Scooter Test
MAICOLETTA
Germany, long known for its products of excellent
workmanship and engineering, produces some truly
unique devices designed for the transporting of people.
Most German-built machines, be they automobile, motor-
cycle or motor scooter, lean towards the rather large and
heavy side of things with silence of operation and comfort
foremost in consideration. We are at a loss to explain
why, though we can be certain that the people of Ger-
many could not possibly be more comfort - conscious
than any of us.
The Maicoletta fills all of the precepts of a Teutonic
machine; it is large, heavy, is delightfully comfortable
and makes only the minimum of noises. But, quite unlike
other machines of its gender, it performs in a most
sporting manner. Top speed is stated to be 75 mph, and
it gets there in very short order.
A quick review of the technical specifications tells the
whole story: Engine, single cylinder, two-cycle, 280cc,
71mm bore, 70mm stroke, rated at 16.2 hp. The engine
and four-speed transmission are in fact the same as used
on the 250cc Maico motorcycle, with an enlarged bore
to effect the larger displacement. Its low horsepower
indicates that the port timing is of a considerably milder
nature than its motorcycle predecessor. An interesting
addition to the cycle engine use is the addition of a blower
for cooling, as the engine is buried beneath the sheet
metal body work and thus not exposed to an air stream.
Starting, in keeping with modern trends pioneered
by the Japanese manufacturers, is by electricity. Depress-
ing the starter button produces a rather strange sound
that turns out to be eminating from the engine, which is
not turning as one would expect, but rather is rocking
back and forth. We were curious as to why this is done
in this manner, rather than turning the engine in full
revolutions. The only speculation we could arrive at was
that possibly the voltage drain on the battery was less
than it would be in a conventional type of starter. We
would like to have seen a kick starter as well; batteries
have bad habits of running down.
German-built machines usually lean toward the lux-
urious side of things as well; witness the fine quality
eight-day clock that is a standard element of the Maico-
letta’s instrument panel in company with a speedometer.
Though we are not equipped to test time pieces, it seemed
to keep excellent time, if the Editor’s Timex is any judge.
Part of the massive appearance of the Maicoletta can
be blamed upon the large disc-type metal wheels, and
very large they are, a full 14" mounting 3:25/3:50-14
tires. We were ver}' impressed with the front suspension
which appears to be a shortened version of the telescopic
forks on the Maico motorcycles. They are sufficiently
soft, yet firm enough for the job, and contribute exten-
sively to an excellent handling machine.
Suspension in the rear is by parallel swinging arms
with twin shock absorbers. All of this sounds like the
description of a road going motorcycle, which for a fact
the Maicoletta virtually is, with 14" wheels of course.
Repairmen will like this scooter as well; the entire rear
body shell is easily removable for full and easy access
to the vital components.
One last detail we were amused by was a little window
on the instrument panel with a number registering in it,
telling the rider which gear the machine is in at time. We
found it useful occasionally. Gear changing is performed
with a pair of pedals acting similarly to the change lever
on a cycle (i.e.; down on the forward pedal for first, down
on the rear pedal for the other three gears.) Six attractive
color combinations are available, and the last item, the
price, $645.00, is what the luxury loving scooter rider
will have to pay White Mtrs., in Costa Mesa, Calif.,
distributors in the West. Maico Mtr. Co. in Detroit dis-
tributes the line in the East.