MAICO Pre-60 Alloy Oval Barrel Blizzard Project.

[Brian Watson]

Yep...alloy barrel...175.. but not 250 for pre 60...still the 175 may well be as quick as the 250 at any rate..

[Mick D]

Does it have anything on the ID plate?

In typical Maico fashion the plate has 247cc and no date whatsoever.

Actually Mark, that is not the case in the MotherLand. In fact ALL of the Maico bikes and frames that I have seen on German Ebay for the last six years do have the date stamped on them. It has been a reasonable classroom(German Ebay).

Who knows why they weren't date stamped when Exported? Could be a multitude of reasons

[Mick D]

This little beauty just arrived. YeeHa


Not only is it in great condition, it also has delivered some great news in the name of research and proof of eligibility.


The numbers stamped on the frame match the numbers stamped on the ID pate.

This frame to me proves what I had been hoping for, that the second generation of Blizzard frames were indeed being produced en mass out of the factory from sometime during 1959. It has a fabricated steering head instead of the earlier cast steel one. A heavier oval shaped tubing is used for the upper backbone and also the main front down tube. I have spotted several other significant upgrades in regards to geometry and strength failings of the earlier frames.

Incidentally, this is another earlier blizzard currently on German ebay at the moment


http://www.ebay.de/itm/MAICO-M200-1953-/121162115560?pt=Motorr%C3%A4der&hash=item1c35d329e8

It too has its ID tag dated


Just like all Maicos sold inside Germany to their Home-Land domestic market up till the first major fracture of the Maisch Brothers reign.

Over the years it has produced for me what I consider to be a much more realistic Chronological account of Maico production prefix IDs. A list that is in contrast to the web published lists of a few Global Maico Stalwarts and Gurus. 

[firko]

You're an intrepid explorer for the early Maico cause Micky . You and Rodger should be right for pre 60 now, leaving pre 65 ovals to little old me .
Below: AL161's iron barrel oval Maico approaching completion.                               
                                                                                 
                                                                                                       

[facthunt]

This frame to me proves what I had been hoping for, that the second generation of Blizzard frames were indeed being produced en mass out of the factory from sometime during 1959. It has a fabricated steering head instead of the earlier cast steel one. A heavier oval shaped tubing is used for the upper backbone and also the main front down tube. I have spotted several other significant upgrades in regards to geometry and strength failings of the earlier frames.

Could you elaborate on these failings? I have a '56 frame.

[Mick D]

Uuuuhmm. draggin the chain of posts catch up.

This frame to me proves what I had been hoping for, that the second generation of Blizzard frames were indeed being produced en mass out of the factory from sometime during 1959. It has a fabricated steering head instead of the earlier cast steel one. A heavier oval shaped tubing is used for the upper backbone and also the main front down tube. I have spotted several other significant upgrades in regards to geometry and strength failings of the earlier frames.

Could you elaborate on these failings? I have a '56 frame.

I checked through your posts, I see your name is Kurt, mine is Mick, hello.

I knew bugger all about blizzards, still do, that is why I started this thread, for help.
Didn't know so many would contribute, thank you.

I am flat out over the next two weeks at least. I will then try to display a comparison between the two generations of frames. Your prompt has given me some ideas, Thanks.

In the mean time it may help if you could throw up some pics of your please.
Have you had it stripped to bare metal yet? have you noticed ant cracks or bends?

My early gen one frames have been bent and straightened more times than I have.

[firko]

Hey Mick......What's the best way of getting a tank out of Germany and what would I expect to pay for shipping or post? I'm thinking of bidding on this.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/330997605800?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

[ola_martin]

I think that tank might be quite large for a mx bike if it's the one I think. Ask for measurements before you bid...?

[firko]

Good point Martin. What model is the tank I need off? I want it for my Motoball Maico.
                                                                                   

[ola_martin]

Don't know very much about this, but the ebay tank you linked to looks like the one that was on my GS.



Wich is pretty big.

The one Mick bought from me came of a MC model, and is quite a bit smaller. (wich as you can se is the same as the Hercules)

[matcho mick]

hhmmm,that last tank style looks good  ,

[firko]

Until I find a proper Maico MC tank I might use the Wassell trials tank I've got on my Maico trials bike. I think it'll look OK. I'm toying with getting the little Maico running for the Bonanza at Easter.
                                                                           
                                                                           
 

[Mick D]

Nice work Firko.

I think there are four different sizes of this shape Maico tank


That particular seller is very decent to deal with Firko and he has two of those same tanks for sale, both black.
He speaks english and his charges are fair with tracking.

The smallest of that shape come on the M175 and M200


The largest from the 400 Taufin twin cylinder roadies and there seams to be two other sises used on the intermediate roadies and GS models. I think the GS 360 models and 350cc twin Taufin use the third largest sise.

I would like to know the fluid capacity of each.

I would be prepared to pay mega bucks for this 277cc Blizzard tank, for my early GS or SS projects.


 

[Mick D]

I am very grateful to Ola for this tank


It will be the first item through the new soda blasting plant and then the first through the new rust diss-appearing plant.

I am pretty sure Maico never made such a tank. Like most European Manufacturers, Maico had no aversion to outsourcing component manufacture or supply though.



 

[Mick D]

I have a '56 frame.

There you go Kurt
This 1956 magazine features your frame being raced

It is on German ebay right now and dirt cheap international postage as well.
Pain in the ass translating them, but these magazines are a great account of the truth from a time when I wasn't even born.