OzVMX Forum
Marque Remarks => Maico => Topic started by: jerry on July 18, 2014, 02:33:03 pm
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Ran into a girl yesterday who has a rolling chassis for a 490 I think 1983 model. Through another mate I may have tracked down the motor and am thinking of reuniting them. Should I do it? Help. Jerry
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Of course....
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That question is like asking a bunch of raging alcoholics whether you need another drink...
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Or Linda Lovelace coming to a party consisting of you and your teenage mates - mutual benefit.
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Just the response I expected from you lot. Seriously now though we're they a good bike back then are they desirable now. Are they competitive in the hands of a capable rider(not me!) can you get parts and know how. So many questions its doing my head in! J
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Into necrophilia Twist man? :) J
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jes live in tha pas....just live in de pas. :o :o :o
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Ran into a girl yesterday who has a rolling chassis for a 490 I think 1983 model....................
see a few girls in my time but never seen one described with a rolling chassis J Man? very sexist of you to refer to her as an 83' model i am deeply offended. :)
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did you offer her a "good time" for it ???
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I figure sooner or later one of you morons will give me a half sensible answer. J
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Ok The 1983 Spyder 490 was a pretty good bike but by then Maico was in financial trouble. The 1984 model is probably a better bike also.
However we should establish whether it is an 1983 motor. Has it got chain primary drive or gear primary drive.
1981/2 is chain primary drive. Check a website like SoCal Maico they have engine numbers so you can confirm the year.
As for parts. Are you kidding Maico is the one brand you can almost get anything. Apart from SoCal try Maico Only UK, VMX Unlimited in Australia. Just Google Maico parts or even eBay.
Kevin
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the 490 maico is the standard of big bore vmx. the single shockers were off the pace a bit on handling compared to the last twins but the motor was a winner in all respects
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Why do so many people say that a 490 Maico is the best dirt bike made. I raced mx from 79-84 and hardly saw one compete let alone win? Enlighten me.
Wouldn't knock back a ride of one to see for myself.
Cheers, Grahame
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Ran into a girl yesterday who has a rolling chassis for a 490 I think 1983 model....................
see a few girls in my time but never seen one described with a rolling chassis J Man? very sexist of you to refer to her as an 83' model i am deeply offended. :)
Spidergirl maybe?
Seriously though Jerry, why are you asking us?
Shouldn't you be asking your missus?
Have you asked her if you can come out to play next week yet?
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owners trying to keep them going was the reason you never saw any! they were always broke down ??? :( when they were running and with a good rider on board they were a good combination.
lack of sponsors for a brand on the way down meant a lack of name riders on them in mx.
They were big in enduros but reliability and euro quirks (weak brakes and hard clutchs) turned most people off.
I rode a couple here and there and loved the strong engines and the amazing steering. the suspension was always good until the first single shock which everyone said was vague. the rushed introduction of the single shock before it was ready was the start of the downfall of the company.
I rode a 500 water cooled in 85 which was a barnstormer of a machine but they were r**ted as a company by then.
in VMX terms I think they are a serious contender, mainly on steering and power delivery. In finish and ease of ownership the Japanese had them on the ropes by the late 70's
that's what I rekon anyway :D I wouldn't knock one back if a lady rolled up with one ;D ;D
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Also the Japs had more money to spend on the top riders so the machines that won the most back in the day weren't necessarily the best bikes.
Nowadays everyone is paying for their own rides and any minor problems are now easier to fix with decades of knowledge.
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Going to check her out on Monday. J
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get some pics of the bike as well :D ;D
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;)
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Don't do it, They are a pig, hard to get parts for and break all the time (Maico Breako)
Sell it to me cheap!!!
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Radar
You have already got enough bikes.
However do you want to buy a 1977 KTM 400, it won't be cheap. You already have some shocks for it.
Kevin
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Yes Kevin,
when are you going to deliver the rest of the Bike?
You know those shocks have correct dampening in one and reverse in the other,
i.e.
Next to no Rebound dampening and all Comp in the faulty one, it must have the piston mounted upside down!
It kind of explains those spectacular get offs and high sides I saw you have at Bunderberg MX track by the River back around 1976-1977.
I clearly remember you always getting the holeshot, leading for the first lap and unloading on the front straight full of rollers; garunteed every time;
I got a laugh when I tested them. lol
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the 490 maico is the standard of big bore vmx. the single shockers were off the pace a bit on handling compared to the last twins but the motor was a winner in all respects
yer the daul control was not as good as the twin shock! but hey the whole package is a pretty good one, I was tempted to go twin shock but figured the rest of the package more than made up for it ,as for mentioned first Dual controls came out with Corte & Cosso shocker dont use that shocker go with the Ohlins or what ever you think are the ducks nuts as the Corte & Cosso were half the problem, and was warned to keep an eye on the joint fork and toggle arm pivot points in the dual control
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Thanks guys. Checking her out tomorrow. Let you know. J
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I always had the idea that corte's were no good but if they get revalved and a new smaller spring fitted, they go good!. mate has them on a moto villa and they are pretty impressive (enduro not mx) not much difference c/w the ITC's
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Yes Kevin,
when are you going to deliver the rest of the Bike?
You know those shocks have correct dampening in one and reverse in the other,
i.e.
Next to no Rebound dampening and all Comp in the faulty one, it must have the piston mounted upside down!
It kind of explains those spectacular get offs and high sides I saw you have at Bunderberg MX track by the River back around 1976-1977.
I clearly remember you always getting the holeshot, leading for the first lap and unloading on the front straight full of rollers; garunteed every time;
I got a laugh when I tested them. lol
I don't remember everything from 1977, but I do know I didn't have the shocks apart or do any adjustments on them. Maybe AB did it we were both working at Donny's.
What I do know is when I go the AW Maico 400 later that year it was a lot better than the KTM, however I did win a race at Tivoli on the KTM.
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Ok I am now the proud owner of a 1978 Maico not an 83 model as was previously discussed. Rolling chassis only but bargain for $300. Waiting on a phone call to hopefully reunite the engine. Stay tuned. J
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It is still a good bike, although it is an EVO class bike. The suspension will need upgrading particularly the front. Is it a 250, 400, or 440. Also is it a MX or Enduro. RT on eng No if it is a MX, GS if it is Enduro.
Kevin
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nice ;)
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440 MX although thinking of converting to 250 Vinduro if I can't find 440 motor. May do it anyway. J
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your getting quite a collection of Euro bikes J Man. good to see ! :)
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Believe it or not I have a proxy Suzuki PE on the bench that I'm sorting out for a mate (Rob Macreadie) will have garage fumigated once its gone! J PS kind of nice working on something where everything fits together nicely though!