MZ TS 250 - New owner with questions.

[RonniN]

Hi everyone.

Better mention this is my first motorcycle.

Got myself an old MZ TS 250 from around 73, bike has been standing the last 10+ years, but is in decent shape, my hope is to restore it over the next year or so.

Bike started pretty good at the seller, i was there when it was kicked back into life after its 10+ years vacation, all it took was some fresh premix, and a charged battery, came back the next day to buy the bike, but this time cleaned the carb, and flushed the fuel tank, and it started again, and had a good steady idle, took it for a quick spin down the road, and everything was fine, so i drove the bike home, and parked it for the next day.

My questions are:
Today its a pain in the ass to start, it has fuel, spark, charged battery, choke works, and the ignition is set correct, it does start once in a while, but seems very easy to flood, any tips on that ? Its quite a workout kicking it constantly to get it to fire.

Charging does not work, charge light is on constantly, my plan was to replace the old mechanical relay with a never electronic version, and hope that would fix it, coals and brushes looks like they are in good shape, and moves freely. (Charging did not work before it was put away).

Here is a quick picture of the bike, everything was sprayed with oil before it was put away, so its still pretty dirty, does need a good clean.

Regards
Ronni

[RonniN]

Got it started, just me not knowing how to do it properly, engine was flooded.

Any any thoughts on my electrical problems ?

[vicar]

Mine starts regardless of what I do, but try this

Fuel on, ignition off, no choke two gentle kicks
Fuel on, choke on ignition on, a good hard kick (spin the motor over fast)

Ding Ding Ding

Some Bikes start well, its all about how well its set up ie carb ignition etc
Mine has poor compression the bore is worn and scored and yet it starts really well it has a fantastic spark ,no air leaks carbs spot on and I have 16 stone to leap on the kick start.

Your bike looks great enjoy Mzing

Victor

[vicar]

Forgot to say google MZ power dynamo or search this site, its the end of all MZ electrical issues 200 watts from tick-over and powerful spark at your plug......Victor

[RonniN]

Forgot to say google MZ power dynamo or search this site, its the end of all MZ electrical issues 200 watts from tick-over and powerful spark at your plug......Victor

Hi and thanks for the answers.

I have been looking at the powerdynamo site, and it looks like a very nice system, but it is a lot of money, i would like to keep it a little bit cheaper, since the only thing not working is the charging.

Maybe some day i will exchange the entire system, if the original turns out to be a pita.

[therealche]

Replace the mechanical regulator with an electronic one. Buy a fibre glass brush and clean terminals and connectors, ( http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190384502242? ) and use a bit of silicone grease or similar when putting back together. Possiby replace the original fuse box with something with blade fuses. Spend the money you have saved on beer... it's the MZ way!

[RonniN]

Replace the mechanical regulator with an electronic one. Buy a fibre glass brush and clean terminals and connectors, ( http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190384502242? ) and use a bit of silicone grease or similar when putting back together. Possiby replace the original fuse box with something with blade fuses. Spend the money you have saved on beer... it's the MZ way!

I like that slogan, spend the money you saved on beer, its the MZ way !

I did already order an electronic regulator, i hope its the right one for the bike, will check the rest of the wiring also - even though everything else works perfectly.

Was thinking about replacing the fuse box, it does look a bit old and corroded.

[RonniN]

No wonder its been harder and harder to start, spark seems very weak.

Have decided to go for the Power dynamo system, and convert the bike to 12 volt, that should fix that once for all.

[DAVID THOMPSON]

if you want to use it as a daily driver or as a back up the Power dynamo system is the way to go...

i had an r27 bmw about 1970 the 6 volt system on it was its down fall
if Power dynamo system had been made back then i would still have it
6volt points and coil systems "stink"
dave

[therealche]

Probably just needs a new coil. I have ridden 100s of thousands of miles on MZs with 6V electrics and never seen the need to spend the price of a cheap bike to replace it with 12V!

[RonniN]

Probably just needs a new coil. I have ridden 100s of thousands of miles on MZs with 6V electrics and never seen the need to spend the price of a cheap bike to replace it with 12V!

I think i do got a new (used) coil somewhere, got a few parts with the bike, so its worth a shot, just had a lot of bad luck with the old style ignition systems, i really need something that is stable all the time.

The bike itself was very cheap, so maybe its worth to put down some money for a newer improved system, it will be used as a daily driver at some point next year, and i plan doing some touring on it also.

[vicar]

you wont regret buying the power dynamo if its your only bike,I only have one MZ but I use it all of the time . I am lucky to have a shed full to the rafters with bikes. Yamaha's Kawasaki s Morinis Suzuki and even a BSA .But they are all shiny toys,the Mz lives in the garden ready to go at a moments notice.it gets jet washed when its filthy. the advice I would give is to get someone who understands electrics to help install the power dynamo. A bad earth joint or connection will not be cured by a bit more electrical power.
But you will get a good spark with no points or even battery if you want. I run mine with no battery I get lights and indicators working even with a slow tick over and a 90/130 watt headlight with no shortage of power for brake lights horns indicators (21watt not the standard 10watt bulbs) I don't work for power dynamo I just think its a good bit of kit .

[RonniN]

you wont regret buying the power dynamo if its your only bike,I only have one MZ but I use it all of the time . I am lucky to have a shed full to the rafters with bikes. Yamaha's Kawasaki s Morinis Suzuki and even a BSA .But they are all shiny toys,the Mz lives in the garden ready to go at a moments notice.it gets jet washed when its filthy. the advice I would give is to get someone who understands electrics to help install the power dynamo. A bad earth joint or connection will not be cured by a bit more electrical power.
But you will get a good spark with no points or even battery if you want. I run mine with no battery I get lights and indicators working even with a slow tick over and a 90/130 watt headlight with no shortage of power for brake lights horns indicators (21watt not the standard 10watt bulbs) I don't work for power dynamo I just think its a good bit of kit .

I don't expect the electrical being a problem, been working on two stroke scooters for quite a few years, so i'm not stranger to an engine, or tools for that matter - a day without dirty hands, is not a good day.

As is right now, everything electrical works perfectly on the bike, except for the charging, waiting for a new relay.