1983 Maico 490 Sand Spider Rebuild Part 6
4,700 views · Published 1 June 2010 · 2:41 · Indexed 25 September 2026
Channel: Opferman Motors Dirtbiking · 2010 · Autos & Vehicles
Rebuilding a 1983 Maico 490 Sand Spider (Actually, turning a Spider into a Sand Spider). So what is the difference? The 1983 Maico 490 Spider has 4 Gears and is the MX version. The 1983 Maico SandSpider is the desert/endurio race bike and has 5 Gears. There actually exist 2 versions of the 490 4 Speed, the FK and FL gearing. Both of the transmissions I have are FL Gearing, it is quite rare to ever see an FK gear box. FL Gear Ratios: 1(2.07) 2(1.56) 3(1.19) 4(0.96) FK Gear Ratios: 1(2.07) 2(1.56) 3(1.24) 4(1.00) FL gearing has higher 3rd and 4th gears. Sand Spider Gear Ratios (D Gearing): (1)2.36 (2)1.70 (3)1.30 (4)1.05 (5)0.84 The 85, 86 has the same transmission ratio and is labeled E gearing (this is actually what I have). Sand Spider has lower 1st and 2nd gears and higher 5th gear. ****************************************************************** Subscribe to Opferman Motors for trail riding, dirt bikes, motorcycle events, mechanics, rebuilding engines, Maicos, Hondas, Kawasakis, Suzukis, Yamahas, Husqvarnas, KTMs, and more! The channel for vintage dirtbikes ******************* Opferman Motors on the Web ******************* Opferman Motors http://www.maicowerk.com Tillamook Singletrack Magazine http://www.tillamooksingletrackmagazine.com Opferman Motors on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/maicowerk Tillamook Single Track Magazine on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/tillamooksingletrackmagazine Motorcycle and dirtbike restorations Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/motorcyclerebuilds/
