WANTED to buy MAICO 83 or 84 frame.

[Mick D]

It doesn't matter if it is MC or GS,,,,air cooled or water cooled,,,,with swinging arm or without.
Thanks.

[09.0]

I have a gs frame. It's off a single shock with the first reed barrel. That's 83 isn't it?

[firko]

Some reed cylinders were available on 1982 twin shock GS bikes.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

[paul]

last years mx frame is this years gs frame   ,I think that's what brad saying

[firko]

last years mx frame is this years gs frame   ,I think that's what brad saying

Correctomundo Paul, my 82 GS490 was essentially a reed valved, Ohlins piggy back shocked version of the '81 model. The '82 490MC was the first single shocked Maico.....the one with the weird linkage ratio.

[Mick D]

last years mx frame is this years gs frame   ,I think that's what brad saying

Correctomundo Paul, my 82 GS490 was essentially a reed valved, Ohlins piggy back shocked version of the '81 model. The '82 490MC was the first single shocked Maico.....the one with the weird linkage ratio.

Most years, when the factory was flat out with MC supply, yes.
Whenever sales were in decline, things were different, 1984 being one of them.

For all intensive purposes, the LC 1984 SC250GS was the "Endurofied" version of the then current LC SC250MC.
As was the 84 GS490 a "Enduried" version the then current 84 MC490.

I have a gs frame. It's off a single shock with the first reed barrel. That's 83 isn't it?

Brad, the 83 Spider and 84 SC frames have this rear tube deformed to accommodate a more tucked in exhaust stinger.


On the first single shock Alpha frames the tube was still straight, all the way to the top.
A frame prefix # would also identify yours Brad.

I have located two cheapish ones overseas, but with no guarantee of shipping at the right price, or shipping at all for that matter  

[Mick D]

I have never ridden one of these 83, 84 490's.

BUT, Les, Firko and Dave Cullen have and all reckon they are a very good thing.

I spoke with Dave Cullen once. He said by 1986 the Maico was a well sorted machine, pitty they rolled belly up.
He also said the 83 and 84 were a great machine, once the rear end was refined.

[firko]

My '84 SC500 "Big Red" was the best Maico I ever rode, even better than my beloved square barrel 350 when the generational differential is taken into account. The '84 is head and shoulders better than the legendary 81 490 or the reed '82 in my opinion.

[Maicoman]

My '84 SC500 "Big Red" was the best Maico I ever rode, even better than my beloved square barrel 350 when the generational differential is taken into account. The '84 is head and shoulders better than the legendary 81 490 or the reed '82 in my opinion.

I'll second that Firko. My SC 500 is best described as a big arm chair. Easy to ride, gets the power to the ground. Only downfall is the front brake, but that was always an issue anyway.

[evo550]

My '84 SC500 "Big Red" was the best Maico I ever rode, even better than my beloved square barrel 350 when the generational differential is taken into account. The '84 is head and shoulders better than the legendary 81 490 or the reed '82 in my opinion.

I'll second that Firko. My SC 500 is best described as a big arm chair. Easy to ride, gets the power to the ground. Only downfall is the front brake, but that was always an issue anyway.

My '84 SC500 "Big Red" was the best Maico I ever rode, even better than my beloved square barrel 350 when the generational differential is taken into account. The '84 is head and shoulders better than the legendary 81 490 or the reed '82 in my opinion.

X 3

[davidmc]

The 1982 Alpha Control swingarm is parallel section and is heavy,
The 1983 Sand spider and 1984 Super Profis is also steel and tapered narrow to rear axle mount, much lighter as is the frames on 83 & 84.
The 84 feels like it has more of everything over the 1981 mega 2 , 61hp verses 53hp(once the rear shock problems are rectified) However if you compare the two bikes on the same track same day the mega 2 is a better deal and easier to ride and go faster on, the reputation of best dirt bike ever built for any era is justified!

[09.0]

I'm happy to sell you mine if its what you are after. The motor was the same as the 81 but it had a reed barrel, not the later model motor.

[Mick D]

I'm happy to sell you mine if its what you are after. The motor was the same as the 81 but it had a reed barrel, not the later model motor.

Thanks any how, but I am wanting to slap up one of these Brad

I have nearly everything except for a frame and exhaust and a few other little bits from Les.

[Mick D]

The 1982 Alpha Control swingarm is parallel section and is heavy,
The 1983 Sand spider and 1984 Super Profis is also steel and tapered narrow to rear axle mount, much lighter as is the frames on 83 & 84.
The 84 feels like it has more of everything over the 1981 mega 2 , 61hp verses 53hp(once the rear shock problems are rectified) However if you compare the two bikes on the same track same day the mega 2 is a better deal and easier to ride and go faster on, the reputation of best dirt bike ever built for any era is justified!

Cheers David, Just a dream at this stage for me. I would love to feel the difference first hand, on the same day. Everything is getting closer Well so is death I suppose too, but with any luck it will be dragging the proverbial chain