New guy here!! need some guidance

[Raindog]

Hi guys, this is my first post on the forum, hopefully the first of many more.

My daily commuter has packed in, 'twas a (88 gsxr 750) It happened the day before the copdock bike show, dropped a valve at 80mph and destroyed the engine. As a result I have been forced to seek out alternative transport, My first bike was an MZ etz 125 and I've been feeling a bit nostalgic of late. I'm fond of MZ's, they're like brutalist architecture, built almost entirely for purpose and there's a strange beauty in that, the mixture of the awkward lines, clunky construction and the smell of two stroke just does it for me!

My prayers may have been answered in the form of an MZ 301 being sold locally in need of some attention, I'm told the big end might have gone as there's a pretty serious engine rumble. It's cheap though, and cheap and reliable is what I need above anything else.

What I'm here to ask, having only ever messed around with Jap 4's, and not really gone any further than electrics, valves and carburation is.... How easy are MZ's to work on and how readily available are the parts? I know I'll be needing to replace the big end bearing straight away..

Are there any special tools I will need?

[therealche]

Welcome to the madhouse, its something to do with the 2-stroke fumes I think. MZs are easy enough to work on, the only special tool you can't do without is a clutch puller which you will need to remove the crankshaft.(Its also important to use the puller properly, but more of that later) Spares and tools are easily available either from eBay or
www.themzshop.co.uk who are well on the way to getting their online shop working ( a lot of stuff to list still!)
www.mzspares.com, which is Burwins in London who have been dealing with MZs longer than just about anyone. They will rebuild a crank for £78.
While the engine is apart I would probably replace all the bearings and seals just to be on the safe side ( and not to have to strip it down in 3 months when a crankseal goes!
The MZ riders club do a reprint of the works manual www.mzridersclub.com/html/mz_regalia_shop.html and the club is worth joining

I'm picking up my Saxon Tour 301 next weekend so I'll probably be joining you in exploring the innards of the 301 engine!

[Raindog]

Yeah, I'd best do that... I better have a look whats needed then, thanks for the links bud.