Maico-ing my own way

Dear CR

Please find enclosed photographs of my recently finished restoration: a 1971 RS125 Maico, single cylinder two-stroke disc valve engine, with six gears producing 28hp @ 11,000rpm, with a top speed of 125mph. The bike features a slimline duplex frame with Ceriani front forks, twin leading shoe front brake.

It was originally bought from new by Fred Launchbury in 1971. Fred converted it to water-cooled and raced it with much success, in club and national meetings, and at the Isle of Man, finishing seventh in the 1972 and fifth in the 1974 Ultra Lightweight TTS.

Fred then sold the bike to Bill Kirkwood who then sold it to my brother George Hardwick in 1980. George rode it, with again, much success for many years, eventually moving on to a Harris Rotax, TZS and an RG500, then onto sidecars.

The Maico was in pieces when I inherited it and had been used as a template for a new one my brother built. This bike has been displayed on the NSA stand at the Shepton Mallet show. John Hardwick

Carms

That’s a lovely looking motorcycle John, well done indeed.

Tony