I raced motocross in IA 1974-1979 and that's the last bike I raced. I got a deal on it because the 490 was considered the ultimate bike for the open class so the 400's didn't sell well. During my "career" I had a Bultaco 175, TM 250, RM 125, RM 250, and a YZ 400. The Maico was by far the best. The handling and torque was just unbelievable! God I wish I could relive those days again.
Brings me back to unadilla in 78, love those classic 2 strokes! Thanks for supporting the 2nd ammendment,! Been to the museum in 2019 , ready to visit this year,
Come home from school one day and my dad bought me a bike for my birthday thinking it was a ts 185 walked in the garage and sitting on a milk crate was a maico 250 all I needed was a lader to get on it but fun times I had on it keep the classics coming ken thanks
I've owned a 1978 Wheelsmith Maico 450 Magnum over 40 years -- raced it in the late 70s. I have all the factory documentation, sales contract and some receipts from their shop. It has the original plastics and tank -- aluminum tank is also in perfect condition. Mine has the GP number plates and probably close to 12"-13" travel in the rear and 11" in the front. Wheelsmith installed Fox Shox and WS engineered extended fork tubes. It will get a full restoration to Wheelsmith race specs. I'll stick with the Bing carb.. 😉
Maico has such an interesting story and racing history. Their engines were certainly studied by the Japanese. Man I want clear float-bowls that's a great Idea
I would run the stock rear sprocket, after drilling-out the 7mm threaded hubs to accept 8mm thru-bolts, and bump up the countertooth sprocket one tooth. Sooo much torque, don't need lower gearing.
Man, I'm close to starting in on my 79 Maico rebuild. Once I'm done with the Kawasaki triple, it's the Maico's turn. I've missed my 440! One thing I can say about this bike, is the tank decal is very much not original. The 78s came with bold thick black stripes either side of the yellow. This style with the thin black and white are common in modern times. Based on that, my guess is that the paint is probably not original either, but who knows for sure. ALSO!! This engine is highly modified! Not only the Lectron carb as mentioned, but it also has a reed valve conversion. All big-bore Maicos before 1983 were piston-port with a straight round intake. This bike clearly had some serious custom work done, probably including some porting. These 400s were absolute sweethearts with extremely smooth and usable power all over, but they didn't have big scary power like a 500 by ANY means. An 83 Maico 490 made a cool 15hp more than a stock 400 did in 78.
@@CharlieMoney777 They're great bikes. I have my 440 going again now and it's just effortlessly fast. You just don't know how quick it is until you get next to some boor SOB on a 250. Creamy smooth power.
Dios te bendiga amigo 🙏 exelente q muestres la colección aprecio cada vídeo observo la conservación nítida de cada motor un sueño seria conocer ver personal mente cada belleza de máquina saludo desde Colombia bucaramanga 👍
i put the maico in the ktm catocory as in expensive back in the day i wanted the 490 but remeber it being more expensive then the yz 490 i bought instead still think there bad ass bikes and good looking bikes
Crazy how big the back sprockets were ! I had a 77 mc 250 that my dad gave me for Christmas, we traded it a year later for a 78 Honda cr 250 . They both were fast
Maico 78 to82 great ! These 3 gear Shaft Modells are fun to drive , ! Center of graviti is pretty Low ,Helpful in Most Situation ! My 79 440 was equal fast in accellarating as the brand new.1983 brand .490 !!
Lovely example of one of the very nice MX bikes that were coming out of Europe in this period. Such a pity they couldn't keep pace with the development happening in japan.
Sex on wheels is right lol &the pipe is almost a straight pipe & the crackle that comes from it is one of the best sounds but that's just me. Best of luck to you guys for tomorrow
Had the 1970 MC250. No fancy suspension, stone age geometry compared to today's mx bikes, but man it tore the track up compared to competition of the time.
I had the first AW250 [downpipe] and then two later high pipe 400s. I campaigned MX tracks in central TX during the mid to late '70s. I wrenched at a dirt bike shop and bought the 400 over the 430/440 because drivetrain parts, rear tire and clutch lasted much longer. The adage of power corrupting...[?] Yes, indeed! The 400 had enough. Sometimes I could start in 3rd for dry sand tracks. Working at a shop, I could [barely] afford shock upgrades along the way - Bilstein, the original Fox air shock, Works Performance and finally Ohlins. The Maico-breako nickname was so wrong. I only had a couple of mechanical DNFs, due to my mistakes. The German bikes had better ferrous metal parts - aka cranks, gearbox, piston rings, clutch baskets, ets. - than the Japanese bikes. I could run an entire season on one Mahle piston and two rings. The shift forks were works of art and the shift plate so stone age simple and lightweight. Interesting to see what looks like a reed valve kit? After trying Mikuni and Lectron carbs, went back to the stock Bing, but mounted with a rubber hose. The original Bing carbs were mounted metal to metal and vibration would fret away the needle valve. I could write pages of mods to do on these bikes. All I would grab from today's technology would be disc brakes. Thanks for bringing back a flood of memories...
A pet peeve of mine, on any motorcycle, bicycle, car, machine, tool, etc.,....is any bolt, nut, or screw that has been buggered up with a locking plier, adjustable wrench, or incorrect size screwdrivers. 🙄
I raced motocross in IA 1974-1979 and that's the last bike I raced. I got a deal on it because the 490 was considered the ultimate bike for the open class so the 400's didn't sell well. During my "career" I had a Bultaco 175, TM 250, RM 125, RM 250, and a YZ 400. The Maico was by far the best. The handling and torque was just unbelievable! God I wish I could relive those days again.
That's sweet! Those are some sweet bikes.
I raced a few the 400 I loved. 👍
I have a 76 440 Adolf Weil replica love the maicos. U would love my bike lol
Man do I miss those days!!! I am so grateful yet envious of you!!! Let's bring em back!!!
Brings me back to unadilla in 78, love those classic 2 strokes! Thanks for supporting the 2nd ammendment,! Been to the museum in 2019 , ready to visit this year,
Come home from school one day and my dad bought me a bike for my birthday thinking it was a ts 185 walked in the garage and sitting on a milk crate was a maico 250 all I needed was a lader to get on it but fun times I had on it keep the classics coming ken thanks
Ken Kaplan THE Ambassador of badassery
I've owned a 1978 Wheelsmith Maico 450 Magnum over 40 years -- raced it in the late 70s. I have all the factory documentation, sales contract and some receipts from their shop. It has the original plastics and tank -- aluminum tank is also in perfect condition. Mine has the GP number plates and probably close to 12"-13" travel in the rear and 11" in the front. Wheelsmith installed Fox Shox and WS engineered extended fork tubes. It will get a full restoration to Wheelsmith race specs. I'll stick with the Bing carb.. 😉
That one hell of a badass big bore kap
God bless America 🇺🇸
Maico ano 70 big, ekstra 🤟✌️🤟✌️🤟✌️🤟✌️🤟✌️🤟✌️🤟✌️🤟✌️🤟✌️
Maico has such an interesting story and racing history. Their engines were certainly studied by the Japanese. Man I want clear float-bowls that's a great Idea
WOW... she's mint! Nice job on the graphics Christy.
Good to see I miss my dad 🇬🇧
Chuck Sun special right there, sweet sounding machine. :-)
That’s sounds so crisp and that rear sprocket is a giant ⚙️
I would run the stock rear sprocket, after drilling-out the 7mm threaded hubs to accept 8mm thru-bolts, and bump up the countertooth sprocket one tooth. Sooo much torque, don't need lower gearing.
My dad had a old Maico 490. That thing was fuggin MEAN!!!! What a bike holy jeesh!
That's me 400 78/78.5 & the79 had gold rims The love of my life..lol
thanx .
Looks great!
Look GREAT in my living room!!!
Man, I'm close to starting in on my 79 Maico rebuild. Once I'm done with the Kawasaki triple, it's the Maico's turn. I've missed my 440!
One thing I can say about this bike, is the tank decal is very much not original. The 78s came with bold thick black stripes either side of the yellow. This style with the thin black and white are common in modern times. Based on that, my guess is that the paint is probably not original either, but who knows for sure.
ALSO!! This engine is highly modified! Not only the Lectron carb as mentioned, but it also has a reed valve conversion. All big-bore Maicos before 1983 were piston-port with a straight round intake. This bike clearly had some serious custom work done, probably including some porting. These 400s were absolute sweethearts with extremely smooth and usable power all over, but they didn't have big scary power like a 500 by ANY means. An 83 Maico 490 made a cool 15hp more than a stock 400 did in 78.
Why did you sell the 440? Did you ever sell your dad's 490?
@@Maicowerk I never sold the 440, it's just blown up. And yeah, he still has the 490.
@@CharlieMoney777 They're great bikes. I have my 440 going again now and it's just effortlessly fast. You just don't know how quick it is until you get next to some boor SOB on a 250. Creamy smooth power.
Very good restoration ken!! The ambassadeur On historique cross bike🤪🍺✌️
This bike is sick!!!
Looks awesome
1 week away from my monster on that spot in your driveway. Can’t wait. Counting down the hours.
those graphics are insane
They are nice, not sure about insane
Dios te bendiga amigo 🙏 exelente q muestres la colección aprecio cada vídeo observo la conservación nítida de cada motor un sueño seria conocer ver personal mente cada belleza de máquina saludo desde Colombia bucaramanga 👍
Wicked bike.
Best handling Mx bike of it’s time..A set of Curnutt shocks and you’re good to go!
Look at that rear sprocket. It’s a gosh darn dinner plate!!!! 😂😂😂👍👍👍
i put the maico in the ktm catocory as in expensive back in the day i wanted the 490 but remeber it being more expensive then the yz 490 i bought instead still think there bad ass bikes and good looking bikes
Gotta agree, That is a kick as piece.
Crazy how big the back sprockets were ! I had a 77 mc 250 that my dad gave me for Christmas, we traded it a year later for a 78 Honda cr 250 . They both were fast
Why are they so big? Different kind of transmission gearing back then?maybe?🤔
What’s with the revolver? Expecting someone to cause trouble?
It is not stock intake, perhaps Husqvarna reed valve ? check 5:09
Maico 78 to82 great ! These 3 gear Shaft Modells are fun to drive , ! Center of graviti is pretty Low ,Helpful in Most Situation ! My 79 440 was equal fast in accellarating as the brand new.1983 brand .490 !!
Beautiful
badass bike, sounds sooo crisp!
i hope there is an atk on the channel in the future.
700 intimidator baby.
ill settle for a 406 lol.
Lovely example of one of the very nice MX bikes that were coming out of Europe in this period. Such a pity they couldn't keep pace with the development happening in japan.
Sex on wheels is right lol &the pipe is almost a straight pipe & the crackle that comes from it is one of the best sounds but that's just me.
Best of luck to you guys for tomorrow
Yes...crackle is the word!!!
@kaplan america where does one get one of these carbs from?? I have a 78 400 I’m restoring to race. Thanks
Had the 1970 MC250. No fancy suspension, stone age geometry compared to today's mx bikes, but man it tore the track up compared to competition of the time.
I’m seriously thinking about an electron carb on my 250r. 🤔
Those could really sling the gravel!
I had the first AW250 [downpipe] and then two later high pipe 400s. I campaigned MX tracks in central TX during the mid to late '70s. I wrenched at a dirt bike shop and bought the 400 over the 430/440 because drivetrain parts, rear tire and clutch lasted much longer. The adage of power corrupting...[?] Yes, indeed! The 400 had enough. Sometimes I could start in 3rd for dry sand tracks.
Working at a shop, I could [barely] afford shock upgrades along the way - Bilstein, the original Fox air shock, Works Performance and finally Ohlins. The Maico-breako nickname was so wrong. I only had a couple of mechanical DNFs, due to my mistakes. The German bikes had better ferrous metal parts - aka cranks, gearbox, piston rings, clutch baskets, ets. - than the Japanese bikes. I could run an entire season on one Mahle piston and two rings. The shift forks were works of art and the shift plate so stone age simple and lightweight.
Interesting to see what looks like a reed valve kit? After trying Mikuni and Lectron carbs, went back to the stock Bing, but mounted with a rubber hose. The original Bing carbs were mounted metal to metal and vibration would fret away the needle valve.
I could write pages of mods to do on these bikes. All I would grab from today's technology would be disc brakes.
Thanks for bringing back a flood of memories...
Have you found any real big bore maicos? Those 700cc ones? Would love to see one in action with kaplan prep.
Stay tuned
Alright boys let's see someone rip a Maico 700
Nesc ,crow hill Sunday?
i think when i had my maico 400 there was only 4 gears....am i right ?
Have you ever had a 501?
King maico
The Husqvarna reed cage is a known modification. Stock is just a plain intake.
A pet peeve of mine, on any motorcycle, bicycle, car, machine, tool, etc.,....is any bolt, nut, or screw that has been buggered up with a locking plier, adjustable wrench, or incorrect size screwdrivers. 🙄
👍
Danny magoo!
Hey Kap,, you ever come across a maico 700??... or get a chance to swing a leg over one ever??
No but we want one
Didn’t jr say theres a maico 490 engine in that bike?
He was wrong its a 400
Minty ✌🏼😎
Man!
😍😍👍
First comment. Straight bad ass ken.your a legend
What i would do for that bike. I dare not think of what I would do for a mega 2 490.