This listing was posted on Americanlisted.
$6,500
1981 Other Makes MAICO
Price:
$6,500
Financing:
Summary:
Used 1981
Location:
Honolulu, HI
Description:
Up for sale is my 1981 490Maico Mega 2. I purchased this Maico from the second owner in March of 2001. The previous owner was a very meticulous caretaker during his ownership of this Maico. The advertisement at the time when he was marketing the bike was very complete in every detail with photographs along with a very comprehensive list of Service Routine’s he had performed from 1990 up to May 2000. I took delivery in 2001. Maico MC-490/T Chassis 351-XXXX.(see chassis plate photo). Eng. RT-3520176. Skip to the bold print below re: the sale specifics for this Maico or continue reading for history, background when I purchased the bike. The Maico arrived in an extremely well made crate (built by the owner) and included with the bike was a factory Maico 250, 400, 490 Modell 1981 manual plus a 10 page ‘hand-written’notes addressed to me on how to disassemble the crate, assemble the bits that were removed from the bike, etc… Plus a ‘how to’ regarding the historical maintenance he performed on the bike, his starting methods he used, pre-mix options, etc…I only recount this to try and convey the connection the owner had with this bike and to pass on the care and joy he had with this machine in hopes the new owner would carry on the tradition.As the next owner, I continued his traditions and as such I was moved to go the extra mile. After a couple of outings in the pineapple fields around Wahiawa I took the bike completely apart. Blasted the frame and swing-arm for powder-coating. Installed new head bearings, hub bearings, fork seals, rebuilt triple spring rate Works Shocks, 40mm Bing rebuilt.Not too long after I had Maico Only modify the cylinder for a V-Force reed valve setup, installed a new Wiseco piston along with a new Maico Only Wheelsmith pipe which I shipped off and had it Jet-Hot coated. I purchased and installed a new decal set and seat cover. Unfortunately the seller included some promotional stickers which were placed against the seat cover and their black ink stained it while in transit during shipping (see photo). Lastly I swapped out the front hub with an ’83 KTM /Brembo disc brake arrangement with new Buchanan stainless spokes attached to the Maico rim. (This is easily reversable back to drum-brake). During my 23 year ownership I took the Maico riding:8 times between 2001 –2003 (Prior to Wahiawa Dole Pineapple restricted riding access)3 trail ride outings 2004-2006 North Shore. After each of these 11outings I would drain and replace the oil and perform a thorough detailing. The Maico had one more outing in 2016 to the North Shore but the bike never left the trailer as the park was closed that day. (See photos on trailer).The bike has it’s usual nicks and scratches hear and their on frame and rims, but is very presentable for a 20+ year old semi restoration. In summary I thoroughly cared for this Maico (as I did for my restored ’79 Frontera 370 which the Maico replaced) but when the pineapple fields were off-limits, I never did get much running time on it as I had hoped. But before Dole closed their gates, boy did this Maico 490 deliver on every outing. On one such outing….. Me and a buddy who was running his 370 Bultaco MKII Pursang, we laid out a course that snaked around several pineapple patches in Wahiawa. One lap of this circuit took roughly around2-1/2 minutes to complete.The start / finish (a long straight away that had a slight right hand radius in the middle of it) would come into view after navigating a hairpin turn on the last corner of the lap. Well after around 3 laps of slowing down at the hairpin after each circuit to wait up for my buddy, I decide to open her up. At the time, I had yet to really open up the Maico thru all the gears since purchase. Well to say the least, the pull was unbelievable.I just kept rolling the throttle on. 2nd, 3rd, then 4th….It was just fantastic. I dared ask once more from it as I shifted it into 5th and rolled it on once more. Several months after this day’s ride I found and bought a vintage copy of Dirt Bike magazine (Jan. 1981) which was the issue containing their test review of the ’81 490 Mega 2.Here I quote a paragraph from this Dirt Bike review which summed it up best what I felt riding in the Dole Fields that day when I clicked this bike into 5th gear…. “Power starts down low in the rpm range, builds early and hard, and then takes a deep breath at midrange before it revs out with a breathtaking rush……” I rolled off the throttle letting the Maico’s speed slowly dissipate near the end of the circuit. I was awe struck. Humbled, that this machine kept delivering and pulling thru top gear down that straight. 20+ years on as I write this, I still remember that feeling like it was yesterday. What a bike. Offered for sale for$6500. Including the advertisements from the previous owner, his history, notes along with my receipts plus Maico maintenance manual. Likewise as with the previous owner, I will purchase material and build a custom crate and transport the Maico / crate to the Honolulu Docks for shipping to Oakland, Los Angeles, orTacoma WA.The quote to ship it to Oakland, Los Angeles, or Tacoma WA id roughly $500.00From this point on, the buyer will pick up the Maico at either of these locations or arrange to transport the Maico to their final destination. Great video 37 min. featuring(3) 2021 twin-shock motocross races, interviews with the Maico racers and at the 13:30 minute mark a great interview with Bill Brown of Wulfdport. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8_XDy7mCBk Below is early email correspondence between myself and the seller – -----OriginalMessage----- From: Edward Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2001 2:17 PMTo: Rick Subject: Re: 1981 490 Maico Mega II Rick,Kudos on the restoration of the Bultaco, it looks great! This is the Maico for you being as particular as you are. As for your buddy I would be surprised if you needed more than 3rd gear to dispense with him on this bike.By way of comparison my last KX500 had a Twin Air Filter, Boyesen Rad Valve, Cylinder Porting, FMFpipe and Silencer, this Maico will stay with it in good traction conditions,and run away from it in anything less than good traction. All this while remaining so controllable you never feel like you're not the master.The reputation of these bikes is well deserved and it is in no way an exaggeration when MXA calls it "The Greatest Bike of all Time".Nothing is more stable in the rough or at speed yet it will turn under anything, I always go for the inside line with this bike. It's also a very neutral jumper, it loves air.It is jetted to perfection at sea level. Make me an offer I can't refuse. I would be willing to build a 1st class crate onyour dime, then take it for shipping. I'm sending you a picture and partial list of the spare parts.Any other questions let me know. Ed
For sale by:
Private Party
Posted:
August 9 2023 on Americanlisted
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More About this Listing: 1981 Other Makes MAICO
1981 Other Makes MAICO is a 1981 Dirt Bike in Honolulu HI. Find other listings by searching for 1981 in Honolulu on Oodle Classifieds.
1981 Other Makes MAICO is a 1981 Dirt Bike in Honolulu HI. Find other listings by searching for 1981 in Honolulu on Oodle Classifieds.