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[Leon Novello]

A couple of ugly motorcycles there, both look decidedly uncomfortable to ride any distance further than the local corner shop.

[Adrian]

That's perhaps a bit unfair on the MZ Leon, build quality was supposed to be pretty good for Eastern Bloc machinery (check out the alloy rims). At one stage I believe MZ were cutting edge in two-stroke technology, then Ernst Degner defected to the West and Suzuki snapped him up.... For what it's worth the models they sold here made good commuter bikes, and the styling did get better, too.



A.

[Mark M]

Another thing to consider is that the 350 Clipper forks are not damped (nor do they have detachable bushes or oil seals!) like a Bullet or Twin but are a simplified and longer version of the Crusader fork. There was a pair of these fitted to my Works Rep Trials bike when I got it and I have to say the ride wasn't bad but rather crude. The short lead on the front wheel spindle on these forks is actually nicer to ride than the longer Bullet type, at least on a light weight bike like this. You will find it very hard to find the correct type of fork slider as they are all snapped up by Trials boys, but you've plenty of alternatives as suggested by others.

REgards, Mark

[Chris Tindal]

I quite like the MZ

[mustaphapint]

My first new bike was an MZ like the one in the photo. I bought it in 1972 to replace my clapped out 350 Bullet. I can't fault the MZ but I wish I'd kept that Bullet.

[Leon Novello]

Adrian, I`ll try not to offend too many people in the New Year. No doubt MZs were technically advanced for the era. As they say in the classics: `Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.'

[Adrian]

I think it's fair to say they went better than they looked, Leon. Function sticking two fingers up at form, as far as this model was concerned. Even if the original poster on this topic WERE to make a mess of fitting a new front mudguard to his Clipper (notice how I'm trying to get us back on topic) he'd still have to be going some to beat the poor old Trophy in the ugly stakes, and that was DESIGNED that way!



A.

[Nettshubby]

Leon, having owned a 250 Trophy MZ, I can say it was in fact very comfortable, especially in the seat dept.
I have also owned a ts150, 250 Supafive, (and yes I know RE did one as well!), ETZ250, ETZ300, a Wilf Green special, before the ETZ 301. And I converted a TS250 for trail riding when I was in the TRF.
In short, I like 'em!

[Leon Novello]

I don`t like the chances of picking up girls with an MZ, now, riding an Ariel Red Hunter, it was, `stand back girls and wait your turn.`