MAICO 501 1972

If you are reading this. then you probably got a little gray in your hair. if you still have hair. or if you are under the age of 40. you my friend have exquisite taste in vintage motocross machinery! The Maico 501. dubbed KING KONG back in the day; to this day is still a formidable opponent to any machine on the right track. The factory stated 37 horse power out of the big square barrel. ut by all accounts when set up properly mid 50 horsepower readings were easy to pull out of this legendary Maico. and like all Maico's they can find a line on the roughest track. and hold that line as if on rails. I bought this from the original owner. it came with the small California Pink slip. a few repair manuals. a Cooper Motors (where it was purchased) service update with hand drawn copies of suggested repairs. as well as the factory manual. which includes the Preston Petty How To Ride Motocross section. And there are some really cool old b&w photos in that section as well. The original owner told me he broke his leg on the very first day out at the track. His son ended up with the bike and it sat for a few decades prior to my purchase. I had intended to restore this piece of motocross history back to it's original glory. but frankly. everything that is cool about this bike is in the history. and that included the welds on the pipe. to the dry rotted tires. I did start it. and even with shot tires. and years of dormancy. it reared up and let me know that I was on a MAICO 501. It shifted smooth. and the brakes brought me back to earth. Someone out there needs this bike. and this bike needs someone out there! There is no reserve. that is right. you could get this for one dollar if everyone else on the planet stops searching ebay for vintage Maico's tomorrow!

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