Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/125800
o I ... .... 0> ai " . . The complete Maico. Forks are among the most unconventional on stock motocrossers with external springs, fork boots, axle below the end of the forks. But they work OK. . The 1973 Mako 400 in flight. by Ed Drechsler and the CN Staff Those familiar with the square barrel Maico found it to be the ultimate in out-of-thll-crate competition machines_ No other stock motorcycle could begin to touch it with respect to handling and few could match its power_ It had some minor problems, bu t Maico riders were willing to overlook them as this was a motorcycle that .made Experts out of Intermediates. Novices began to look like they were born on a motorcycle. The terrific thing about it was that nothing had to be done to make it competitive. After a tank of gas to break it in and inspection for loose nuts and bolts, it was ready to take on the best. This was one of the fmest motocross bikes offered to the public. 1972 and a new 400cc Maico is offered. This one has a radial sunburst head. As a result, after a casual inspection, most observers concluded MalcoParls that besides the trick head this machine had hardly any innovations worth men tioning. Not so. The 1972 radial-finned head 400cc Maico is an entirely new product. The sunburst head provides much more cooling area. It also provides easier access to the two spark plugs provided. The primary plug sits vertically while the hack-up plug is angled 10 bring its spark as close to the cen ter of the cylinder dome as possible. The internals of the motor have been altered. The addition of two additional transfer ports and increasing the open area of both the intake and exhaust ports has resulted in a broadened power band and a boost of about five horsepower to a claimed 4 L The additional power is most noticeable as increased lower end and greater smoothness in transitioning from off to on the pipe, then into the mid-range. This is about what the additional transfer ports should do in theory, and it seems to actually, work that way in the dirty old world of reality. The left handlebar offers Magura grips and lewrs, the starting valve lever ancj a kill button. What more could VOU want? The bottom end is changed to include beefier parts. The old two row primary chain has been replaced by a new three row chain that promises to cut down greatly on chain breakage. Clutch bushings have been replaced with bearings to insure a more true funning of the primary chain. Clutch drag has been eliminated. Lever pressure is also smoother and ligh ter The rak~ at the steering head has been increased a few degrees to prOvide more high speed stability. This, and othe frame modifications have increased the wheelbase 2 inche~ to 56 inches overall. The engine has remained in the same location. Overall effect of the 1frame modifications is a machine that handles well at 65 MPH plus, slides well at all speeds, smoothes out the meanest of whoop-de-doos, and generally gets more power to the ground that its more powerful competitiors. This frame is nearly identical in appearance and geometry to last year's "works" machines ridden by Jonsson, Bauer, and Weil. The front end is en tirely new with spokes .0 I 1" larger In diameter than last year. The forks have been modified to provide a more constant damping. The front hub is now a trick alloy conical job. It was ",!aimed to have better braking efficiency, and we found this machine easier to stop than expected, but not the ultimate. It's an improvement over Maico front brakes of yore. ' There is also a visually impressive conical hub that holds the rear brake. In fact, though Maico doesn't make any particular claims about it or label the bike as such, the 1972 400 is very close' to a factory replica. Th,e factory riders had different tanks and used titanium axles, handlebars and _ the like. That, frankly, is about the only change. Last year's "works" machines have determined, if not being copied in every de tail, the configuration and performance of this year's production bikes. Comparison with photos of Ake Jonsson's machine in last year's Trans-AMA will confirm the striking The works-like radial head dissipates heat from an engine that breathes through a 36mm Bing. ,.._..... ..... • _ ~~'_J..J I J' 'J