Messages

76

For Sale / Re: MAICO'S FOR SALE

« on: December 20, 2010, 08:23:23 PM »

Mr Maico,

Are you able to post up some info and pictures?
If you are happy to send them overseas I may be keen on the 82 model.
I can pm you my email address if you would prefer not to put them up here

77

Technical / Re: Hot Rodding a 500cc 2 Stroke

« on: December 11, 2010, 03:44:04 AM »

No offense Opferman, but I would never swap the Maico for a CR500.
Technically your machine could be better than the Maico, parts would be cheaper and hot up bits far more easily accessed.

I bought it cause as far as I know there is only 1 in Australia (only 2 imported in the first place back in 96) and rare and exotic machines are a bit of a passion of mine. There would be less than 10 Maicos in the state of Aus that I live and if so, I have half of them.

2T institute, surely total airflow and therefore power is ultimately limited by intake size on an engine with a carb so small? I am no engineer but all my experience on piston and rotary car engines has been that increasing the rpm which an engine makes peak torque at will mean more power (assuming torque can be maintained.

Why do 125's have more rpm? How much of this is due to the 500's being so undercarbed and general port timing and structure being so limited? I do appreciate that a 500 is well beyond the so called "optimum" size for pistons, however many V8's with near 1 litre pistons rev to over 9,000 rps - drag motors and such.
Sure all of that inertia means that total rpm will be limited compared to a 125 but IMO the 500's are so underdeveloped as people figured additional power just wasn't necessary - rather than too hard to get.

I am certainly not suggesting that one could ever make 4 times the HP from a 500 single compared to a 125, but surely a carb 27% larger (which is the difference between total area on a 39mm and 44mm) in total flow wouldn't be too much for an engine 4 times as big.

Has anyone had any experience really bumping up carby size on a big bore 2 stroke?
I'd like to hear more about your example of getting more power with a smaller carby as you seem to know your stuff.

78

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Project 250

« on: December 11, 2010, 03:17:07 AM »

I'll throw my hand up to be in this project if it ever comes to Aus. Recently we were approached by a few riders who race MX about sponsoring them (as we are considering entering that market) however I was a little put off to see all of them on "250f's".
You have to wonder if any of these younger guys have spent any time at all on a 2 stroke at all.

I reckon we need to start a conglomerate of businesses and other interested parties on 2 stroke motorcross (who all obviously share the same passion) about supporting a rider and bike in a series where cc for cc rules apply. If the right people were involved I'd be more than happy to invest a bit of money as well as offer support in terms of products and expertise where applicable.

79

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Fantic 2011

« on: December 11, 2010, 03:06:43 AM »

I've never bought a new care or bike in my life, and logic says I never should.
Whoever is the first to bring out a FI or DI 2T bike will be the first to change my mind.

It would be massively ironic if it was a company such as Ossa. The licensing from Orbital for this stuff (which has been proven to work on test bikes, production snow mobiles as well as marine engines) would be absolute peanuts for a company as large as Honda.
Let's just hope they get on the bandwagon eventually, while the the other believers get a nice enough head start on them.

80

Technical / Re: Hot Rodding a 500cc 2 Stroke

« on: December 09, 2010, 11:54:13 PM »

Cheers for the advice guys.
I should have made it clear the reason I am after pure top end power is that I have a few big bores, this one will be reserved for beach riding and possibly a bit of motard racing where bottom end isn't a factor.
I already have a 44 Mikuni hence why this was the choice, if it doesn't work then a Keihin could be used. 44mm doesn't seem too big given how much airflow these have, when you consider some 125's run 39mm carbies these days.

It remains to be seen though.

Sachs, having had a few Maico's can you confirm the powervalve models work better than the earlier non PV one's?
If that's the case I'll make that a priority before anything else is done.

81

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Best 2 Stroke Chassis Available?

« on: December 09, 2010, 03:03:55 AM »

Cheers for the info guys.
The TM frame is something I'd like to work with, they have a good reputation and the previous generation may make fitment a bit easier.

The big bore 4 stroke isn't a bad idea either, there would be a lot of room there as well and they are obviously made to handle a lot of torque. I'd probably prefer a Husaberg to a Husky though as they are just a bit more exotic. I suppose it may depend on what became available with a dead engine.

Buying a 2011 Maico is a consideration, does take all the fun out of it by buying something already made though.

82

Technical / Hot Rodding a 500cc 2 Stroke

« on: December 09, 2010, 02:51:25 AM »

I've a 500cc 2 stroke (a 96 model Maico) which for all intents and purposes compares to a CR500.
Though this years Maico is supposed to have a powervale, my barrel is off an earlier bike making it powervalve free.

The bike will only be ridden occaisonly so a practical, smooth machine is not what I am after, rather maximum top end power, ripsnorting 4 stroke killer.

The mods I am doing so far are, replacing the 38mm Bing (which is sadly smaller than my TM125's carby!) with a 44mm Mikuni. The reed valve will be changed for a V Force 3, the cylinder ported as well as the compression raised.
The bike will likely end up with an aftermarket pipe and if possible I'll change the ignition (as the spark does look kinds weak). That's about all that's been decided at the moment.

If anyone has any advice on mods or if there is anyone here who has owned a modified Cr500 I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.

Without sounding like a nob, cost of mods isn't an issue. I suppose I would draw the line if running on race gas becomes a necessity and the engine requires rebuilds ridiculously often.

83

Technical / Re: Programmable Ignition

« on: December 09, 2010, 02:25:33 AM »

Damn, 2T institute you seem like a bit of a performance master when t comes to the 2 stroke!
I'd be dead keen for one of these if it would fit my Maico.

Hell, if a bulk discount is available I'll buy a whole stack for all my bikes....

84

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: A peek into the future... Maico 125 for 2012!

« on: December 07, 2010, 06:24:06 AM »

I don't see that anyone has an issue with them releasing the bike in 2011.

The issue is with the endless press releasers or teasers, without a picture and specs of the actual bike.
If the bike is set to debut within a month or so (which will be early 2011), surely it's best to whet our appetites by showing some pictures, yes, I mean of the whole bike - not just bits of a swing arm and tank.

If the bike hasn't been completed yet and thoroughly tested it may well be mid 2011 before we see it. If it is much further advanced, then show us some pics Mr Maico!

It should be made clear, that the frustration here is coming from people who are passionate about 2 strokes, Maico's in particular and absolutely want to see it succeed. I'd love to put my dollars down as soon as they come out assuming they are as good as we all hope.

 

85

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: A peek into the future... Maico 125 for 2012!

« on: December 05, 2010, 06:15:58 PM »

The problem, John is that many of us (who actually run successful businesses) get a little tired of endless teasers with not a lot to show for it.
I have been checking the Maico website everyday without fail for the past 8 months, having seen the site change to the "A new era has dawned" to the "NEW MMX coming soon", I do wonder when it will happen. They have probably shot themselves in the foot a little by announcing there will be a new bike so early, as people assume a standard time line for when an announcement is made and when the actual product is seen.

While I am in a completely different industry, I know my customers get quite frustrated when there is even a few weeks time between when a new product is announced and when it is available. Obviously with motorbikes that timeline would be extended but it's clear the masses here (including myself) are growing tired of hearing the teasers from Maico without seeing the result.

86

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: A peek into the future... Maico 125 for 2012!

« on: December 03, 2010, 10:34:51 PM »

Thanks for the responses guys.
The info you have provided on the newer Maico's makes me quite excited, Sachs. I had assumed very little had changed between my 96 model and the one's through the next decade. Given that, Ill try to add one to my collection. The plan is to have a model of Maico whenever any kind of significant changes were made, looks like there are enough to justify it there.

Opferman, the Twinkies comparison is an odd one. I've no doubts the manufacturers of those (like many manufacturers of iconic food goods) pride themselves with no recipe changes in 50 years, sometimes more (A products popular in Australia proudly claims no chnages in 70 years).
While Maico may have done the same, the issue I have is calling it a "new model" which is implied with each change, 2000, 2001 etc.
I suppose if they make it clear when you buy one that the 2002 is almost identical to the 2009 I wouldn't be too upset, if it wasn't made clear I'd be annoyed though.

87

General Two Stroke Talk / Best 2 Stroke Chassis Available?

« on: December 03, 2010, 05:23:25 PM »

Nice to be on this board with fellow 2 stroke enthusiasts.

I have been considering for some time making my own CR500AF killer, it's a shame people bother with the CRF's at all given Honda gave up on 2 strokes so long ago. There is clearly more deserving chassis out there!

The plan would be to utilise one of the newest Zabel 750cc 2 stroke singles (these are like a better developed version of the Maico 685) which are commonly used in side car cross bikes, but I figured it would be best to seek info as to what chassis are the best around.

I know handling can be defined in many ways, obviously with a HP monster such as this something with a bit more rake would be ideal, so high speed stability with modern ergos would be the key.

Keeping the whole thing European would be nice is possible so TM and Gas Gas are high up on the list. If anyone has any input as to how these handle and feel compared to the new Japanese bikes it would be appreciated.

88

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: A peek into the future... Maico 125 for 2012!

« on: December 03, 2010, 05:14:59 PM »

Sachs, can you explain the differences between the 96 model Maico and the later models once Koestler took over?

I am intrigued, as I own a 96 model, a blue machine which very few of are about. I have been tempted to buy a later model one (anywhere from 2000-2009) but have been apprehensive as at least visually very little changed.
I was very keen until I read a recent comparison between a 2008 Maico 500, a KTM 525 as well as a Sherco 4 sroke 510. The way they described the Maico was that it had been updated very little and felt very old school compared to the newer bikes.

Unfortunately, that sounds very much like my 96 model, hence why I haven't bought a newer one yet. Any differences you can describe would be appreciated as you have renewed my hope in these machines.

Saying all of this, (especially considering the 2008 review) I too am very sceptical about how different the new Maico's will be. If the last one's have been anything like my 96 model they will need to COMPLETELY redesign the bike, frame, suspension, engine and give it a while different ergo's package - if they want to compete with 2010 + competitors. These minor changes with swingarms, alloy tanks etc excite me very little.

Opferman, I here people quite often proudly claim Maico's models have been released every year in succession since the bikes were first made, however it does beg the question to how much these have changed.
If the bikes from 2000 - 2009 were changed very little (or infact not at all, which is what I believe) is it right to say a "new" model was released every year? I think it's quite deceiving saying that as very little progression has occured at all.