Striking and then extraordinary. That was Maico's luxury model, the Taifun, with its excellent bicycle part, a two-cylinder two-stroke block (in 400 and 500 cc version) and generously fitted with sheet metal.
The Maico Taifun
When the Maico constructors started developing a new model line in 1951, of which the Maico Taifun was the top piece, the future of the motorcycle still looked bright. The motorcycle market grew explosively in the early 1950s. Few people suspected that it would go downhill so quickly afterwards.
Thoughtful top quality
Maico had competition and therefore had to provide arguments for the 350 and 400 cc masterpiece from the line. They had arguments: all the sheet metal work had to make it possible for the driver and his co-driver to get on the bike without getting dirty. And the Taifuns were fast, reliable and service friendly.
The appearance of the Maico Taifun was spectacular, but the story went deeper. The Maico Taifun was also full of unusual construction ideas. The bicycle part was a real highlight. The smoothly finished engine block acted as a supporting element in it. The alloy rear fork was mounted in silent blocks. A chain did its work in the solidly shaped, closed oil bath chain guard, which functioned as the right rear fork pot.
Something special had also been devised for the suspension
The rear fork supported with two coil springs and (first one, later two) separate hydraulic shock absorbers against a casting that connected to the carburetor housing. The shock absorbers were pushed backwards to keep the force of the game low. In addition, with a large load, there were two other inner springs that could be adjusted with a lever. The optimum geometry of the rear fork and the drive shaft with sprocket ensured - together with the oil bath chain guard - that the chain lasted almost forever. To prevent the chain tension from changing when springing in, the pivot points of the rear fork were aligned with the center of the output shaft.
The front wheel of the Maico Taifun was suspended in a pushed rocker arm fork, the swings of which were covered with aerodynamic alloy castings. The front fork was hydraulically damped. At the top everything was also on a casting with the ball head included. The large fender was screwed underneath. There was no actual fender at the rear, but a bulky bodywork that was topped off with the buddy screwed onto the upper frame tube.
The two-cylinder short-stroke engine was available as an 350 cc and 400 cc machine
In order to achieve the highest possible crankcase compression, high-quality shaft seals were installed that sealed the ball bearings of the reverse crankshaft in a gas-tight manner. The engine was lively and delivered a nice couple.
No wonder the Maico Taifun lived up to its name and was the boss of a lot of heavier bikes. In the 350 cc version, the engine delivered 19,5 hp at 5.100 rpm, the 400 22,5 hp was strong. The Taifuns inhaled through a Bing round-slide carburetor of ø 26 mm. Incidentally, fewer (350-100 st.) Are made of the 200 cc Maico Taifun than of the large (1.500-2.000 st.)
Fast and good
Tight sprints, impressive acceleration and a top speed of 130 and 135 km / h respectively, making it faster than many competitors, made just as much an impression as the smooth running of the engine, the wide useful speed range and the well-sprung and cushioned bicycle part. The full ø 200 mm drum brakes ensured that the speed could also be effectively removed. Because Maico had used so many alloy parts, the Maico Taifun weighed only 164 kio.
The 400 cc machine was also appreciated as a sidecar tractor
The Maico Taifun top speed on three wheels was approx. 110 km / h. Unlike many other sidecar combinations, the geometry of the bicycle section on the Maico did not have to be adjusted. And the details were also thought of. For example, there were recesses in the engine covers for the passenger footrests. They were folded out of sight when folded. In the speedometer there was - then already - a mechanical acceleration indicator, which was operated with a bowden cable.
But still Maico didn't sell much
That was because the target group now preferred to spend their money on a car and because the competition was fierce, despite the fact that the Maico was more modern.
The Maico Taifun was blown off in 1958 and Maico staggered on the edge of the abyss. Maico survived because the brand had already focused on off-road sports in the early 1950s. That kept the company going. And so Maico became a leader in the world of studded belts.
The club: www.maicorijdersclub.eu
hello,
den text hat jemand geschrieben, der die Deutsch Sprache veräppeln will !!
Die Übersetzungen sindleider nicht perfekt, aber dann weiß man wenigstens, worum es geht. Dies sind automatic bersetzungen aus der niederländischen Sprache.