OzVMX Forum

Marque Remarks => Husqvarna => Topic started by: Tahitian_Red on March 18, 2009, 05:24:11 pm

Title: First Time Out On The '78 250CR
Post by: Tahitian_Red on March 18, 2009, 05:24:11 pm

I raced my '78 250CR for the first time in a one hour cross-country this past weekend.  I really like the bike, but I gotta say it was the worse cornering bike I've ever ridden.  I'm sure a lot of the blame lay in the stock shocks and springs (too much sag).  How do you guys get your Huskies to turn well?

Title: Re: First Time Out On The '78 250CR
Post by: lc4 on March 18, 2009, 05:54:27 pm

 Try "Gee" for right and "Haw" for left. ;)
















Sorry I just had to say it ;D

Title: Re: First Time Out On The '78 250CR
Post by: magoo on March 18, 2009, 05:55:32 pm

You could take up drag racing

Title: Re: First Time Out On The '78 250CR
Post by: Brian Watson on March 19, 2009, 09:35:44 am

It is easy..push the forks thru in the clamps...take the springs out of the forks and collapse the forks to the bottom...them give about 20mm clearance from the bottom tripple clamp ...and you are set...in the turns the bike will tuck under just about any other bike...( Oh ...it would help if you had the correct length rear shocks...15 1/8 inches is standard length)

Title: Re: First Time Out On The '78 250CR
Post by: Tahitian_Red on March 21, 2009, 05:29:15 am

Thanks for the advice!  I'll put new shocks on the back and adjust the forks accordingly.  Anyone know of a fork spring source for the 78 Huskies (35mm)?

Title: Re: First Time Out On The '78 250CR
Post by: Husky500evo on March 22, 2009, 11:21:25 am

      I have been hanging back , hoping that someone else would answer this question , so that I could learn something . It seems very difficult to find a source of heavier springs to suit both the 35mm & 40mm Husky forks . When I asked Phillip from Husqvarna_Parts.com , he sent me a link to this site (where they make custom springs) : http://www.cannonracecraft.com/ (http://www.cannonracecraft.com/)
The standard spring for the 35mm forks measure 28mm OD & about 570mm long , while the standard spring for the 40mm forks are 33mm OD & about 710mm long .
     I have bought a set of YSS springs to try out , that are .45 rate & measure 26mm OD x 480mm long . With 2mm smaller OD, I don't know if they will move around in the tubes or sit properly on top of the damper rods yet . I will eventually buy a set of PD/gold valves, which should solve the second issue . I am also worried that these springs could coil-bind with 9.5 inches of travel , so I will use another 100mm stiff  spring with them instead of a spacer .
     On my '77 CR390, I am using 383mm long Ohlins remote reservoir shocks & I am experimenting with using my softest set of Ohlins ITC progressive wound springs (which are a lot stiffer than the original dual rate springs) on them . I weigh about 100kg with all my gear on . I think that the shocks will need to be revalved to add some more rebound dampening , to compensate for the stiffer springs. 

Title: Re: First Time Out On The '78 250CR
Post by: Tahitian_Red on March 23, 2009, 05:48:07 pm

I have a new set of Progressive springs that are 29mm OD and 570mm length.  Do the the stock springs have any room for play in the fork tubes?  I ask because my bike is not stored at my house currently.

Title: Re: First Time Out On The '78 250CR
Post by: Husky500evo on March 23, 2009, 11:48:54 pm

I measured the inside of a 35mm Husky fork tube & it is 29mm , so I don't think the Progressive springs will fit .

Title: Re: First Time Out On The '78 250CR
Post by: Tahitian_Red on March 24, 2009, 02:21:25 am

I wonder what the metallurgical consequences would be to machining .5mm off the outside of the coils?
 :o  ???  :-\

Title: Re: First Time Out On The '78 250CR
Post by: Tahitian_Red on March 24, 2009, 07:27:46 am

Again the bike is not being stored at my home currently and I was wondering if these forks have two springs (smaller secondary spring) or a spacer that sits on top of the spring?  Thanks for all the help!
 :)

Title: Re: First Time Out On The '78 250CR
Post by: Husky500evo on March 24, 2009, 09:24:17 pm

The '78 Husky CR forks that I have , just have a one piece spring with no spacer , but I don't know if this is how they come out standard . At the moment, I use a set of leading axle 35mm Cerianis on my '77 390 & they use a two piece spring (which is too soft for me) with a spacer . If you were to machine 0.5mm off the outside of your springs , you would make them lose some stiffness . The easiest & cheapest way to do it would probably be with a bench grinder, I would think .

Title: Re: First Time Out On The '78 250CR
Post by: Tahitian_Red on March 25, 2009, 12:28:31 am

Thanks!  The reason I asked is because I'm trying to get a custom set of springs built.  I needed to know if the 570mm length was correct inorder to get a price quote.
 ;D

Title: Re: First Time Out On The '78 250CR
Post by: Tahitian_Red on May 18, 2009, 12:13:25 pm

I put .44kg springs in the 35mm forks and my new Piggyback Ohlins will be here on Tuesday.  I'll let you know if these changes, along with dropping the fork tubes, did the trick fixing my cornering problems.

I think I'm gonna continue to race the Husky in Cross-Country events and use the Can-Am MX6 or Honda CR480 for motocross races.  (I do plan to race MX with the Husky at the upcoming Amatuer race day prior to the AMA Hangtown National)
 :)

Title: Re: First Time Out On The '78 250CR
Post by: Tahitian_Red on May 20, 2009, 04:04:42 pm

The Ohlins shocks arrived today and as stated in this post and another they are exactly 15 1/8 inches.  I'll bolt them on tomorrow and possibly take her out for a test drive this weekend.
 ;D

Title: Re: First Time Out On The '78 250CR
Post by: viper42 on May 20, 2009, 09:05:13 pm

Hi Red,
Good move to keep the mx6 for motocross. That bike can hold its own with the best of them,just wish I could get mine sorted.
Nice to see your still collecting the 'weird' and unusual bikes,have you taken the Penton out for a spin? you will really enjoy riding it.

Steve (viper42)

Title: Re: First Time Out On The '78 250CR
Post by: Tahitian_Red on May 21, 2009, 12:26:03 am

Hey Steve!

Is life treating you well?  Your Can-Am sponsorship is always open when you make it back (got your clothes and helmet ready too). 

How's the German bike running?  ;)

Title: Re: First Time Out On The '78 250CR
Post by: viper42 on May 21, 2009, 07:30:34 pm

Hi Red,
Maico is going well, have not touched it since it arrived,just got on an rode it, got a second O/A on the weekend !!
We are considering coming over again this year, with the price of air fares and the dollar on the rise it could be the go.

Will give you a call in the next week or so.


Viper 42