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General Discussion / Re: Maico 1982 250 Alpha 1 or 1990 CR500
« on: October 11, 2016, 06:27:59 pm »
Ignition wise, I am running an HPI on my 76 250, AW which works fantastically and cost 200 Euro. Definately worth looking at
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General Discussion / Re: Maico 1982 250 Alpha 1 or 1990 CR500
« on: October 05, 2016, 11:47:08 pm »Thanks mate! After reading the following article below, I started questioning the suitability of the Alpha 1 with the rear shock and linkage setup, responsible for injuring many riders. I'm sure with an aftermarket setup this gremlin would hopefully be discarded of.
http://www.pulpmx.com/stories/look-back-old-moto-mags/gps-classic-steel/gps-classic-steel-83-1981-maico-mc490-mega-2
From what I have seen advertised lately all the CR500 1990 are above 5k and interstate (as I'm in Perth so no surprise). So yes with initial purchase and upgrades could well be an expensive race machine.
I am not sure I entirely buy into the story of broken shocks etc...I have either owned or looked at 5 '82 Maicos, four with Ohlins shocks and 1 with a Corte Cossa. None of the shocks were broken or bent.
I will gladly confirm that the 82 bike seems heavier than 81 - the swing arm is probably the same weight but the shock itself is massively heavy with a very thick spring which makes setting up compression and rebound damping tricky.
I have heard, but cant conform that there were subtle porting differences between 81 and 82 which gave the 82 version even more mid range go.
Re-do the Alpha 1, its a too easily over looked bike
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Maico / Re: Maico 700cc.
« on: October 04, 2016, 05:02:08 pm »The newer Maicos seem to exist only as internet memes - lots of talk, but actual buyers/owners are impossible to find.
I wonder if you could actually get one, even if you didn't have a better way to spend the cash.
I have one, a 2013 500. Built by a KTM dealer in Dortmund, Germany. Based on the 83/84 Maico engines which are used as Zabels in sidecar MX. A massive bike, and as strong as all hell. Pulls like a freight train at anything above idle and if I am honest, not a huge amount of fun to ride. Cool as all hell though!
No real differance, other than bore, between the 500, 620 and 680.
Here in SA, there must be four or five that I know of.
Cheers
Interesting, thanks!
I've got an 86 250 in the shed, and can clearly see the "new" versions are the same basic bike.
Without wanting to upset anyone, it does seem pretty clear that trying to make a 30+ year old design work in 2016 is pushing poop uphill. When the bikes are more expensive than more current designs, then you're trying to push it uphill with a pointy stick.
How does the motor compare to a KX500 or CR500?
Correct, the Mod Maico is based on the mid 80.s jobbie - albeit with Up Side Down forks, discs, power valve and modernish plastics. It is still a dated design though and feels it. Interestingly the modern Zabel engine slots into any post 84/85 Maico frame
They are pricey, but come with nice parts - 50 mm Marzochi forks, Reiger shock, Talon hubs, Magura and Brembo controls, Nickel plated HGS pipe etc. Strangely runs a Bing Carb though and YZ 250 fenders and number boards. Koestler says that make about 50 a year - probably bought by folk who like the nostalgia aspect.
Performance wise I think slightly stronger than a CR or KX 500 but I can't ride any where near the bike's capacity. Slot it into third and ride the torque wave is what I do but even THAT is exhausting.
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Maico / Re: Maico 700cc.
« on: October 03, 2016, 10:29:05 pm »The newer Maicos seem to exist only as internet memes - lots of talk, but actual buyers/owners are impossible to find.
I wonder if you could actually get one, even if you didn't have a better way to spend the cash.
I have one, a 2013 500. Built by a KTM dealer in Dortmund, Germany. Based on the 83/84 Maico engines which are used as Zabels in sidecar MX. A massive bike, and as strong as all hell. Pulls like a freight train at anything above idle and if I am honest, not a huge amount of fun to ride. Cool as all hell though!
No real differance, other than bore, between the 500, 620 and 680.
Here in SA, there must be four or five that I know of.
Cheers
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Maico / Re: For sale 490 maico engines
« on: November 11, 2015, 06:31:51 pm »
I could be as a spare for my 76 -er.....
Qaunto costo?
Qaunto costo?
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Maico / Re: 82 490 restoration
« on: August 25, 2015, 07:02:10 pm »
Nice job.
I am very fond of my 82'er. Its a suprisingly easy and forgiving bike to ride for an Opemn classer and handles and turns really well . What shock are you running? Here in SA a lot ended up with an Ohlins shock which I lead to believe was a replcacment for the Corto Cosse. These have one HELL of a heavy spring!
Cheers
I am very fond of my 82'er. Its a suprisingly easy and forgiving bike to ride for an Opemn classer and handles and turns really well . What shock are you running? Here in SA a lot ended up with an Ohlins shock which I lead to believe was a replcacment for the Corto Cosse. These have one HELL of a heavy spring!
Cheers
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Maico / Re: Conversion from Points Ignition to Electronic. Worth it?
« on: June 22, 2015, 10:37:12 pm »
Just answered my question!
After this weekends racing, i can say tghis was the singke best two hundred Euro I have ever spent! It has simply TRANSFORMED the bike, it revs freely and pulls really hard throughout the rev range!
Essy to easy to fit and set up too!
After this weekends racing, i can say tghis was the singke best two hundred Euro I have ever spent! It has simply TRANSFORMED the bike, it revs freely and pulls really hard throughout the rev range!
Essy to easy to fit and set up too!
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Maico / Re: Conversion from Points Ignition to Electronic. Worth it?
« on: June 17, 2015, 07:14:04 pm »
Okay - my observations so far, based on blasting up and down suburban roads.
Little harder to start (but I also fiddled with the jetting by going smaller on the pilot jet) and doesnt idle as smoothly as the old points set up but pulls much harder, revs cleaner and by the seat of my pants dyno, makes more power!
Racing on Saturday so that will be the proper proof
Little harder to start (but I also fiddled with the jetting by going smaller on the pilot jet) and doesnt idle as smoothly as the old points set up but pulls much harder, revs cleaner and by the seat of my pants dyno, makes more power!
Racing on Saturday so that will be the proper proof
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Maico / Re: Conversion from Points Ignition to Electronic. Worth it?
« on: June 09, 2015, 06:07:43 pm »
SUCCESS!
Thanks Sleepy!
Thanks Sleepy!
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Maico / Re: Conversion from Points Ignition to Electronic. Worth it?
« on: June 08, 2015, 07:11:28 pm »
That would be a great help Sleepy!
We have round two of our local VMX series here in SA on Saturday and i dont fancy using the points again!
We have round two of our local VMX series here in SA on Saturday and i dont fancy using the points again!
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Maico / Re: Conversion from Points Ignition to Electronic. Worth it?
« on: June 05, 2015, 08:16:54 pm »
Yeah, i did.
Still bloomin tight. It looks like I need to screw an M8 bolt in, all the way so that it picks ups the thread in the end of the main shaft not so?
Still bloomin tight. It looks like I need to screw an M8 bolt in, all the way so that it picks ups the thread in the end of the main shaft not so?
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Maico / Re: Conversion from Points Ignition to Electronic.
« on: June 05, 2015, 07:06:13 pm »
Ran into my first problem...how do I pull the internal rotor off the main shaft? What type of puller do I need? I tried a three legged puller with the centre point on the 8mm bolt......but all that happened is that bolt bent?
Do I knew more brute force or more brian force?
Do I knew more brute force or more brian force?
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Maico / Re: Conversion from Points Ignition to Electronic. Worth it?
« on: May 12, 2015, 05:51:54 pm »
TRook the plunge and bought a complete electronic kit. Reading the instructions it seems easy enough to fit, but there is no such thing as fool pro9of because fools are so damn ingenious!
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Maico / Re: Conversion from Points Ignition to Electronic. Worth it?
« on: March 16, 2015, 09:55:02 pm »
Thanks for that. I will check the coil at the same time and wire in a new condensor. Have plenty experince working with points having a few old Pommie bikes!
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Maico / Re: Conversion from Points Ignition to Electronic. Worth it?
« on: March 16, 2015, 07:03:02 pm »
Okay, so now it looks like the points ignition is finally past it's best.
Bike is running badly now, mis firing and running hot. Cleaned the carb out, thinking blocked jet etc, but that didnt cure the problem. Can obnly be the ignition and tiem to bite the bullet - whats the ebst electrnic ignition to get?
Bike is running badly now, mis firing and running hot. Cleaned the carb out, thinking blocked jet etc, but that didnt cure the problem. Can obnly be the ignition and tiem to bite the bullet - whats the ebst electrnic ignition to get?