Maico Maicoletta
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Make Model | Maico Maicoletta |
Year | 1954-66 |
Engine | Single cylinder, two stroke, SOHC |
Capacity | 174 cc / 10.6 cub in. 247 cc / 15.1 cub in. 277 cc / 16.9 cub in. |
Bore x Stroke | 174 cc: 61 x 59.5 mm 247 cc: 67 x 70.0 mm 277 cc: 71 x 70.0 mm |
Cooling System | Air cooling |
Oil/Fuel Mixture | 1:24 |
Exhaust | Single |
Fuel System | Bing carburetor |
Starting | Bosch 6 volt pendulum electric starter |
Max Power | 174 cc: N/A 247 cc: 10.4 kW / 14.0 hp @ 5100 rpm 277 cc: 12.1 kW / 16.2 hp @ 5100 rpm |
Clutch | Wet, cable operated |
Transmission | 4-Speed with heel-and-toe shifter pedal |
Final Drive | Chain |
Frame | Tubular steel with pressed steel body panels |
Front Suspension | Telescopic fork, steering damper |
Rear Suspension | Swingarm with coil springs and dampers |
Front Brakes | Drum, 6.5 in |
Rear Brakes | Drum, 5 or 6 in. |
Wheels | Steel |
Front Tyre | 3.25 - 3.5 x 14 in. |
Rear Tyre | 14 in. |
Dimensions | Length: 2100 mm / 81 in. Width: 640 mm / 25 in. Height: 970 mm / 38 in. |
Seat Height | 740 mm / 29 in. |
Wet Weight | 146 kg / 322 lbs |
Fuel Capacity | 11.9 L / 3.1 US gal |
Average Consumption | 4.0 L/100 km / 25 km/l / 59 mpg |
Top Speed | 247 cc: 109 km/h / 68 mph |
Colours | Candy red, Blue/silver, Black/Silver, Brown/beige |
Source | Wikipedia |
The Maicoletta was introduced in 1955. It used components based on those used in Maico's conventional motorcycles, including the engine, transmission, and front forks. It was built to compete in the German scooter market of the 1950s. Maico had earlier introduced an enclosed motorcycle with superior weather protection for the rider, the Maico Mobil, that was marketed as a "two-wheeled car" with interchangeable wheels and a spare wheel mounted into the barrel shaped bodywork behind the number plate and rear lamp. The Maicoletta used the fourteen-inch wheels, gear ratio indicator, and headlights from the Mobil.
When the Maicoletta was first exported to the United Kingdom, it was one of the heaviest and most expensive scooters sold there. It gained a reputation in the U.K. as a high-quality, heavy, powerful, scooter capable of being ridden in comfort over long distances. The brakes were noted at the time by Motor Cycling and Scooter Weekly for being powerful and progressive in that the braking force increased with increased effort against the braking controls. The optional 277 cc engine was considered particularly useful with a sidecar combination, as was the steering damper.
Maico stopped offering the 174 cc and 277 cc engine options in 1962 and ended production of the Maicoletta in 1966. Demand for Maicolettas in the U.K. was such that the importer used its inventory of spare parts to build new Maicolettas to special order until late 1967.
The advantage of this system is that the starter does not have to force the crankshaft to turn over against compression, so less power is required from the 6 volt system. Its disadvantage is the unusually large number of contacts, which can be difficult to adjust. The reversing switch contacts tend to wear out with extended use and can be very difficult to service or to have serviced, hence the scooter's reputation for requiring roll starts later in life. The Maicoletta did not have a kick starter.
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