What Type Of Steel Are Maico Frames

[Ji Gantor]

Okay if this is nothing, that means it is all common knowledge.
Here is one test to prove me wrong which I hope you do.
What MX magazine since MX started back in the sixties and before has published an article stating,
frame material,
welding method,
electrode,
filler,
Pre and post welding heat treatment
and so on to fix cracked frames.
You may say "Hang on that should only be performed by a ticketed welder" that is true but so should every bolt turn be performed by a mechanic.

If there is such an article on one of our bikes that is great and I  applaud that magazine for helping their readers.
Even if you are not going to weld up your frame at least the info helps the welder set up his machine to get the job done right.

Ji

[Ji Gantor]

Nice one Paul

Ji

[vmx42]

Even if you are not going to weld up your frame at least the info helps the welder set up his machine to get the job done right.Ji

Assuming you own a Maico. And assuming that Maico consistently used the same material for their frames. Both big assumptions that are unanswered by this process. It could be never ending if you truly want to be definitive.

And lastly, one thing that has been nagging at me from the start… just how many Maico frames have been breaking? Is there a sudden epidemic or just the odd failure. I don't remember hearing of a sudden plague of cracked/broken Maicos that need to be welded.

[maico girl]

jesus goes for  swim

[paul]

im going to ask a serious question ji
what year/years are the frame fragments you had tested and is that a true representation of all frame ,s made in all years

[Ji Gantor]

I don't see every Macio here in Australia only those that turn up in Southern Queensland to the bike tracks.
I have seen 4 so far Pre 75 frames that have cracked in the cradle tubes, this is the down tube from the steering head. This than places load on the same tube behind the foot peg. The tube behind the foot peg either deforms or cracks.

I have seen many bikes that have had their number plate brackets broken off that need to be welded back on.

I have seen quite a few Pre 78 and down bikes that have had their sub-frame tubes cut off (Tube that goes above the rear mud guard) that the owners want to weld back on to make them look like they should.

I am sure lots of other Maico's I have seen were previously repaired. This is only speculation.

Ji

[Ji Gantor]

Well done Maico Girl that is thought provoking.

Ji

[vandy010]

this thread should be deleted.

[Ji Gantor]

Hi Paul,
I am glad you asked.
The years of the bikes that the samples were taken from were 1973 and 1975.
These samples only indicate those model years.
To be 99.99% sure that the metal used for all bikes of these model years we would have to take more samples and do more tests but from what we have we now have something to work with. The samples were taken away from any weld so the filler would not show up in the test results.
From these tests we can not say that the metal used on the 1981 490 is the same.
But from the results I would would say it is very similar.

Paul, thanks for your question, this is the kind of question I was hoping for from this thread, I hope others continue this type of debate.

Ji

[Ji Gantor]

4.2m long 30hp 2 stroke
Its not mine by the way I just helped.
I have fished and boated since I was 4.

Ji

[Ji Gantor]

Why have you not heard about Maico or for that matter any brand of bike frames cracking.
Who is going to tell you.
If I tell you about my frame needing major repair and you tell another guy that wants to buy it that guy won't pay the money I want because he thinks the frame is cactus.

Ji

[paul]

ok 

[Ji Gantor]

Paul I answered your question reply 76

Ji

[Ji Gantor]

Hi Walter,
Yes I know of him.
Rick is a legend

Ji

[Ji Gantor]

Rick is a great bloke, fisherman and photographer.

If you get a chance to go fishing with  him take it.

Ji