International Six Day Competition can be unbelievably challenging for riders and equipment to a degree that few people can appreciate the riding discipline unless they’ve witnessed or sampled the torture firsthand. Once prepared, only the rider may maintain the machine after the flag drops with minimal spares and tools through six days of torturous riding conditions. The motorcycles must have unique power characteristics that provide the capability of creeping through trials-like rock sections or charging across open tundra at 70 mph. They have to be strong and tough and handle well in a tremendous variety of situations.
Motorcycles that conquer the ISDT become important sales tools for their manufacturers at least in Europe, where the ISDT has long been a tremendously prestigious event. In the U.S. much more interest has been shown in the whole affair since we got to host our own in 1973.
Certain manufacturers have overlooked the definition and tacked the name “replica” on machinery much less deserving… certainly less similar. Not so the MZ ETS250, though, this production model is identical to the factory run machines, from East Germany’s Motorradwerk Zschopau.
This 1974 MZ ETS250 ISDT hails from the MotoTalbott Museum in Carmel, California. It was originally built by the factory for the European ISDT events of the day with all the necessary racing accoutrement for the son of the US importer. However, his ride fell through at the last minute and so the bike remained on display at the New York dealership unused for many years but ready to race. Now, since purchase by Robb Talbott some years ago, the bike has on static display in pride of the place in the museum in its superbly original condition down to its leather tool bag. It has been re-commissioned to ready it for sale, but further fettling may be necessary before returning it to regular use.
Frame no. 52426
Location: Ventura, California
SOLD
