Maico MD 125
|
|
Make Model | Maico MD 125 |
Year | 1971 - 76 |
Engine | Single cylinder, two stroke, ritary vale inlet |
Capacity | 124 cc / 7.6 cub in. |
Bore x Stroke | 54 x 54 mm |
Cooling System | Air cooling |
Compression Ratio | 11:1 |
Oil/Fuel Mixture | 1:25 |
Exhaust | Single, chrome, left side |
Ignition | Flywheel magneto, Bosch |
Fuel System | Bing slide carburetor, 26 mm |
Starting | Kick |
Max Power | 11.7 kW / 15.9 hp @ 7800 rpm |
Clutch | Wet, cable operated |
Transmission | 6-Speed |
Final Drive | Chain |
Frame | Double cradle, tubular |
Front Suspension | Marzocchi forks |
Rear Suspension | Swing arm with 2 spring legs |
Front Brakes | Drum, aluminium full hub, 136 mm |
Rear Brakes | Drum, aluminium full hub, 136 mm |
Wheels | Steel alloy, laced wire spokes |
Front Tyre | 2.50 x 16 in. |
Rear Tyre | 3.00 x 16 in. |
Wet Weight | 99 kg / 218 kg |
Fuel Capacity | 13.5 L / 3.6 US gal |
Colours | Red, Blue, Orange |
Top Speed | 125 km/h / 77.7 mph |
A completely new generation of Maico road-going prototypes were presented in 1964 at IFMA. These were the 50cc and 125cc MD series. "M" stood for Maico and "D" for Drehschieber (rotary valve). However, there were still many problems to overcome with these new disc-valve, two-stroke engines. These were solved by new Development Engineer Günther Schier, who came from Rotax, in Austria, in 1966.
Production took off in 1967 with the MD125 11hp, with yearly updates to follow until 1975. These 125cc MD Maicos were very fast from the beginning. While the 1968 MD125SS road-going model had a class leading 14.5 hp (upped to 16hp in 1971) and an exclusive six-speed gearbox, this output was still far from what the design would eventually achieve. For example, the Maico RS production racer, based heavily on the road bike, achieved 24 to 26hp and created some serious stir among the prevailing Yamaha TA racers on the track.