Buying used MZ 660 - problems to look for?

[hulagun]

I'd love to hear what to check for when shopping for a used MZ Baghira. I pick mine up next week, I already rode it and inspected it (it's clean, runs great, and appears properly maintained) but worry I might have overlooked something.

Bike is bone stock. Evap can removed. 7k miles. Biggest flaw I saw was rust spots on mirrors and rotor carriers.

Before I hand off my cash is there anything I should double check?

Thanks in advance!

[phlat65]

welcome to this site too!!!! the engine is very Robust, just listen for noises, the usual stuff. make sure it does'nt change directions under braking ect... the big singles are VERY hard on chains and sprockets, mine rattled the rear sprocket bolts loose and egged the sprocket.

thats all I can think off, have had very minor problems with mine (front brake light switch, and a flasher failed), have 11,000 miles on it, and is runs like new.

I change the oil every 2500 miles, and adjusyed the valves at 6,000 miles. I ride it hard, and have raced it.

It is the most reliable SM on the market in my opinion.

[gedge]

I agree with Phlat65. Ive now had mine 4 months and everything has worked fine. They seem really robust , and yet they perform well. ( I had concerns about the weight but I'm beginning to think that its overstated as it seems to keep up with all the others). Enjoy.

[keithcross]

My Baggi has now done over 40,000 kms and has had very few problems. Items that have failed are:
Front brake light switch
Battery (standard ones are crap)
Right hand carb diapragm

Watch out for the rear sprocket bolts as noted above. One of mine vobrated loose and made contact with teh swinging arm. Not to much damage but something to watch.

Rea tyres last approx 2500 miles, fronts about 6000. I have replaced the chains and sprockets twice and there is plently of life left in teh one currently fitted. The original chain snapped during an attemp at pulling a wheely so not to bad really. Mind you I do have a scott oiler fitted.

Keith

[Brian]

I've got about 4 k on mine and have had zero issues....... The bike is a little heavier than the KTM's. I actually like the little extra weight as it makes the bike feel more stable at higher speeds........If they come out with a new version I will buy it no question !!!!! besides in my opinion the MZ is the best lookin SM out there for street !!!!!
When you buy the bike we all have tons of info on modifications etc !!!!!!
Like the other guys have stated its a bullet proof machine........
Oh yea WELCOME

[hulagun]

I now have spent some time in the saddle of my new (used) Baghira and am enjoying getting to know it.

Got it home, gave it a bath and inspection. It has 7k miles, the only problems I noted were:

- rough corrosion of the spokes, the mirror stems and the rotor carriers. I live near the Pacific Ocean and bike was stored outside so this is not unexpected. These parts are all replaceable, eventually.

- I plan to fit a Yamaha R1 front rotor, hoping to find a "wave" one used.

- gas cap leaks under braking. Gasket appears to be missing. I'll buy or make one this week. Anybody tell me if the cap vent hose is supposed to have a "swivel" on it or is that an aftermarket part?

- fading of unpainted black plastic (gas tank, signals, rear splash fender). Not much I can do about that. I plan to replace the rear splash fender anyway with a smaller one from Acerbis or Baja Designs, although I dislike the clear lens on the BD unit, I like the fender part better than the Acerbis ones. Why doesn't BD sell the same unit with a red lens?

- carbon tracking showing a leak at header-muffler junction. I really want to fit an aftermarket canister, the stock pipe is just too quiet, and looks heavy and restrictive. Hopefully a good canister muffler will free up some HP. Suggestions welcome!

It's a great bike, seems a bit slow so I'll check the carb and air cleaner too. I am coming off an Aprilia 1000 so maybe it's just me.

Ivan

[boysie]

Hi, most of the weaknesses have already been covered, including, Front brake light switch, Battery, Chain, the only other thing I can think to check, are the spokes, mine started to break the heads off the nipples on the rear wheel, disc side, I had both wheels rebuilt with stainless spokes, and Brass nipples, and anodised the rims while it was apart, it is now a very well finished bike, much better than the average Jap bike..

A bit more power can be gained by opening up the air box fitting a less restrictive pipe and re-jetting the carb

[gedge]

Boysie
Do you have acontact number or name for your exhaust.. I am going to have to get mine done, and your style is the way to go..

Can yu recall how much you paid for the work?

Cheers

[keithcross]

If you are buying the bike as a second bike take extreme caution, your other bike may not get used much.
In the past 2 yrs and 8 months I have done 40,000 kms on the MZ, 5500 miles on my GL1500 goldwing, 600 miles on my 1100 goldwing and about 300 miles on my Suzuki TS250

Keith

[Whysub]

I gave 4 bikes at the moment-only the CSX and Diversion do not get used. Nor will the Skorpion if I cannot find a headlight that illuminates for it-the standard one is rubbish. The Baggi's headlight is good for 90 mph though!

[DAVID THOMPSON]

try one from a rt125

here is the page for the rt125

mine works very good

there are 2 part numbers one for uk one for usa
because lens is different

the uk importer will know which
and it may plug right in to wireing harness

i paid about $105 usd for one in feb of 2003 and put it on a R60 bmw
a friend uses as a daily driver he has a 12volt system and loves it
thats 1/3 the bmw oem plus a speedo we did a bike speedo on it
like i said daily driver not a show bike

ar dave

picture and sizes on request and a picture of the wire plug
ps mine had a bulb installed

[hulagun]

Thanks for the tips - you guys are right on - my front brake switch is DEAD, as you predicted. May swap masters anyway so I can use a shorty lever - unless someone knows of one that will fit.

Ivan

[phlat65]

brake light switch is the same as KTM lc4, early years, in stock at KTM for $7.00.