rear sprocket cover

[neddyo]

Hi all,
I'm completely new to the world of MZ's, so please be gentle with me.
I've just recently bought an ES 250 Trophy with the intention of doing a complete
restoration. I'm in the process of stripping it down and have run into a problem removing the rear sprocket
cover(plastic) I've used as much force as I think the plastic can withstand but to no avail, is there any special
trick to getting it off.
Thanks, Nick.

[therealche]

Odd one that, Never had a problem getting them off. I would
1) spray where the sprocket spindle thing goes through the plastic with WD40 every day for a week
2) Balance the sprocket cover , sprocket down on your knees
3) Tap the spindle sharply with a rubber mallet
4) knock the spindle with a copper mallet
5) belt the spindle with a 2lb club hammer
6) Pick up the bits of plastic, and order a new one http://www.ost2rad.com/MZ-Spare-Parts/Driving-mechanism-Brakes/Chain-cover-MZ-ES175-2--ES250-2--ETS250.html

( hopefully stages 4-6 will not be necessary!)

Oh and congratulations on your new bike. They are quite wonderful. Oh and store this piece of information away for future reference.

All 4 speed gearboxes are vague slow and with strangely spaced ratios. You just have to get used to them!

[stogadog]

what he said! I've taken mine off a few times and had no trouble at all. Could it be perhaps that someone has put one of a different model on there and just monged (technical term!) it on at some point. Before I knew better I put a spare one for my Trophy on my missus' ETZ and it was a proper pig to get on. Fortunately I never had to take it off as her chain snapped some time later and broke it off for me. Then I put the proper one on and that was much easier!
ES's are indeed fantastic bikes - mine is my favourite bike I've had for a very long time and one of the few that I have no intention of selling. They are slow and the gearbox is indeed an acquired taste but they get under your skin!
Good luck with the resto.

[neddyo]

Thank you gentlemen, much appreciated.
I tried all six options with no luck so I introduced a seventh, a very large hydraulic press.
I supported the ball race with a length of tubing, crossed myself and heaved on the press lever.
(It probably helps to close your eyes at this point)
It was quite an anti climax, the spindle slid out without so much as a squeak and I looks as though
there's not much chance of breaking the plastic doing it this way.
I think the reason it was so tight was a build up of rust between the plastic and the spindle.
All the bits go off to the grit blaster on Monday, the frame , swing arms, foot rest and centre stand
I think I'll have powder coated and every thing else will be two packed.
I have now stripped the engine and gear box and I have to say everything looks beautifully made
and more than up to the job. The big end is showing slight wear, so I think that should be replaced.
Has anyone done this themslves and how hard is it to press out the crank pin?