1980 and 1981 swingarm

[MauriceR]

does any body have the exact lengths of the 1980 and 1981 Maico swingarms

[Ktm181]

Hi Maurice,

MC250 '81 is 605mm length (23 & 3/4 inches), that's outside leading edge of front pivot to outside of trailing edge of the rear, make sense?

Cant help with the '80 although I have been told its shorter, the '78 Mc400 I have is nearly 50mm shorter from memory.

regards,
Wayne

[Mick D]

Hi Maurice,

The 81 swing arm is only common to that Mega Two model.
Where as Part #6207 is common to 1980 MC and 1979 MC range only.

I don't know what difference/s causes the 78 arm to have a different part number from the 79/80 arm?

Although I do have a smick 78 and I am picking up a 79 frame and arm within the next week or two

[MauriceR]

Wayne how are you, did you get any time on that 250 this year, I want to change the swingarm on my 78 and was told a 1980 is longer and helps but every measurement I have found they are only 3mm longer so can't see the point of using an 80, I think I will find an 81 swingarm and have already found a set of 81 forks modified to 10.5" travel.
Mick i thought the 80 and 81 only had the newer style chain adjusters but was told that some of the 79s had them also so maybe thats why the different number, i know there is 1/8" (3mm) alsodifference between 78 and 80

[Mick D]

I notice the GS arms have different part Numbers Maurice, I thought it was only the mounts for the inner chain guard and holes to mount the center stand rollers, but maybe there might be a chain adjuster thing as well?

I am just about to stick a 81 arm on my 78 as well its still sitting beside the bike
I am also setting up a reed 250 engine for it.
An optimized and well built 81 250 reed engine is one of greatest things that ever came from Germany

[Mick D]

My head innards are crowded
I just checked my 78, yes chain adjuster is a carry over from the AWs etc.
I knew that
My 78 is a well set up sweet ride, but I like the 81 better,,,,
I can hardly wait to see what  a difference the 81 engine and swing arm make to the 78

[MauriceR]

mick not sure if you do facebook but there is a Maico parts wanted or for sale group that a guy posted (richard Fogel) pics of
his 78 with a 81 arm and forks and he said he used a  honda reed valve setup that you might be interested in

[jerry]

WARNING THREAD HIJACK. I have an RM250A motor sitting nicely in a a 77 frame. Obviously I have to change the rear wheel around not to mention modifying the barrel to centre port. Should keep me occupied for the rest of my life! J

[Mick D]

WARNING THREAD HIJACK. I have an RM250A motor sitting nicely in a a 77 frame. Obviously I have to change the rear wheel around not to mention modifying the barrel to centre port. Should keep me occupied for the rest of my life! J

 
projects hey Jerry we seem to be gluttons for it

[jerry]

None of this is my fault. I stumbled onto the Maico after striking up a conversation with a random stranger and the Matt my neighbour gave me the RM engine. A couple of beers later ............ J

[Mick D]

Its truly amazing just how close the makings of the project can be Good luck Jerry

mick not sure if you do facebook but there is a Maico parts wanted or for sale group that a guy posted (richard Fogel) pics of
his 78 with a 81 arm and forks and he said he used a  Honda reed valve setup that you might be interested in

Thanks for the tip Maurice but so far I have managed to resist face book,,,not quite sure whether that is a good or bad thing.
Many years back I slightly elongated the holes on a 79 Honda Reed to carby adapter, so I could fit a 38mm
 Mikuni to my 81 250.

I altered the cage and reed arrangement.
Then played around with spacers.
I gradually altered the all the jetting that came in the Mikuni kit.
The contrast from the bog standard reed and Bing is mind boggling.
I have never tried a VEE-FORCE, but would love to.

I would also love to score a set of 79 38mm forks for my 78.