Featured here are Ake Jonsson’s 1972 Trans AMA Maico and his 1972 GP Maico. Both bikes in Sweden.

Ake Jonsson began his career in Sweden riding for the Husqvarna Factory Team.  Back in those days, there were no Husqvarna dealers so riders sponsored by Husqvarna dealt directly Champion’s Bengt Aberg and Torsten Hallman. After finishing third in the 1968 500cc World Championship, Ake was hired by the Maico Factory Team.

1970 was a tough year for Ake and Maico.  Despite the seemingly constant mechanical problems, Ake managed to once again finish third in the 500cc World Championship.  Going into the final World Championship race in 1971, Ake had a slight lead over Suzuki’s Roger DeCoster.  While leading the race, Ake suffered mechanical issues with his Maico and ultimately lost the title to DeCoster. Ake went on to dominate in the 1972 Trans-AMA held in the United States, winning nine straight races and the title!

Ake moved to Team Yamaha in 1973.  Mechanical issues kept him from repeating his performance of 1972.  He retired from motocross a few years later.

Ake remains in Sweden today and recently retired from running his very successful Yamaha dealership.

This is Ake’s Trans-AMA bike.  The most notable difference between the two bikes is the gas tanks.  The larger tank was necessary for the Grand Prix races, 2 motos of 40 min and 2 laps. In the TRANS-AMA,  the race was 3 motos of 30 min.

Ake won nine (9) straight races in the 1972 Trans-AMA series aboard this very bike. A true piece of motocross history!

   

Ex Danny Turner Ride

This bike was orignally brought into the country by Mike McGowan in 1977.  Mike worked with Sachs/Hercules to develop a motocross bike that could be sold in the United States.  Development of these bikes began several years earlier and culminated in four MX bikes that were to be raced in the United States.  Frank Stacy earlier and culminated in four MX bikes that were to be raced in the United States.  Frank Stacy bikes, a factory van and mechanic.  He raced the 1977 Trans-Am series finishing eight overall. The was the only American rider to receive a full factory ride from
Sachs/Hercules.  He was given two other two “protoype” bikes came out to Mike on the west coast.  This bike was primarily raced in shut down their development program. The following year, they produced a very limited number of production 250MX bikes of which only a handfull were shipped into the United States.

Special thanks to Dave Baskins of Somerset California and Terry Hicks in Northern California. Dave bought the bike from Terry several years ago.  Terry saved the bike from being disposed of and eventually sold it to Dave. Both knew the history of the bike, who raced it and it’s historical value to the Motocross community.

The bikes history has been confirmed through Mike McGowan and Danny Turner. It was  the original “prototype” for the production MX bike and was found to be in fairly original condition. It is being restored to it’s original race condition from 1977.

The following bike is owned by Peter Hansson in Sweden.  He explains some history on this Bike.

Featured here is a 1988 KTM 250 cc  “Experimental bike” used early in the season and at the first GP. Heinz Kinigartner and Swede rider Peter Hansson rode this bikes. This bike was prepared for Peter Hansson. Later in the year, KTM came with a complete new sand-cast engine similar  to the one in use today with the 250/330 2 stroke. KTM started with the intake down in the crank on the 250, same as what was used on the 125cc.

The bike is very much hand made.

Engine is taken from the STD 1987 and they plugged the cylinder and used a new reed valve case. Cylinder is several degrees more forward. Transmission cover is also of different,  because of the new cylinder angle.

Tank, seat, radiator panels and radiators are stock KTM 600 four stroke. There are extra cells in the radiator.

Hand crafted aluminum air box. Same with exhaust pipe and silencer.

Digital ignition from SEM

Wheels and hubs are stock parts. Front disc brake is thinner and lighter than standard. Nissin brakes in front and Brembo rear.

WP suspension was specially made for this bike.

Upper triple clamp are CNC machined as well the handlebar towers.

Chain Guards “ DPA”  Long life

This 1988 KTM 500  was Leif’s last factory ride.  The inner motor cases on this bike are sand cast, the cylinder ported and the suspension has been re-worked to Leif’s specifications.  He placed 17th in the 500cc World Championships. Eric Geboers won the Championship that year aboard a factory Honda.

The current owner of this bike is looking to sell or trade this bike for another factory bike. Contact us for additional details.