Description
Up for sale is my 1984 TS 125, but the “sport” version – a special edition offered by MZ importer Wilf Green (a bit more background later in the advert). I bought it in 2014 as a non runner barn find, and have gradually rebuilt it and am now using it on the road. Just done an 80 mile round trip with no issues.
Rebuilt from the ground up, though not a “nut and bolt” restoration, more of a practical rebuild. My focus has been on getting a useable bike, rather than replacing every bolt with shiny stainless steel ones. This means all of the awkward tasks (such as big end replacement, headstock bearings and fitting new swing arm bushes etc etc) has already been done. With a weekend spent polishing and fitting minor items (such as new handlebars) you’ll have a tidy bike. A bit of a rarity, whilst still being a bike that's easy to work on, and has good parts availability.
Engine was rebuilt prior to its MOT as it was previously seized. Developed a third gear issue, but I have since split the cases again and replaced the layshaft and sliding gear. All gears are fine now. Since taking some photos I've added a new exhaust (see first photo)
A large proportion of new old stock parts have been used, bearings and seals has been replaced (except for the layshaft bush which was in good condition)
V5 in my name. MOT’d until December 2022. If I get close to my asking price I’ll include an original owners manual, tyre pump, tool roll and a few minor spares, however I’m open to offers.
Reason for the sale is I don’t need 4 TS 125’s. This bike is too tidy for commuting and I also have 2 basket case TS’s (one of which is a tax exempt 150, which will suit my requirements better) waiting for attention and the space the “sport” is occupying
Bike is located 10 miles south of Bristol. Welcome to view the bike, however I’d prefer if you had some sort of insurance prior to a test ride – please don’t arrive with a helmet but no license and expect to ride it away.
If you want more info, please see my website (search for topcocameley1) . I occasionally make a webpage describing my various projects, and have done a bit of a build log for this one. There are a few photos of the rebuild, details of any issues I had. Bit of a long read though!
Detailed description
UK Importer of MZs, Wilf Green, produced a short run of “special” editions, created by adding bits to standard MZs, to create something more appealing than the standard motorcycles. For the TS 125, two versions were created – the pathfinder (a trials / greenlaner) and the sport. Underneath, the sport was identical to the standard TS, except for
• a sporty fibreglass rear mudguard attached to the standard rear subframe.
• A custom seat cover and foam to include a cafe-racer style hump
• A squared off tank with a higher capacity, based around that of a Bombardier 250
I bought this bike back in 2014, and have (very) slowly been reassembling it, with the aim of having a tidy and useable bike.
When I bought the bike, the engine was seized, the paint was faded with surface rust in places and the brakes were stuck on. I got the frame powder coated and panels sprayed, then lost interest when I found I’d welded the new battery tray in the wrong place.
A few years later, with a brief burst of enthusiasm, I rebuilt the forks and fitted new swing arm bushes. Those bushes weren’t an easy job, so once done, lost interest again
This year I decided to finish it off, mostly because I wanted the space the panels were occupying! I sorted that battery tray, rebuilt the engine and reassembled with many new (and a good proportion of old stock) parts. End result was a bike which is far nicer than my main commuter bike (another MZ), partly the reason for its sale
Summary of work done
Chassis & cycle parts
• Frame and swing arm powdercoated
• New headstock and wheel bearings (brand name). New swing arm rubber bushes
• Metzeler ME22 tyres and Michelin inner tubes.
• Forks rebuilt. Stanchions in good condition (see photos)
• New EBC shoes and a Venhill brake cable means the front brake works reasonably well (for an MZ!). New old stock shoes and cable on the back brake.
• New old stock chain gaiters (seemingly better quality than the new ones)
• Original sidestand
Engine
• Engine was seized so rebuilt with new bearings throughout (gearbox and mains). Conrod replaced. Clutch plates and layshaft bush were serviceable, so left alone. Gearshift return spring and kickstart ratchet spring retainer plate (on back of clutch basket) replaced as a matter of course.
• Original cylinder had a cracked liner, so replaced with a recently re-bored (still 125, using an Almot piston and if I remember correctly, on 1st oversize). Barrel and head sprayed with high temp black (another feature of the “sport”)
• Carb cleaned and rebuilt - new float and float valve fitted. Later carb with throttle adjustment screw installed, as standard on the later TS’s and ETZs. New air filter
Body panels & other
• Panels resprayed in 2k
• Tank in good condition inside – it’s the only steel item on the bike which differs from the standard TS, so I was fortunate I didn’t need to find a replacement!
• New seat cover, as old one had dried out and cracked badly over the years of sitting in sunlight. New old stock seat base fitted, old foam re-used. Seat cover patterns had to be made up from the remnants of the old one, but fits well.
• At some point the bike was fitted with an alternative front mudguard. I only found out about this once the panels had been sprayed. Up close it’s a bit untidy, what with aluminium spacers to address the difference in width. From new, the sport was fitted with the standard TS mudguard, so I can include one of these if you want to revert back to standard.
Electrics
• Fully rewired, around a DIY 12V conversion using the flywheel and stator off a modern moped. Works well, but doesn’t have as much output as the proper aftermarket 12v kits, so bike is using an LED headlight. Will run a 35w headlight bulb, but only just charges battery with a 55w bulb. I have left a spare cable in the loom, and all parts were designed such that the frame and engine etc remains unmodified, allowing to revert to the standard 6V dynamo. I will include a 6v system (tested & working dynamo and regulator, and untested 6v coil – i’d suggest if going down the 6v route to replace coil condenser and points)
• The DIY conversion means no points to set – a completely new, solid-state system. Electronic ignition, using CDI/ Coil unit off an Aprillia RS50. Can run without battery, as coil unit is powered by a winding on the stator. Unlike some aftermarket 12v conversions, the backplate is adjustable so you can set the timing to your preference. Naturally all parts were new, and replacement coils, stators and regulators are readily available at a very low price.
• Charging light on speedo rewired to act as an indicator warning light.
• H4 Wipac quadoptic headlight reflector (gives better bulb choice than the original MZ reflectors, which used the larger P45t fitment)
To-do list
There are still a few minor tasks needing completion -
• Chrome on handlebars is pitted, replacement is £25. I haven’t replaced it as I don’t think they’re too bad.
• Minor adjustments to carburettor required – bike has only just been put back on the road, so will need adjustment once bedded in. Runs a tad rich at the moment – moving the needle up one slot should suffice
• The switches need new rubber grommets, where the cables exit. These are cheap, but I had the order cancelled, so attempted to mould some from silicone, which split. I was running out of time before the MOT so just left them off. I have since tried to get hold of more elsewhere, but i'm still waiting for a response. They're only £2 each and you may have more joy obtaining them
Thanks for reading
