KLP lately/Maico Alpha

[paul]

[paul]

[paul]

[firko]

That's a sweet old Maico Karl. Is that a Magnum tank? If so it looks right. Cool stand too..you've given me an idea using an old alloy swingarm!
BTW, Would you happen to have a spare oval cylinder (250 or 360) you'd be willing to sell a desperate old Maico owner? I've got both 250 and 360 early bottom ends but no cylinders. I don't really care what condition the chrome bore is in either. I can fix that. I'm eventually planning to build a Maico/Sprite pre '65 class bike and have everything except a cylinder.

[miniwheels]

Hi Karl, I have been an aircraft strutures/sheetmetal engineer for 35 years for all the big airlines in Australia over the years and I know what time and effort to make replica tanks and swingarms as I have made replica frames, swingarms and exhaust pipes myself, as my understanding allot that stuff was made in General Aviation workshops from back in the 70's as you are probably aware, keep up your high standard of work regardless of the time factor that I know your renowned for
Id be interested to know what GEORGE does for a living past or present and his understanding of replicating this kind of alloy artwork

[firko]

keep up your high standard of work regardless of the time factor that I know your renowned for

I agree with all of the above. One of the most important things I learned during my years as a boilermaker/ tig welder/fabricator is that good work takes as long as it takes. As soon as time becomes a factor, quality is usually the first thing to be sacrificed. I've had my disagreements with Karl over what is right or wrong for a legal vintage racer but I've never doubted his integrity and quality of his work. The roof of the Sistine Chapel wasn't painted by taggers with rattle cans. Quality takes time.

[karl Landrus]

To Firko and miniwheels Thanks,
It is refreshing to hear from guys who get it.   Firko, you are one of the most observant guys I know, and you are correct the tank I used for my 250 scrambler is in fact a magnum tank. I had to cut the center channel out add about 1" to lift the front up. The swing arm is not alloy but rather a nickel plated later model arm. The neat thing about maico is this started a 1957 motor but I was able to put in 1981 clutch plates using 1974 250 clutch basket, primary gear and crank shaft. After a little machine work to the center cases I was able to fit the more reliable "t" trans from the square barrel.  AHRMA rules only allows you to use a two cone pipe, no center section, not a problem the 1977 AW 250 low pipe does not have a center cone. What I have done to the cylinder is top secret and you will have to email me to get that info, but I will tell you one thing it will run with the square barrels.  About the 250 and 360 oval barrels the ones I have where hard to find and expensive and there are on my race bikes.  Jim McCabe who I believe is no longer with us? unless I am wrong was or is? an oval barrel hoarder and did have lots of those cylinders but no one could ever get them out of him. Anyway I like your sprite idea for a maico motor swap.

Cheers
Karl

[firko]

Anyway I like your sprite idea for a maico motor swap.

Yeah, ever since Frank Hipkin the Sprite founder sent me this shot of Dave Smith on the '67 works 360 Maico powered Sprite I've wanted to build one like it. I love the double whammy that if I fit my square barrel 360 motor I've got a good pre '70 bike and swapping over to an oval 250 motor gives me a legal pre '65 bike as the early Sprite/American Eagle frame has been around since the early '60's and is legal for pre '65 in our rulebook.
I've now got everything except a cylinder. My frame started its sad life as an American Eagle/Kawasaki that's been treated like shit by some previous owners. You'd shudder if you could see some of the shitty welding. I guess I'll keep on looking for a cylinder. There's another guy on Marks Swapmeet looking for one as well.

[Brian Watson]

Mark, there should be a 360 Maico Sprite here in WA....a guy by the name of Peter Boston came out here in 67 ish from the UK and then imported one...he rode motocross for a while ...also speedawy as most of the guys did back then...went over to trials ..now is back on the VMX scene with his son..... somewhere.....??!!

[paul]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MAICO-OVAL-BARREL-360-FRAME-LOWERS-PIPE-REAR-WHEEL-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2566aacb9bQQitemZ160636259227QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

[firko]

It'll be interesting to watch the above basket case that Paul's found to see where the price goes. Unfortunately there are a few things that stop me from buying it (besides being financially tapped)
* The first is that the bike is a 360 which is ilegal for pre 65 as they weren't released until 1966. For pre '70 the oval won't cut it against the square barrel let alone other competitive stuff.
*It'd make a very cool collector/CD9/HBBB bike but there appears to be more parts missing than what's there. Parts for these old Maicos are as rare as parts can get.
* Even though it's in Tulare California, the bike would be a bitch to ship as is. It needs to be palleted and forked onto a truck for the 200 mile trip to Long Beach. All of this adds around $300 to the cost.
*The photo's are pretty ordinary so it's hard to judge how butchered the bike is. It's pretty obvious that these are the leftovers from his other oval 360 build which points to the stuff being pretty rooted. A locked bottom end isn't a good sign.
Here's what the bike should basically look like. An enduro version.

[firko]

I found this old photo of Terry Chalinor on the works Sprite/Maico circa '67. I want one .

[paul]

firko that ebay bike is a good buy ,no bidders yet and a real early frame get some one to store it away till you get a chance to get it here

[firko]

Yeah Paul, I've been dropping in for a look every now and then. It's cheap right now but there's a bunch of blokes looking at it so I reckon it'll go off for around $400-500. It's not worth it to me at that price. I've already got all of the Sprite/Maico stuff so it'll be a cheaper project.

[paul]

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/160636259227?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649