New Member - Somerset UK

[Andy_C]

Hello one and all.

I am new to MZ ownership having bought a rough but running (now) 1986 MZ ETZ 301.

I have been busy cleaning off the years of accumulated dirt / grease / rust, also going through the wiring - long way to go but worth it.

I bought this bike to use as a winter bike so that I can leave my T140 and Harley in the garage over the winter months.

Just wondering if anyone has any wise words of advice about MZ Ownership and the 301 in particular.

Thanks and safe riding.

[arry_b]

A 1986 301? There's No such thing.

In 1986 you're in ETZ250 territory, with a slim change of it being a Wilf Green ETZ300 conversion.

If you meant 1996 then you're into 301 territory, but they'd started to become parts bin specials by that point as the factory made up bikes based on what they had left over from older production runs. However - they can still be nice bikes to use every day, for example the round headlight is a lot better than the Saxon style square-ish unit. The 301 top end also gives a useful all round boost over the standard 250 ETZ engine without making a massive difference to fuel consumption.

They can have a few weak points though:
If the electronic ignition has a "red box" sender down on the alternator, then it *will* pack up if it already hasn't. Non starting, or starting and conking out after a couple of miles and it's worth giving it a good eyeballing. New ones are available for not too much money, or you can convert the bike back to points ignition with parts from an older model cheaply and easily.
The carb choke bung can disintegrate and kill plugs in short order. Check any multi plug connectors in the loom, especially near the headstock as they can flex and cause intermittent electrical problems.
The big problem to look out for is a duff third gear. It's not endemic to the bikes, but it isn't exactly a rare problem. Some of the selector drums weren't machined properly (the production line was getting on a bit and money for repairs and upgrades was in short supply) which means third doesn't engage properly. This bends the selector forks, wears through the case hardening and rounds off the undercut dogs on the gears and everything turns nasty in the box. The most cost effective fix for this is to fit the box from an earlier ETZ250 or ETZ251 (or a TS250/1 if you're willing to remove the oil pump)

[arry_b]

Oh, and Hi, Andy.

There are a couple of active MZRC sections near Somerset. One around Bristol, and the Devon Great Westerners which are most active around Exeter and East Devon.

Steve

[Andy_C]

Arry.

Thanks for the info. I was wrong about the year it is a 1996 bike borne out by the original owners certificate that is included with the paperwork - it even has the original suppliers details on it, Ray Denith Motorcycles as well as the address of the first owner.

It has a white ignition sensor - not points. I have no idea about the state of the gearbox as I have not yet ridden it.

It does have the round headlight by the way and with the rectangular (ish) instruments - mechanical speedo and electronic tacho. Both instruments have cracked "glasses" - pespex in fact do you know if there is anyone around who can fix these ?

The tacho is currently not working by the way despite me checking out the continuity of all the wiring / wiring to the regulator can they be repaired ?

I assume that the bike is some kind of UK conversion as the VIN plate is marked ETZ250 but all the paperwork say it is a 301 - bore diameter confirms that it is a 301 by the way and the carb is the correct Bing for a 301.

Really does sound quite crisp and quite responsive when fired up and must admit that I am looking forward to riding it.

Cheers