Sprite-UK/American Eagle-USA /Alron-AUST

[tony27]

I wondered if you'd see that Firko, got sent photos of it by Steve-the guy with a great collection in the Taranaki which was in the VMX magazine.
Suggested he try contacting you & to look for this thread. Let me know if you'd like his contact details

[firko]

Tony, I've sent the ad on to Frank Hipkin, the Sprite founder hoping he can enlighten the owner (and us) on the bike. To my limited knowledge Sprite Maicos are pretty rare, being released only in 1968 and only in 360cc which gives me a hint that this 250 powered Sprite might be a home made conversion. Let's wait and see what Frank has to say .

[Hoony]

Hope i can ride like that well into my 60's let alone well into my 80's.

How cool is that !
 

[frankiexc]

Hi all,
I too have a sprite 405 complete apart from brake cables, been working on it for over 5 years on and off, have a spare frame and Engine minus crank and ignition parts. So since reading the posts on here I am now confused as to what should I do regarding my engine, should I run it or go buy something more reliable. I want to race it but not sure the 405 will take much abuse. Does anyone know where I could find a rod kit for the 405 and piston?

Thanks for reading my post and also for the great info you have all provided.

[firko]

Frank replied regarding the NZ Sprite Maico on Marks Swapmeet. Below is his take on the situation which doesn't quite put a certainty on the bike being a genuine factory item. My guess is that it might be a kit bike to which someone fitted a squarie Maico 250 motor. That particular engine has a circa 1971 ignition cover which complicates things even more . It's inspired me to get into my own proposed Maico Sprite project. I've got correct '67 360 square barrel engine and the right early frame...even though it's been to hell and back by some butcher fitting a Triumph motor using angle iron and a stick welder .
Hi Mark.
Well Mark from what I am reading it looks like you are back with us, and especially the one with the solar panel best yet...     ( Mark I think you a little out with my age, I was born in 1937.)
 
1   The Sprite frame with Maico engine in.   Were mainly 360cc, as you can probably realise we didn't make many.  I used to buy the engines from Bolton motorcycles in Bolton UK. They used to buy them from Maico in Germany in Kit form..... We use to wait till they could build 15/20,At a time I wouldn't like to have a guess.... As you probably guessed we sold a lot of Frame kits less engines.(We may have had 2/3 250cc to test.)
At the time the new seen was the 500cc class, personally I would have thought that year would have been 1967...

2  I would like to point out that Dave Smith loved it ...... Terry Challinor frighten him, he could never Start it, Terry you would have is two mechanics one driving the car, they would have a tow rope onto the ball tied to the handlebars, the one mechanic would take off the rope allowing terry to get to the line, it was quite funny really ..... John Hale..... My frame builder was a top championship rider in the AMCA, There was a lot sold to the AMCA, John was a past master at starting the big maico, then John would be obliged to start them.


Regards.. Frank.

[firko]

Here's a cool shot of big Dave Smith on the works Sprite/Maico 360 making it look like a little 125. He must have been a big dude. Note different ignition cover to that on the NZ barn find bike.
It looks like Roger Daltry from the Who in the background wearing the pea coat!

[sudman]

This from Steve the owner.

Hi there mark and thanks for helping me with this old dirt bike, It looks like its a late 60's sprite frame with a 250 maico mounted into it at some stage, So ill restore it as it is with this engine as who ever done it has made a brilliant job of the bronze welding, But on a closer look it does look like its had this motor fitted.
Would love to locate a tank and seat plus what front hub was used ??
U can contact me direct on [email protected]

[firko]

Thanks Sudman, tell Steve I'll drop him an email in a day or so. In the meantime, Sprites are reasonably rare down here in NZ and Oz so there's nobody dealing in parts. Luckily this bike's got a Maico motor so parts are easy to find and comparitively cheap compared to Brit stuff. The best place to find Sprite parts are on US eBay under the American Eagle search banner or UK eBay under Sprite or REH. The front hub is an REH, used by a number of Brtitish makers.  If you don't do the eBay thing you're in deep shit for bits I'm afraid.

[frankiexc]

My Sprite project

[VMX247]

Frankiexc cool starter where are you going to take it for a ride??.   Greenmachine ill be the second taker/buyer after Firko if it becomes a seller.cheers a

[frankiexc]

Hi VMX247,
I hope to get out soon, maybe even the upcoming wa meet if I can get brake cables made, do you know anyone in the Perth area who could help me out?

[VMX247]

Hi VMX247,
I hope to get out soon, maybe even the upcoming wa meet if I can get brake cables made, do you know anyone in the Perth area who could help me out?

try Ray Eason at Motorcycle Engineering perth.someone on here will have his #.Next vmxwa event is Darkan Speedway Track venue.cheers a

[EML]

 Greenmachine ill be the second taker/buyer after Firko if it becomes a seller.cheers a
[/quote]
Isn't it time you got a sidecar Ali, that Steve is looking older and older(not) every time I see him and he'll certainly need one soon.
Think of the loverly family outings you could have on one too, a 6hr enduro a 12hr or even the mighty 24hr right in the middle of Sth Aust in the very middle of winter-that would beat a cool night in Sth East Qld (waiting for presentation) any day

[VMX247]

So since reading the posts on here I am now confused as to what should I do regarding my engine, should I run it or go buy something more reliable. I want to race it but not sure the 405 will take much abuse. Does anyone know where I could find a rod kit for the 405 and piston?

I'd be keeping the 405 for another day,being a kit framed bike we have seen:Ossa's,Husky Clones,Starmakers/Villiers and Macio's engines in the frame.
I'm wondering what else would fit..?
cheers A
Gee Green machine that was quick !

[firko]

Not interested any more....no wonder why .