MZts250/1 supa5 project finished and first start up.

[@johnsymons9026]

I like the sound! More of a "smack" on those tick-over strokes than I remember on my Supa 5 back in the late 70's.

[@captbarb6642]

Thanks for that wonder if it's the new repo exhaust or your memory fading like mine does nowadays..

[@johnsymons9026]

@@captbarb6642 I now have my headphones on, to get more bass... Yep, that's more like it! The real thing. Just like the impressions I give when I'm telling young whippersnappers about my old MZ's!

[@captbarb6642]

@@johnsymons9026 glad mine sounds proper .

[@rolandzoske448]

A very nice restoration - my ETS 250 (1971) and TS 250/1 (1979) are still waiting for it. I am very pleased that the MZ are also valued and cared for in other countries after so many years. The plugs in the frame tubes under the seat were also original. Not original - but also retrofitted to my TS (like at Honda models from the 70s) were the round reflectors on the right and left of the telescopic fork. I wouldn't put any stickers on the side covers. Wish you a safe journey at all times! Eine sehr schöne Restauration - meine ETS 250 (1971) und TS 250/1 (1979) warten noch darauf. Ich freue mich sehr, dass die MZ auch in anderen Ländern nach so vielen Jahren geschätzt und gepflegt werden. Die Stopfen in den Rahmenrohren unter dem Sitz waren auch original vorhanden. Nicht original - aber auch bei meiner TS nachgerüstet (wie an Honda Modellen der 70er Jahre) waren die runde Reflektoren an rechts und links an der Telegabel. Ich würde keine Aufkleber an den Seitendeckeln anbringen. Wünsche allzeit gute Fahrt!

[@captbarb6642]

Thank you and yes I think people in England are still enjoying the old MZ two stroke bikes . Best you get to work restoring your bikes .

[@spudflap]

Wonderful, I'm jealous! Had a number of these back in the 80's as reliable transport while my British bikes were in the workshop being fixed (which was often). I grew to love the MZ's, super reliable, quick enough, enclosed chain and peanuts to run. I had five of them in the end and did more miles on them than on the old Brits. I bought one once which had been dropped and had a sizeable dent in the (huge) silencer. Instead of wing ding-a-ding, it sort of went wong dong-a-dong! Seem to remember the official method to decoke the silencer was to jam a potato in the end then fill it with caustic soda and leave overnight. Love MZ's...

[@captbarb6642]

Thanks for your reply I think now we are all older we love the MZ brand and think you're right about the spud and caustic soda trick.

[@rogerbradbury9713]

I've owned a couple of these and yes, I've decoked it with a potato. Captbarbs also used the correct starting technique, and I'm please to see that this example ticks over; I was told by my local MZ expert that only 1 in 10 do. It seems to be charging alright; at tickover the charge warning light didn't seem to be coming on. Even if it flickered a bit it would be okay. One look at the rear shocks with their adjustment handles and I remembered the settings: too hard, and much too hard! Great bikes.

[@captbarb6642]

@@rogerbradbury9713 but that front brake is interesting

[@rogerbradbury9713]

@@captbarb6642 But ideal for training up Brit bike riders!😀 I put in a TLS brake from a Honda 175; can't remember if it was a CD or CB. It's an easy swap but I had to keep adjusting the MZ brake cable. Perhaps I should have replaced it with a stronger one.

[@captbarb6642]

@@rogerbradbury9713 certainly stops you tailgating cars

[@pauljenkins2501]

A lovely restoration of a super little bike. I am more than a bit envious........😊

[@captbarb6642]

Thanks Paul it's a little peach to ride as well even the poor front brake is special 😄

[@derekr54]

Nice bike and it makes me yearn for the '70's and '80's again. I always fancied one of those if I ever got fed up with Honda back then.

[@captbarb6642]

It almost copies one of the Honda's from the 70's with the black and chrome .

[@williammuir638]

Had ETZ 251 for 6 years commuting all weathers except snow/ice also toured it in uk camping. Never let me down. Sold it on for half what i paid for. GREAT BIKE! MISS IT!

[@captbarb6642]

You should get another one .

[@andrewpeacock4695]

How the sound takes me back!

[@captbarb6642]

I'm happy you liked it thank you.

[@nickjones7330]

I had an 'S' plate one , same colour and put over 85,000 miles on it, best bike I've ever had ! Would love another one but wouldn't pay the silly money people ask for them now. My brother bought one new in 1979, £440 , mine was 2 years old and cost me £200.

[@captbarb6642]

That's Incredible, I'm glad I got mine now it's so different from other bikes . Just been to a triumph dealer today and you can buy a new 1200 speed twin for £12 k , I brought a Daytona in 1994 for £9k so 30 years on and the bike prices have gone up but not much £3k in 30 years .

[@peterhodes6708]

Very nice machine , sounds spot on !! From a fellow stroker owner.😄

[@captbarb6642]

Thanks for your kind words I've only touched what needed that's all .

[@hammychannel9306]

Hi great page, lovely bike, I am just restoring a wilf green supa5 , you have done a very good job

[@captbarb6642]

Thanks for your kind words I have loved doing the project and love riding it only a few times at the moment keep me updated on your project and if I can help just ask.

[@geraldfitzgibbon7428]

Looks like a good restore job. Well done. She looks vgood

[@captbarb6642]

Thanks Gerald I've done my best and have enjoyed it a lot .

[@shayb290]

Great video,my friend,,,,looks great,sounds even better,,,,,looking forward to your next video,,,,,,From Dublin, Ireland 🇮🇪 👍👍☘️☘️☘️✌️

[@captbarb6642]

Thanks very much i haven't taken the MZ out this year but she will be out soon.

[@robclitheroe4551]

Such an underated bike. Back in the late 70's I started to commute 100 miles a day on an MS ETS 250. With it's huge 5 gallon tank it was like riding a Camel but it never let me down, would cruise nicely at 70 and was incredibly torquey for a 2 stroke. I did about 30k on that bike and from memory it had about 50k on the clock when I then bought a TZ250 Supa 5 just like yours - same colour an' all. It wasn't as fast as the ETS or as tourquey but was still a wonderful machine. Again I put about 30k on the clock and again it never let me down. Both bikes handled fantastically with Avon tires on them and the Supa 5 would wheelie away from the lights no problem! I think it had a shorter wheelbase? I also have a Moto Guzzi Le Mans Mk1 which I've had from new in '78 and used the MZ's for the grunt work in most weather conditions and the Le Mans for cleaner days. The MZ's were just as much fun but in different ways. I never worried about them, or was as protective of them in the same way as I was (am), with the Guzzi and becasue of that they were just such fun to blast along on. A really great way to get to and from work! Good luck with that beauty of yours and I hope you get to ride it regularly and find out what a brilliant machine it is. Again, for me these MZ's are the most underrated motorcycles of all time. East Germany engineering at it's best - pragmatic, practical and bullet-proof.

[@captbarb6642]

Thanks for the kind words I think you summed it up with your last three words spot on . I've not ridden her much I just got it finished and winter set in but come spring I shall put some gentle miles on her .

[@robclitheroe4551]

@@captbarb6642 Still got the old ETS250 motor in my garage but gave the Supa 5 - which had been off the road for over 20 years, to a lad that needed a break. Bugger sold it as-is for 400 quid! Good on him for having the audacity to do so.😊

[@captbarb6642]

Cheeky bugger I say do you think he needed the money more than the machine , very kind and generous of you.

[@robclitheroe4551]

@@captbarb6642 I was definitely surprised. Told me he wanted to restore it and use it himself. About 6 months later I asked my son how his buddy was getting on with the project and he said "sold it". He did need a break but bloody hell...😏

[@WOLFIE-96B-UK]

Looks great! I had a couple in the '70s as winter ride to work bikes, I loved them, great fun to ride!

[@captbarb6642]

It's the only bike I have fuel in the tank and ready to go at the moment but it's too nice now for me to ride in the winter especially if our UK roads have been gritted .

[@davedoingdavethings247]

Nice job. You don't see them around anymore. We always reckon they had a square piston because of the shape of the cylinder. My late dad was given a jawa 350 twin with 36000 miles on. We got it going, and it was a great bike. All these bikes were crude, but they worked in harsh conditions with little maintenance.

[@captbarb6642]

So true not the piston but working in harsh conditions this one will be looked after. At the moment I can ride it in the ulez in the UK for free how mad is that especially when it starts up cold we have a bit of two stroke smoke .

[@davidanderson3425]

Great job. Love the MZ 250. I had a little MZ125 way back, got me through my Bike Test. Wish I still had it!

[@captbarb6642]

You should get another one and relive your youth .

[@harrylor66]

Excellent work, your Supa5 looks very nice!🤩 It's nice to see that in the UK some of these old machines are being preserved!😊 BTW: Mr David Baynam drove a Supa 5 from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego in 1979, that is quite an achievement. His travelogue can be read in the September 1979 issue of Motorcycle Sport Magazine. Always have fun with the machine!🙂

[@cedley1969]

I had a few mz's including a black supa 5, they are remarkably well made.

[@captbarb6642]

Yes I'm finding out about that great bike all around just love it.

[@carlarthur4442]

They seem to go forever these bikes , very robust machines , well done , looks really nice 😊

[@captbarb6642]

Thanks for your reply I've grown to love the MZ brand over the years.

[@carlarthur4442]

@@captbarb6642 One of my cousins has a number of bikes , I remember him mentioning an M Z as a great greenlaner bike because of their handling and their robustness , another bike I think may fall into a similar category is the C Z . 😀

[@captbarb6642]

@@carlarthur4442 Their only weakness is that front brake works but poorly. I believe there is something you can do to make it fantastic but I haven't yet .

[@TroyaE117]

Very clean bike. I had a blue one in the past. Pulls from lower revs better than the 301. Perhaps the 301 is a better highway bike. Fair winds!

[@captbarb6642]

It has had an easy life to be honest and it pulls wells like you say .

[@buxvan]

We called them an OMZ in the 80’s used to think they were rubbish but as I get older I realise they’re pretty good. Coming from a mobylette X7 & Heinkel bubble car owner !

[@captbarb6642]

Couldn't agree more there's a guy on the aprilia caponord site who has a tribant and loves it, goes everywhere to shows .

[@TroyaE117]

Do NOT 1:47 put slippy additives in the gear oil of an MZ gearbox. The clutch will slip later, often much later, and keep slipping. Been there, done that. SAE 80 GL1 only for me.

[@captbarb6642]

@@TroyaE117 I've only done 15 miles with the additive added to soften the seals but sound advice I shall remove and replace with just the oil thankyou.

[@TroyaE117]

@@captbarb6642 Capt. I would get it out of there while you can. Those clutch plates tend to glaze and have to be stripped and sanded again to rid them of the slip. The manual warns not to use additives. I use SAE 80 or 90 GL1 gear oil. I avoid higher GL grades. Other MZ owners will debate otherwise. I guess they have not suffered the dreaded slip.

[@captbarb6642]

It's out hopefully my plates are ok fingers crossed .

[@boredmalcontent]

Nice! Mine's a 1978 black one *with* hammer and compasses, it looks good to me. All I've changed on it in 8 years of ownership is a VAPE electronic ignition and a Mikuni carb. I'd trust it to take me round the world!

[@captbarb6642]

Wow that's some statement around the world I like it . At the moment I'm on my way back from Spain and Portugal on my old Aprilia Caponord.

[@boredmalcontent]

@@captbarb6642 Excellent, I'm just back from 2,600 miles riding my 50 year old Ducati 750GT back to the factory in Bologna for its birthday - fabulous trip.

[@captbarb6642]

@@boredmalcontent funny that we went there on the Aprilia capo last month covered 3000 miles , I use to have the 1978 900ss nice bikes .

[@boredmalcontent]

@@captbarb6642 As the MZ owners' manual says... 'In the high latitudes of Finland, in the parching heat of Africa, under the most different operating conditions these motor-cycles run to the satisfaction of their owners'

[@mrmoon1482]

Love it 👍

[@captbarb6642]

Thank you very much .

[@MySteaming]

The engine looks like a block of flats! 😊

[@captbarb6642]

Yes it's a large lump , are you referring to Scottish ones

[@MySteaming]

@captbarb6642 I'm referring to pictures of the one that's be renovated. Are Scottish ones different to all others?

[@captbarb6642]

@@MySteaming there gray walls and roofs

[@anthonydavey157]

Congratulations, looks and sounds great. I’ve nothing against the old DDR but, unless they’re very discreet, I wouldn’t put the stickers on the side panels. Just a personal preference for the original aesthetics.

[@captbarb6642]

Yes I agree Ive left alone i did try getting the old dealer stickers Jim aim but unfortunately they couldn't supply them .

[@1man1guitarletsgo]

Looks fantastic! 165 subscribers right now, so I guess you're doing something right.

[@captbarb6642]

Thanks for your comments just sharing my bike love .

[@markuskuhn4539]

Hab mir vor 5 Jahren so eine zugelegt.Schöner 2 Takt Sound. Macht echt Spaß. ❤ Motor ist Gummigelagert ohne Schleifenrahmen daher wenig Vibrationen.

[@captbarb6642]

They are great to ride and everybody has had one or they remember them they have stood the test of time very well .

[@donaldjolly2882]

Love the Bike , mind your leg when you kick start it, they can kick back and you will catch your ankle on the air filetr bolt, very painfull, bigest problem is they cost less than £300 new back in 1980

[@captbarb6642]

Yes they have a nice compression

[@runningtorchlight]

Looking forward to seeing you ride! Lately I find various UK videos on KZbin about MZ. They show MZ enthusiasm, like yours. Still the click rates are relatively low. 😢 Seems MZ folks in GB are even less into KZbin than the Germans!😅

[@captbarb6642]

Hopefully before the winter sets in I shall have a proper spin on it . I think I may have a float height issue that needs investigating or the fuel filter has blocked a little . Thanks for your support.

[@mgnbukint6502]

The standard front brake can be improved to be adequate on these by changing the shoes & correctly shimming them. I had mine relined by Saftek (who are local), who suggested that the glazing on the originals showed they were too hard a compound - last forever but not much stopping ! They could lock the original Pneumant tyres in the dry, though - which says a bit more about the Pneumant's grip capabilities tan the effieciency of the brakes.. EBC shoes seem to work OK, though & are still available, though IIRC Saftek do mail order. The internal operating arm is short and easily goes "over centre" as the shoes wear, reducing efficiency. Rather than use the handlbar adjuster to take up clearance, shim the shoes where they contact the cam - MZ spares outlets sell special shims to fit over the flat end of the shoes in 3 thicknesses - ideally the shoes should be shimmed to give the correct clearance between the shoes & the drum with the cam at rest to get maximum leverage. Also helps to fit a grommet onto the cable outer just above where the cable enters the brake plate to stop rain running down the cable into the drum when parked - wet brakes can be grabby & catch you out. While I appreciate that not many will have them to hand, BMW R65 side panel grommets are just the right size ! Nearest gearbox oil to the original DDR recommendation is SAE80 - Wilf Green got it wrong recommending GL90 oil, which is too thick and causes clutch drag and poor gearshifting. Iridium or platinum plugs give better running and seem to last for ever. Recently had better results with Denso (who invented Iridium plugs) over NGK.

[@captbarb6642]

Wow so much information, the front brake definitely needs fettling on mine . Thank you for your technical advice .

[@martinwhite7876]

I had one in the 80s loved it bought a yamaha Rd afterwards. then wondered why I didn't keep the mz

[@captbarb6642]

I had a couple of the old RD,s the 200 and then the 250 wish i still had them now there all special just in different ways.

[@josephschock8208]

Hi very nice, good to do your thing ,I copied you and lifted my saddle. Joseph in Paris

[@captbarb6642]

Makes a difference for us long legged people .

[@ROYBARKER-f6w]

My 250 was a four speed in 76 and then the aupa5 in 78. Miss the ring ding sound and everyday usefulness

[@captbarb6642]

Gets a lot of interest when out and about now. And that extra gear is always handy.

[@kostoglotov2000]

Nice.

[@captbarb6642]

Thanks!

[@ianbonnick7640]

Slick50 is good for gearboxes use it for my beemas

[@captbarb6642]

Wow can you still.getnthst stuff ,it's been around for ages teflon I think 🤔

[@andrewlindley837]

Fantastic bikes. I have to admit that I enjoy my Supa 5 more than my VFR 750 ! Use fully synthetic 2 stroke oil to reduce smoke and I wonder whether you will convert to 12V eventually ?

[@captbarb6642]

The honda vfr750 non VTEC is a fab bike I like them I had a couple of the vfr400 , I'm sticking with the 6v trying to keep original for now will it give me trouble . I have used a synthetic oil also putolene seems ok I fancy Castrol R if you can get it still and does it smell like it used to when I was younger.

[@danh2622]

Those seat extensions look familiar, just saying 😂

[@shayb290]

p,s, you can consider me your 76th subscriber,,,👍👍☘️☘️☘️✌️

[@captbarb6642]

Thank you very much 👍

[@captbarb6642]

Danfoss or aspera I just can't remember you have a keen eye young Dan what do you think . What about the black plugs ?

[@holygrale8099]

We all do love our trusty MZs and you did a reallly great job on yours. But maybe you do yourself a favour and open the garage doors so your lungs and the footage don´t get too foggy... 🙂

[@captbarb6642]

It has been a long time since I've breathed in two stroke fumes ,it was a different experience, but I understand what you mean .

[@stefantrzoska]

Watch the front brake.nice job

[@captbarb6642]

Are that front brake is so poor Stefan I over shot a junction on my ride home I would like to improve it without putting a disk brake on .

[@stefantrzoska]

@@captbarb6642 I remember a long time ago I fitted a twin leading shoe brake off a Honda I think. It would be a good idea to join the MZ riders club as they have a lot of knowledge on the bikes. Good luck.

[@captbarb6642]

@@stefantrzoska I've joined the online mz , muz internet site .

[@harrylor66]

@@stefantrzoska The Honda brake and the ETZ disc change the appearance of the TS considerably. The old TS is not a "racing bike", so I would ride the TS drum brake carefully and with foresight.😉 And remember, some "US custom choppers" have no brakes on the front wheel.... 😉😁

[@markuskuhn4539]

Mach dir links noch so einen Spiegel ran. Sieht noch besser aus.👍

[@captbarb6642]

Thank you I was going for minimal looks ,I do ride on the left also .

[@arthurfarrow]

It has a dynamo so the warning light will come on at low revs

[@captbarb6642]

Thanks for that Arthur nothing to worry about then I suppose I should check the regulator can you adjust it like on the old VW 6v beetles .

[@arthurfarrow]

@@captbarb6642; As I said, dynamos do not push out much charge at low revs, so it is normal for the charging light to come on a tick over, just like old Minis

[@captbarb6642]

@@arthurfarrow thanks Arthur

[@harrylor66]

BTW: This bike was ridden in the UK and restored in the UK. Why not display the Union Flag or the East Anglia Flag proudly on the side panels?🙂 It also fits better in terms of colour.🙂

[@captbarb6642]

I had brought what I thought was an interesting old East German flag with a compass and corn lots of red etc , but one person said don't put nothing on them leave it original which I thought was a good remark .

[@harrylor66]

​@@captbarb6642 It's always a good idea to keep it original! 🙂👍 A GDR sticker wouldn't be ideal either, the machine didn't run there. I once saw a Scottish MZ in a Video with the flag of Scotland, hence the suggestion. Mr David Baynam had also displayed the Union Flag on his tour. Yes, and because Mike Hailwood once rode a racing MZ.🙂

[@garygrimmer4713]

You sound familiar 😅

[@captbarb6642]

Howdy Gary glad you gave me a look what do you think 🤔

[@gazzertrn]

Sorry but back in the seventies/ eighties , these bikes were considered junk . Nice to see one , but they had so many reliability probs . I don't mind them but..........

[@captbarb6642]

Yes they were a strange bike compared to the Japanese bikes we had , I think that's the charm about them now ,and the reason why I got one .

[@arassabah1114]

Hi for sale

[@captbarb6642]

Unfortunately not at the moment .

[@BLUESBOYBENFIELD]

Errrrrrrmmm………

[@captbarb6642]

You like or not 🤔

[@BLUESBOYBENFIELD]

I love the bike…..I was just remarking that you say errrrmmmmm a lot….

[@captbarb6642]

I make it up as I go along Errrrrrrrm I will try and stop doing it my brain doesn't work very fast these days 😔

[@captbarb6642]

Well I can report it wouldn't pull past 5000rpm kind of bogging down after replacing the fuel tap which didn't help I've raised the needle to position four and raised the floats up 2mm to 27mm it now revs like a demon and the plug colour looks reasonable aswell