MZ ETZ
The MZ ETZ (unit type Zschopau or single cylinder telescopic fork central box frame ) is a motorcycle type that was manufactured by MZ in the GDR .
history
The MZ ETZ was the most popular model from MZ. However, these are two fundamentally different models; the small series with 125 or 150 cm³ engine , and the large series with 250 or 300 cm³ engine. Both models differed in the chassis structure and were sometimes built at the same time. For the first time, ETZ was characterized by the use of separate lubrication (export), otherwise still mixed lubrication, disc brakes (initially a license replica from Brembo ) and 12-volt electrics. Like all two-stroke MZs, it was characterized by very elastic engines, a very good chassis and high economy, which is why it was also very popular outside the GDR (for example in Great Britain ) before 1990 . As with most large MZ motorcycles, it was possible that it could be shipped from the factory with a sidecar . This sidecar could be removed with little effort, even for the technically inexperienced, so that the vehicle could be driven as a motorcycle team or as a solo machine. However, this required a trailer frame, a pure solo frame could not be retrofitted for trailer operation. However, there are conversion kits to mount a sidecar on a solo machine, but this must be entered in the papers.
The popularity of this motorcycle continued unabated in 2007. In the summer of 2007 it won the vote of the NDR as the “most popular motorcycle in Northern Germany” by a large margin ahead of the competition, which included motorcycle legends such as Münch Mammut , Horex Regina , Honda Gold Wing and Harley-Davidson Fatboy.
After MZ went bankrupt in 1991, the Turkish company Kanuni Kombassan acquired the licenses to build the ETZ 251/301, continued to produce it, partly with changes, in Turkey from 1994 to 1997 and exported it to Germany, among others.
| ETZ 125 | ETZ 150 | ETZ 250 | ETZ 251 | ETZ 301 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 123 cc | 143 cc | 243 cc | 243 cc | 291 cc |
| power | 10.2 hp | 12.2-14.3 hp | 17 or 21 hp | 17 or 21 hp | 23 hp |
| Empty weight | 118-122 kg | 118-122 kg | 145-152 kg | 141-145 kg | 145 kg |
| Top speed | 100 km / h | 105-110 km / h | 130 km / h | 130 km / h | 135 km / h |
The small series
In 1985, four years after the start of the large series, the ETZ 150 appeared as the successor to the TS 150 , with which it had very little in common. The engine was further developed, the frame was new and similar to that of the ETZ 250, plus the 12-volt electrical system known from the large series. The "small" series also included the ETZ 125. This has the cylinder of the more powerful version of the ETZ 150 (14.3 HP) with a correspondingly reduced bore. With this version, the modified design of the gas guide achieves a performance comparable to that of the “standard ”ETZ 150 (12.2 HP). The ETZ 150/125 was also available with either a drum or disc brake at the front.
The large series
The ETZ 250 came out in spring 1981 as the successor to the TS 250/1 . In contrast to the TS, it was optionally equipped with a disc brake , depending on the version . A 12-volt system was now standard, optionally with H4 headlights. The first GDR customers were lucky enough to get a low-maintenance and relatively small West German battery from the Sonnenschein company. Later there was a larger battery from the VEB Grubenlampenwerke Zwickau that required a lot of care. The initially very long, almost horizontal exhaust pipe appeared sedate, which is why it was later built in a slightly upwardly angled design, giving the motorcycle a sleeker appearance. In addition, a very small ETZ scene existed as early as 1983 that privately upgraded their machines without official parts. These parts included one or two fog lights, a plastic cockpit hood or a DIN radio in the cockpit, complete with an antenna and stereo boxes from regular retailers. Occasionally the radio was connected to a specially prepared full-face helmet with a spiral cable ("diode cable") so that cassette or radio could be heard while driving. In addition, hobbyists were already offering electronic immobilizers as a retrofit kit on the gray market (daily newspaper). The installation of cigarette lighter (available from Skoda in the CSSR) in the left side cover was also very popular. For export, the ETZ 250 was equipped with fresh oil lubrication (metering pump). The engine (21 HP) has been revised in many ways compared to its predecessor. The shape of the engine block and the side cover differed fundamentally from the predecessor for the first time and were now more angular and smooth. The cylinder was outwardly larger and the exhaust port was now straight / centered. By changing the cylinder height, another piston was also used. Inside the cylinder, the 4-channel flushing (for the first time on MZ series machines) was the most striking feature. The shape of the inlet duct has also been changed (trapezoidal → oval, with a pronounced support nose). The engine characteristics are designed to be significantly “sharper” than in the previous models.
Further changes were a welded box-profile frame and the 18-inch tires front and rear, which was the only time in the history of the large MZ types.
From January 1989 the ETZ 251 was presented with some changes compared to the ETZ 250. A new tank and side cover similar to the smaller ETZ-125/150 series, a shortened box-profile frame and an 18-inch wheel at the front and a 16-inch wheel at the rear were the main differences from the previous model. In October 1990, production of the MZ 301 started with a displacement increased to 291 cm³. Off-road models (OR) announced in 1990 do not seem to have been transferred to series production.
Another successor, the ETZ 252, with a slightly more powerful and water-cooled motor with a membrane inlet was last worked on. A few prototypes were produced, but never in series.
The new four-stroke
After 1990 it became necessary to replace the collapsing eastern market with customers in the west, which led to the ETZ model series being upgraded with a four-stroke engine . MZ decided on the 500 cc engine from Rotax and developed upgraded models based on the large ETZ, which were built until 1998, including the optically almost identical 500R , the Saxon series and the Silver Star or Red Star . At the same time, the tried and tested two-stroke engine was installed in the Tour and Fun models until 1995 .
The small ETZ, on the other hand, was optically upgraded until 1998 as the Saxon Roadstar and the Saxon Sportstar with the 125 cc two-stroke engine throttled to 10 hp.
Web links
- Pages from ostmotorrad.de with operating instructions , spare parts lists , pictures, circuit diagrams and further information
Individual evidence
- ↑ "Test und Technik" magazine, October 1986, page 14ː "MZ ETZ 150ː test - nothing for heating types"
- ↑ Vote for "Most Popular Motorcycle in Northern Germany" by NDR ( Memento from September 4, 2007 in the Internet Archive )
- ↑ KFT motor vehicle technology issue 10/1990, p. 19
- ↑ KFT motor vehicle technology issue 9/1990, p. 16
- ↑ KFT motor vehicle technology issue 6/1990, p. 166/167
RT 125 · BK 350 · ES Series ( 125/150 , 175/250/300 ) · model ETS · Model TS · model ETZ · Silver Star · Scorpio · Bagheera · Mastiff · RT 125 · SX / SM 125 · 1000 S / ST / SF