Husky forks

[suzuki27]

Can someone tell me if there is any tricks to removing the damper rods in an 82Husky WR?
I see there is a 13mm bolt in the bottom of the leg. Thanks.

[80-85 husky]

that's the bolt that's holds the hole shebang together. leave the spring in, put some pressure on the fork by pushing down (careful of the cap) and get a 13mm ringy on the bolt and give it a good sharp whack. should come undone ok. otherwise, hit it with a socket and a rattle gun.

HVA Factory have parts manuals online to check out everything is ok

the trick on reassembly is to compress the forks fully, no springs before you do that bolt back up.

[bigk]

The easy way is have the correct tool to hold the damping rod, I have one. It would be easy to make, happy to email photo's & dimensions if you like?
K

[80-85 husky]

cheating....

[suzuki27]

Thanks guys, between this and an old Fatboy post I have the lowers off. Just waiting on some new seals- x4. One leg had about 300ml of oil and the other about 5 ml! I swapped the pitted sliders from the 82 forks for a nice set from an 84 model. The damper rods looked identical. 3 holes on one side and 1 on the other side.

[bigk]

420ml of 15wt oil for WR, 450ml for CR.
K

[80-85 husky]

check the nylon  washers on the damper rods. they will be knackered. the slightest marks or out of shape on these will cause topping out and drive you crazy. if you had 5ml in one fork they will be knackered. you will need to pop the circlip and pull the rods out of the legs and then slip the washers off.

get on to husqvarnaparts.com for replacements or talk to big k about a better solution.

Honda road bike forks seals in the 39 - 11 - 51 size (check outer diam) fit nicely and haven't leaked as yet for me

[bigk]

Correct 40mm fork seals readily available.
K

[suzuki27]

The originals were topping out badly. Doesn't inspire confidence! I've ordered the two seal per leg replacements but wasn't sure which way to go. One online dealer had a single seal replacement option but went for the original set up.  Is it worth trying air in the forks?

[80-85 husky]

Ill bet they were clanging and banging...no air, the forks become harsh with any air in them and the valves are to remove air.

also note when your dropping the wheel back in, make sure the forks are parallel and not pinched in or spread by the axle clamp arrangement. I have a little rod that i use to measure just below the rubber boots and just above the brake hub.

lots of little "black art" tricks with the swedes... while big K says 15 wt. I like 10 wt, even 7.5 to give a nice plush ride over the smaller bumps. I have a wr. I set the oil 150mm from the top of the tubes, fully compressed with no springs.

best try a few different brews, see what you prefer.

[bigk]

I like to fit a short top out spring on the damping rod to eliminate the banging on full extension, keep in mind you will lose a little travel by doing this. I use the longer CR damping rods (30mm longer with 30mm top out springs) in WR forks to compensate for the travel loss. My experience is the forks rebound too fast with lighter than 15wt oil, but that's a personal thing. The Husky racing handbook from 1982 states maximum 8psi of air per leg but as 80-85 says they can be harsh, although I usually put a small amount in to keep the seal lips expanded (they seem to last longer & don't leak). The easy way to align your forks is to leave the axle clamp on side without the steel tube loose, hold the brake & compress (bounce) the forks half a dozen times which will allow it to align it self, then clamp it up. Extend the front brake arm by 10-20mm for a stronger pull & you're all good.
K

[suzuki27]

Thanks guys .The 84 sliders and damper rods  I have slipped in are off a CR. I should be ok to use the 82 Gold lowers on these once I do the seals ? They look the same size

[bigk]

Yep, all good with that.
K

[HUSKY 44]

hey mick do u know where to get the fork seals from here in oz....Greg with the xc/cr 430 I got from you?

thanks mick

[80-85 husky]

Honda ones work well. 39 -11-51 they are a single seal

[HUSKY 44]

but arnt they 40mm fork tubes?

[bigk]

Your favourite bike shop can order them in from a number of places or I have them here. Shoot me an email & I'll send you the part numbers to order from a local shop if you like? dirt.bike@bigpond.com
K

[80-85 husky]

yep they are 40 but the 39 seals slip over no probs as they have two lips and a spring tensioner on the top and bottom lips. been in for a few months no with no probs.