Maico M125

Maico M125
Manufacturer	Maico
Production	1948 - 51
Engine	Single cylinder, two stroke
Top Speed	75 km/h / 47 mph
Fuel System	Bing carburetor
Transmission	3-Speed, manual
Frame	Double closed tube
Front Tire	2.50 x 19 in.
Rear Tire	2.50 x 19 in
Weight	84 kg / 185 lbs (wet)
Manuals	Service Manual

It could reach a top speed of 75 km/h / 47 mph.

Engine

The engine was a Air cooled cooled Single cylinder, two stroke.

Chassis

It came with a 2.50 x 19 in. front tire and a 2.50 x 19 in rear tire.

Photos

Overview

Maico M125

The M 125 was the first bike with the Maico signature. It was a single cylinder, two stroke, 123cc engine whose production started in 1948. Only one year later, the M150 was on the streets and the M126 and M 151 were released in 1951. For some time after the second world war, Maico survived by repairing old machinery, on wheels or otherwise.

But things abruptly turned for the better when the new Deutsche Mark was introduced on June, 20. 1948. Suddenly, the market for small motorcycles virtually exploded, and Maico set out to improve its reputation as a motorcycle manufacturer by building its own engines. Designed by Willy Tezlaff, the new Maico 125cc two-stroke single featured modern Schnürle "reverse scavenging," produced 5.5 hp, and in the Model M125 (pictured above and below), was capable of 40mph sustained cruising. Power was not the top priority of the customer of the day. Rather, reliability and durability were of greater importance, and Maico offered these to its customers, proven and promoted by participation in “reliability runs,” which were the precursors of todays enduros. Maico actively campaigned these events to test and develop its products, and as early as 1950 had three works rider on it's pay-roll, including Ulrich Pohl. He had been one of the most successful off-road riders, and was captain of the German ISDT team prior to the war. He joined the Maico factory as an engineer and rose to the position of Chief Engineer.

In 1952, the M175 was introduced (pictured above and below), and depicted at the Herrenberg meeting with an example owned by Fritz Breitmaier. It was a completely new design that captured six gold medals at the 1952 ISDT. This was also the year that the European Motocross Championship was created by the FIM, and both Maico and Zundapp made their mark. Maico earned such international recognition that the company sold as many M175s as it could produce.

Make Model	Maico M125
Year	1948 - 51
Engine Type	Single cylinder, two stroke
Displacement	123 cc / 7.5 cub in.
Bore X Stroke	52 x 58 mm
Cooling System	Air cooled
Fuel System	Bing carburetor
Exhaust	Single, chrome silencer
Starting	Kick
Max Power	4.04 kW / 5.5 hp @ 5200 rpm
Transmission	3-Speed, manual
Final Drive	Chain
Frame	Double closed tube
Wheels	Steel, laced wire spokes
Front Tire	2.50 x 19 in.
Rear Tire	2.50 x 19 in
Front Brake	Drum, 125 mm
Rear Brake	Drum, 125 mm
Wet Weight	84 kg / 185 lbs
Top Speed	75 km/h / 47 mph