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[neilgray]

hi and merry Christmas to all,i have a es 175/2 and live in Sheffield UK, i am looking for an isdt bike and yes i know how much they are or would be interested in something that needs some work es/1/2 or any other more modern 250,does anyone have any idea how to port a es 250/2 barrel,i have one to fit mine and would also fit big carb and expansion box if anyone has one thanks

[Td666]

Hi Neil, I’m just wondering about those original isdt machines, what are they worth do you have any idea ?

I unowned a man that has one but I’m not sure what they are worth. This is in an unrefurbished state ( rough )

Are they all 250 engines ?

[Td666]

Sorry - I know a man that has one.

[Puffs]

In good condition: gold dust.

[breakwellmz]

Sorry - I know a man that has one.

Are you talking about a genuine ex ISDT machine or a factory ISDT replica? They are obviously two very different things, personally i think the factory ISDT replicas are over priced for what they are and i could build my own for a lot less money.

[dave47]

Breakwell, you say:
"Are you talking about a genuine ex ISDT machine or a factory ISDT replica? They are obviously two very different things"

I didn't know that. What are the differences?

The bike shown is a very nicely modified ETZ, but hardly a replica of the 1960s ISDT machines.
Here are some pictures taken at Beamish in 2018 of a pair of "replica replicas", which were good enough to be taken at first glance for real replicas. Probably nicer to ride as well as cheaper.

[Jay Bee]

ISDT replica was sold on eBay UK late last year - and no, I can't believe the price, either........!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/mz-isdt-repl ... 7675.l2557

[Puffs]

Thanks for that link, and I agree: it's silly money. For a bike that doesn't actually look all that spectacular.

People must be paying money like that for other reasons.

[dave47]

Thanks for that link, and I agree: it's silly money. For a bike that doesn't actually look all that spectacular.

People must be paying money like that for other reasons.

I imagine people are buying a piece of MZ history, rather than good looks or modern performance.There are plenty of bikers of a certain age who now have cash to spare for that purpose.

[breakwellmz]

Breakwell, you say:
"Are you talking about a genuine ex ISDT machine or a factory ISDT replica? They are obviously two very different things"

I didn't know that. What are the differences?

The bike shown is a very nicely modified ETZ, but hardly a replica of the 1960s ISDT machines.
Here are some pictures taken at Beamish in 2018 of a pair of "replica replicas", which were good enough to be taken at first glance for real replicas. Probably nicer to ride as well as cheaper.

WP_20180916_006.jpg

WP_20180916_007.jpg

WP_20180916_020.jpg

I rode a new ISDT replica that an MZ dealer mate of mine in Bristol had got hold of many years ago, i remember it as being loud, fast, crude and outdated even then. Here is what Cycle Word thought of it -

https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article ... ts250-isdt

[dave47]

Thanks for that link, Breakwell. The Cycle World road test makes it clear that they are not for everyone,and that echoes your experience, but that was in the mid seventies by which time they were outdated and they were indisputably capable in the sixties, the results speak for themselves. And Cycle World makes it clear that the Replicas were the same as the works bikes "less mechanical prep". I agree with you that there are much better ways to spend your money for an off road bike, but as i said in my previous post that is not why people buy them.

Puffs, I can't agree with you about the looks, but thats just a matter of preference. Whether it will be a good investment is hard to predict. There were 43 bids from 13 bidders in the auction, so perhaps that is the true market price as of now.
I read elsewhere that these bikes were also used by the Belgian national team, among others.

[Puffs]

Yes, thanks for that link (which works better without the "l" at the end: https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article ... ts250-isdt ).

I didn't know they were so heavy. Heavy is bad, particularly considering you'll pick up more weight along the way:

YZ250 (after Rothes).jpg (43.45 KiB) Viewed 1146 times

And I see he too complains, also on the ISDT model, of the footpegs being too far forward... And on suspension travel being too short, even by 1975 standards.
MZ ETS250 ISDT List price .........................$1495.... In 1975!

I had not realised it, but I can believe they are/were loud. They are basically pre-70's MX bikes, and those are loud, both exhaust-wise and engine-wise. In those days, a bit of noise didn't bother anyone, certainly not in Eastern Europe. But nowadays it does, and it will really limit what you can do with the bike. For me, that makes such a bike less attractive. Yet I'd still wouldn't mind having one, though certainly not for any kind of money like that.

I wouldn't know if something like this would be a good investment either. Just saying that some people are willing to put their money in something like this, thus driving the price up, but some people will also loose money on their investments.

[breakwellmz]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MZ-ISDT-250- ... 7675.l2557

[Puffs]

That link now, just 3h after your post, gives: " This listing was ended by the seller because the item is no longer available. "

What to think, what to do...?

[breakwellmz]

I know it`s no longer available i read that when i posted it. It was just an illustration of an as new condition example and the sort of price they achieve.