MZ/MuZ Riders

Thanks to all of you who contributed to me getting the TS250 up and running, the big problem was that I took on someone else's muck ups with the electrics, the first time I put the new battery on it frazzled the regulator, which looked like a Maplins special (not the holiday camp) from thereon in it became a nightmare, but with help from you guys I got there in the end. I have now got points ignition, a new coil, solid-state regulator, battery, connector block for those spades, I have also added 2 new rear indicators, new rear light, got the stoplight working, new horn, fuel tap and fuel line, MZ ISDT fuel cap, and yesterday I added a pair of flat bars, which I think make it look better than the ape hangers...Thanks again.

Sid.

Glad that you got there in the end, just shows how useful / helpful these forums can be, not to mention the people that post here.

I am a high handlebars man myself, probably because I was brought up on T140 Export Bonneville's in my younger years, I just find them very comfortable, don't like stupidly high bars like ape hangers - they look like a form of medieval torture, and must feel like it

Enjoy your bike.

Lovely looking bike there! Glad you have it running- (if not nicely?).

Good!

Those flat bar may look nice (as the entire bike does), but you may find the footrests a bit too far forward for it, on longer trips. Time will tell, but best not ride it on the salt-sprayed roads we'll be having soon.

Well puffs, the footrests never caused me any pain when I had this one, but I was at least 40 years younger then

Exactly...

So good to read someone getting a result and enjoying their bike

Think I am a long way off enjoying mine, but gives me some hope

Yesterday I went up the road on my MZ, it was scary having not ridden a small bike or any bike in fact for 6 months, I couldn't get it into 2nd because my shoe was stuck behind the kick start, by the time it was in 2nd I had lost some speed, I eventually found 3rd but it was time to slow down, I tested the rear brake and it worked OK, the front worked fine, but changing back to 1 st was a bit clunky, and the clutch didn't feel too good either (but I'm not used to it) I got back down the stretch of road all in one piece, the aim of the run was to see if the exhaust smoke cleaned up which it did, I have mixed 40:1 and with no fuel or oil leaks, all seemed to go well. So when I get the chance I will venture a little further, I think puffs was right, I felt as if my knees were under my chin with the way the footrests are, and I couldn't place my foot ender the gear change comfortably (probably too used to riding my 1000 Yamaha) and going back to a little East german 2 stroke is a shock to the system ah aah ah.

It is indeed scary sometimes jumping on a new bike. Hell, I often don't cycle between my bikes for months at a time, it always feels oddly different when I perch over a different one...

Take care to position the gear lever appropriately to your footwear. My first test of my ES250/2, although the lever looked in the right position, it actually had to be anticlockwise by 1 tooth. These are all just small things though that get sorted quickly enough after a couple of rides though! You seem like you've been around bikes for many decades so there's no point me saying anything more about that!


Often my mz's (and my suzuki ts185er) are quite smokey initially in the mornings but soon go. HOWEVER, don't forget that riding around in the lower speeds and not emitting smoke is not a sign that the bike WONT smoke when it wants to.. I used to LOVE riding through the city on my commute (low speed, lights, lots of idling) and then joining the dual carriageway.. And straight up to 50 or 60 and smoke for a good mile or two, thick and strong.. I love it. Anyway, it then peters out. But what i'm saying is, use and variables also affect the smoke. I run 30:1

Short riders claimed the TS250 was ergonomically perfect, but six footers were usually less complimentary. Many raised the seat as well as the bars, by an inch or two, which is very easily done, and doesn't look too incongruous due to the shape of the tank.

Not clocked up many miles on my recently fettled TS250, but I have used the recommended ratio of oil / petrol, namely the filler cap cup measure to the gallon, I am using Mobil 1 semi synth - the same stuff I use in my H2.

The MZ smokes pretty heavily for a few miles and then no smoke, the H2 also leaves a smoke trail behind until it warms up, I think the Mobil 1 is sold as "low smoke".

Regards size of the bike / gear lever position, the gear lever seems quite critical as it is a fairly long stroke, I found that you have to get it just right if you are to be able to change gear and find netral with ease, happy to say I have found that sweet spot, it goes into neutral much easier than my old ETZ used to.

I find the TS pretty small (I am around 5'10") but not too small - infact I really like how light and manoeverable it is but does take some getting used after riding my other bikes - H2 / Triumph 865 Speedmaster / Enfield Himalayan. It always takes quite a while to get the bars / levers etc in just the right position, but well worth it. Mine has high bars by the way I really like bikes with a more upright riding position.

Guess it will take you a few miles to get the riding position "tuned" in.

Stick at it Sid.