Maico Mobil

The Maico Mobil is an early touring motorcycle made by Maico between 1950 and 1958. Conceived and marketed as a “car on two wheels”, the Mobil had body panels that enclosed the drivetrain, protected its riders from the elements, and included an integral pair of panniers and a mount for a spare tyre.[1][2]

Maico Mobil
Maico Mobil
ManufacturerMaico
Also calledMaicomobil
Production1950-1958
AssemblyPfäffingen, Germany
ClassTouring motorcycle
Enginetwo-stroke single-cylinder engine
TransmissionMB150 & MB175 3-speed with twist grip control
MB200 4-speed with heel-and-toe pedal
Frame typetubular steel space frame
SuspensionFront: telescopic forks
Rear: Swingarm with coil spring and damper
Tires3.00-14, front and rear
Fuel capacity8.5 L
Oil capacitypetrol/oil mixture
RelatedMaicoletta

Frame, body, and suspension

Rear view of Maico Mobil, showing the windscreen, the dashboard, the glovebox, the storage latches, and the rear-mounted spare wheel.

The Mobil had a tubular steel space frame on to which steel and aluminum body panels were bolted. A large front fairing enclosed the front wheel.[1][2] Mounted on the fairing were a transparent plastic windscreen that wrapped around the handlebars, a dashboard through which the steering column protruded,[1][2] and lower panels containing a glovebox and provision for a car radio to be installed.[1] Mounted on the dashboard were the ignition switch, the speedometer, and the fuel filler cap;[1][2] the fuel tank was mounted to the frame under the dashboard.[1]

The rear bodywork included a pair of integral panniers and a rear mount for a spare wheel. The panniers were accessed by unlatching a panel under the pillion.[1][2]

The Mobil used telescopic front forks and a rear swingarm.[2]

Engine and transmission

The Mobil originally had a 150 cc single-cylinder two-stroke engine[1] mounted between the dashboard and the rider's seat.[1][2] Access panels on both sides of the Mobil could be removed to work on the engine. Power was transmitted through a three-speed transmission operated by a twist grip.[1]

The capacity of the Mobil's engine was increased to 175 cc in 1953. An optional 200 cc became available in 1955, the same year that the three-speed twist-grip controlled transmission was replaced by a four-speed transmission controlled by a heel-and-toe pedal shifter.[1]

References

  1. Gerrit-Klaas Berghuijs (2003). "Scooters Van Toen - Hun tijd vooruit: MaicoMobil & Maicoletta" [Scooters of the Past - Ahead of their time: MaicoMobil & Maicoletta]. Het MotorRijwel (in Dutch). The Hague, Netherlands: Stichting Historische Motor Documentatie (66): 38–40. ISSN 0929-094X.
  2. Webster, Mike (1997). "Maico Mobil". Classic Scooters. Parragon Book Service. pp. 44–45. ISBN 978-0-7525-2082-7.

See also

Further reading

  • "Road Test - 197cc Maico Mobil". The Motor Cycle. 97 (2793). 25 October 1956.
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