Category Archives: General interest

TS 125/150 Engine

Looking for a spare engine for my TS 125, in near enough complete but not necessarily running order.

I basically want to use this as a spare engine for my TS 125 just in case anything major happens, but also to teach myself the inner workings of the engine, how to rebuild it, etc in my own time without having to take my bike off the road.

Based in Southampton, and also regularly up near Gatwick, call on 07982 677 770 (text if there’s no answer) or email tudge12@gmail.com

MOT exempt?

Hello all

Well my daughter is in Australia so it’s been a chance to finally put the high bars on the TS125. They look great and it handles better. I also did the painful task of fitting a new chain cover.

 

So Eva’s bike was registered in August 1984. When can I apply for it to be a historic vehicle. It’s MOT sadly runs out July 2024 so it may need one more ?

 

Graham

Carburettor issues on MZ251 and ULEZ

Hi everyone,

First the good news – my 251 is Ulez compliant (£175 less in my pocket though)

The less good is that the substituted Japanese carburettor with which said Ulez compliance was obtained appeared good to start with but has become problematic – in fact it became very difficult to get a stable tick over and smoked more than MZs usually do!

My solution is going back to the drawing board and renovating the original  BVF 30- N- 3-1 carb using a supposedly identically one I had tried earlier but which is inferior overall in metal quality and fit.

My question is about whether a) the pilot air screw absolutely needs an o- ring as neither the original, nor the ‘not so cheap’  “identical” substitute had one. Also there seems lots of different views about turns out for both the pilot and the bypass air screws – any thoughts on this are very welcome. The 251 has done about 32k since new in 1990.

Hopefully if all sorted and passes MOT I may see some of you at the ACE cafe for Red Oktober meet on 13th October.

 

 

 

 

High beam a no go!

Hello all again.

Well good news. My daughter passed her Mod 2 on the TS125. It’s been very well behaved then we went to Lithuania for a week leaving my daughter at home (18 and we were expecting complaints party wise!) and while away the TS played up.

Headlight bulbs blowing , but we have now  got to the stage that dipped is fine but as soon as you switch it onto high beam it blows. Can anyone tell me the correct wiring colour for the 3 wires going into the bulb holder,from left to right. The parking light is odd as it only works once the headlight shell is on, maybe it needs to earth. The annoying thing is the wiring looks great and has be redone a few years ago. I’ve got to say though the wiring going into the right hand switch is a pig to get in and get the cover on with the runner mat in place as well.

Any help always appreciated.

 

Graham

 

 

 

New MZ !

So my daughters TS125 is going a treat, all good. I seem to have obtained a ETZ251. Its a runner but needs a tidy up. Why are the speedo and tacho instruments square ? sadly they are damaged so I am after another pair if anyone can help.

Also when draining the gearbox oil there seems to be 2 drainplugs. One classically is super tight and has silicone around it. I undone the other which had gearbox oil drain from it but it was the neutral plug, it had a spring and ball bearing sitting on the top!. Should this be undone to drain the gearbox oil.

 

Any help with this project is greatly appreciated.

 

Graham

Timing set TS125

Well many thanks for the info on setting the timing guys. I finally got a decent piece of kit from Burwins and away we go.

I set the points first.  Then got the piston to TDC . The cheap test lamp pen currently blow it’s bulb twice….dont buy cheap on eBay. I carried on and set it back 3mm. I could see the spark at the moment the points open. I reckon I was about 2.6mm from TDC.

It starts well and feels responsive.

Regards

Graham Petruckevitch

Help Carb advice needed

Hello all

I have had ongoing difficulties with the TS125 Alpine carb. If you slowly roll the revs on its fine but a little more  harsh throttle and it goes flat and judders.  I’m keen to try another carb. I think it may just be old.

I’m sure it’s a fuel thing. Funny enough it’s starts and if you lean it on the side stand and wack through the years with the back wheel up its really spot on.

Maybe I’m just too big !

What would be a good alternative ? I’ve emailed Amal to see what they say.

 

Regards Graham Petruckevitch

TS125 hard to start

Hello all

Recently the TS has been a real pain to start. ive taken the carbs to bits and its starting a little easier but still taking alot of kicks to fire up. Is it the cold weather , does anyone else have this problem. I was wondering if the timing was a bit out. I did this by ear originally and it started ok. Whats peoples opnion on this ?

 

Regards

Graham

Trickle charging my 6 volt ts125

Morning guy’s

Currently it’s -4 out there so cant see me going far today. I’ve bought a 6v battery charger with trickle charge system. I plan to just put it on with the battery still on the bike and not disconnected.  Will this be okay or do I risk damaging coils and other electrical units ?

Does anyone else keep there 6 volt battery in situ.

Regards

Graham

TS / ES 125/150 clutch spring pins

Hi all

Does anyone have any of the spring retaining pins, for the TS 125/150 clutch to hand? They’re about 3mm diameter 10mm long at a guess. They hold the spring caps down.

Same as the ES 125/150

Not looking to buy, just need an idea of the correct diameter, so I can make up new ones

I’m trying to finish off building an engine from the parts pile. Like always, with making stuff from leftover bits, it’s always the small parts which stop progress

Thanks

Ollie

Air inlet pipe frustration

Morning all

 

So I bought a new air inlet pipe. The last one never really sat on the carb well so I figured it was worn and old. Got a new one through and I currently have this Laurel and Hardy situation that every time I try to put it on the carb it pops off the panel with the air filter. Any suggestions as currently its on the carb but not completely seated in the other end. Though looking at the plug I do seem to have a nice biscuit brown colour !

 

Regards

 

Graham

TS125/150 Crank pin size

I have a conrod kit that has been ‘in stock’ for yonks but which I believe is for a TS125/150. I also have what I thought was a TS125/150 flywheel and today I decided to match them up with a view to rebuilding a spare good crank.

However, when I measured the crank pin that is part of the conrod kit it is circa 25mm diameter though the length seems correct. The crank pin in the flywheel is circa 28mm. Did MZ change the crank pin size on the small TS’s or is perchance the flywheel from an ETZ125?

Thanks

 

TS125 Indicator question

Hi all

 

Well my daughter is loving the TS125 . So far so good and she’s got the knack of kicking it over etc. The one thing she is struggling with is the slow flash of the indicators.

 

It hasn’t failed an MOT but that has more to do with the guy looking amused when it comes in and not really knowing what to do !

 

So do they just flash slow and if so is there a relay upgrade which is 6 volt.

 

Cheers !

 

Graham Petruckevitch