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Offline JETZcorp

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Re: Maico-the final answer
« Reply #75 on: May 10, 2010, 08:34:44 PM »
The only thing I have against TM is that their bikes have aluminum frames and they make a lot of four-strokes.


Is this Maico a 440 or only a 400?  Well in all the confusion, I forgot myself.
But considering this is a 1978 Magnum, the best-handling bike in the world, you have to ask yourself one question.
Do you feel lucky, punk?

Offline TMKIWI

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Re: Maico-the final answer
« Reply #76 on: May 10, 2010, 09:25:39 PM »
Do Husqvarna make 4 strokes ?

I wouldn't bag on a brand cause they make 4 strokes.
Almost every one does it just makes business sense.
At least the Euro brands are actually putting development into 2 strokes.
Most of the 2010 models are 'New'.
Unlike Yamaha who havent done a thing for awhile. Brilliant bike that it is.

Am I forgiven for mentioning the 'M' word in the past. I think I should be because TM has a 'M' in it.

Oh shit sorry ford.
There we go again.
If you don't fall off you are not going hard enough

Offline JETZcorp

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Re: Maico-the final answer
« Reply #77 on: May 10, 2010, 09:57:32 PM »
I don't hate TM, I never said I did.  I think they make wonderful bikes and are doing as much for the two-stroke cause as any other manufacturer.  However, the fact that they make four-strokes is a fact I hold against them.  Husqvarna doesn't get special treatment, I don't like that they make them, either.  Same goes for Yamaha and KTM, and just about all the others.

Oh, and Maico doesn't exactly have a perfect record, either.  Yamaha started their thing in the '90s, but check out what Maico thought about pulling on us in the '70s.  I believe Opferman managed to find another shot of one of these, it's in one of his videos... somewhere.


Anyway, what I'm saying is, no one really has totally clean hands.  However, that doesn't mean that everyone's got the same amount of blood on their hands.  There is no black or white, only shades of grey.  Except Honda, they're just black. :D
« Last Edit: May 10, 2010, 10:00:12 PM by JETZcorp »


Is this Maico a 440 or only a 400?  Well in all the confusion, I forgot myself.
But considering this is a 1978 Magnum, the best-handling bike in the world, you have to ask yourself one question.
Do you feel lucky, punk?

Offline riffraff

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Re: Maico-the final answer
« Reply #78 on: May 10, 2010, 10:06:45 PM »
But JETZ, 4 strokes are bikes too  :D , and disliking a manufacturer for producing them is just wrong. 4 strokes have a place in this world, even on a motocross track, as long as it's on an even footing.
aaahhhhh yes, I remember the good old days

Offline TMKIWI

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Re: Maico-the final answer
« Reply #79 on: May 10, 2010, 10:12:54 PM »
That's shocking jetz!
Do you know what motor is in that thing ?

P.S. What have you got against Aluminum frames ?
They are not the work of the devil.

Lucky down here in NZ we only have bikes with Ali-min-ium frames not Alu-man-um !!!
If you don't fall off you are not going hard enough

Offline JETZcorp

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Re: Maico-the final answer
« Reply #80 on: May 10, 2010, 10:19:45 PM »
It's a bandwagon issue.  The fact is, I don't think half of these guys would be making them if they were on an equal footing at all.  Or at least, not in motocross form (I can understand four-stroke trail bikes).  Just look at the history, when did they come back?  Right when the rule change came in.  Before that, no one even pondered entering a four-stroke into the top-level competition.  Would they try it today, on equal ground?  Yeah, probably.  However, until the bandwagon is taken away and idea of building the better bike returns, I'm going to count jumping on the bandwagon as a tick in the "against" column.  That goes for aluminium frames too, something that's been the topic of much debate, but which I classify as a bandwagon item that doesn't really improve performance (and certainly makes maintenance more of a pain.

Anyway, I believe that's a true Maico four-stroke motor.  The cases are 1978-82 Maico cases, and check what's on the other side of the cylinder.


Looks pretty official to me, though I could be wrong.


Is this Maico a 440 or only a 400?  Well in all the confusion, I forgot myself.
But considering this is a 1978 Magnum, the best-handling bike in the world, you have to ask yourself one question.
Do you feel lucky, punk?

Offline TotalNZ

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Re: Maico-the final answer
« Reply #81 on: May 10, 2010, 10:35:01 PM »
I thought all the 300's had 1 ring pistons.
Mine has the single ring.
I was after a bit more durability.
I did not know about 2 different cylinders.
I will have to try and find out more.
I looked up the Wossner website and they list a piston for my bike. Just dosn't say if 2 or 1 ring.

Yep all single ring as far as i know, i'm using a wossner piston next rebuild.
try motoxparts.co.nz they gave me a really sharp price on the TM kit, tell them callum put you onto them and i might get a discount next time haha.

Offline SachsGS

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Re: Maico-the final answer
« Reply #82 on: May 11, 2010, 07:48:46 AM »
I have nothing against four strokes EXCEPT when: 1. they are given a 2 to 1 displac. advantage 2. they have only 2 rings, no piston skirt and a 10 hour maintenance interval ("ticking" timebomb). As for aluminum frames they seem to be reliable but they still make me nervous. I've replaced far too many mountainbike frames. I used to work a lot with aluminum structures and for a motorcycle frame I think chro-moly steel is still the superior material.

Offline SachsGS

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Re: Maico-the final answer
« Reply #83 on: May 11, 2010, 08:49:28 AM »
I'd also like to add that Maico built some proto-type 4s in the late 70's using converted 2s bottom ends, think early Husky 4s. In the early 1990's Lorenze Merkle owned Maico and they actually sold some Rotax powered 4s Maico's, I saw one advertised used once.

Husqvarna produced decades of 4s motorcycles before they started manufacturing 2s in the mid 60's.These Husky 4s were quite successful both in road racing and offroad.

Offline TMKIWI

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Re: Maico-the final answer
« Reply #84 on: May 11, 2010, 01:15:52 PM »
Hey totalnz.
Hep i have buying parts of craig for awhile now.
6 week delivery for Wossner kit.

I was going to use a Wossner anyway.
I was just interested in what some other people thought.
It's always good to get different veiwpoints.

Might start a poll.
If you don't fall off you are not going hard enough

Offline ford832

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Re: Maico-the final answer
« Reply #85 on: May 11, 2010, 01:30:42 PM »
I think I should be because TM has a 'M' in it.

Oh shit sorry ford.
There we go again.



WTF??? >:( Who just said that damn M word again?Don't make me come over there >:( :o :)

As for me,I like a steel single backbone frame and a 2t engine-BUT-if I couldn't get a steel frame I'd have an aluminum one and if I couldn't get a 2t I'd have a 4t.I've had both as I believe in giving something an honest try before condemning it.
I think to condemn a manufacturer because they are building what the majority of the public wants is a little ridiculous-just be happy they're still building what you want.
As for sticking to your guns,damn the torpedoes,full speed ahead-regardless of market demand...anyone remember the British motorcycle industry in the seventies?
I'd rather a full bottle in front of me than a full frontal lobotomy.

Offline TMKIWI

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Re: Maico-the final answer
« Reply #86 on: May 11, 2010, 01:37:34 PM »
If you are coming over, make sure you bring some beer's.
If you don't fall off you are not going hard enough

Offline ford832

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Re: Maico-the final answer
« Reply #87 on: May 11, 2010, 01:41:36 PM »
Guaranteed.Is Keiths ok? :)
I'd rather a full bottle in front of me than a full frontal lobotomy.

Offline SachsGS

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Re: Maico-the final answer
« Reply #88 on: May 11, 2010, 02:04:10 PM »
Crikies! I thought you guys knew what TM stood for? Tony's Maico!

Offline ford832

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Re: Maico-the final answer
« Reply #89 on: May 11, 2010, 04:06:38 PM »
There's that M word again.I thought this was a family site :-\ :)
I'd rather a full bottle in front of me than a full frontal lobotomy.