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Hooked
Maicoletta 250, Maicoletta 277, GTS 250
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Hooked
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Hey chaps,
Thought I'd throw this one out there after seeing this
External inline image provided by member with no explanatory text

Purists stop reading here.

I'm toying with repowering one of my Maicos, but I'm not keen to do it unless i can find an engine that looks 100% like it belongs there.

There is a pretty specific set of criteria and i haven't found anything yet that fits them all.

the criteria are:
- Must fit completely within the stock bodywork, although there is a lot of space.
- Must be electric start, otherwise I'd have to cut the body.
- no external visual difference, except 2nd exhaust pipe.
- 300cc to 500cc side by side twin.
- preferably motor is produced in Germany or Austria.
- Must be chain drive. Chain preferably on the right side of the motor.
- Must be a manual.

The ROTAX pictured above looks ideal, but I suspect its not electric start.
The Jawa 350cc twin would be sweet if it had electric start.
BMWs are out with the boxer thing.

Any ideas?
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What about keeping it all maico but upping the output a good amount?

Does the letta you plan to do this to have a working engine now? I was talking over options with a friend (that has several lettas) and found out he as some period tuning specs.

A good pipe alone could bump things up to close to 30HP.
OP
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Maicoletta 250, Maicoletta 277, GTS 250
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Hooked
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Maicoletta 250, Maicoletta 277, GTS 250
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Location: New Zealand
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The Maico in question is a bastard I'm building from a whole pile of parts. So it has no providence. At the moment it's a rolling chassis, with a complete engine & gearbox but minus the generator, electrics and carb. ie: there is still a long way to go. At this point it'd be easy to change direction.

Since I have the other one that is an "original Period restoration circa 1969" that I won't be altering other than to maintain it. I'd like to make this one a bit of a custom because I've never seen a custom Maico.

So yeah, using the 277 I have for it is an option, but then You have one of those and I'll need more power than you... Laughing emoticon

I'm keen to hear about period tuning ideas all the same.. Mine has a few small mods on it from the time. My uncle used to race them in the '60s and he's got all kinds of bright ideas like reinforcing the sideboards so you can slide on them going round corners.

I'm also looking for a clock, in any condition. Do you or your friend have a spare?
OP
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Hooked
Maicoletta 250, Maicoletta 277, GTS 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 162
Location: New Zealand
 
Hooked
@sifty avatar
Maicoletta 250, Maicoletta 277, GTS 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 162
Location: New Zealand
UTC quote
oopsclunkthud wrote:
A good pipe alone could bump things up to close to 30HP.
What tree do these pipes grow on?
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sifty wrote:
oopsclunkthud wrote:
A good pipe alone could bump things up to close to 30HP.
What tree do these pipes grow on?
Like all good things, they grow out of the labor of a thoughtful design and a skilled artisan. Two strokes don't run right without a pipe, in my opinion, and the routing is easy on the maico. Should be able make it look somewhat stock as well. I'm thinking a nice wide power band.

As for the clock, I'll ask around. I have a nice clock but for longer rides I'm planning to put a temp gauge in it's place.

A ninja 250 would fit under the body no problem. KTM could be an option but from what I see the chain is on the left. Sachs all seem to small. An MZ engine could do it, not sure.
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Hooked
Maicoletta 250, Maicoletta 277, GTS 250
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Hooked
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Maicoletta 250, Maicoletta 277, GTS 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 162
Location: New Zealand
UTC quote
I've actually been told that before about the exhaust by a friend who rides motor cross. Almost doubling the HP does sound attractive. There is certainly plenty of space down there.

The clock may seem useless (mainly, because it is). The clock and the backwards speedo are a major part of the maiconess. But I suppose not cooking the motor is pretty important too. How about temperature lights instead? One for "getting hot" and one for "time to stop".

With the repower I'm not looking to make it a racer at all. More of a hot rod.
KTM would be cool though as you can trace their lineage back to Maico.
Japanese, English or American motors are not an option. I do have some principles...
Laughing emoticon

I think your exhaust idea has a whole lot of merit and bares further investigation.
Twin pipes would be cool though, it'd be a very subtle visual clue that most people wouldn't notice.
@smallstate avatar
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Molto Verboso
'66 Sears Allstate 788.94370 '65 Vespa V9A1T
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Molto Verboso
@smallstate avatar
'66 Sears Allstate 788.94370 '65 Vespa V9A1T
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UTC quote
that rotax engine is sexy. even with the weird lefty kickstart.
OP
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Hooked
Maicoletta 250, Maicoletta 277, GTS 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 162
Location: New Zealand
 
Hooked
@sifty avatar
Maicoletta 250, Maicoletta 277, GTS 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 162
Location: New Zealand
UTC quote
smallstate wrote:
that rotax engine is sexy. even with the weird lefty kickstart.
The Maicoletta engine was actually sourced from a Maico endurance off roader. It has a hole in the gearbox housing where the 'lefty' kickstart would've been in the motorbike.

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