'77 Maico 440 Trike Build

[Maico]

Hey Guys....

Here's a few pics of the '77 Maico 440 trike I got from Jonathan (thestud25) before I disassembled it.. The frame,triples and swingarm are at the powder coaters right now...the front forks have been completely disassembled, cleaned and awaiting parts from Canada. The motor is next for a tear down/rebuild. Sorry....I don't have a pic of the trike complete before I tore it down. I'll post more pics as it comes together. Not sure who did the conversion. It was thought to be a Franks conversion but I can find no info on it at all.

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r246/Westcoast820/233.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r246/Westcoast820/220.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r246/Westcoast820/225.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r246/Westcoast820/222.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r246/Westcoast820/227.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r246/Westcoast820/229.jpg

[CRAZY70MAN]

Cool!! I seemed to have missed this somehow?? Enlighten me or give me a link to the story. Was this produced or custom built? Very cool...........

[thestud25]

Yes, it is about time she comes out!!!!!152017152018

Here is the short story I got when I bought the bike. I got it from the backwoods of Missouri on a dark, cold rainy night(no lie). I actually feared for my life as I traveled out into the nether regions of barefootbucktoothlandia. Anyways, the guy I bought it off of said he saw it sitting under a carport at some guys house in eastern Missouri. He informed me the guy got it out west in the early 80's. Unfortunately, that is about all I know on the trike. Keep us posted on the build Roger!

[whitetail hunter]

that a cool bike to restore. i like the uniqueness. can't wait to see the finished product.

[El Camexican]

The needle on my desktop Coolometer pegged out and bent when I passed your post over it. I can’t wait to see what that looks like all shiny and clean. May the Gods of Cash, Patience and Understanding Families bless you and your project. PLEASE keep posting photos of every single nut, bolt and washer that goes into this thing.:beer

[atcpunk107]

Neat looking contraption you've got. Does that head have 2 spark plugs or is one just sitting on the top? Looks like it would be fun to ride. I think the rear suspension is kinda neat. Are you "restoring" it back to the way it was found or upgrading it.

[Big Mike]

I like it. Especially like the left hand kick, reminds me of my old Can-Am Qualifier 400 dirt bike I used to ride when I was younger. Can't wait to see this one done.

[userj8670]

Never heard of these but looks to be a badass machine. I also was curious if it has two spark plugs?

[atc007]

Very,very cool. Thank you for sharing with us !!!

[Vealmonkey]

The Great Gazoo and I were just talking vintage mx the other. The term, which I hadn't heard in a long time, "Maico-Breako" came up and we both laughed. That is a very cool trike. Maybe a Tricky Dicks conversion. But the Maicos' were not the most reliable machine around by far. The coolness meter is definitely pegged off the chart though. I also would have had to pick the machine up just for that fact. Parts aren't the easiest to get though. The place where I got my xr200 bike in Raleigh NC, had one of these restored that had just sold and they are a really nice looking machine when they are done up like original. Sort of an orange with the yellow "Maico" on the tank. I wish you nothing but the best on this project. I'm anxious to see you get it going. Ask Tricky Dics II if it's one of his families' conversions. He's a member on here. Almost forgot, you could use the other "sparkplug" hole for one of the old style compression releases, which is what most people used them for. The only bad thing with the 2nd sparkplug theory is, once you've fouled the first plug, the 2nd plug is already fouled as well.

[thestud25]

Maybe a Tricky Dicks conversion.

Andy has seen it in person at my house and it is not one of theirs.

[jeswinehart]

Yes, a very unique machine indeed right there and certainly will be a heck of a hand full for power. Some one done their home work before making it a trike, heck of a nice job.
Roger, I ain't seen a Maico around these parts of home town for 35 years or more but what all are you on the look out for, for your build ?

[thestud25]

I speak only from the parts I know that were gone when I sold it to him but it needed a carb, pipe, gas cap, and a petcock.

[Dirtcrasher]

Wow, that thing is built like a tank!

Thanks for the peak......

[Blown 331]

Any idea what year it was converted?

[Maico]

I've since found an OEM/NOS gas cap,petcock and correct Bing carb. New reproduction carb and airbox boots. New air filter and reproduction vin tags.

Not sure what year the conversion was done. I'd like to get with the owners of the other 2 known conversions and compare notes.

Here's few more pics from after I picked it up from Jonathan and the headed to my home state of Michigan. (I currently live in the North Georgia Mountains). My parents still live in mid MI and when I rolled into the driveway with this dinosaur in the back....I think Pops' response was.. "What the hell is that thing and where did you find THAT"?! LOL. Anyway....it was like old times...I would bring home dead stuff and he would help me tear it apart. We had a good time. He's gonna chit when he sees it all re-done.

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r246/Westcoast820/238.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r246/Westcoast820/239.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r246/Westcoast820/236.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r246/Westcoast820/235.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r246/Westcoast820/237.jpg

The last pic was when we got home with it mostly disassembled. Had to leave it in the driveway for a few days so it could get aclimated to the Georgia weather. LOL. Mr. Cat immediately proceeded to check it out and I think he may have then taken a whizz on it. That would be his way of claiming it as his. (Sigh...rolling of the eyes.).

[Maico]

Cool!! I seemed to have missed this somehow?? Enlighten me or give me a link to the story. Was this produced or custom built? Very cool...........

I've never found ANY info from Maico actually producing a 3 wheeler. But you never know. I'm thinkin' this was a conversion done here in the 'states. It started out as a '77 Maico 440 2 wheeler. 5 speed wide ratio trans.

[Maico]

The needle on my desktop Coolometer pegged out and bent when I passed your post over it. I can’t wait to see what that looks like all shiny and clean. May the Gods of Cash, Patience and Understanding Families bless you and your project. PLEASE keep posting photos of every single nut, bolt and washer that goes into this thing.:beer

I will do my best. It may take a year as I have other projects going on.....(plus the proverbial "Honey Do" list)

[Maico]

Neat looking contraption you've got. Does that head have 2 spark plugs or is one just sitting on the top? Looks like it would be fun to ride. I think the rear suspension is kinda neat. Are you "restoring" it back to the way it was found or upgrading it.

Up to '77...Maico used the 2 plug head in many of their bikes. Kinda of a spare if ya needed it without getting the tools out but most of the time....if you weren't consistantly switching the coil wire back and forth between plugs....the one you weren't using would just be fouled when you DID need to use it.

The rear suspension is stock '77 Maico 440 until you just get past the lower shock mount....then it's all custom after that.

I'm still on the fence about which direction to take with the build. I'm thinkin' I'm gonna keep it '77 era Maico correct as much as possible.

[Maico]

Yes, a very unique machine indeed right there and certainly will be a heck of a hand full for power. Some one done their home work before making it a trike, heck of a nice job.
Roger, I ain't seen a Maico around these parts of home town for 35 years or more but what all are you on the look out for, for your build ?

John....I just scored some good used Maico parts from over your way...Benton Harbor. They're out there...just got to know where to look. (wink)

The 440's were of decent power. Crude piston port design but with the right guy weilding the porting tools and a computer program to properly design the pipes....they pull like a freight train. The '77's were the last of the "watermelon" cased tranmissions. In '78, they went to a smaller, lighter transmission/case design.

It really doesn't need much, John. Just the basic paint, bearings, seals, gaskets. I will have to have Sprocket Specialists make me a new rear sprocket as the current 1 on the rear looks as if it were modified by a metal munching German beaver.

The seat is boxed up and ready to go to Mrs. Mosh on Saturday.

[JasonB]

very cool! interested to see the cleaned up refined product. Keep us posted with pics!

[thestud25]

I have an old 3 Wheeling mag with the Maico 490 trike. It looks just like Garageboys. With said said, those trikes were made by Franks.

[oldskool83]

were these made in 77" or were they made to convert a bike of whatever year in a different era? reason i ask is because i see what looks like 83/84 250r front fender? looks like it would shoot some sand easy!

[Maico]

were these made in 77" or were they made to convert a bike of whatever year in a different era? reason i ask is because i see what looks like 83/84 250r front fender? looks like it would shoot some sand easy!

My guess is that they were probably done in the early '80's when the craze was heavy. As far as the front fender...I've never owned an '83/'84 250R so it could be. I can take better close-up pics if it would help. The front fender is fiberglass and not plastic too.

[yaegerb]

My guess is that they were probably done in the early '80's when the craze was heavy. As far as the front fender...I've never owned an '83/'84 250R so it could be. I can take better close-up pics if it would help. The front fender is fiberglass and not plastic too.

If its fiberglass, I doubt its an R fender. Such a cool piece of history. I will be watching this build closely :)

[Maico]

A few pics I found of other Maico Trikes.

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r246/Westcoast820/83Franks490.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r246/Westcoast820/MaicoTrike.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r246/Westcoast820/MaicoTrike490.jpg

[Dirtcrasher]

That red/white Franks/Maico trike is incredible!

How is that lower rail for the foot pegs?

[yaegerb]

That first pic of the franks bike is awesome!!! I love that look.

[El Camexican]

Looks like Mr. Cat was not happy about the birds nest in the air box being empty:lol:

[taz]

that is very cool I really love conversions especially vintage ones

[C.J]

I will do my best. It may take a year as I have other projects going on.....(plus the proverbial "Honey Do" list)

It's been over a year now so I fully expect this thing to be fully restored eating r's and puma's, cheetah shee's and anything else in between >:] lmfao no I'm joking,

Any thing more on this machine? I SERIOUSLY dig it!! There's a fella across town from me who races VMX and I've gotten to check out his Maico's. Even gotten to ride an 83 Sand Spider 490. AMAZING machines

[Mickey Dunlap]

Can't go wrong with a old Maico or CZ with those old school aluminum tanks.

The air box looks like my helmet I found out in my barn the other day. That's where I put it two and a half years ago after I crashed and broke 7 ribs. I took a pic to show my wife,but when I open the pic on the computer I was shocked to see the little guys in there. Pics don't lie,I was a bird brain for riding a 1000cc Prairie with a broken arm that day,and here is the proof.:lol:

176377

[Maico]

Ok....It's been awhile. Not a lot of progress but I did get the frame,triples and swingarm all powder coated. Found a really nice hand coned up pipe and silencer for it too.

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r246/Westcoast820/100_0148_zps8db60a95.jpg (http://s146.photobucket.com/user/Westcoast820/media/100_0148_zps8db60a95.jpg.html)

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r246/Westcoast820/100_0150_zps9b93ab1a.jpg (http://s146.photobucket.com/user/Westcoast820/media/100_0150_zps9b93ab1a.jpg.html)

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r246/Westcoast820/100_0149_zps9f4b1875.jpg (http://s146.photobucket.com/user/Westcoast820/media/100_0149_zps9f4b1875.jpg.html)

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r246/Westcoast820/100_0146_zps8ddf2928.jpg (http://s146.photobucket.com/user/Westcoast820/media/100_0146_zps8ddf2928.jpg.html)

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r246/Westcoast820/100_0152_zps5b0ab3da.jpg (http://s146.photobucket.com/user/Westcoast820/media/100_0152_zps5b0ab3da.jpg.html)

I've also picked up a new air filter and Wheelsmith cage,new Magura era correct grips and levers. Found new OEM/NOS fork guts from the Netherlands and the correct Bing carb from Germany. The pics of the frame and parts look more pink in the photos...and they're a bit dusty...but they turned out reall nice. Got the color match about 99% correct. Still need to repair the rear fender and send the seat off to Mrs.Mosh for a recover. I have all new bearings/seal/gaskets for the lower end of the motor.

[C.J]

Oh man you went with the Bing? Those are a PITA and finding jets is reeaaallll fun. I am gunna stick an old mikuni on my Penton. It came with a Lectron though.

Frame and all is looking REAL nice!!! Also I dig the pipe! Any clue who coned it up?

[Maico]

I'm trying to keep it as era correct as possible...hence staying with the Bing. I've owned many mid/late '70's Maicos... 400,440 and 490...so I'm pretty used to getting the Bing jetted spot on. I can get any part for a Bing thru BingUSA. Jets are easy to find.

There's no tag on the pipe but it looks similar to a Wheelsmith.

I still need a rod kit and piston/rings for the motor.

I gotta get back to finishing my '86 KXT500 project too.

[C.J]

Oh ok! That website sure would have come in handy early last year LOL

I seriously can't wait to see this beasty all squared away. I really love the Maico's just because of how raw they are. I've always wondered how the 490 would feel if you could actually control it lmao. I expect videos of this machine AND the KX500 btw ;) lol

I got a friend who knows a site for getting Maico parts I believe. I'll try and get in touch with him and see for sure what it is. But you probably already know what it is lol

[taz]

man that's all we had to do was comment to get an update:p

[onformula1]

I am 90% sure it was converted by Dirt "E" Werks in Flagstaff, AZ.

They did a ton of conversions in the 1980's We had a 1979 YZ400 converted by them.

Same brake set-up, same axle bearing set-up, same hubs and they build trees like that.

I have lots of info if interested.

[onformula1]

Any updates on this trike?