Description
The Maico Mobil was made by Maico between 1950 and 1958. The Maico was used as a touring motorcycle at that time. The Maico Mobil was designed as a ''car on two wheels'', the Maico had body panels enclosing the drivetrain.
The Mobil had a tubular steel frame to which steel and aluminum body panels were bolted. A large front fairing enclosed the front wheel. Mounted on the fairing was a clear plastic windshield that wrapped around the steering wheel, a dashboard through which the steering column protruded, and lower panels with a glove compartment and provision for installing a car radio. The dashboard mounted the ignition switch, speedometer and fuel cap; the fuel tank was mounted on the frame under the dashboard.
The rear bodywork included a pair of integral panniers and a rear support for a spare wheel. The panniers were accessible by detaching a panel under the pillion.
The Mobil used telescopic front forks and a swingarm.
The Mobil originally had a 150 cc single-cylinder two-stroke engine mounted between the dashboard and the driver's seat. Access panels on both sides of the Mobil could be removed to work on the engine. Power was transferred through a three-speed gearbox operated by a twist grip.
The displacement of the Mobil was increased to 175 cc in 1953. An optional 200 cc became available in 1955, the same year the three-speed twist-grip transmission was replaced by a four-speed transmission controlled by a heel-and-toe pedal shifter. The model presented here has a 175 cc engine.
