Aluminium tanks 490

[odd1]

The aluminium tanks on some of the 81 mega2's are they after market tanks or did some bikes come standard with them?

[090]

They use the '79 model ones. I like the look myself and am contemplating using one on mine.

[paul]

or this company sell them for a 81
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Maico-onlys-NEW-Alloy-SOLD-DO-NOT-BID-/260562235606?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item3caab830d6

or this guy makes custom tanks
http://klpracing.com/id3.html

[paul]

if your going to use a 79 tank then get a 250 /400 mx tank the 400 gs tank is a tad wide allthough you can cut them down and narrow them

[paul]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19PaKNPCdgQ

[firko]

if your going to use a 79 tank then get a 250 tank the 400 tank is a tad wide allthough you can cut them down and narrow them

I wasn't aware there was a difference between the 250 and 400 Magnum tanks. I've had both bikes and the tanks were the same. The enduro GS has a bigger tank than the MX though.

[k2000x]

early 80s husky tanks are also used on them i think thats what karl has on his own bike

[paul]

if your going to use a 79 tank then get a 250 tank the 400 tank is a tad wide allthough you can cut them down and narrow them

I wasn't aware there was a difference between the 250 and 400 Magnum tanks. I've had both bikes and the tanks were the same. The enduro GS has a bigger tank than the MX though.

250/400 tank on the right gs on the left

[JohnnyO]

if your going to use a 79 tank then get a 250 tank the 400 tank is a tad wide allthough you can cut them down and narrow them

I wasn't aware there was a difference between the 250 and 400 Magnum tanks. I've had both bikes and the tanks were the same. The enduro GS has a bigger tank than the MX though.

250/400 tank on the right gs on the left

Isn't that the motocross tank on the right and enduro tank on the left?

[JohnnyO]

Several of the 490's at Farleigh had aftermarket alloy tanks such as the black one pictured on the ning site.. they look good!

[firko]

if your going to use a 79 tank then get a 250 tank the 400 tank is a tad wide allthough you can cut them down and narrow them

sn't that the motocross tank on the right and enduro tank on the left?

That's what I said Paul . There's only one MX tank and only one Enduro tank. There's no difference between the 250 and 400 (and 440 for that matter) tanks. Same with the bigger enduro tank.....same for 250 and 400/440.

[karl Landrus]

Here is what I know about Maico alloy tanks for the 81 490.  The 1978-79 Maico tanks to fit the 81 need to be modified on the center channel in back because the frame tubes that support the seat hold the tank up to high. So if you are handy or know someone that is and has a tig welder, you can make a few cuts, remove some metal, weld back together. The front mount are in roughly the same place. The Husky tank conversion is about a 10hr process involving cutting channel completely out, adding a couple off pieces of aluminum in a few different places and rewelding. The Husky tank conversion is a great way to go on the 1980 Maico sway-backs, you can actually level the bike out and make it not so funny looking. You can see this on my website under kustomers kool bikes. I built my first alloy tank seat/forward design because I ride up on the tank to corner and I was bruising my butt bone on the plastic tank, This for me was one of the best improvements I did to my 490, for me it seems like the bike cornered even better than what was already the best corning bike I have ever ridden. http://www.klpracing.com/

Cheers Karl

[firko]

Cool Karl, that's interesting as a friend wanted to modify a Magnum tank for his '81. I've seen photos of Suzuki RM A/B 250 or 370  tanks fitted to '81 Maicos, do you know if that's a straightforward conversion? Any other choices that look right?