OzVMX Forum

Marque Remarks => Husqvarna => Topic started by: paul on May 02, 2008, 08:45:22 pm

Title: BIG Ks 1980 cr 390
Post by: paul on May 02, 2008, 08:45:22 pm
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g120/ibop/HuskyCR39080002.jpg)
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g120/ibop/HuskyCR39080001.jpg)
Title: Re: BIG Ks 1980 cr 390
Post by: PEZBerq on May 02, 2008, 09:18:22 pm
More beautiful than a Maico by far!  Huskys dont need bling to make em sing!

What was wrong with the 36mm original forks - do you ride quick enough to flex em Big K!  Very tasteful indeed.  Well done.
Title: Re: BIG Ks 1980 cr 390
Post by: bigk on May 03, 2008, 08:57:28 am
Nothing wrong with the originals and it actually had a set of later model 40mm forks on it. I had the Fox forks on hand which were destined for another bike, but decided that they would be better in my bike than the one my employee is going to ride (1979 ME360 Honda). They are little bit lower as are the Ohlins shocks I've put on it, which I prefer anyway. Incidentally the same employee rode the Husky the other day and his first comment was that it felt better overall than any of the Maico's I've had. I haven't swung a leg over it yet, I hope he's right as I'll be kicking myself if I wished I'd kept the Maicos! As of now it's virtually untested and won't be until practise at Ravenswood on Sunday.
Cheers,
K
Title: Re: BIG Ks 1980 cr 390
Post by: holeshot buddy on May 07, 2008, 07:47:40 pm
thats one nice husky
how would it go against simons kx440 ;D
Title: Re: BIG Ks 1980 cr 390
Post by: bigk on May 07, 2008, 08:52:44 pm
The bikes are probably comparable, the riders however are a another story altogether!
Title: Re: BIG Ks 1980 cr 390
Post by: Wombat on May 08, 2008, 04:59:03 pm
Ah the Swedes...it's not only the girls who look hot!
Title: Re: BIG Ks 1980 cr 390
Post by: cyclegod on May 08, 2008, 05:09:37 pm
WOW!!! and who said the only good thing to come out of Sweden was ABBA
Title: Re: BIG Ks 1980 cr 390
Post by: All Things 414 on May 08, 2008, 06:00:33 pm
Yeah. Big K trounces him on most days!
Very nice Mick. :)
Title: Re: BIG Ks 1980 cr 390
Post by: Brian Watson on May 08, 2008, 06:02:13 pm
Nice bike..how does the 1981 rear hub and the 1982 twin leading shoe front brake get on with the eligibility nazis?...
Title: Re: BIG Ks 1980 cr 390
Post by: Moto on May 08, 2008, 07:13:29 pm
 Very nice Big K,
               I would be looking at fixing the handlebar mounts and getting the bars further forward. your going to need as much weight over the front as you can get on this little baby.!!!!
Title: Re: BIG Ks 1980 cr 390
Post by: bigk on May 08, 2008, 09:39:15 pm
Haven't struck the Nazi's yet, and I doubt I'll be in the top three so it really shouldn't be a problem. The motor is fantastic, really torquey and smooth. One of my mates who is a fair bit smaller than me, cracked it fairly hard in third, standing on the pegs and almost peeled her over backwards. His eyes were still sticking about three inches out of his head when he gave it back to me. His regular ride is an RM125A so it was a bit of a culture shock. A couple of small teething problems to sought out with the brakes and she's good to go. Just got to get the '74 400 and the '77 360 finished now.
Cheers,
K
Title: Re: BIG Ks 1980 cr 390
Post by: holeshot buddy on May 08, 2008, 09:45:47 pm
hey mick havnt found me a cr400 or 250 1974 rolling chassis yet have you  rusty ;D
Title: Re: BIG Ks 1980 cr 390
Post by: Rosco400 on May 08, 2008, 09:54:07 pm
hey mick havnt found me a cr400 or 250 1974 rolling chassis yet have you  rusty ;D

Sure there was complete 400 at cd5 for around 1200, try giving Moto a Pm, he might surprise you, at least nothing to lose
Title: Re: BIG Ks 1980 cr 390
Post by: Wombat on May 09, 2008, 03:31:14 pm
Husky optional extras... ;) :D ;D
Title: Re: BIG Ks 1980 cr 390
Post by: subarumy98 on May 28, 2008, 05:41:25 am
OK, so I have visited this page 18 times in the last 3 days to drool over this bike.
Well done. I wish mine could look this good.


T
Title: Re: BIG Ks 1980 cr 390
Post by: bigk on May 28, 2008, 09:42:05 am
Latest update. Finally soughted the brakes and tuned the Fox forks. The handling is fantastic combined with the Ohlins rear. I've had a lot of big bore bikes, most makes, and this motor is the sweetest, easiest to ride of them all. 13/53 gearing, electric smooth with heaps of torque and still too fast for a fat old bald guy like me! I think the engine is even better than the last XC500 I had. It turns a good as anything I've ridden. My only qualm is the weirdo shaped kick start lever, as you only get about half a decent go at it because of the design. It starts easy enough, if you go through the procedure, but a stall in a race and she'd be all over. I can see an '84 kick lever in the future. I'm not that much slower on it than my modern bike (2008 Husaberg FE550) and I'm sure it's only because it doesn't stop as good and you can't be as aggresive into the corners. I have a '76 360 and a '74 400 as well, if the engines are similar to the 390 they will be great bikes too. I also have a '78 roller and have been deciding on which engine to put in. At the moment a 390 engine is on top of the list, maybe with the 420 power up kit.
Cheers,
K
Title: Re: BIG Ks 1980 cr 390
Post by: fatboycrash on May 28, 2008, 04:44:09 pm
Gudday Mate, nice bike!
I've been down the alternate  Husky kick starter route, just be sure you get one that doesn't foul the left peg... It might look like it may  but I got caught because on race day (yep, right in the lowest part of the course) with the new kicker and size 11 boots on I couldn't get enough clearance to give it a good kick. The toe of my boot snagged the peg every time. Ended up going back to the original... I find it's just as easy to push start the first time from cold. Use 3rd. 2nd is still too short. Once warm she's always a no brainer to start.
FatBoy
Title: Re: BIG Ks 1980 cr 390
Post by: bigk on June 30, 2008, 10:03:00 am
Latest update: I finally have the bike and suspension soughted and I must say it is a pleasure to ride and damn fast! Perfect amount of easily controlable power and turns as good as anything I've owned. The power delivery is electric smooth and you could almost describe it as a funny sounding 4 stroke. I have owned and raced the legendy '81 MC490 Mega2 Maico which is a great bike, BUT this 390 Husky is as good, if not better, and easier to live with than the Maico. I found an old magazine with a test on the '81 MC490 and the '81 Husky CR430 and the Husky got the nod over the Maico. I've not ridden a CR430 but they must be good to be better than the 390. I don't even mind the chainsaw and sewing machine jibes I get when I pull it out of the van. Have I mentioned that I love my Varna?
Cheers,
K
Title: Re: BIG Ks 1980 cr 390
Post by: mxmaniac on June 30, 2008, 10:10:11 am
That bike looks F#@$in Horn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I want one, cant wait to see it at RAVO!
Title: Re: BIG Ks 1980 cr 390
Post by: 265coupe on June 30, 2008, 11:24:46 am
You're right about the 430cc Husky.

I've got a '83 WR430 VMX modified. It has a smooth, crisp tractor engine that also revs.

Before that I had a YZ465H that was just a handful. All power instantly, top heavy and didn't want to turn.

I reckon that the 390/430 Huskies are really underrated. Good because that makes em cheap.

The 390CR is the looker of the bunch.
Title: Re: BIG Ks 1980 cr 390
Post by: Maico31 on June 30, 2008, 01:36:19 pm
I've had a couple of 430 Husky's before i got a 490 Maico and they are a really good bike. Of all the huskys i've ridden i prefer the 430. The engine is crisp and revs more than the 500 husky and feels light for a big bore and they are fast.
Title: Re: BIG Ks 1980 cr 390
Post by: bigk on June 30, 2008, 09:39:41 pm
Hey mxmaniac, ask your dad if he likes it after his good samaratin act? Thanks and sorry at the same time Ken!
Cheers,
K
Title: Re: BIG Ks 1980 cr 390
Post by: JC on July 06, 2008, 02:52:31 pm
I can't help thinking all BigK's bikes look fantastic.
Seems to me he's got great taste  - & ability to match.
Title: Re: BIG Ks 1980 cr 390
Post by: firko on July 06, 2008, 04:20:39 pm
Sweet bike . Those 390s are great bikes. I'd like a WR version for Vinduros.
Title: Re: BIG Ks 1980 cr 390
Post by: PEZBerq on August 11, 2008, 08:41:00 pm
Big K, what did you use to get the cylinder and head looking so clean - bead blast?  I have a black painted cylinder I need to clean up.  Also what are the rims - Excel?
Title: Re: BIG Ks 1980 cr 390
Post by: bigk on August 11, 2008, 09:25:37 pm
Took the cylinder & head to the local paint stripping company ($10) then sent off to have them water blasted ( much finer finish than sand blasting), which cost $40.00. The rims are the standard rims, polished first then sent to the anodiser. $120.00 per rim all up.
Cheers,
K
Title: Re: BIG Ks 1980 cr 390
Post by: PEZBerq on August 15, 2008, 09:57:14 pm
Cheers.  What did you paint the cases with or did you powder coat em?  I am after all your secrets!  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: BIG Ks 1980 cr 390
Post by: bigk on August 16, 2008, 08:48:07 am
We strip the cases first, apply a light coat of etch primer, then use low sheen 2 pack enamel I have mixed at the local automotive paint supplier. I usually add a little flex aid in as well which helps stop chipping from stones & roost.
Cheers,
K
Title: Re: BIG Ks 1980 cr 390
Post by: PEZBerq on September 25, 2008, 10:30:59 pm
Big K..do you paint the cases before or after installing new bearings in the cases?  The original Husky paint handles a 200 C oven to heat the cases (bearings cooled in the freezer) no worries but other automotive paints seem to blister like crazy at that temp.  Cheers
Title: Re: BIG Ks 1980 cr 390
Post by: bigk on September 26, 2008, 09:21:54 am
For race bikes we generally assemble the engine first , then paint the whole thing in one hit. For show bikes and clients who don't want gaskets painted, it becomes a lot more difficult. If you don't want your gaskets painted, fit the bearings before you paint the cases.
Cheers,
K
Title: Re: BIG Ks 1980 cr 390
Post by: bigk on September 28, 2008, 08:53:07 pm
Just got back from Castella vinduro and I must say the 390 continues to impress me no end. It lugged my fat arse around for a total of 8 laps(the most by anyone) and you can't embarass that engine. Super easy to ride, pulls from nothing and rips when you want it to. I want it in my modern bike. I have to get a go on a 430 if they're better than the 390. Have I mentioned I love my 'varna?
Cheers,
K
Title: Re: BIG Ks 1980 cr 390
Post by: jimbo on September 29, 2008, 07:39:53 am
Hey Big K;you just kept motoring all day ,what a blast ! your right about the 390s mine went fantasic all day aswell,the event was a ripper-can not wait for a 4 series in 09 .regards Jimbo