1956 Maico Taifun
Country: Germany
Engine: Air-cooled, twin cylinder two stroke
Ignition: Battery and coil
Power rating: 22.5 bhp @ 5,100rpm
Bore x stroke: 65mm x 60mm
Displacement: 395cc
Valves: None
Fuel systems: Single 26mm Bing carburetor
Transmission: Four speed
Suspension: Front Earles type leading link forks, rear twin shock
Brakes: Front and rear drum
Weight: 396lbs
Top speed: 80mph
The Taifun, Typhoon in English, was an incredibly advanced design, both in styling and technical innovation. Performance was better than many machines of larger capacity, and features such as the totally enclosed rear drive chain running in oil are not common today. The “flip out” passenger pegs are another ingenious feature. A motorcycle built with the elegance of an expensive automobile.