Always liked this Yamaha single

[Chuck in Indiana]

Ought to be on "another level" for $350 a pair! 

I don't care. They will easily last 5 or 6 years out in the SoCal canyons, no more than I get to go out there anymore. Cheap entertainment..

[SIR REAL ED]

I don't care. They will easily last 5 or 6 years out in the SoCal canyons, no more than I get to go out there anymore. Cheap entertainment..

Commentary on tire prices always reminds me of this statement from a magazine test of the mind blowing 1998 Yamaha R1:

"The bad news is this motorcycle eats expensive tires.  On the other hand, put cheap tires on this bike and it will kill you!"

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

What prompted you to get the Scorpion?  Isn't water cooling a big switch for you?   

I mean a 1990's machine.... what have you done with the real Charlie?

Well... I hope I don't "jinx" myself, but...

I recently sold my V700 to a gentleman in Philly. He mentioned that with the arrival of the V700 that his MZ Skorpion Tour needed to go. I replied that when he was ready to sell it to let me know. Then he said those magic/fatal words: "you can have it, just come and get it." 

I've toyed with getting one before (my friend Joe Gilmore had a very nice one, cheap), I like Yamaha's big singles, water-cooling isn't a concern for me. I rode and maintained my brother's '99 Aprilia Pegaso 650 Cube after all, so it's not like it's new to me. 

I've had a '90s bike before (V10 Centauro) and even 20teens bike ('13 V7 Stone). I like to visit the '90s and onward, I just prefer to "live in" the '70 and '80s. 

[SIR REAL ED]

Well... I hope I don't "jinx" myself, but...

I recently sold my V700 to a gentleman in Philly. He mentioned that with the arrival of the V700 that his MZ Skorpion Tour needed to go. I replied that when he was ready to sell it to let me know. Then he said those magic/fatal words: "you can have it, just come and get it." 

I've toyed with getting one before (my friend Joe Gilmore had a very nice one, cheap), I like Yamaha's big singles, water-cooling isn't a concern for me. I rode and maintained my brother's '99 Aprilia Pegaso 650 Cube after all, so it's not like it's new to me. 

I've had a '90s bike before (V10 Centauro) and even 20teens bike ('13 V7 Stone). I like to visit the '90s and onward, I just prefer to "live in" the '70 and '80s. 

Never pass up a free bike!!!  A great stoke of luck!!

If you decide to sell it, please let me know.

While on the subject of MZ's...

https://www.bikeexif.com/mz-skorpion

[Chuck in Indiana]

"you can have it, just come and get it." 

Well, that's a little less than what it's worth..  A guy gave me one, too.. but it didn't have an engine. It was really low mileage, so I cherry picked the good parts and put it on my "MZ in a Pile" I built for the California Canyons. It's a *really* good motorbike, and a shame the company went under.
A face only a Mother can love..

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I find them to be rather attractive in a '90s sort of way, only the radiator spoils it. 

[SIR REAL ED]

Well, that's a little less than what it's worth..  A guy gave me one, too.. but it didn't have an engine. It was really low mileage, so I cherry picked the good parts and put it on my "MZ in a Pile" I built for the California Canyons. It's a *really* good motorbike, and a shame the company went under.
A face only a Mother can love..

Chuck,  there's no accounting for taste!   

I think those are great looking bikes!!!  I've always thought the lines were very clean.  Then again, I've never been accused of being sophisticated.

Substitution of an air cooled single engine will solve the radiator aesthetic.

Chuck, is the frame on your bike bonded or welded?  The Aprilia RXV/SXV series were the only other bikes I know of that used a bonded frame.

Why should the MZ's be considered to be worth almost nothing?  No spare parts available?

I recently viewed an faired MZ 1000 classified.  Not that bike was FUGLY!!!!

[Fredrik]

I have owned SR400, SR500 and SRX600. All are boring, slow and vibrating crap. Save your money……

[Scout63]

I have owned SR400, SR500 and SRX600. All are boring, slow and vibrating crap. Save your money……

I can’t speak to the 400 or SRX, but Fredric gets two out of three for the 500. It is slow and vibrates.  That being said, I can’t think of another Yamaha that got everything so right.  I’m going to fire mine up this weekend if the sun stays out.

[sdcr]

Ben,

I think you’ll agree, it’s more fun to ride a slow bike fast,  than a fast bike slow.

One thing I found, was that, my big street singles were never boring.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Chuck, is the frame on your bike bonded or welded?  The Aprilia RXV/SXV series were the only other bikes I know of that used a bonded frame.

To the best of my knowledge.. bonded. There is a big rivet at the joint though. Maybe some government safety person thought glue wasn't enough? Dunno.

Why should the MZ's be considered to be worth almost nothing?  No spare parts available?

That is my guess.. and.. nobody except enthusiasts know what it is. When I was putting the MZ in a Box (tm) together, there were some parts available in England. Found a carb kit in Poland. Since it is a Yamaha 660, you would think drive train parts would be common. Not so much.. but it *is* Yamaha. I haven't needed anything for it in years.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Chuck,  there's no accounting for taste!   

I think those are great looking bikes!!!  I've always thought the lines were very clean.  Then again, I've never been accused of being sophisticated.

Substitution of an air cooled single engine will solve the radiator aesthetic.

Chuck, is the frame on your bike bonded or welded?  The Aprilia RXV/SXV series were the only other bikes I know of that used a bonded frame.

Why should the MZ's be considered to be worth almost nothing?  No spare parts available?

I recently viewed an faired MZ 1000 classified.  Not that bike was FUGLY!!!!

I rather like the 1000S and would like to own one before I can't ride anymore. That and an Aprilia Futura.

Wikipedia says: "The Skorpion was the result of an international collaboration, being conceived by British design firm Seymour Powell. The Skorpion's engine, electrics and switches came from the Yamaha SZR660, with Italian Grimeca parts including brakes, forks and rear suspension. The strong tubular beam frame was unusual in using aircraft adhesives to save weight but production versions came with a welded frame."

[john fish]

I remember reading when they were introduced that the frames were welded because the company figured bikers were too conservative to trust bonding.

As Chuck has said before: it ain't no slow revving thumper.  If you keep it on the boil, it covers ground at a very good pace and is surprisingly capable on the highway.  Light weight bikes are great fun.

[SIR REAL ED]

I rather like the 1000S and would like to own one before I can't ride anymore. That and an Aprilia Futura.

Wikipedia says: "The Skorpion was the result of an international collaboration, being conceived by British design firm Seymour Powell. The Skorpion's engine, electrics and switches came from the Yamaha SZR660, with Italian Grimeca parts including brakes, forks and rear suspension. The strong tubular beam frame was unusual in using aircraft adhesives to save weight but production versions came with a welded frame."

I was a bit shocked at the photo of the MZ1000 in the ad.  In fact, I don't ever recall seeing a fully faired MZ1000.  Almost like a bizarre streamliner.  Like you I have always thought that the MZ1000 was a great looking bike.  This thing was very strange looking.  Maybe an after market fairing or homemade.  if I can find the ad, ill post a link.

I saw the same statement on Wikipedia.  Based on things I actually know, I have a 50% confidence factor in wiki knowledge regarding things I do not know.  Most fascinating when they refer to a four stoke as a two stroke, or a twin as a four cylinder.

I would guess the rivet on Chucks bike is evidence of bonding.  Only the shadow knows for sure.

[SIR REAL ED]

I rather like the 1000S and would like to own one before I can't ride anymore. That and an Aprilia Futura.

Wikipedia says: "The Skorpion was the result of an international collaboration, being conceived by British design firm Seymour Powell. The Skorpion's engine, electrics and switches came from the Yamaha SZR660, with Italian Grimeca parts including brakes, forks and rear suspension. The strong tubular beam frame was unusual in using aircraft adhesives to save weight but production versions came with a welded frame."

Aprillia Futura is another bike I have lusted after...

Here we go.  https://www.smartcycleguide.com/L48273377

 front and rear pics are obviously camera distortion.  I stand corrected.

Better pics here:https:

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=mz+1000+pictures&t=h_&pn=1&iax=images&ia=images

[Scout63]

Ben,

I think you’ll agree, it’s more fun to ride a slow bike fast,  than a fast bike slow.

One thing I found, was that, my big street singles were never boring.

Roger that John.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Italian Grimeca parts including brakes, forks and rear suspension.

Forks on mine are Paioli. Rear suspension is a mono shock from the SRX, to the best of my knowledge.

[sdcr]

Chuck,
All of the Yamaha SRX bikes that I owned came with a twin rear shock set up.

Forks on mine are Paioli. Rear suspension is a mono shock from the SRX, to the best of my knowledge.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Chuck,
All of the Yamaha SRX bikes that I owned came with a twin rear shock set up.

Oops, that is what I was told by the previous owner of the MZ in a Box. (tm)  Definitely a mono shock, but the shock itself isn't Grimeca. Don't remember what it is, though.. the bike is out in Socal, so I can't look. Did Yamaha build a race version of the SRX?

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Oops, that is what I was told by the previous owner of the MZ in a Box. (tm)  Definitely a mono shock, but the shock itself isn't Grimeca. Don't remember what it is, though.. the bike is out in Socal, so I can't look. Did Yamaha build a race version of the SRX?

This Cycle World article says Paoli forks and Bilstein rear shock.
https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/9/1/muz-skorpion-tour

[SIR REAL ED]

To the best of my knowledge.. bonded. There is a big rivet at the joint though. Maybe some government safety person thought glue wasn't enough? Dunno.

To the best of my knowledge.. bonded. There is a big rivet at the joint though. Maybe some government safety person thought glue wasn't enough? Dunno.That is my guess.. and.. nobody except enthusiasts know what it is. When I was putting the MZ in a Box (tm) together, there were some parts available in England. Found a carb kit in Poland. Since it is a Yamaha 660, you would think drive train parts would be common. Not so much.. but it *is* Yamaha. I haven't needed anything for it in years.

That's good to know.  Looks like my lack of garage space once again saved me from over paying for a bike.  Lack of space is a poor substitute for good judgement, but on occasion it will suffice.

Most of the Scorpions (3 or 4) I have seen for sale were $2500-$4000.

Years ago, I was tasked with designing and assembling a 12 foot long "extension" used to either loosen special bolts or shear them.  I choose to bond the big aluminum tube to the custom socket and square drive (1 1/2" IIRC).

The bolts would back out around 1,200 ft-lbs, and if not, about 3,500 ft-lbs would shear the bolt.  We torque tested the extension to 6,000 ft-lbs and it worked great.  IIRC, it would wrap up a full turn or more under that torque.  Kinda spooky in use.

Everybody was happy that it solved the problem of loosening a galled bolt.

There are some really impressive adhesives out there!!!

[SIR REAL ED]

This Cycle World article says Paoli forks and Bilstein rear shock.
https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/9/1/muz-skorpion-tour

Hey Charlie, 

I've read that the intake manifold from the single carb Yamaha ATV fits the SRX 600 head.  It might also fit the 660 head.... one would think. 

IIRC, the MZ has two carbs, a single carb might be a very worthwhile simplification.

Filling that radiator with Freon might save a couple pounds...... and maybe gain a horsepower or two due to less pumping losses.... 

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Hey Charlie, 

I've read that the intake manifold from the single carb Yamaha ATV fits the SRX 600 head.  It might also fit the 660 head.... one would think. 

IIRC, the MZ has two carbs, a single carb might be a very worthwhile simplification.

Filling that radiator with Freon might save a couple pounds...... and maybe gain a horsepower or two due to less pumping losses.... 

From what I'm reading, it's a fairly common modification to install a single carburetor in place or the stock "carburetor and a half". I'm not sure what manifold the conversion uses, maybe one from the ATV. The Tour that I'm getting already has the mod done, but includes the original carb as well. I'll likely go back to original - I briefly owned an XT350 with the same setup and it worked well once adjusted properly.

[SIR REAL ED]

From what I'm reading, it's a fairly common modification to install a single carburetor in place or the stock "carburetor and a half". I'm not sure what manifold the conversion uses, maybe one from the ATV. The Tour that I'm getting already has the mod done, but includes the original carb as well. I'll likely go back to original - I briefly owned an XT350 with the same setup and it worked well once adjusted properly.

IIRC, the Yamaha dual carb setup was a primary regular carb, and a CV secondary carb. 

I had a 1985 XL350R with the dual carb setup (neither were CV IIRC), and putting around on the back roads with my wife on her 1976 KE 175, it was not unusual to get over 110 miles per gallon.  It sounds impossible, but it was consistent.

Once I get around to putting a basket case 1986 XL600R together, it has a dual carb setup.  Neither is a CV carb.  From what I have read, most owners consider the dual carbs as a good setup on the Honda's.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

This is the '94 XT600E carburetor:




And people think a Dellorto PHF or PHM is complicated! 

[SIR REAL ED]

This is the '94 XT600E carburetor:




And people think a Dellorto PHF or PHM is complicated! 

and others think fuel injection is simple!!

it's cool that you have single or dual carb options to play with.  sounds like fun tinkering to me!

[ScepticalScotty]

Hmm I did probably 30,000 miles on an SRX600 and about 12000 on an SZR660. Toured on both of them, hit the ton on the SRX between Parkes and Orange, and 110 or so on the SZR on the Autobahn. Some very fond memories of both. Very light, easy to throw around, and both sounded great with a fruity pipe. 4 laps of the TT course on the SRX, including Mad Sunday. I was a member of the UK Thumper Club and a few forums on singles. Still love a single. There's a lot more I could say.........   

[Deno]

I had two SR 500’s back in the 80’s. The red one was my first bike. Also my first accident came on it. It was sold to a guy who also bought my 912. The second was a black one. I turned it into a cafe bike and ran it for several years. Passed it on to a friend who then gave it to his son. He still has it.
I always missed the bike and eventually replaced it with a cafe bike with a single cylinder. Long live big single cylinder bikes.

[SIR REAL ED]

Hmm I did probably 30,000 miles on an SRX600 and about 12000 on an SZR660. Toured on both of them, hit the ton on the SRX between Parkes and Orange, and 110 or so on the SZR on the Autobahn. Some very fond memories of both. Very light, easy to throw around, and both sounded great with a fruity pipe. 4 laps of the TT course on the SRX, including Mad Sunday. I was a member of the UK Thumper Club and a few forums on singles. Still love a single. There's a lot more I could say.........   

I for one would love to hear more.....  especially about the SZR!

[sdcr]

Sold for $5800, plus buyers premium.
Probably a little on the high side, but much cheaper than the cost to restore it to this level.