Page 1 of 1

"New" 2002 MZ 125 RT needs help

PostPosted: Sun Nov 10, 2019 7:57 pm
by yodamac
First post. Glad I found this board. Long story short, my parents used to be dealers in Ft. Worth, TX for MZ's out of their BMW motorcycle shop. My mom gave me a brand new 2002 MZ RT 125 that used to be on their show floor to give to my boys. It has been warehoused for at least 15yrs and has 127miles on the odometer! Beautiful bike with no evidence of wear or rubber part deterioration. Only flaw is a bit of dark stain on the seat where something sat on the seat for many years. Anyway, I'd like some advice on the carburetor settings. Bike would barely start at first and seemed to idle ridiculously high (over 3000rpm). I drained the tank (was stored empty all those years, but still) and put fresh premium in it. Took the carb apart and cleaned it, but it really looked like new. Now when I put the carb back in, I'm sure I messed up the positions on the starter carb, throttle and the idle screw. Now it only starts if I take the seat off, blow a puff of carb cleaner in the intake and put my hand over it for a bit. Before I do any damage, could someone give any tips. Also, just out of curiosity, how much is this worth now? Just don't want to see my boys ding up or scratch such a nice little street bike if it's worth more than I think. Probably need to get them a cheaper bike to mess up first. If I remember, I think these only sold for about $3500 new. Thanks, Perry

Re: "New" 2002 MZ 125 RT needs help

PostPosted: Sun Nov 10, 2019 11:02 pm
by yodamac
Update: I got the bike to start after opening the drain on the carb, but it wants to run with the starter carb at the first click. It's almost like it's starved for fuel without the choke (started carb). Also, it doesn't run steady, it revs from 3000rpm to 5000rpm every 5-10 sec. It will die fast if I take the starter carb off (choke equivalent) unless I give it gas. I can baby it down to 2000 rpm if I'm careful but it almost immediately dies if I try to hold it there. I tried adjusting the idle screw (the one with the spring and grip on the outside). I went from fully closed to open 1.5 turns to 2 turns and out but it doesn't seem to make a difference. My understanding is this should idle around 1400-1500 rpm. Any advice on getting it there?

Re: "New" 2002 MZ 125 RT needs help

PostPosted: Mon Nov 11, 2019 12:47 am
by baroquenride
Those symptoms sound like a vacuum leak. Could be something else though without looking at it. Take a look at my recent post regarding carb settings. I just dug into my carb and it's running fantastic so perhaps I can help.

Re: "New" 2002 MZ 125 RT needs help

PostPosted: Mon Nov 11, 2019 12:09 pm
by DAVID THOMPSON
a good carb clean should help

and my traveller was sold from that shop in ft worth
and i got it several years later from a fellow in ARK en saw

mine was the 2002 rt125 and sold from a dealer in Erie PA for $3000
and i met perrys dad at BMW rally's in the 1970s and 80s

Re: "New" 2002 MZ 125 RT needs help

PostPosted: Thu Nov 14, 2019 5:37 pm
by baroquenride
yodamac wrote:Update: I got the bike to start after opening the drain on the carb, but it wants to run with the starter carb at the first click. It's almost like it's starved for fuel without the choke (started carb). Also, it doesn't run steady, it revs from 3000rpm to 5000rpm every 5-10 sec. It will die fast if I take the starter carb off (choke equivalent) unless I give it gas. I can baby it down to 2000 rpm if I'm careful but it almost immediately dies if I try to hold it there. I tried adjusting the idle screw (the one with the spring and grip on the outside). I went from fully closed to open 1.5 turns to 2 turns and out but it doesn't seem to make a difference. My understanding is this should idle around 1400-1500 rpm. Any advice on getting it there?

Any updates on this?

Re: "New" 2002 MZ 125 RT needs help

PostPosted: Mon Jan 13, 2020 6:46 pm
by SLDMRossi
Would like to sell this RT? I'm looking for one...

Steven Rossi
East Haddam, CT
SLDMRossi@aol.com
(248) 470-5788 Cell