Write Stuff A Maico Alpha 1 and restored mini’s

Write Stuff By email ken@vmxmag.com.au www.vmxmag.com.au

MAICO 1982 GS 250

After chatting to some guys from VTR, I started chasing some old dirt bikes from around the Condobolin area, where I grew up. Back then I was riding my Hodaka Dirt Squirt and later raced at local club on my MT 125 Honda and later on a YZ125J. I used to race that YZ against this 1982 Maico 250 GS which was bought by Peter Smith in March 1982 from Ross King, the NSW Maico distributor.

Yes that’s right, a 1982 Alpha 1 twin shocker, perhaps part of a changeover model between the Mega 2 and Alpha 1.

I purchased the bike from Peter in December 2020 and started restoring it in August 2021. This is my first ever resto and it has been challenging at times but satisfying. I’m very happy with the end result but I’m not sure I want to get it dirty!

Craig Thornton - AUSTRALIA

Hi Craig - You have done a magnificent job, first resto or not, that Maico looks fantastic . By coincidence we have another great GS 250 Maico featured in this issue, restored by Dave Coupe.

It is curious that your early ‘82 model twinshock has Alpha livery (or seat at least), delivered that way as you say and confirmed by the original owner. It is not often that you get to buy a bike these days from the original owner and get to know its history.

Overall a wonderful tale of restoration and of someone taking a leap into the vintage dirt bike world. You’re a worthy winner of this issue’s Yamalube Reader’s Reward, congratulations and enjoy every minute with that restored Maico!

MINIS

Here are a couple of photos of my bikes. The reason I like the minis is because these particular models were iconic back in the day and still are today. I was lucky enough to purchase these bikes and restore them back to original. The restoration process was hard especially when it came to finding OEM parts (almost everything on the bikes is OEM) but once I had everything I needed, that’s when the process started. I do everything on the bike myself, the only thing I might send out are the shocks for rechroming. The time it took from start to finish was about three months each for each bike.

Cheyne King - AUSTRALIA

Hi Cheyne - The bikes look brand new and you have obviously put a lot of time and effort into each restoration. Thank you for sharing your bikes with VMX Magazine and I’m sure a bunch of our readers will really enjoy checking out your minis.

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