TS250/1 timing

[jam23a30]

I have a fairly "new to me" TS250/1 and have struggled to set the timing. I have a new set of points installed but the backplate will not allow the timing to be set at 3mm BTDC if I set the points gap to .3mm at max cam lift. I have the bike running by setting the points to open at 3mm BTDC but max points gap is way over the recommended setting.

Does anyone have any ideas if this Is this a "bad" set of pattern points, a cam problem or likely to be some other combination of issues.

Cam does not look worn, is correctly located in the dynamo armature which is keyed onto the crank as it should be. Has anyone had a problem with pattern points that have an over length follower leg?

I have yet to take the bike on the road to see how it drives but suspect it may not rev out properly with such a big point gap at max lift?

Been scratching my head on this one for a while so any suggestions welcome


Thanks, Andy

[Blurredman]

The points that you replaced, are they original item? Have you put them back on to see if there is still a problem? I suppose if the old ones were very worn they could be- but- unlikely. How many miles has the bike covered?


I have purchased many aftermarket contact breakers, most of them were not fit for use. Either too stiff, or indeed- the leg being too short!

[Puffs]

I have no experience with that bike, and only little with buying points for the MZ, but indeed as Blurredman says, sounds like the leg has the wrong length or so. How does that leg compare with the breakers that you took off?

A larger lift height will cause the points to stay open for a longer time, hence the coil to charge for a shorter time. Within limits that should not be too much of a problem, but it will also cause more rapid wear of the cam follower.

[jam23a30]

Thanks for your comments, the "new points" were already fitted so I can't compare with the old set. The bike has 40K miles recorded but as many old bikes, it has seen little use over recent years and previous owner sadly passed away.

I will see how things develop and the points "bed in" with some use, I was concerned I was missing something obvious or a known issue

Regards, Andy

[Blurredman]

Question. Was it running fine before you adjusted the contact breakers? What made you think to adjust them out of interest?

Unfortunately original MZ contact breakers are kinda extinct, we have to make do with the crappy reproductions. All I can suggest is buying a handful and installing the best of a bad bunch.

[Guesi]

Unfortunately original MZ contact breakers are kinda extinct


Original contact breakers are still available.
I have about 1000 pcs in stock

[Blurredman]

Unfortunately original MZ contact breakers are kinda extinct


Original contact breakers are still available.
I have about 1000 pcs in stock

At what price?

[Puffs]

... sounds like the leg has the wrong length or so...

Correction: sounds like the cam follower is not exactly contacting the cam at the right place. Could you post a pic?

Btw, see how nicely the pertinax is shaped in a circle around the point of rotation. Those are nice contact breakers.

[Guesi]

Unfortunately original MZ contact breakers are kinda extinct


Original contact breakers are still available.
I have about 1000 pcs in stock

At what price?

7,50 € incl. german taxes.

[Puffs]

Yes, but now you're confusing me again Guesi, those

are not original either, the originals are:

Those are the pertinax ones, the other ones are nylon.

[parrbd]

I still have the original points in my 84 ETZ. Still working great and have rarely needed cleaning or adjustment. I must compare them to the photos next time I pull the cover off. I did buy a set a few years ago but have never had to use them.

[Puffs]

How many miles/km?

[Guesi]

Yes, but now you're confusing me again Guesi, those

are not original either, the originals are:

Those are the pertinax ones, the other ones are nylon.

Sorry, did not know that you meant the pertinax version when you asked about the price...

The pertinax are special version (long lasting). The nylon ones were the normal ones.
But both are original GDR,

[parrbd]

How many miles/km?

Between 40 and 50,000 km. I have owned it since new but for a few years I was unable to get a speedo cable (back in the pre internet days).

[Puffs]

Thanks for that.

Ties in with experience w/ my '89 251, which has done a little over 33k miles = 53k km (but I got it with 7.5k mi). A few weeks back I gave it new carbon brushes... Those standard electrics are pretty good!