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This is Ake's Trans-AMA bike. The most notible 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.
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 Jonsson's 1972 Maico's
Featured here are Ake Jonsson’s 1972 Trans AMA Maico and his 1972 GP Maico. Both bikes
are currently owned by Ake and are on display in a motorcycle shop previously owned by him
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
with the factory. Getting factory support proved difficult for Ake, being over shadowed by World
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.
are currently owned by Ake and are on display in a motorcycle shop previously owned by him
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
with the factory. Getting factory support proved difficult for Ake, being over shadowed by World
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.
Ake won nine (9) straight races in the 1972 Trans-AMA series aboard this very bike. A true piece of motocross history!
