Old Bike Mart Magazine October 2015 Back Issue

Putting things into perspective is something we should do a bit more often.

Following my feature in last month’s OBM comparing BSA and BMW Maudes Trophy attempts in 1952 and 1973 respectively, I received a great thoughtprovoking letter from Jack Frost of Tisbury, Wilts, pointing out that in 1981, a standard MZ TS150 Eagle was ridden round and round the Oxford ring road for seven days and nights to record an average speed of 46.6mph, an average fuel consumption of 84.6mpg and a total mileage of 7836.5 miles.

Despite the MZ being a humble air-cooled, single-cylinder twostroke a fifth of the size of the German flat twins, and costing a fraction as much, the figures are uncannily similar to those achieved by the prestigious BMW attempt on the Isle of Man. Before the start of the ring road marathon, the MZ was given a normal first service at 174 miles, and the spare parts used during the week-long run were one new headlamp bulb, one indicator bulb, one dynamo brush and one spark plug, total cost £3.20. Apart from the plug change, the engine was kept running while the new items were fitted.

The TS150 was ridden by an 11-strong team from local MZ dealers Oxford Motorcycle Engineers, and I have to say that, in this instance, East beat West hands down!

Jack wrote: “MZs have suffered an image problem in the UK, but I think this shows that the TS150 was a great value-for-money machine. I admit to bias in this regard as, being an OAP, I regularly ride my 38-year-old MZ and 60-year-old LE Velocette around the Wiltshire lanes. “I also permit myself an occasional smile when I see big machines for sale in your classified ads with comments like ‘too large and heavy’ or ‘for sale due to age’. Come on, codgers, get yourself a lightweight. Ride ’em, don’t polish ’em!”

Now that you’ve written my ‘Prattle’ for me, Jack, let’s have your full address because at the very least you deserve a second ‘Muc-Off’ prize this month!

Pete Kelly