Maico 490 101 for dummies

[shelpi]

I obviously dont know much, but it came to my attention that 81,82,83,84 490's were all put into one basket as being the same by Maico only raceing UK, is this true and what is the most bullet proof open class motor from maico and what year, please help dumb arse here

[evo550]

'83 and '84 motors where different to the earlier motors (reed valves and gear driven primary drive)
I've only owned a couple of the reed valve motors ( 1 '83 and 2 '84's) and never had a motor reliability issue, but did have some issues with the rest of the bikes "build quality"  one '84 especially.

[shelpi]

'83 and '84 motors where different to the earlier motors (reed valves and gear driven primary drive)
I've only owned a couple of the reed valve motors ( 1 '83 and 2 '84's) and never had a motor reliability issue, but did have some issues with the rest of the bikes "build quality"  one '84 especially.
[/quote

so if a bloke wanted to score a donk for a sidecar EML Maico KIT what would be the best motor and whats the availability and how much could we expect to pay (unless Iam horribly mistaken) parts are redably available well that what it looks like when pretending to buy parts

[firko]

I'd go for the air cooled '83/84 490......a great engine. The water cooled later engines are pretty much the same engine but I don't have any experience with them.

[shelpi]

I'd go for the air cooled '83/84 490......a great engine. The water cooled later engines are pretty much the same engine but I don't have any experience with them.

thanks Firko, Yep want air cooled, I dont mind if its a 440 as the 490 was a bored out 440 according to info sourced but ran a primary chain so the primary chain went to 1982  ?didnt it?(would a primary chain be a problem and could it be retro fitted with the 83 clutch)
and share the same rod kit (apparently)
Ive never owned a Maico but am excited by the prospect, to think I nearly put a Suzuki motor into a Maico kit frame
So how do we go about sourcing the Maico Motor?

[firko]

  I dont mind if its a 440 as the 490 was a bored out 440 according to info sourced but ran a primary chain so the primary chain went to 1982  ?didnt it?(would a primary chain be a problem and could it be retro fitted with the 83 clutch)
and share the same rod kit (apparently)

First up there were no 440's after 1980, the 440 won't bore out to 490 anyway...not enough metal, and the 83 clutch won't fit the earlier model. The 82 and back Maico's use a Belville washer style clutch while the later geared primary engine used a conventional coil spring clutch. I wish it did fit but alas...........You're going to be up against it finding an 83-84 490 engine here in Oz and it'll be hard to find one in the USA. You could try the 'Maico Parts Wanted and For Sale' facebook site... https://www.facebook.com/groups/492847434163162/permalink/523047781143127/, you never know what might come up. I think the moderator is FlyingDG, Doug who's a member of this forum and a nice bloke.

[shelpi]

  I dont mind if its a 440 as the 490 was a bored out 440 according to info sourced but ran a primary chain so the primary chain went to 1982  ?didnt it?(would a primary chain be a problem and could it be retro fitted with the 83 clutch)
and share the same rod kit (apparently)

First up there were no 440's after 1980, the 440 won't bore out to 490 anyway...not enough metal, and the 83 clutch won't fit the earlier model. The 82 and back Maico's use a Belville washer style clutch while the later geared primary engine used a conventional coil spring clutch. I wish it did fit but alas...........You're going to be up against it finding an 83-84 490 engine here in Oz and it'll be hard to find one in the USA. You could try the 'Maico Parts Wanted and For Sale' facebook site... https://www.facebook.com/groups/492847434163162/permalink/523047781143127/, you never know what might come up. I think the moderator is FlyingDG, Doug who's a member of this forum.

thanx for clearing up the crap that I have been reading (I wish there was a bullshit filter for the internet) thanks Firko will start with that, here we go wish me luck

[paul]

Some 1981 MAICO/s were built with 440 motors but not advertised in brochures

They have later style top tubes/backbones (NON Mega form frame).

http://www.maicoland.com/photos/1981/thumbnails/pages/1981_001_jpg.htm

[paul]

also a1981/ 400
http://www.maicoland.com/photos/1981/thumbnails/pages/1981_003_jpg.htm

[paul]

also a 1981 /760
http://www.maicoland.com/photos/1981/thumbnails/pages/1981_028_jpg.htm

[firko]

Pauls 100% right.....I forgot all about it but you won't find either a 400 or 440 in a hurry, they're pretty uncommon......a 760 is what you want for your outfit 

[shelpi]

Some 1981 MAICO/s were built with 440 motors but not advertised in brochures

They have later style top tubes/backbones (NON Mega form frame).

http://www.maicoland.com/photos/1981/thumbnails/pages/1981_001_jpg.htm

thanks for that Paul, so is it possible to put a 490 cylinder on the 440? and do you know were I can source a motor

[shelpi]

Pauls 100% right.....I forgot all about it but you won't find either a 400 or 440 in a hurry, they're pretty uncommon......a 760 is what you want for your outfit 

Shit yer Firko but that aint gunna happen look a flying pig with a pink elephant tech screwed to it

[paul]

crank cases are different
78/79/80 cases and barrell have different stud patteren to 81 /82 cases and barrels.

but you can graft a 81.82 or 83 reed barrel to earlier 78/79/80 cases with a lot off work,paul stacker does it.also you can resleeve a 440 barrel with a 490 sleeve with bit off work as well ,once again paul stacker btw its not cheap

[shelpi]

crank cases are different
78/79/80 cases and barrell have different stud patteren to 81 /82 cases and barrels.

but you can graft a 81.82 or 83 reed barrel to earlier 78/79/80 cases with a lot off work,paul stacker does it.also you can resleeve a 440 barrel with a 490 sleeve with bit off work as well ,once again paul stacker btw its not cheap

Thanx Paul so would paul stacker have a spare motor lying around ( so whats the best way to contact paul stacker)