Earles Fork Handling

I have a 1971 MZ ES Trophy. Marvellously styled earles fork'd 250 two
stroke [1].

It handles very nicely; certainly a lot better than the C15 and
Superdream I had.

However, If I put a heavy load (say two Moto Guzzi barrels and heads) on
the rear rack the handlebars shake to the point of losing control if I
take my hands off the bars.

I'd like to sort it out before I load it up like the little red donkey it
is and take it to Elmerland in January.

What could be the cause?


[1] For those who haven't seen it:
http://www.sweller.dynalias.org/mzes250/

 

Dunno. I've got a steering damper you're welcome to. Bought it for the
sidecar but it seems unnecessary after I've set it up.

 

It'll cruise at 60 quite happily but it's a nigh-on 40 year old two
stroke. I used to use it regularly as a commuter on a similar journey.
Not every day, 2 or so times a week but that was on B roads.

Dual carriageway constant thrashing wouldn't be good but I think economy
would be the killer. It runs at 33:1 two stroke mix and about 40ish to
the gallon.

Possibly not at all.

 

What type of steering damper?

Hydraulic would be impossible (or at least very difficult) to fit. The
MZ dampers are friction type. I have one for the later TS but it's
missing an important bit.

 

No, yes, maybe.

I've checked the obvious but in reality I think it's the weight lifting
the front up enough to cause the shimmy. I'll see if I can get an OE
damper.

 

Kawasaki design.

It's a hydraulic one; fits to the fork and then a frame tube or similar.

 

Could be tricky:
http://www.sweller.dynalias.org/mzes250/photos/photo3.jpg

 

By the time you've fully loaded it for the Winter Madness, you might
find it doesn't bother at all. My TS250, with full loading of rear box,
throwevers and tank bag would handle fine, but I usually made sure the
heavy stuff was within the wheelbase.
--
Dave
GS850x2 XS650 SE6a

Teach a man to fish and he and his pikey mates will have the
river cleaned out in a day.

 

Is that a partially worn Michelin M38 I see before me? IMO that's
likely to be a contributory factor. I don't know why, maybe some
mismatch with the profile/tread/wear pattern and ES250 geometry, mine
does the same but strangely not on knobblies. You could try varying
the pressures, setting the shocks on hard or something, I'd be
interested to know if you cure it.

 

You may have a point...

 

WTF are you smoking?

 

I think the cutest part is the D-lock on the front wheel. I mean,
wildly optimistic or what?

I certainly looks like they have...

--
_______
..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (bdotrogers a.t compaqnet.fr)
\`\ | /`/ DS#8 BOTAFOT#3 SbS#2 UKRMMA#13 DFV#8 SKA#2 IBB#10
`\\ | //'
`\|/`
`

 

Stops the little bastards from a few doors up wheeling it off down the
road. Which they did once. It is now, thanks to darsy, lashed to the
front of the house.

Not so oddly biker types turn their noses up at it. Girls, however,
specifically Brighton type girls seem to like it and will initiate
conversations about it. I've even scored on the basis of that bike so I
reckon it's a winner.

 

Brighton, Hove: it's a nold two-stroke.

 

Usual suspects have already been mentioned. However, ISTR Earles-forked
BMWs had two pivot points for the front swinging fork, one for solo and one
for sidecar hauling. I can't see clearly in the picture, but this might be
something worth checking.

Magnificent.

 

Accompanied by the sound of a chisel on slate

If you're ever in the Czech Republic, there's a brilliant little bike museum
near Celákovice that is literally full of ancient, weird and wonderful old
MZs and stuff.

http://a84.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/106/l_0ac489bc62908e8d74dc868656875f6b.jpg

http://a324.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/104/l_64e235c7c2f3f530970833affdbb570b.jpg

http://a434.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/108/l_60e33ae797f99efc80e8d6e6dd896269.jpg

The last one is a '71 MZ something or other..


--
Pete M - OMF#9
"Save your breath for cooling your porridge!
W&P Range Rover V8 Turbo
Scorpio Ultima 24v
Tatra 805

 

nono, that's "smoking out".

 

you sick fucker.

 

Sucking his keyboard for inspiration, Austin Shackles typed:

Brighton? That's smoking gadgees, innit?

 

Lots of weight, far back. The bike is oscillating about the steering
head.
Get the weight forward - tape some cardboard or foam to the tank and
carry the barrels in a rucksack worn back to front (and don't fall off).