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Kick Start Technique -

The starting technique for most two-stroke MZ's is as follows:

Turn choke on (But leave ignition turned OFF).
Kick bike over twice.
Turn choke off.
Turn ignition on.
Firmly kick bike over.
It should now start.

If you flood the bike by kicking it continously without starting it you should turn the petrol off and open the throttle fully before attempting to kick it over. When kicking it over the excess fuel is expelled until the mix
is sufficient to start. Remember to turn petrol back on once this happens - Wilf Green m/c's (the old UK importer)

Suggest pushing the kickstart slowly until it is *just* past the point of maximum resistance (TDC), releasing it and then Kicking Hard - MZ Riders List

Air Filters -

Those of you who are having problems getting hold of the proper air filter for your MZ (or too mean to pay the asking price) be advised that help is at hand :-

ES250/2 - the filter element from a Yamaha FZR600 apparently goes straight in without modification. The part no. is 1WG-14451-00

TS/ETZ/Rotax models - the air filter designed for use in a Morris Minor/Morris 1000 is a straight swap for the MZ one at a fraction of the price. Shop around for the best deal - somewhere between about £5 - £10. Some need slight trimming, others go straight in without alteration.

Fuel Tap

The tap "membrane" often gets chewed up through normal use and sometimes
through ignorance. Many new owners and others,(sometimes even mechanics)
while servicing these bikes presume that the screws have become undone and
nip them up. This compresses the rubber member which becomes distorted and
small pieces break off blocking the fuel transfer holes. This in turn
restricts the fuel flow and gives the feeling of fuel starvation, which it
is of course. This part of the tap is often overlooked however and the carb
is often suspected.
Over time the spring plate which puts pressure on the tap lever and the
rubber member wears or softens or becomes flattened and allows fuel to leak
out. If (when your tank is nearly empty) you lie your bike over on it's
right side, open the two screws, remove the oval plate. There is sometimes a
small flat spring washer (this often gets lost for some reason) between the
plate and the tap lever, lift this off and then the tap itself and you will
see the object of our concern.
This small piece of rubber can bring any one of us to a halt so it is worth
noting and examining from time to time especially if your tap developes a
leak. Don't be too surprised if you notice some deformity of the rubber
membrane. If you have a new one you will see that one of the holes is
smaller than the others this one locates the part in the tap body.
(Simson owners will find that the MZ tap membrane will not fit their taps,
however the complete tap can be subsistuted.)
When you reassemble the lever you can bend the oval spring plate a little
(Use two pairs of pliers to do this) to put pressure on the lever to prevent
fuel leakage just remember not to over tighten the screws. You can sometimes
turn the tap membrane around to get some more time out of it. But replace it
as soon as you can as it is living on borrowed time.
If you decide to take the whole tap off for cleaning, get the fiber washer
beforehand as well. This usually gets chewed up when you remove it and you
can find on reassembly that the tap leaks from here. Remember also that the
tap to tank nut is lefthand thread on one side and right hand on the other.
Should you take the nut off and look inside, you will see a space between
the threads of the nut. The fiber washer I am refering to goes between the
tap and the tank. It is worthwhile to take off the tap if you are having
fuel problems as a lot of grunge and silt gets deposited around the filter
too!
Tap turns on the water...see the water flow (The Scaffold)

From colm54@hotmail.com - MZ Riders List

Lights -

For those of you out there with an elderly 6-volt MZ it can be a real pain getting hold of headlight/indicator bulbs. If one blows you can't just pick one up at your local garage. Help, is however, at hand. Next time you'
re stuck try and find a VW/Audi dealer. The older VW Beetles are 6-volt and you can usually purchase bulbs and other small electrical items over the counter.

(Whilst all these tips have come from fellow riders please note that the Brothers Grimm accept no liablity for any loss or damage however caused.)