78 MAICO MC125: not Bultaco KTM Honda Suzuki Yamaha Husqvarna CZ Penton Zundapp

Dear collectors and enthusiasts. after 17+ years the time has come to say goodbye to my prize possession.  My 78' MAICO MC 125.   I am the second owner of this increasingly rare motorcycle.   In my high school years I was privileged to work in a MAICO. Hodaka and Kawasaki shop in a little town in New Mexico.   The owner of the shop was a die hard MAICO rider. It was he that sold me my first MAICO.   A beat up. crusty. ugly. plastic bean tanked 360 square barrel.   I was hooked.   One day a couple of new MAICO shipping crates arrived on the loading dock and when uncrated I was awe struck to find a pair of shiny new yellow 125 MAICO's.   One was the shop owner's. and the other was for sale.   From that day on I knew someday I would call one my own.   But at around $900 dollars. it was completely out of my grasp.   Years passed. I graduated. went into the ARMY. got out and went to work in the aviation industry.   As the years rolled past I owned other MAICO's; a 400. 440. 450. and finally the King of all MAICO's. the legendary 490.   I loved them all. but none of them quenched my desire to own the MC 125.   When I could find one. I couldn't afford one. when I could afford one. I couldn't find one.   Funny how things work.   Twenty five years ago after all my MAICO's were sold and gone I found myself in a local bike repair shop.   While chatting up one of the old timer mechanics I noticed an old worn out MAICO decal on his tool box.   I made a comment about my history with MAICO's and my desire to own the elusive MC 125.   To my astonishment the guy said he knew an elderly gentleman. nbsp;"Charlie".  that had a 125 MAICO. but added that he didn't think it was for sale.   After some persuading. I managed to get the name and phone number of the gentleman and went see him a few days later.   After a brief introduction and explanation of why I was there. Charlie offered to let me see the bike. but made it clear it wasn't for sale.   He had his reasons and I respected that so I won't disrespect him by making them public here.   I'll just say that when I first saw the bike. it sat on a home made wooden stand and was surrounded by a huge amount of trophies. They literally were wall to wall in the little one car garage.   His son had been a very talented rider.   Charlie and I quickly became friends and over a period of 8 years I continued to visit him and listen to his stories and gently remind him that should he ever decide to sell the bike to please let me know.   One weekend literally a week before my wife and I were to move out of state for a new job. the phone rang and it was Charlie.   He was ready to sell the MAICO.   That was 17 years ago.

Down to business:  The bike runs and shifts just like it should.   Over all the bike is in great shape but it isn't perfect.   It's got the usual scuffs and scrapes that would be expected on a 36 year old dirt bike.   I've ridden the bike many. many times over the years on the local trails and tracks but have never "raced" it.   I gave the racing scene up back in my thirties.   The only thing I've done to the bike is routine maintenance. replaced fuel lines oil and filters. and replaced the grips. Recently I've noticed that one of the fork seals is weeping and the "O" ring around the shifter drools and should be replaced.   Charlie must have liked the look of bare aluminum because he stripped the original red paint off the tank.   I just left it as is.   I slapped a couple of those crappy after market MAICO decals on the tank maybe six or seven years ago.   The color runs if you get gas on them.

The bike is being offered with a reasonable reserve price.   Shipping cost will be the bid winners responsibility but I will assist the winner with preparation for shipping and delivery to a freight company of their choice.   The winner must deposit a $100. 00 non-refundable deposit in my pay pal account within 24 hours of the bid closing to secure the sale and to weed out deadbeats.   I will not sell or ship the bike to an international bidder or address.   No exceptions.   If you want this bike. you must live in the United States.   I will let the pictures speak for themselves as to the general. and specific condition of the bike.   If you still have questions. just ask.   Also. I do not think the current exhaust pipe is the OEM.   It may be an after market pipe and if it is. I do not know the name of the manufacturer.  I will provide a "Bill of Sale" ONLY to the winner even though eBay requires me to describe the bike as having a "Title".   There is no warranty as this is a 36 year old used racing motorcycle.                                        

Also published at eBay.com