MZ TS

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MZ TS 250 with ETZ 250 motor
MZ TS 150
MZ TS with single seats

The TS series (short for telescopic fork swing arm ) is a motorcycle series from VEB Motorradwerk Zschopau (MZ), which was produced from June 1973 to May 1982 (250 cm³) and August 1985 (125 cm³ & 150 cm³). As with the MZ ES , there were essentially two versions of the TS: the large (250 cm³) and the small (125 and 150 cm³) series. Each was available in “standard” or “luxury” with either flat or high handlebars; there were also emergency vehicles for the police and army with individual seats, panniers and other special equipment.

Types

TS 125 TS 150 TS 250
Displacement 123 cc 143 cc 243 cc
power 10 hp 11.5 hp 17-19 hp
Empty weight 103 kg 103 kg 130 kg

As is typical of the MZ, the TS models were also constantly modeled. For example, from 1975 the TS 250 was intended for the addition of a sidecar as standard , from 1976 the TS 250/1, which was especially improved for sidecar operation, was introduced.

The small series

The two smaller models are identical to each other except for the cubic capacity and differ from their predecessors ES 150/1 and ETS 150 only in minor changes to the chassis and optics. The engine , drivetrain, rear suspension and various other parts were exactly the same, the frame slightly modified. New developments were the telescopic fork (developed from the ETS fork), the entire front section (borrowed from the current 250 model), the tank and the lighting system.

From 1976 the new fork of the TS 250/1 went into series production, followed in 1978 by a revised engine with a reinforced crankshaft. With the new engine, the small TS in the “de-luxe” version now also had a rev counter. The engines of the TS 125 or 150 (MM 125/2 or 150/2 and from 1978: MM 125/3 or 150/3) with 125 or 150 cm³ cubic capacity are air-cooled two-stroke units and perform 10 or 11.5  PS . Due to the low weight of around 110 kg, top speeds of 100 to 115 km / h could be achieved. While the TS 250/1 was only produced until 1981, production of the small TS continued until 1985 before it was also replaced by the small ETZ .

The large series

Tank cap of an MZ TS 250

The TS 250 was one of the most suitable touring machines in its class and showed - by GDR standards - revolutionary innovations. It was the first MZ whose engine was not located in a loop frame , but rather resiliently in a central tube bridge frame borrowed from off -road sports models . Initially, a completely new engine with an electric starter, 12 V system and horizontally divisible motor housing was developed. For cost reasons, the MM 250/2 (from the ETS 250 and ES 250/2) was then improved in detail as a MM 250/3 installed. This air-cooled two-stroke engine MM 250/3 with four-speed gearbox (from 1976 MM 250/4 with five-speed gearbox) has an output of 19 hp in both versions, with which a top speed of 125 km / h can be achieved. In the “Luxus” it was available with chrome panels on the tank and polished parts. From 1975 there was also a 250 TS with the Stoye superelastic sidecar ex works. The TS 250/1 machines sold in the GDR developed 19 hp and reached 130 km / h. For the machines intended for export to the FRG, the power was reduced to 17 hp.

In June 1976 it was followed by the improved TS 250/1 (in England: "Supa 5"). It was the first series MZ with a five-speed gearbox and horizontally ribbed cylinder head (for better heat dissipation and vibration and noise dampening of the ribs). Another novelty was the new socketless telescopic fork (guide tubes with 35 mm diameter), which can also be found at the ETZ and which was installed in series in the MZ Kanunis in Turkey until 2002. In the "de-Luxe" version it also had a mechanical tachometer. From 1981 it was supplemented by the ETZ 250 and later replaced.

The TS models were exported to more than 50 countries (including the USA, Iraq, Germany) and marked the heyday of MZ. No other type of MZ was produced with such a high annual output. To date, the small TS model with around 326,000 units is one of the most popular German motorcycle models, while a total of over 200,000 units of the TS 250 were produced.

This success was based on the fact that the TS 250 was up to date; She won the “Great 17 HP Test” by “Motorrad” magazine in the “Economy” category, beat Yamaha, Harley-Davidson and Hercules (Sachs) in the “Engine” category and was tied with Zündapp, got suspension and Damping as well as the highest number of points as well as the passenger comfort.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ MZ special and authority models in vennbahn-buecherei.de
  2. ↑ Oldtimer Markt magazine , issue 1/1999

Web links

Commons : MZ TS  - collection of images, videos and audio files