I have finally got around to sorting out my MZ TS250/1 - just a couple of things to check now & it should be ready for a trip to the MoT station.

It was last on the road in 2016, but had only done "distance to test & back" for 3 years before that due to a persistant oil leak from the gearlever where it exits the clutch cover. The seal here is just an O-ring but is a PITA to replace, hence not having much enthusiasm for the job. Unfortunately the new O-ring hasn't totally cured the leak, as the gearchange shaft is slightly corroded where the O-ring sits, but it is now manageable. Changing the gearchange shaft means splitting the engine & I am currently investigating the fitment of a narrow conventional oil seal to the outside of the casing (which will require a trip to the milling machine for the casing). One of the few areas where MZ cheap-skated on design, unfortunately.

Anyway, it is almost ready to MoT again & I was debating whether or not to change it to "Historic" status to remove the need for tax & MoT going forward. I can't see any downsides to doing this - at the moment.

But I instictively don't trust "The Powers That Be" to give something for nothing and do wonder, longer term, if restrictions on usesage of "Historic" registered vehicles might be brought in. This wouldn't be the end of the world, as I have other bikes on SORN that are of similar age (2 are the same model) that could be rebuilt and kept on standard registration if required.

Any thoughts ?

The petroil mix in the tank must be at least 10 years old, maybe up to 12. But it still smells like petrol & the bike started after 5 or 6 kicks (kicked back on the 3rd kick) and seems to be running fine. Maybe petrol then was better than now, or Putoline premium full synthetic 2T oil acts as a very effective fuel preservative ? No carb cleaning prior to starting, but I did run the float bowl dry before putting away last time I rode it.

Nigel B.