'77 Maico 440 Trike Build

[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.











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.

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.

[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

[taz]

that is very cool I really love conversions especially vintage ones