TS125 Points

[mzeck]

Hi, I've just about finished fixing up my TS125 that has been off the road for over 20 years. I insured it on Friday and took it a quick test run to see if it was ok for an MOT. It went ok but seemed a bit low on power at higher revs. I took it home and checked out the points. The felt pad that is attached to the points was stuck between the cam that opens the points and the points themselves. Therefore the opening of the points was done with the felt pad, if you know what I mean. I'm pretty sure that this wasn't correct so I pulled the felt pad out and re-gapped the points to 0.3mm. Unfortunately this didn't fix the problem. I've ordered a new set of points and condenser so I'll try that. I checked the variable resistor thingy and this measured 4.8 ohms which I think is ok.
Any other ideas would be appreciated. Also, where is this felt pad supposed to sit, a pic would be great!
Thanks, Alex

[radiograf]

The felt pad fits between the points and the cam. The cam follower should go through a hole in the felt onto the cam. Also remember to oil the felt wiper, as this lubricates the cam to reduce wear on the points cam follower.

[DAVID THOMPSON]

when a bike sets for a long time the points spring looses it spring tension and needs replaced
the lack of tension caused loss of power above 2500/3000 as the points do not close proper
the felt pad rubs on the cam lob for the points and has some grease or oil on it so the plastic cam follower
does not ware fast

see picture below this looks like a bmw points from the early 1970's /5 motor
with the actual cam and advance missing so you can see the layout
dave

[mzeck]

Thanks guys, I've circled where the felt pad was on my TS, so this is incorrect and it should rub the cam lobe elsewhere?

[DAVID THOMPSON]

needs to rub where it wipes oil on the cam lobe face
can not tell you where on your bike
i have only ever seen 1 MZ 2 smoker
all mine are 4 stroke with no points
the 2 smokers are very rare in the USA
dave
the 4 stroke models are rare also here

[radiograf]

There you go, points layout on an ETZ251.

points layout etz251

As I said before the points cam follower fits through a hole in the felt .

[DAVID THOMPSON]

CLICK ON THE PICTURE IN ABOVE POST FOR A BIGGER VIEW
and that shows it better an it should do a good job
D

[Louis Mair]

If you have moved the points it is not a bad idea to check the ignition timing. You'll find the details in your workshop manual.
Your bike was designed to make maximium power at less than 6,500 revs. There is little to be gained in revving it much further.
If you have no joy with adjusting the points and timing you might like to consider the possibility that the silencer is choked with carbon and hydrocarbon residues. In this scenario a minor carburettor/coldstart/air filter problem caused the bike to run rich over a period of time, many years ago. It ceased to be used because the choked silencer had killed off what little power it had.
The best way to check this possibility is to try a different TS 125/150 silencer. Alternatively an ETZ 125/150 or CZ 250 twin silencer would do.
The human mind is not good at rational diagnosis. You need to be stubborn and slightly obcessed to fix old bikes!
Good luck.
Louis

[Louis Mair]

Through the good offices of Roland Smith and miraculus.de here is a TS 125 parts list. They don't have an englisch language workshop manual for your bike. You might get a Haynes Book of Lies in the library.
http://www.miraculis.de/aw/mz/text/ts15ee/ts15ee.html
Louis

[mzeck]

New points now fitted & I now understand where the felt pad sits - thanks very much guys!
I've still to take it a test ride to see if the problem is solved.
It's got a new silencer so no choking up issues.
I've still to look at the timing.