Maico 1982 250 Alpha 1 or 1990 CR500

[peely_14]

Hi all,

I am wanting to organise a VMX bike to race for next season. I was planning on restoring a Maico 250 Alpha 1 that is in bits at the back of the shed, however without going crazy on appearance the rebuild would probably set me back 4k give or take. I have been pondering as to what VMX bike I would truly like and have came to conclusion of a 1990 Cr500 with 1990 been my birth year. I know the Alpha 1 was what destroyed Maico but if the rear suspension can be modified I'm assuming it would be a fun bike to ride in Pre 85. The old man has the 81 490 so I was thinking the 250 single shock would be good a competitor.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated!!!

Cheers, Peely.

[80-85 husky]

the later alphas weren't too bad. whats a cr 500 going to set you back? 2? 2.5K ? then you find you need to rebuild the motor, the shock needs work and the forks are worn.

Do up the Maico, it will be worth it. (IMHO)

[peely_14]

Thanks mate! After reading the following article below, I started questioning the suitability of the Alpha 1 with the rear shock and linkage setup, responsible for injuring many riders. I'm sure with an aftermarket setup this gremlin would hopefully be discarded of.

http://www.pulpmx.com/stories/look-back-old-moto-mags/gps-classic-steel/gps-classic-steel-83-1981-maico-mc490-mega-2

From what I have seen advertised lately all the CR500 1990 are above 5k and interstate (as I'm in Perth so no surprise). So yes with initial purchase and upgrades could well be an expensive race machine.

[Bruno1969]

Thanks mate! After reading the following article below, I started questioning the suitability of the Alpha 1 with the rear shock and linkage setup, responsible for injuring many riders. I'm sure with an aftermarket setup this gremlin would hopefully be discarded of.

http://www.pulpmx.com/stories/look-back-old-moto-mags/gps-classic-steel/gps-classic-steel-83-1981-maico-mc490-mega-2

From what I have seen advertised lately all the CR500 1990 are above 5k and interstate (as I'm in Perth so no surprise). So yes with initial purchase and upgrades could well be an expensive race machine.

I am not sure I entirely buy into the story of broken shocks etc...I have either owned or looked at 5 '82 Maicos, four with Ohlins shocks and 1 with a Corte Cossa. None of the shocks were broken or bent.

I will gladly confirm that the 82 bike seems heavier than 81 - the swing arm is probably the same weight but the shock itself is massively heavy with a very thick spring which makes setting up compression and rebound damping tricky.

I have heard, but cant conform that there were subtle porting differences between 81 and 82 which gave the 82 version even more mid range go.

Re-do the Alpha 1, its a too easily over looked bike

[shelpi]

Thanks mate! After reading the following article below, I started questioning the suitability of the Alpha 1 with the rear shock and linkage setup, responsible for injuring many riders. I'm sure with an aftermarket setup this gremlin would hopefully be discarded of.

http://www.pulpmx.com/stories/look-back-old-moto-mags/gps-classic-steel/gps-classic-steel-83-1981-maico-mc490-mega-2

From what I have seen advertised lately all the CR500 1990 are above 5k and interstate (as I'm in Perth so no surprise). So yes with initial purchase and upgrades could well be an expensive race machine.

I am not sure I entirely buy into the story of broken shocks etc...I have either owned or looked at 5 '82 Maicos, four with Ohlins shocks and 1 with a Corte Cossa. None of the shocks were broken or bent.

I will gladly confirm that the 82 bike seems heavier than 81 - the swing arm is probably the same weight but the shock itself is massively heavy with a very thick spring which makes setting up compression and rebound damping tricky.

I have heard, but cant conform that there were subtle porting differences between 81 and 82 which gave the 82 version even more mid range go.

Re-do the Alpha 1, its a too easily over looked bike

what he said, I think they got the linkage ratio wrong (apparently) have not owned one just did my home work a while back any who nothing that cant be fixed, its one of the most under rated bikes with so much potential (just my opinion)

[evo550]

Thanks mate! After reading the following article below, I started questioning the suitability of the Alpha 1 with the rear shock and linkage setup, responsible for injuring many riders. I'm sure with an aftermarket setup this gremlin would hopefully be discarded of.

http://www.pulpmx.com/stories/look-back-old-moto-mags/gps-classic-steel/gps-classic-steel-83-1981-maico-mc490-mega-2

From what I have seen advertised lately all the CR500 1990 are above 5k and interstate (as I'm in Perth so no surprise). So yes with initial purchase and upgrades could well be an expensive race machine.

I am not sure I entirely buy into the story of broken shocks etc...I have either owned or looked at 5 '82 Maicos, four with Ohlins shocks and 1 with a Corte Cossa. None of the shocks were broken or bent.

I will gladly confirm that the 82 bike seems heavier than 81 - the swing arm is probably the same weight but the shock itself is massively heavy with a very thick spring which makes setting up compression and rebound damping tricky.

I have heard, but cant conform that there were subtle porting differences between 81 and 82 which gave the 82 version even more mid range go.

Re-do the Alpha 1, its a too easily over looked bike

what he said, I think they got the linkage ratio wrong (apparently) have not owned one just did my home work a while back any who nothing that cant be fixed, its one of the most under rated bikes with so much potential (just my opinion)

I've owned 2 '84 500 Maico's both with ohlins, both bent shocks where the clevis attached to the shaft, both bent in the same direction.
I've not had anything to do with the '82 models, but the '84 shock issues I've experienced, I believe are due to the linkage mounting position on the clevis being offset to the mounting position of the clevis to the shaft....If that makes sense.
Having said that give me a aircooled, drum braked bike to fix up over a pre 90 anyday. Watercooling, disc brakes, powervalves, linkages, USD forks just take so much more time and money.

[KTM47]

Hi all,

I am wanting to organise a VMX bike to race for next season. I was planning on restoring a Maico 250 Alpha 1 that is in bits at the back of the shed, however without going crazy on appearance the rebuild would probably set me back 4k give or take. I have been pondering as to what VMX bike I would truly like and have came to conclusion of a 1990 Cr500 with 1990 been my birth year. I know the Alpha 1 was what destroyed Maico but if the rear suspension can be modified I'm assuming it would be a fun bike to ride in Pre 85. The old man has the 81 490 so I was thinking the 250 single shock would be good a competitor.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated!!!

Cheers, Peely.

Right I think the someone in the USA sorted out the problems with the Alpha one suspension.  I think it was shock linkage and the shock shaft could break.

However if it was me, I would buy a replica mega 2 (81) frame, swingarm and get ohlin shocks to make it into a mega 2 250.  The frames are available in the UK and Holland.

A 1990 CR 500 will be a Pre 95 bike, Pre 90 is 1989 model as the oldest.

[peely_14]

You all have very fair points there and yes KTM47 you have persuaded me to convert the old girl from Alpha 1 to a Mega 2 250.

Now to source a Mega 2 frame.....

Thanks fellas will keep you updated on my progress!

[davidmc]

84 definitely break shock shafts, been told it was fixed for 1985???

[Husky500evo]

Another cheaper option might be to find a '78/'79 Magnum frame and build a 250 Frankenbike . The Magnum frame will definitely be a lot easier to find and cheaper than a Mega 2 frame and by all reports handle better anyway . The Alpha 1 250 motor should bolt straight in and you could use the 42 mm forks and triples ( might have to get the fork tubes cut to shorten them a bit ). An '81 swingarm might also be the go , as they are a bit longer and also bolt straight up in the Magnum frame .

[Nebo]

 Mega Frame is the best option but 78/79 Frame is a good idea as well using the the 42mm Forks and the 81 swing arm.
 
   The motor is the same as the 490 bottom end so it has very few problems.
Maico up dated the gear box and clutch in mid 1980. Only issues are the the single row Primary Chains and Clutch hub needle rollers.

Replace if in doubt. Use Penrite 50w in the gear box. Do not use Synthetic gear oil like Belray in any Maico as the clutch may slip.

Replace the Reed Assembly with a Honda CR250 Moto Tassinari.  Do not fit a Mikuni Carburetor.  You will have a loss in HP.

[peely_14]

Yeah thanks guys, will try and chase down a mega 2 frame and swingarm.

The other main components I will need is an ignition which I have found on chippys for $550
And rear shocks. Any suggestions for rear shocks for the mega 2? I'm assuming ohlins any other brands that people have had success with?

Thanks Peely.

[Bruno1969]

Ignition wise, I am running an HPI on my 76 250, AW which works fantastically and cost 200 Euro. Definately worth looking at   

[MauriceR]

how about a 82 alpha 1 400cc, we had about 5 of them come to canada and i have one already restored and ready to go, i'll even throw in an extra 82 frame you can modify to twin shock and a 79 frame if you want to go the frankenbike way $3300 us

[peely_14]

Ignition wise, I am running an HPI on my 76 250, AW which works fantastically and cost 200 Euro. Definately worth looking at

Thanks Bruno will look into those ignitions!

how about a 82 alpha 1 400cc, we had about 5 of them come to canada and i have one already restored and ready to go, i'll even throw in an extra 82 frame you can modify to twin shock and a 79 frame if you want to go the frankenbike way $3300 us

Thanks Maurice, I will see what I can sort but really want the 1981 setup, will keep it in mind. Cheers.