MZ Rotax Cafe Racer Project

[HOrnbrod]

Picked up this super rare East German 95 MZ Silver Star, plans are to convert to an old school cafe racer. Got a little chrome on it too. :D Had a couple of BSA and Triumph cafe's before - time to get back in the game since the MJ is basically where I want it for now. This bike's been sitting for over three years, picked it up for cheap, and got it up and running after a couple of weeks work. Has the bullet-proof 4-stroke 502cc Rotax thumper w. 5-speed. It had electrical problems and pure varnish throughout fuel system, along w. other problems as usual w. bikes that have been sitting this long, but is running great now. Cafe cosmetic time now. :cheers:

 

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[CRF136N]

It matches your truck! :yes: Nice bike. :thumbsup:

 

-James

[dakal]

looks sweet

[HOrnbrod]

looks sweet

 

Thanks - love the retro stuff. :cheers:

[Automan2164]

Don, could you explain "cafe racer"? I have an idea, but enlighten me.

 

Rob L.

[HOrnbrod]

Low slung narrow bikes, usually 4-stroke thumpers, originated by the Brits back in the 60's, on Triumphs, BSAs, Matchless, Vincents, and other Brit models. Basically solo naked bikes designed to get from point A to B fast. Kick start mostly in the early days. Many interpretations have been built over hte years, including some (ugh) Jap bikes. Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caf%C3%A9_racer

 

Had quite a few in the past, mostly BSA's, and to moi they are truly fine. :cheers: But this MZ has an electric start (and a kick start for emergencies) and other modern conveniences, w/o the oil leaks, and will make a super cafe racer w/o a whole lot of work.

[Automan2164]

:thumbsup:

 

Rob L.

[WahooSteeler]

as a 2 wheel lover, all i can say is verrrry nice!

[HOrnbrod]

It matches your truck! :yes: Nice bike. :thumbsup: -James

 

Yes, it's almost the same color gray. I was trailering it home from TN last week taking it easy and a long column of Harleys came by on the Interstate all yelling and hollering and pointing. Guess they liked it.

[possum]

Kinda sounds like a Triumph Speed Triple. It's pretty naked from the factory and they nick named it a "hooligan bike". I believe the brit slang for a cafe racer was a "naked" or "rat bike". That is a very nice bike you picked up can't wait to see it finished. I have been toying with the notion of getting one of them Daytona 999's. They still have a brand new one at the Triumph dealer in detroit.

[HOrnbrod]

 

Kinda sounds like a Triumph Speed Triple. It's pretty naked from the factory and they nick named it a "hooligan bike". I believe the brit slang for a cafe racer was a "naked" or "rat bike". That is a very nice bike you picked up can't wait to see it finished. I have been toying with the notion of getting one of them Daytona 999's. They still have a brand new one at the Triumph dealer in detroit.

The modern resurgent Triumph Daytona is a 675 triple, and is based on the older 600cc TT600 4-banger. Nice bikes, though not for me - too complicated. The original 60's Daytonas were 500cc twins; now that one I'd like. But I've always liked the simplicity and sound of a big 4-stroke thumper. My first 4-stroke thumper was a BSA 441cc Victor. I loved that bike, despite the fact that it broke my foot twice kicking back when starting and it's unique self changing oil feature. 3/4 of the oil would automatically drain itself on your garage floor if it sat for a month or so. :cheers:

The Rotax singles are great engines and are bulletproof w. minimal maintenance. They can be bored and stroked up to 700cc's. :eek: On my 300lb. bike, it'll fly. Rotax replacement and performance parts are readily available since these engines are/were used in snowmobiles, PWC's, and ultralight aircraft too. This is going to be a fun build, and have located a vendor in Miami who has lots of new and used MZ bike parts, as these bikes are still very popular in Cuba.

BTW, anyone have anything powered with a Rotax engine?

[Oizarod115]

if you don't mind, what did you pay for that fine creature?

[HOrnbrod]

if you don't mind, what did you pay for that fine creature?

 

Paid $2K, and it came w a new single bike trailer, a lot of used and new factory spare parts, and new MZ and Rotax manuals. This bike also had a sidecar option and I found one, pristine, for $200 if I want to drive drive down to Miami to pick it up. I think I will. :cheers:

 

[dakal]

i used to race laydown karts. i had a yamaha 20cc motor on it. but the guys with money raced the shifter karts and they had rotax motors.

 

i got up to 105 on our track,pir portland, but the rotax guys would be doing 155 at the end of the straight. good memories.

[dakal]

get it. the side car.

[pantera1973]

BTW, anyone have anything powered with a Rotax engine?

 

I used to have 2 ATK's, both Rotax powered. Amazing engines. Change out your cambelt once a year and it will run forever.

 

BTW, in case you hadn't guessed I'm Pantera over on Thumpertalk. :wavey:

[HOrnbrod]

BTW, anyone have anything powered with a Rotax engine?

 

I used to have 2 ATK's, both Rotax powered. Amazing engines. Change out your cambelt once a year and it will run forever.

 

BTW, in case you hadn't guessed I'm Pantera over on Thumpertalk. :wavey:

 

Yep, seen your posts. :waving: I did check the belt and the timing with a light thru the inpections window (nice feature) and all was okay. Like to get a spare belt though. Guess Ron Woods is the best place?

[pantera1973]

Ron Woods tends to be a bit higher priced than others, but not always. I would try Keith Fearing over at American Dirtbike : http://www.americandirtbike.com

 

He's a heck of a nice guy & he knows his stuff. Even though the belt might look ok it's always recommended that you replace the belt often. Some folks do it yearly as it's cheap insurance. Do this and your engine will last darned near forever. Belt's run around $35 as I recall.

 

 

[HOrnbrod]

Thanks for the link - added it to my favorites. Seems like all the Rotax expertise is on the West Coast. ........... :roll:

 

I'll be calling them tomorrow.

[mnkyboy]

I have a 650 rotax in my bombardier ATV, and a 440 rotax in a sled.

 

I'm also working on a cafe project,I'm doing a 73 Yamaha RD350.

[HOrnbrod]

 

I'm also working on a cafe project,I'm doing a 73 Yamaha RD350.

Yeah, that's a nice thing about cafe racers, you're only limited to your imagination (and pocketbook ). Here's my ideal:



Street legal 660 Rotax based on a Ron Woods flat tracker. MMMmmm
Simple and beautiful. :cheers:

[mnkyboy]

the RD is a pretty popular bike for cafe conversions especially over in europe,which is wierd for a Japanese bike.

 

I'm thinking something like this for mine

[HOrnbrod]

Yes, RD350's were very fast 2-stroke twins back in the day. Still are! I had a Yamy DT400 single 2-stroke around that time. It had the infamous "Autolube" system, same as the RDs, and it crapped out on me w/o first letting me know, and locked the engine up while cruising at about 70 MPH on the steel grate across the York River bridge in VA. :eek: Hairy experience and I vowed never to get another 2-stroke. But I did of course (a 75 Husky 360CR) and just recently sold it because it was such a bear to start. Still don't like 2-strokes. :D

 

Point of all this: DITCH the Autolube pump and mix it in the oil the old fashioned way in the tank. :cheers:

[mnkyboy]

My brother had a few DTs when we were younger i think we premixed them all. I have an MX360 but i think its premix as well.

 

I have had quads with oil injection and havent ever had any issues with it but they are all late model bikes, ive never messed with the early setup.

 

Ive thought about ditching the oil injection anyway to unclutter the frame. I can get an electronic ignition and ditch battery/box then remove the autolube and oil tank,it should look pretty clean. :cheers:

[HOrnbrod]

Agree, ditch it. Saves weight too. :cheers: You can re-sell the whole autolube system to the purists why want the original parts. :D