Custom MZ Silver Star Cafe Racer

[comanche91]

Finished up, and am selling my unique Silver Star based Rotax 500 plus many spares including a very low mileage Rotax engine and frame and moving on to another project. It is built correctly.
See Here

[iceman]

I just saw this on E-bay,I was shocked ! Good luck Don.

[DAVID THOMPSON]

i like the rotax powered bikes ...would love to have it ...
but i got way too many now ...
plus i am on speaking terms with the wife
an other bike may tip the balance
after buying a new mower this summer
dave

some buddy snap this up you will not see one this nice for a whie

[comanche91]

Gracias amigos. Looking to move on to another nice BMW airhead. But if no sale - no problem.

[Winsur4]

Gracias amigos. Looking to move on to another nice BMW airhead. But if no sale - no problem.

Are you looking for an Airhead or do you already have one? I have 3 running airheads including a complete running
R90s 1974. It is very restorable. It is unmolested except for the metal flake paint job. I have been going back and forth about doing a complete restoration. If there is any interest let me know.

[comanche91]

Are you looking for an Airhead or do you already have one? I have 3 running airheads including a complete running R90s 1974. It is very restorable. It is unmolested except for the metal flake paint job. I have been going back and forth about doing a complete restoration. If there is any interest let me know.

No, I don't have one now, but had plenty in the past. Hoping to find a nice R/5 or /6 locally, or even a GS. Drool..............

[Winsur4]

Are you looking for an Airhead or do you already have one? I have 3 running airheads including a complete running R90s 1974. It is very restorable. It is unmolested except for the metal flake paint job. I have been going back and forth about doing a complete restoration. If there is any interest let me know.

No, I don't have one now, but had plenty in the past. Hoping to find a nice R/5 or /6 locally, or even a GS. Drool..............

I recently came within a hair of purchasing the Matchless G80 based on the same engine, but a hand built Motorcycle. I bought a Triumph TR5R instead. PM me with the price.

[comanche91]

I recently came within a hair of purchasing the Matchless G80 based on the same engine, but a hand built Motorcycle. I bought a Triumph TR5R instead. PM me with the price.

Yes, I've seen a few Harris Matchless G80s for sale, but all were kick start only. The Rotax 500 is a real bear to kick start. There was optional electric start available on the Harris G80s, but never have seen one. And adding the electric starter to a kick start Rotax 500 isn't cheap.

The TR5R is basically a BSA Victor @ 500cc. Had a couple of 441 Victors too. They were extreme vibrators at anything over 65MPH. I love thumpers, easy to work and build up, and the Rotax is the smoothest single I've ever ridden. Much better reliability and more easily attainable HP/Torque upgrades than the Brit singles too.

But I'm getting older now, and would like to move on. Where are you located Winsur4?

[Winsur4]

I recently came within a hair of purchasing the Matchless G80 based on the same engine, but a hand built Motorcycle. I bought a Triumph TR5R instead. PM me with the price.

Yes, I've seen a few Harris Matchless G80s for sale, but all were kick start only. The Rotax 500 is a real bear to kick start. There was optional electric start available on the Harris G80s, but never have seen one. And adding the electric starter to a kick start Rotax 500 isn't cheap.

The TR5R is basically a BSA Victor @ 500cc. Had a couple of 441 Victors too. They were extreme vibrators at anything over 65MPH. I love thumpers, easy to work and build up, and the Rotax is the smoothest single I've ever ridden. Much better reliability and more easily attainable HP/Torque upgrades than the Brit singles too.

But I'm getting older now, and would like to move on. Where are you located Winsur4?

I live in Odessa, Tx, but travel quite a bit. I office in Dallas for about 1 week per quarter. I will be traveling to Atlanta late October for our yearly sales meeting. I am going to drive there this year and go to the Barber Museum on the way. Brian Slark would be fun to meet again, as I have read several of his Norton Club articles over the years. I have been an INOA member since 1982.
Here is a link to may Gallery in Two Wheeled Texans: http://www.twtex.com/photopost/showgall ... user=10974. I have a Gallery of bikes I used to own, and what I own now.

The TR5R is quite smooth, as it is the twin 500 version of the BSA B50. i had a Triumph B50 MX which was the badged version of the BSA B50, and sold it a few years ago. I currently have a BSA B50T, and I am building a Cafe B50. They are quite crude when compared to today's bikes, actually when compared to 1970's bikes they were crude. I love riding the B50, it is a torque monster. I must say it is the most difficult to keep running motorcycle I have ever owned. I am writing an article that I hope to get published in "Motorcycle Classics" right now about the difficulties I encountered making my B50T run after I purchased it. Self deprecating humour.

I have somewhat put my projects on hold as business is booming in Odessa, and I am either working or off riding in the Big Bend area of Texas where a close friend and I have 2 old Airsteams and 40 acres.

Perry's Motorcycles (also an MZ dealer) http://www.perrysmotorcycles.com/index.html had an electric start version of the Matchless, with dual disc brakes and upgrades to the engine in his shop. He was one of the Matchless dealers back in the 80's. It had almost zero miles on it. At the time I was wanting a Triumph 500, and Curtis Terry, who used to own the Triumph dealership in Fort Worth, had one for sale. Curtis worked as a part timer (mostly for fun) at Perry's shop. The Triumph turned out to be pretty nice, but was substandard as a restoration. I could have gotten the Matchless for $4200, and I should have taken it instead. The TR5R is hard to find in good condition, but I unfortunately found one in good condition and but paid and excellent condition price. Live and learn.

I have read about the Rotax for years. I am quite fond of Nortons, and remember reading there was for a time a Norton badged cafe motorcycle built in Germany with the Rotax 650. I currently have 2 850 MKIII with electric start. One I have driven for 17 years and needs restoration, the other has 6200 miles and rides almost like new.

I have to say that your build of the MZ is really tastefully done. It is an eye catcher. I hope my B50 cafe looks half as good.
Jim

[comanche91]

I have to say that your build of the MZ is really tastefully done. It is an eye catcher. I hope my B50 cafe looks half as good. Jim

Thank you Jim.

[iceman]

Don,
looking at your bike again and it looks great!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/95-MZ-Mu ... 4d0390161f

I was thinking how cool it would be if it were a two stroke!

[comanche91]

Don,
looking at your bike again and it looks great!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/95-MZ-Mu ... 4d0390161f

I was thinking how cool it would be if it were a two stroke!

Thanks John. Two-smoker? No thanks mate, I like the Rotax thumper.