What Husky?

[kenny5000]

I am chasing a new bike to restore and run in Pre 78 250cc class. I was looking at either a 76 or 77 77 Husky 250 CR. I dont really know to much about Huskies so I thought id put it out to the floor. Pros/Cons, how different are the models? Do they met class requirements regarding suspension etc and what is there availability (and availability for parts)?? Any info would be much appreciated. Cheers.

[PEZBerq]

77 models need the suspension travel limited to 9 inch front rear. Not too difficult to do. Parts availability for Husky's is not too bad in my experience so don't let that put you off. Plenty of Husky folk on this forum who can help if you go Swede 

[Slakewell]

First off CR Huskies are harder to find than the WR models. I have a 77 CR Husky and have shorten the travel to 9 inch and it now has the cornering ability of a plow the once mighty steed pushes the front everywhere. I will convert it back to standard and just ride club days and leave it at home when the Nats are on, until the rules change.
WR models dont appear to have this problem so if it must be Husky you maybe be better off with the WR.

[Husky500evo]

There is a really tidy looking '77 Husky CR250, fitted with what looks like Fox Airshox, in the latest Just Bikes mag. It's a bit pricey, at $6500 ono, but I know that I wouldn't be selling mine for less than $5K ( if I can restore it to that kind of condition), as they are a rare bike in Australia. I will also be leaving my '77 bikes at home when the Nats are on, while ever the suspension limit rules are in place and there is no age group racing in pre '78.

[kenny5000]

Hey Evo,

I saw the one you talking about in just bikes, it looks nice but a little pricey as you say. I wasn't sure about the number he supplied for frame/engine. As I said i don't know too much about Huskies but did seem to match with model when I google them, i'm most likely wrong though. I might have to go with a 75/76 model!!

[JohnnyO]

The 77's are better bikes than the 75/76's. I did some research and the 77 frame has the steering head angle pulled in 2 degrees and turns way better and also has more suspension travel and leading axle forks.
I have a 77 390 that is fitted with a 76 frame and it does not turn so I'm looking for a 77/78 frame.

[bigk]

Running upright bar mounts instead of the standard lay backs gives you more room & helps them turn faster. You can use the early upright mounts if you're worried about eligibility with after market ones.
My '77 CR390 is up for sale if anyone wants one, not cheap though, $6500.
K

[Snowy 76]

Have a 76 model CR250  with 77 Suspension{ Swingarm ,Shocks and Front Forks and Tripples}I`am no expert but didn`t notice and change in the way it steered??.

[JohnnyO]

Have a 76 model CR250  with 77 Suspension{ Swingarm ,Shocks and Front Forks and Tripples}I`am no expert but didn`t notice and change in the way it steered??.

The frame has a different steering angle not the triples..

[Husky500evo]

Have a 76 model CR250  with 77 Suspension{ Swingarm ,Shocks and Front Forks and Tripples}I`am no expert but didn`t notice and change in the way it steered??.

The frame has a different steering angle not the triples..

The triples are totally different between the '76 CR250/360 and '77 CR250/390 as well though. Because the '76 CRs had in line axle forks, the triples have an offset  V shape, where the '77 CR had leading axle forks with more or less straight across triple clamps. Having another look at the CR250 on Just Bikes online website, it has '78 CR frame and engine numbers ( but looks to have a '77 swingarm). I don't know why Husky changed the  '77 CR250  2059 engine prefix number to 2065 in '78, as the '77 & '78 CR390 share the same 2061 engine prefix number. I also see that Dead Dog have a '77 CR390 , which looks a bit rough around the edges, but probably reasonably priced at around the $3.5 K mark.

[kenny5000]

I saw the Dead Dog one the other day, something to think about....... Im also thinking about a 75 250 GP. What are the thoughts about this bike?

[JohnnyO]

I know the triples are different between 76 & 77 Mark, that's obvious. I'm talking about the different steering head angle which is in the frame, not the triples.

[JohnnyO]

I thought about the Dead Dog 390 before buying mine but the modified swingarm with the shock mounts moved and the bend in the arm put me off. With all the swingarm issues in pre 78 it wasn't worth the risk.

[Husky500evo]

I know the triples are different between 76 & 77 Mark, that's obvious. I'm talking about the different steering head angle which is in the frame, not the triples.

      I knew that you were referring to the frame headstock angle, but I thought that I'd also mention the obvious triple clamp differences. I know that my '77 CR390 in standard trim used to steer really well and also have a slight headshake in braking bumps coming into corners (much like my Maico 490 does). This is very unusual for older Huskys, as they have a reputation for being hard to turn and ultra stable at speed. I gave myself a big fright on my 390 at the Conondale Nats, when I briefly got in front of Bill Nolan, but got into a big tankslapper on a faster section of the track and nearly brought us both down. I put the reason for this violent headshake, down to the fact that I had fitted travel limiting spacers to the forks without lowering the back end to the same level. So, you have got to be careful mucking around with geometry and steeper steering head angles, or you can hurt yourself.
      On the earlier mentioned subject of a '75 CR250 Husky, I thought that the '75 and '76 models were virtually identical. I have ridden a '75 CR250 and a '77 CR250 and thought that the '77 model was vastly better, in both suspension and handling.  From memory the '75 motor was more peaky as well. But this could be because of the pipe, because I don't think that the porting or motor design had changed much.
           

[Slakewell]

The Husky 250 were never the fastest bike. What ever you do dont buy one of these.