Maico Mobil

Maico Mobil

Maico Mobil
Manufacturer	Maico
Also called	Maicomobil
Production	1950-1958
Assembly	Pfäffingen, Germany
Class	Touring motorcycle
Engine	two-stroke single-cylinder engine
Transmission	MB150 & MB175 – 3-speed with twist grip control MB200 – 4-speed with heel-and-toe pedal
Frame type	tubular steel space frame
Suspension	Front: telescopic forks Rear: Swingarm with coil spring and damper
Tires	3.00-14, front and rear
Fuel capacity	8.5 L
Oil capacity	petrol/oil mixture
Related	Maicoletta

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]

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 250 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. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k} Gerrit-Klaas Berghuijs (2003). "Scooters Van Toen - Hun tijd vooruit: MaicoMobil & Maicoletta [Scooters of the Past - Ahead of their time: MaicoMobil & Maicoletta]" (in Dutch). Het MotorRijwel (The Hague, Netherlands: Stichting Historische Motor Documentatie) (66): 38–40. ISSN 0929-09X. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} Webster, Mike (1997). "Maico Mobil". Classic Scooters. Parragon Book Service. pp. 44–45. ISBN 978075250827. 

Further reading

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