Maico 490 Alpha 1 (1982)

The Maico 490 Alpha 1 is a motorcycle model from 1982. It has a single cylinder, two-stroke engine with a capacity of 488cc and a compression ratio of 12:1. The fuel system is Bing, with a 40mm carburetor and the ignition is Motoplat pointless electronic. It has a kick start and chain final drive. The frame is dual down tube, full cradle, chrome-molydenum, and the suspension is leading axle, air/spring fork on the front and a single gas shock with adjustable damping and preload on the rear. The front and rear brakes are both single leading shoe, drum, with wheels made of Akront aluminum alloy, laced wire spokes. The Rake is at 28.5 degrees and the Trail is at 126mm/4.96in. The dry weight of this motorcycle is 108kg/237lbs and wet weight is 113kg/249lbs with a fuel capacity of 9.5L/2.5 US gal. A review on Pulpmx.com suggests that the Maico 490 Alpha 1 is a powerful and competitive choice for motocross racing.

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Technical specifications:

Make Model: Maico 490 Alpha 1

Year: 1982

Engine: Single cylinder, two stroke

Capacity: 488 cc / 29.8 cub in.

Bore x Stroke: 86.5 x 83 mm

Cooling System: Air cooled

Compression Ratio: 12:1

Lubrication: Oil in fuel, premix

Fuel/oil ratio: 20:1

Oil Capacity: 0.60 L / 0.63 US quarts

Exhaust: Upswept with repackable silencer

Fuel System: Bing, 40 mm carburetor

Ignition: Motoplat pointless electronic

Spark Plug: Champion NZ, N84G or NGK B9ES

Starting: Kick start

Max Power: 32.1 kW / 43.7 hp @ 6500 rpm

Max Torque: 36.5 Nm / 3.7 kgf-m / 26.9 ft/lb @ 6000 rpm

Clutch: Wet, multi-disc

Transmission: 5-Speed, constant mesh

Final Drive: Chain

Gear Ratio: 1st 2.71 / 2nd 1.97 / 3rd 1.50 / 4th 1.20 / 5th 1.00:1

Frame: Dual down tube, full cradle, chrome-molydenum

Front Suspension: Leading axle, air/spring fork

Front Wheel Travel: 305 mm / 12 in.

Rear Suspension: Corte & Cosso reservoir single gas shock adjustable for damping and preload

Rear Wheel Travel: 320 mm / 12.6 in.

Front Brakes: Single leading shoe, drum 136 mm

Rear Brakes: Single leading shoe, drum 160 mm

Wheels: Akront, aluminium alloy, gold anodized, laced wire spokes

Front Rim: 1.60 x 21 in

Rear Rim: 2.15 x 18 in.

Front Tyre: 3.00 x 21 in., Metzeler, moto cross

Rear Tyre: 4.50 x 18 in., Metzeler, moto cross

Rake: 28.5 degrees

Trail: 126 mm / 4.96 in

Wheelbase: 1510 mm / 59.5 in.

Ground Clearance: 372 mm / 14.6 in.

Seat Height: 960 mm / 37.7 in.

Dry Weight: 108 kg / 237 lbs

Wet Weight: 113 kg / 249 lbs

Fuel Capacity: 9.5 L / 2.5 US gal

Review: Cycle, April 1982, Pulpmx.com