Suzuki TS50X Restoration Thread
Discussion
After owning this particular project bike for a few years now, I am finally in a position to start working on it.
The story starts when I was 15 years old and my dad asked if I wanted to go out for a random drive with my grandad in his van. It was a huge surprise that they were actually going to pick up a mint low mileage TS50X for me to learn to ride on before my 16th birthday! I was smitten as you can imagine, until we got home and it soon became apparent it was also a big surprise to my mum, who didn't speak to my old man for a few days after
This is the only picture I have of my original bike:
I learnt to ride it off road and passed me CBT as soon as I was 16, and used the little Suzuki daily without issue until I turned 17 and got a 125.
I am now 32 years old and with typical nostalgia wanted another to restore and keep as a memento of my youth, hence this bike that I picked up a few years back for £300 on Facebook.
All that I have done in that time is managed to find a great condition original seat for it, and also had the current seat recovered so I have a choice of two. I have also kept an eye out for any other bikes that may be a better starting point for restoration, but they are few and far between and the ones I have found offer no improvement really. The main issues will be finding original handlebars and an undamaged front mudguard.
Anyways, enough talking, and onto the pictures. I will be starting the strip down tomorrow.
The story starts when I was 15 years old and my dad asked if I wanted to go out for a random drive with my grandad in his van. It was a huge surprise that they were actually going to pick up a mint low mileage TS50X for me to learn to ride on before my 16th birthday! I was smitten as you can imagine, until we got home and it soon became apparent it was also a big surprise to my mum, who didn't speak to my old man for a few days after
This is the only picture I have of my original bike:
I learnt to ride it off road and passed me CBT as soon as I was 16, and used the little Suzuki daily without issue until I turned 17 and got a 125.
I am now 32 years old and with typical nostalgia wanted another to restore and keep as a memento of my youth, hence this bike that I picked up a few years back for £300 on Facebook.
All that I have done in that time is managed to find a great condition original seat for it, and also had the current seat recovered so I have a choice of two. I have also kept an eye out for any other bikes that may be a better starting point for restoration, but they are few and far between and the ones I have found offer no improvement really. The main issues will be finding original handlebars and an undamaged front mudguard.
Anyways, enough talking, and onto the pictures. I will be starting the strip down tomorrow.
Well the first (easy bit) got completed today - the strip down.
The little Suzuki is now just a small pile of bits in the corner of the shed. A few in progress pics:
The frame needed a few repairs. Someone has obviously attempted to steal it in the past as the steering lock was missing and the bracket bent. A bit of heat and it bent back into shape nicely. The only other repair is to the sidestand spring perch as that has worn through like they all do.
All of the bolts and small fixings have been bagged and labelled. The first job is to get all of the large metal parts organised and repaired prior to powdercoating. Then it's just a case of working through all of the bags and other parts refurbishing them as I go, ready for reassembly. That makes it sound easier and cheaper than it will be though
The little Suzuki is now just a small pile of bits in the corner of the shed. A few in progress pics:
The frame needed a few repairs. Someone has obviously attempted to steal it in the past as the steering lock was missing and the bracket bent. A bit of heat and it bent back into shape nicely. The only other repair is to the sidestand spring perch as that has worn through like they all do.
All of the bolts and small fixings have been bagged and labelled. The first job is to get all of the large metal parts organised and repaired prior to powdercoating. Then it's just a case of working through all of the bags and other parts refurbishing them as I go, ready for reassembly. That makes it sound easier and cheaper than it will be though
These came out when I was a lad. Things like this, the DT/RD50 and MTX/MBX50 were what the rich kids rode! The rest of us had FS1Es, AP50s, KE50s or (for me) a Vespa 50 Special. My mate had a yellow 50X with a 'quick throttle' - God knows why it had a quick throttle! It was really comfy though, I really liked it. I reckon fit a 65cc kit on it and gas flow it at least! Fit a larger carb too? Give it a bit of oomph! Look forward to this thread!
Likewise a mate of mine had a TS50X in ‘88, I was so jealous of that bike!
He crashed it by going round a left hand bend in the rain, not allowing for a stationary Ford Granada turning right at a junction, hit the brakes, lost the front, jammed himself and the bike under the back bumper of said Granny, outside the local hospital. My dad was driving the other way at the time and managed to stop and take him to hospital to sort his bruised gonads!
I think the TS suffered a bent frame and was thereafter written off!
He crashed it by going round a left hand bend in the rain, not allowing for a stationary Ford Granada turning right at a junction, hit the brakes, lost the front, jammed himself and the bike under the back bumper of said Granny, outside the local hospital. My dad was driving the other way at the time and managed to stop and take him to hospital to sort his bruised gonads!
I think the TS suffered a bent frame and was thereafter written off!
My first bike was an utterly knackered Fizzy - it was so dangerous, including no front brake, bald tyres, corrosion etc that my dad helped me out & I bought a brand new TS50X!
Photos above bring back some great memories, although the only maintenance I did on it was to remove the exhaust system & clean it internally with caustic soda......
Photos above bring back some great memories, although the only maintenance I did on it was to remove the exhaust system & clean it internally with caustic soda......
Great stories, glad it is bringing back some memories for others as well
I remember even back in the day mine felt dangerously slow restricted to 30mph. I cant believe I used to commute to my Sunday job down the A414 on it
I will be refurbishing and keeping all of the original parts, but will likely fit a better exhaust, big bore kit and carb to make it a bit safer on the roads. In reality it will be getting used very rarely though.
This one actually has a Domino quick action throttle on it so a new throttle housing will be coming for it when I place the big order from CMSNL. They actually have a genuine new old stock frame in stock which is very tempting, although the situation around frame numbers is what is holding me back on it.
I remember even back in the day mine felt dangerously slow restricted to 30mph. I cant believe I used to commute to my Sunday job down the A414 on it
I will be refurbishing and keeping all of the original parts, but will likely fit a better exhaust, big bore kit and carb to make it a bit safer on the roads. In reality it will be getting used very rarely though.
This one actually has a Domino quick action throttle on it so a new throttle housing will be coming for it when I place the big order from CMSNL. They actually have a genuine new old stock frame in stock which is very tempting, although the situation around frame numbers is what is holding me back on it.
Pit Pony said:
digimeistter said:
I had an ER when I was 16, I spent hours porting it and fettling with larger jets, exhausts and gearing to get it up to white knuckle speed of 44mph 
Me too. Hit 60 mphIn the lake district down hill...
FWIW When I got it mine would do about 46-47 on the flat.
digimeistter said:
I got my ER in '82 it was restricted to 30mph
Stock it did 33mph indicated flat out.
Yes, my friends ER was no "quicker" than my MTX50 but the b'std went and got a Autisa 65cc big bore kit with a Fresco pipe...never been blown away so comprehensively since that day in 1984...still makes me green thinking about it now...Stock it did 33mph indicated flat out.
Edited by digimeistter on Monday 6th December 16:37
digimeistter said:
I got my ER in '82 it was restricted to 30mph
Stock it did 33mph indicated flat out.
I'm sure they were. No idea what the previous owner had done to mine. As I was 16 I did start off by trying to return it to being restricted but seeing as everything I did to "undo" it only dropped the top speed by 2mph I figured might as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb and went for it being as quick as it could be. Stock it did 33mph indicated flat out.
Top project!
I have no idea how true that was. It'll be interesting to hear!
AceOfHearts said:
I remember even back in the day mine felt dangerously slow restricted to 30mph
I will be refurbishing and keeping all of the original parts, but will likely fit a better exhaust, big bore kit and carb to make it a bit safer on the roads. In reality it will be getting used very rarely though.
My TSX was the same, dangerously slow. I remember asking around to see how I could speed it up, but people saying it was restricted in induction, crank and exhaust, and wasn't worth the effort.I will be refurbishing and keeping all of the original parts, but will likely fit a better exhaust, big bore kit and carb to make it a bit safer on the roads. In reality it will be getting used very rarely though.
I have no idea how true that was. It'll be interesting to hear!
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff