Darrell Schulz raced 1979 Wheelsmith Maico

robkinuk
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robkinuk 7/16/2014 10:50am
7/16/2014 10:50am
Bigfoot wrote:
I'm not sure that Darrel really rode for Wheelsmith or if it was more like he rode for the Maico importer and had some support in...
I'm not sure that Darrel really rode for Wheelsmith or if it was more like he rode for the Maico importer and had some support in Wheelsmith parts and probably had his engine tweaked a bit by Wheelsmith (porting, pipe, reed valve, carb?) At the time Wheelsmith was the sort of unofficial US development arm of Maico. They made parts to improve performance and reliability of Maicos and sometimes got advance samples of production parts and some works parts and the like from Germany.

Take a look at two of my 1978 shots of Schultz at Sears Point and of Jeff Jennings at Indian Dunes. Schultz has no Wheelsmith logos on his bike or clothing while JJ is clearly a Wheelsmith rider. JJ got his bikes direct from Wheelsmith, not Maico. Also notice that Schultz’s bike has a different front hub and fork lowers and that the tank graphics that were production in ’79 and that his frame has the loop over the rear fender that didn’t see production until ’79 – all signs of direct factory support.

This is all deduction of course, only Schultz, JJ, Greg Smith or Wayne Mooradian could say for sure.


The Rock wrote:
Wheelsmith was the funnel the factory Maico race bikes went through before being raced in the US. Nobody knew how to set up a Maico like...
Wheelsmith was the funnel the factory Maico race bikes went through before being raced in the US. Nobody knew how to set up a Maico like Greg Smith and know one was more aware of that than the Maico factory.

Excellent point about Darrell not riding for Wheelsmith but perhaps more so riding Wheelsmith equipment.

This thread has answered the question why my 79 450 looked just like Darrell's 78 race bike RE: Also notice that Schultz’s bike has a different front hub and fork lowers and that the tank graphics that were production in ’79 and that his frame has the loop over the rear fender that didn’t see production until ’79 – all signs of direct factory support

In the picture above of Darrell I don't believe he is running the Thor swingarm my bike had....or maybe he is and it was just painted red.
Forks and hub are the same on Shultz & Jennings bikes, a factory mod/ technical update to run hub on left side. This makes for a cleaner cable route with less arc and more positive feel to front brake lever.
The Rock
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The Rock 7/16/2014 12:52pm
7/16/2014 12:52pm
robkinuk wrote:
Forks and hub are the same on Shultz & Jennings bikes, a factory mod/ technical update to run hub on left side. This makes for a...
Forks and hub are the same on Shultz & Jennings bikes, a factory mod/ technical update to run hub on left side. This makes for a cleaner cable route with less arc and more positive feel to front brake lever.
I believe I first saw opposite hub mounting on a CZs. Rob did you ever see a Maico with a Yamaha front brake? I only saw pictures of them but always dreamed of having a stronger front brake. I can remember spending lots of time arcing my brake shoes for maximum surface area to help slow my German steeds down.
robkinuk
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robkinuk 7/16/2014 3:59pm
7/16/2014 3:59pm
The Rock wrote:
I believe I first saw opposite hub mounting on a CZs. Rob did you ever see a Maico with a Yamaha front brake? I only saw...
I believe I first saw opposite hub mounting on a CZs. Rob did you ever see a Maico with a Yamaha front brake? I only saw pictures of them but always dreamed of having a stronger front brake. I can remember spending lots of time arcing my brake shoes for maximum surface area to help slow my German steeds down.
Never had one but heard it was the hot ticket with link to activate both sides of shoes.
Front brakes were never Maico finest hour!Wink

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selous scout
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selous scout 2/15/2016 3:00pm
2/15/2016 3:00pm

Best times of my life breaking berms and racing motocross on my Maico, Fort Victoria Rhodesia and Maryland USA district 7
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friday10 2/15/2016 3:29pm
2/15/2016 3:29pm
newmann wrote:
79 had the ugly tank. Well, ugly for a Maico..... Now this my friends is a good looking Maico. [img]http://www.bikesrestored.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/maicoaw400-1977-4-1024x679.jpg[/img]
79 had the ugly tank. Well, ugly for a Maico.....

Now this my friends is a good looking Maico.

I rode one just like this that belonged to my buddy after riding Bultaco's for many years, I was absolutely shocked at how f##ing good it was!
neverwasfastenuf 2/15/2016 3:47pm
2/15/2016 3:47pm
Never owned one personally but was lucky enough to have friends that did and got the opportunity to ride them and get a taste of that Maico power.
Johnny89superbike 2/15/2016 6:18pm
2/15/2016 6:18pm
yzweldon wrote:
My 76 and 78 250s[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2014/07/16/59786/s1200_20140707_102007.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2014/07/16/59787/s1200_IMG_5336051117220.jpg[/img]
My 76 and 78 250s



Nice :-)

My wife just picked-up this barn-find 400 Magnum; I've only ever ridden Jap stuff since '73, now learning all about Maico's as I fix it up for her (she normally rides an MX converted Suz DRZ400).



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Coyote 2/15/2016 6:21pm
2/15/2016 6:21pm
neverwasfastenuf wrote:
Never owned one personally but was lucky enough to have friends that did and got the opportunity to ride them and get a taste of that...
Never owned one personally but was lucky enough to have friends that did and got the opportunity to ride them and get a taste of that Maico power.


Rare photo holeshotting some Maicos, they sucked up roost as good as others. lol. good times for sure!!
MaicoJC1
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MaicoJC1 2/15/2016 6:43pm
2/15/2016 6:43pm Edited Date/Time 2/15/2016 6:49pm
Racing my 78 Maico 400 GS in the vintage class at annual Hangover Harescramble on Jan 3, 2016. Had not ridden any bike for about 3 months prior to this race, and never raced this particular Maico. So a 2 hour race on a bike with undersprung suspension made for a fun and challenging day. (Hurtin' like a mofo for the next three days though!) Still it handled fairly well, and the motor was superb! The 400's, square barrel or radial, are certainly my favorite Maico motors.








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MauriceR 2/15/2016 6:53pm
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Couple pics of my 82 I just listed for sale yesterday







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karsmakers 2/15/2016 7:23pm
2/15/2016 7:23pm
Check out my 1980 with a modified tank to run longer moto's in my picture on the left...awesome bike
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BobbyM 2/15/2016 9:26pm
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neverwasfastenuf wrote:
Never owned one personally but was lucky enough to have friends that did and got the opportunity to ride them and get a taste of that...
Never owned one personally but was lucky enough to have friends that did and got the opportunity to ride them and get a taste of that Maico power.
Coyote wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/02/15/124100/s1200_image.jpg[/img] Rare photo holeshotting some Maicos, they sucked up roost as good as others. lol. good times for sure!!


Rare photo holeshotting some Maicos, they sucked up roost as good as others. lol. good times for sure!!
Wosick... Magoo behind you Charles?
The Rock
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The Rock 2/15/2016 10:29pm
2/15/2016 10:29pm
newmann wrote:
79 had the ugly tank. Well, ugly for a Maico..... Now this my friends is a good looking Maico. [img]http://www.bikesrestored.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/maicoaw400-1977-4-1024x679.jpg[/img]
79 had the ugly tank. Well, ugly for a Maico.....

Now this my friends is a good looking Maico.

Guessing 1977 AW? Tank looks like my aluminum coffin tank on both my 1974.5 and my 1976 400s only painted.

Here is my 79 fresh out of the crate

robkinuk
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robkinuk 2/16/2016 1:18am
2/16/2016 1:18am
The Rock wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/02/15/124129/s1200_image.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/02/15/124130/s1200_image.jpg[/img]




Rock
Love the extended fuel tank on Darrel's Maico. Any chance you can re scan complete article?
Cheers
Rob
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Walter 2/16/2016 5:07am
2/16/2016 5:07am
Some of my more recent Maicos...
.








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Highsider
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Highsider 2/16/2016 5:46am
2/16/2016 5:46am
What's with the huge sprockets?
Looks more like a hillclimb size than for a motocross event.



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rcannon 2/16/2016 6:20am
2/16/2016 6:20am
robkinuk wrote:
Forks and hub are the same on Shultz & Jennings bikes, a factory mod/ technical update to run hub on left side. This makes for a...
Forks and hub are the same on Shultz & Jennings bikes, a factory mod/ technical update to run hub on left side. This makes for a cleaner cable route with less arc and more positive feel to front brake lever.
The Rock wrote:
I believe I first saw opposite hub mounting on a CZs. Rob did you ever see a Maico with a Yamaha front brake? I only saw...
I believe I first saw opposite hub mounting on a CZs. Rob did you ever see a Maico with a Yamaha front brake? I only saw pictures of them but always dreamed of having a stronger front brake. I can remember spending lots of time arcing my brake shoes for maximum surface area to help slow my German steeds down.
Rock, with regards to that double leading shoe Yamaha front brake.....Was it as powerful as I remember? I'd sear it was about as good as a current disc. Until it got wet. Have you tried one in modern times?

One of the local guys had a 82 Alpaa 1, I believe, and had used the forks and brake from the yz490. That machine was so much better than my 82 yz 490 that it was not even a fair comparison.
MaicoJC1
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MaicoJC1 2/16/2016 6:34am
2/16/2016 6:34am
Great thread. Nice pics from all of the current and previous Maico owners. Rock, thanks for the posting that DS article -- good stuff.

Been thinking about that Yamaha front brake switch for over 20 years -- may have to do it one day soon.
The Rock
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The Rock 2/16/2016 10:32am
2/16/2016 10:32am Edited Date/Time 2/16/2016 10:35am


Lancaster Ohio 1979 or 1980. I'm on the 107 and Phil Alderton is on the Husky to my left.

rcamnon-never got to try Yamaha front brake

Rob Kinsey-article is at me mum's in Ohio

MaicoJC1-thank you. Glad there are still Maico fans out there
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stillwelding 2/16/2016 6:19pm
2/16/2016 6:19pm
newmann wrote:
Then you might like this one I built. So many little details that had to be spot on. Check those welds my nephew laid down on...
Then you might like this one I built. So many little details that had to be spot on. Check those welds my nephew laid down on the swing arm.







Beautiful welds!
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jmc2 2/16/2016 7:52pm
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Walter wrote:
Some of my more recent Maicos... . [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/02/16/124137/s1200_78_with_81_250_motor_forks_4.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/02/16/124138/s1200_79_400_with_81_forks_2.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/02/16/124139/s1200_79_with_81_490_motor_forks_3.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/02/16/124140/s1200_Genaro.jpg[/img]
Some of my more recent Maicos...
.








Very nice!
The Rock
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The Rock 2/16/2016 10:32pm
2/16/2016 10:32pm
Brent wrote:
I thought Wheelsmith only hired the locals? check this nugget out. I was always Yamaha back then and never gave two craps about Maico, but they...
I thought Wheelsmith only hired the locals?


check this nugget out. I was always Yamaha back then and never gave two craps about Maico, but they had the potential to be what KTM is now.

http://articles.superhunky.com/4/75
Great Super Hunky article but what a bummer story.
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CASH476 2/17/2016 6:32am
2/17/2016 6:32am Edited Date/Time 2/17/2016 6:33am
newmann wrote:
Then you might like this one I built. So many little details that had to be spot on. Check those welds my nephew laid down on...
Then you might like this one I built. So many little details that had to be spot on. Check those welds my nephew laid down on the swing arm.







stillwelding wrote:
Beautiful welds!
Those welds almost draw your eye away from the mill finish flat bar bolted to the swing arm, almost Smile
Reefer Sutherland 2/19/2016 5:22am
2/19/2016 5:22am
selous scout wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/02/15/124078/s1200_20150424_181913.jpg[/img] Best times of my life breaking berms and racing motocross on my Maico, Fort Victoria Rhodesia and Maryland USA district 7

Best times of my life breaking berms and racing motocross on my Maico, Fort Victoria Rhodesia and Maryland USA district 7
you prob know Frank Z

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