I bought a new TS250 4 speed in 1974 when I was 18. Over the next 30 years I had another 5 MZ's, mostly bought new, cos they were so cheap! I have very fond memories of all the MZ's I've owned. They are good bikes!
Good work, dude. I had MZ125 in 1976. It was a fun to drive. It has a long stroke suspension and big soft wheels as it is variant of a military bike. It is really nice to drive in terrain. Servicing is simple but frequent,
I had a MZ 250 Supa5 1976 model, think I bought it second-hand in about 1979. Didn't need priming kicks, would start first kick 90% of the time even if it was covered in snow (it lived outside and was ridden every day). It would cruise happily at 75-80mph even two up and returned 80mpg. Fantastic ride due to the long travel suspension. Didn't smoke like the Japanese 2 strokes due to the 50:1 petrol oil mixture. The main weakness was the hardening of the big end which if it failed would seize the engine. Another problem was caused by owners over tightening the chain causing failure of the chain and the gearbox final drive bearing (previous owner had done this to mine). I always carried a spare NGK plug cap as the heat from the engine used to cause them to break, not sure why. Fantastic restoration, I'm amazed you can still get the parts!
Back in the 70s I was daft enough to allow friends to pressure me in to buying a Yamaha. I found the ride dreadful compared to the MZ. the Yam was much faster, but you had to peddle it along with the gear lever compared to the relaxed ride on the MZ. I chopped the Yam in for a 650 and I found that the MZ plus large 4stroke did everything I wanted a bike to do. I think that people who dislike MZs are those who are more interested in image than reality, still riding at 75, I no longer give a fart for image.
That’s a great story Alan. I also had a Yamaha RD250 back in the day for exactly the same reasons as you. I was also constantly fixing it. The MZ250 is the 2 stroke for me. I hope I am still riding at 75 too. Safe riding!
Thanks for the video. Now that brings back some memories! As a young 19 year old back in '77, I remember these well (particularly dark blue ones) with their unique engine sound and smokey exhausts. Like many young lads at that time, I was never really drawn to buy one, preferring to hanker after mainstream Japanese 2-stroke twins and triples. Having been a biker for almost 50 years, I can now appreciate machines like your MZ. It's a cracking wee bike and you've done a great restoration job on it. If it was mine, it would definitely take pride of place in my garage. Thanks again for the trip down memory lane.
That thing is absolutely gorgeous, my first bike was a brand new TS125 and I owe everything to MZ for my start in biking. Did 1000 miles in my first week. The fuel cap on later models, has a measuring cup fitted to it. It has markings to show how much oil was needed. I assume your hasn't due to age of build. Mine was '81 model. I also had the ETZ 250 '86 model and it could reach indicated 80mph if you waited for it to get there. The racing history of MZ is incredible if you read up.
Good morning guys, great vid Blue, I actually have 3 MZ's, my 1977 is the same as yours and I have had the great pleasure for over 30yrs cost 65 quid. The other 2 are 1994 and 95 Saxon Tour 300cc. It was because of the poor front brake on theTS and I saw a Saxon on Ebay I thought, why not. It cst me 682 quidas as a non runner, anyway, I was not expecting what came next, there were 7 boxes of parts wheels, frame, seats etc, it wasn't till I had been home a week I had another Saxon Tour and quite a lot more wonderful. Sadly though, as I am now 86 yrs, it wont be that long before I must loose them Anyway guys, wish you all well, safe riding. Alan
What a riding career you have had Alan! So glad the MZs have given you so much enjoyment over the years. Thanks for sharing your experiences. Safe riding for as long as you can!
It is a great pleasure to read here that MZ riders in other countries also appreciate this motorcycle, which was a realistic dream in our youth and which ultimately came true for many of us. Looking back, we were very stupid back then, didn't understand MZ's constructive and design decisions and always only looked at the Japanese motorcycles, even though we had such a good motorcycle in our hands and didn't know how to appreciate it. The great technical advances that the Japanese motorcycle brands consistently implemented in performance but not in longevity originally came from the great MZ engineer Walter Kaaden and were betrayed to Suzuki in 1961 by MZ factory racing driver Ernst Degener. I bought my TS 250/1 new in 1979 and it is still in the garage next to a wonderful MZ ETS 250, the most beautiful from MZ. In addition, there is a much stronger and faster Kawasaki Zephyr 1100 with a very nice classic look but an unfortunately weak chassis. I would like to thank you very much and wish you a safe journey at all times.
Thank you very much for your interest and kind comments. It’s fantastic that you have owned your MZ from new. What an achievement. Thank you again it’s much appreciated.
Friend just shared this video after discovering we both had them back in our college days. Haven't heard that "ring ting ting" sound for such a long time! Such good memories. Mine was bright yellow and added a matching yellow topbox. Looked amazing. Thanks for the video. ❤
It was soo calming to watch video about your Mz and talking soo perfect , I have Mz Etz 251 1989 , I made some upgrades , new red color , mirrors , painted frame , I have the bike somwhere like 25 years is with me , never let me down , I didnt change the exhaust i like the original one its in a good condition , Engine was never rebuild and it goes still soo fast...only problem I had was with electricty but now is all fixed. By the way...the one with red color are the fastest !! Have a nice dayy !
Thank you for your positive comments much appreciated. So good to hear you have your MZ after so many years and that it provides you with enjoyment and faithful service. Safe riding!
Well done on making such a superb video. Plain speaking and No BS is well worth a "like". Fully enclosed drive chain is the most sensible thing missing from modern motorcycles. I had a similar item on a 350 Jawa and never had to change the chain or sprockets in the four years that I ran the bike.
Very nice restoration, I've had my black (the fastest colour!) 1978 Supa 5 for nearly 10 years now - I've got no plans to ever get rid of it. Severely underated machines.
The MZ is a thoroughbred, engineered for lightness, and a joy to ride far and fast, I owned several of them, although with the lower bars, which i found better on a long run
Forgot to add to my previous comment, it was usual practice to ride the bikes with a dead throttle, that is when you shut the throttle it shuts off the fuel. For long downhill stretches you needed to blip the throttle every now and then lubricate the engine, but it made the otherwise very lumpy over-run smooth. The strange rear rear wheel spindle mounted side stand is a great option to have and works really well. I also fitted a lightweight streamlined handlebar fairing which helped when cruising at higher speeds and also meant the bike was pretty much unaffected by headwinds.
The rear side stand is very comfortable, but frequent use puts strain on the swingarm bearing, which is made of rubber. That's why I soon removed it and used the main stand..
Very nice job and a well sorted machine. I had the 4 speed version in the same colour and in most respects I was very pleased with it. However a Suzuki GT 250 came up locally and the difference was chalk and cheese. It was the first bike I had ever owned with a disc brake and it was so easy to start so the MZ had to go. What really gave me the pip with the MZ was the crank mounted clutch which made silent gear changes impossible!
Had the 4 speed for a year then the 5. Great fun back in the late 70s with my girlfriend on the back. Moved on to BMW Rs and Is but later bought a TS125 and a Turkish 301 from Burwins. Before bad arthritis set in I had a TMAX 500 and a disabled adapted STX1300. Mobility scooters now though!
Thanks, great video. Driving bikes trought +50 year ;from JLO and sachs two speed 49 cc to Beemer Gs modern boxers . Also has a couple MZ's in my garage . Nimble no nonses reliable bikes to drive With a good carb , electronic ingnition and later disc brake it fits the modern traffic . The typical MZ ding-a-dang-dang completes it. Rare seen on the Belgium roads. I have to check the exhaust pipes.
@@1A2Blueboy Walter Kaaden the designer was a genius, even British motorcycle engineers praised him, the faster it goes the smoother it gets, and in many ways running at near fully open throttle, the engine is at its best
❤❤❤Hello Sir this Bike 🚲 is every Cuban man dream, people in Cuba use to just go to study in Germany just to safe enough $ in 4 years to buy one in Brig next to Cuba it's a amazing machine,I dreamed to having one I couldn't 😊, thank you for the video and the job you have done to it cheers.❤❤❤
Sir, your machine looks absolutely great, excellent work, congratulations! Well, in the 70s, the Supa5 may have looked "old-fashioned" compared to the Japanese sports and lifestyle motorbikes. But compared to many of today's "plastic rockets", which all look the same in the masses, I think it is "classically beautiful".
@@1A2Blueboy It was my pleasure!😊 I always wish you lots of fun with your bike!🙂😊 Btw, the Supa5 can also be ridden well off-road, like a scrambler or adventure bike. In East Germany it was used as a military motorcycle (NVA).😁😉 Mr David Baynam drove a Supa 5 from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego in 1978, that is quite an achievement. His travelogue can be read in the September 1979 issue of Motorcycle Sport Magazine.😀
Very nice video, mate! I enjoyed the calm style. Videos without overblown music and yelling are becoming more and more rare these days. I'm not riding a motorbike (not planning to, either), so I am not having any experience. Whenever I see modern bikes, I have the impression that they are trying to radiate a feeling of be edgyness. But I wonder, just out of curiosity, if there's any contemporary bike with this obvious "no frills" attitude - a bike for commuters who just wish to get from A to B, reliably, comfortably and (if possible) cheaply. Suggestions are welcome! :)
It must be the RU-vid algorithm, but I just watched a fascinating video on MZs in Cuba. Then this popped up. What a beautiful little bike and detailed explanation of your tasteful restoration. Yes, I was a sneering youth in the 70s. Would love one now. I live in Germany, so still see them come up. Thanks, brilliant video.
Many thanks for your comments, yes I think I have watched the video about Cuban MZ'z as well. Its amazing what the Cuban people do to keep their machines running, I am full of admiration for them.
Very well done ! I have got a 1976 MZ 250/0 with the 4 gear transmission and I agree to every statement you do in this video to the bike. It is lovely to ride and as you, I have come to love it in my older age. I have ridden a RD 250 Yamaha when I was 18 years old with almost all my friends having the same bike but one guy who couldn't afford to buy the expensive Yamahas and had this MZ 250. He could keep up with us almost everywhere on smaller roads (not on the motorway of course) and he had much less maintenance and trouble with his MZ and it had an astonishing riding performance compared to the much stronger Japanese bikes.
Yes great job you have done . Good thing with M Z they are good for working on yourself with 20 odd special tools you can make .and I know in the 60s you had pumps were you set oil ratio ready mixed don't know if they lasted into the 70s and 80s Dan
Great review of your bike your right about how people's opinions change over time . I have a black one I'm restoring oh and a black MZ shirt that made me laugh theres two of us .
Great presentation Blue , I live with my wife in Cuba , we recently purchased a 1975 Etz 250 with side car , in Cuba they use car engine oil instead of 2 stroke specific oil , I have brought a few litres of 2 stroke oil from a recent visit to Mexico, what ratio would you recommend, I normally use 40/1 for chainsaws and such , I noticed one of the guys in the comments mentioned 50/1 , would that be too little?
Hi John, many thanks for your comments, here in the UK using modern synthetic and semi-synthetic two stroke oils the recommended ratio of 50:1 is fine. Some people used 33:1 in the past with the older oils but this can lead to running problems fouling the spark plug. At 50:1 I have never had any issues with spark plugs or excessive smoke. Remember too much oil actually makes the fuel/air ratio weaker meaning hotter running and more possibility of a seizure. Using proper motorcycle two stroke oil I would stick to anything between 33:1 and 50:1, but I'm not sure what it would be like if you are using a normal car engine oil. Apologies for not providing a definitive answer, but there are many opinions on this. Enjoy your MZ!
@@1A2Blueboy Thanks so much for this info , I registered the bike yesterday only to discover she was made in 1965 , almost the same age as myself. I live in a rural town in Cuba and lots of the farmers have them even older ones than mine . Take care
@@1A2Blueboy I couldn't have given a better answer. Since the introduction of needle bearings for connecting rods and piston pins (instead of bronze bushings), 1:50 can and should also be used.
These were pig ugly bikes ,but the best of the Iron Curtain budget bikes . They were well built & only cheap as they carried a subsidy from the communist state . I seem to remember owners using a Honda 350 front wheel or brake hub ,to improve the braking . Many people went touring on these bikes & were comfortable with the rubber mounted engine. Now as it’s now converted to CDI ignition , it should be even more reliable . These days they don’t look so ugly & have a classic charm about them , they certainly look more like a motorcycle than some of these modern mechanical insects on wheels . 👍
@@rolandzoske448 They were ugly & they were cheap in the U.K. Most products at that time produced in the communist block countries carried a subsidy when sold outside the iron curtain . They were well built for the price ,but not as technically advanced , modern styled or as reliable as the Japanese bikes sold in the U.K. The reason they were expensive to communist state populations was because they were poorly paid ,& not many choices . The only brand new motorcycles sold in the U.K that were cheaper were the Czech C Z & Jawas & the bikes from the USSR .
@@maskedavenger2578 For reasons of competition and so-called "growth constraints", the western capitalist economic conditions are dependent on constantly throwing "new" products onto the market, whereby existing goods naturally have to wear out more quickly, either functionally or morally, and are always subject to short-term fashion in order to meet new needs to create. The impact of such economic policies on the environment can be seen by everyone today. I love it when people who haven't lived here in the East try to explain my life to me...(/irony off) Nowadays people know the price of everything - and the value of nothing. (Oscar Wilde)
@@rolandzoske448 I an not trying to explain your life to you . I am simply stating the facts ,regarding the MZ & other motorcycles that were produced in eastern bloc communist states at the time & exported to the U.K. Its true the MZ motorcycles were more agricultural & also utilitarian in their design ,they only way they could compete ,with the superior preforming & more reliable Japanese 100/ 125 & 250 cc bikes was on price & cheaper replacement parts . I reckon that the communist policies impact on the environment were probably even worse then those is the western capitalist economies . I am not saying the MZs were bad motorcycles , but they were antiquated compared to machines produced in the west ,& could not match the reliability ,without upgrading with parts sourced from western economies ,especially things like brakes & aftermarket electrics & tyres .
Great video great bike, back in the mists of time when i was an apprentice and terradicticals ruled the skies I used to turn up as 16 YO on my new Garelli tiger cross, great bike when going ! ( passed test went over to Honda) but an older guy had a Super 5 and the fuel cap definitely had a metal tube built in with markings for the 50/1 ratio this eliminated the guess work so long as you carried your 2 stroke oil. and not rely on them dispenser pump things back in the day , i thought the MZ was like weird quirky then but now i WANT ONE !! Modern fully synth 2 stroke oils are brill especially with NGK plugs ( Wish i could have used same on my Garelli !! lol) great video mate .
