going and become a bucket junkie... an option worth considering if you like a bit of entertainment on a bike you dont really care about

[F5 Dave]

Have to sleeve it down to bucket it.

I have a soft spot for these (in the head) as I learnt to ride one belonging to my sister. But this is the sort of opertunity for some kid to learn about striping it down & getting it going again (depending on how rusted up it is). An old Girlfriend used to garden around a CG110 & was offered it. Became her first bike & it was great.

If it owes you nothing then please find a worthy recipient & offer it to them to continue the cause.

[Winston001]

My first bike (82' TS185) was in that exact scenario.
I stripped her down, gave her a clean and got her running again after 15 years parked up the wood shed.
Do it - bloody awesome bikes those old ones. Better than the plastic rubbish you find today. But only do it for love.
There is no money in sorting it

Bingo My first bike was a brand-new Suzuki TS185. Cost $900 from Holland and Bell in Dunedin. I really wanted an XL175 but they were incredibly popular and $1100.

So....the other non-starter I have is a TF185 which a mate gave to me. I also have an affection for these bikes and figure I can get it running. The clutch seems to have seized so my son and I can take that apart and see what happens.

As for the XL185, its been in a shed until very recently. With the above encouragement I'll give it a whirl at starting. I used to ride it in the mountains in Central Otago, small front cog, heaps of grunt and ideal for off-road exploring.

At the moment I'm inclined to keep the TF (with its two-speed gearbox) and give the XL to some worthy recipient after my son and I have had a go.

[F5 Dave]

Top man.

Clutch plates often seize. While there are brutal ways of separating them it is super easy to pop the cover off & pull them apart + good skills for a kid to learn rather than this cellophane covered box world we live in.