husky on ebay true or false

[paul]

read the story
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250318099578&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.com.au%3A80%2F%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dm38%26_nkw%3D250318099578%2B%2B%26_sacat%3DSee-All-Categories%26_fvi%3D1

[HuskyPete]

Looks like a 1980 390 to me, don't know about the rest of the story. You could ask what the engine number is. I know there was a conversion that they did that was a 390 bored out to 420, there was some mods done to the piston, porting and the pipe. Could be one of those i guess.

[paul]

heres the answer about the engine  no
engine number (a riveted tag, facing up easily readable on the right side of the engine) - the first four digits are printed and the last four are stamped - The engine number is 2079-1280 (this indicates potentially a 250cc according to the website). The website also indicates that 1. many engines fit into other year frames 2. crank assmeblies and top ends can be swapped 3. gearboxes are swapped.

[paul]

re         beattle baily

Hi Paul, yeah he rode mr motocross in 81, 82, on suzuki rm465. I think in 83 84 he was out for a while cos he broke his leg twice. Cheers, %%%

[Tony T]

Interesting bike.
I've asked him if he has any proof of it's heritage.
I'll let you know the answer.

[paul]

 
Question & Answer Answered On
 
Q:  Hi Richard Would you have any documents or photos that prove the bike's heritage? i.e. with Beatle Bailey? Many thanks Tony Tervoert 03-Nov-08
A:   Tony, I don't sorry. My father who purchased the bike purchased all his parts from John Harris Motorcycles for his 250, 390 and 400 at the time. At the time of purchase it was sold to him as the Factory ride for Beatle Bailey. I cannot confirm if it was for the Mr Motocross series or other races. I am only conveying word of mouth.
Q:  sorry forgot to ask for the engine number  03-Nov-08
A:   engine number (a riveted tag, facing up easily readable on the right side of the engine) - the first four digits are printed and the last four are stamped - The engine number is 2079-1280 (this indicates potentially a 250cc according to the website). The website also indicates that 1. many engines fit into other year frames 2. crank assmeblies and top ends can be swapped 3. gearboxes are swapped.
Q:  Mate, if I buy what deposit do you want and by what date would I be required to pickup and pay the balance? Thanks Mate. 03-Nov-08
A:   Hi, deposit 20% and the remainder to be paid on pickup. Balance of payment flexible and is to be discussed with successful bidder. Pickup within 7 days desirable. Thanks for the question.
Q:  Mate, I am confused regarding the chassis number for this bike and also the year of production? Would you provide engine number? Thanks Mate. 03-Nov-08
A:   Hi, the chassis number on the bike frame located on the right side near the steering head is MN04598. As mentioned in the ad, when I cross reference the engine number (a riveted tag, facing up easily readable on the right side of the engine) - the first four digits are printed and the last four are stamped - The engine number is 2079-1280 (this indicates potentially a 250cc according to the website). The website also indicates that 1. many engines fit into other year frames 2. crank assmeblies and top ends can be swapped 3. gearboxes are swapped. I checked the purchase detail with my father today who purchased the bike it was sold to him as an 82 CR420. In that era frames and engines were swapped frequently. He also formerly owned a 250, 390 at the time.
 
 

[PEZBerq]

I'm with 67.  Its most likely a 390 thats possibly been bored out to a 420.  Engine has probably been transplanted into a 250 frame.  Barrel and head is the 1982 unpainted look -it looks great and should go like stink.

[Maico31]

I saw Beetle at the 1980 Oz titles at Dargle on a Husky 125 and that bike looks like a 1980 model. He may have ridden a 250 that day also but he stood out with his speed on the 125. The next year he rode for Suzuki Australia.

[E74]

I would be ringing Hans to confirm the authenticity of this bike before even concidering purchasing it, and believe me, Hans would know the bike!

[mx250]

I doubt if anyone raced or even prepared that bike for MX with that muffler . .

[Husky500evo]

The 1981 model automatic Husky was a 420 . The 420 cylinder slipped straight on to 390 bottom end , but I think that it was a bit more than an overbored 390 (different porting & a thicker liner ?) . This cylinder probably would have been available in mid 1980 . I know a guy that bought a new 1980 WR390 that had a  problem with the original cylinder  . Husqvarna Australia replaced it under warranty with a new 420 cylinder & piston . The muffler on the ebay bike looks like an enduro one with a spark arrester , but the item description says that the bike was road registered at one time & would have needed to be made a bit more quiet . 

[vandy010]

Beatle Bailey definately rode Husky's before heading to Zooki.
i'll always remember watching Beatle Bailey on the open class husky against Andrew Bailey on the open class yammy at Tuckerimba race track near Lismore in 79 i think.
he was riding for Paul Rooney Husqvarna on that day and Paul Rooney was no slouch when it came to prepping a Husky.
sorry, can't link the bike to the beatle though.

[HuskyPete]

Husky service sheet 390 to 420. Engine # 2079 is a 250, but they could have changed the cranks etc, a 1980 390 engine # 2080, so a bit dodgy to me.

[HuskyPete]

Husky service sheet 390 to 420. Only the 1980 390 CR WR OR cylinders has enough wall thickness to bore to 420

[paul]

here the latest
http://pages.ebay.com.au/help/policies/rfe-spam-non-ebay-sale.html.
                     


Paul

Thanks your question.  Your question really got me
thinking.

Since then I have tracked Beatle Bailey down.  You are 100%
correct on the
Suzuki component.  He was offered a full sponsorship deal,
was given use of
6 bikes, was allocated a full-time mechanic and $. 
Riding for Suzuki or
close thereafter he broke his leg on 3
occasions.

I can confirm again from speaking with Beatle that he was
actually riding
125 and 250's of his own, in fact at the time John Harris
imported the race
motor from Pele Granquist and put it in a Husky 125 for
Beatle and Beatle
won a couple of state titles with it.  As a Husky rider
John Harris was
wanting to give Beatle bikes to use.

Beatle was a good
mate with Phil Lovett and based on his success, Vince
Tresario (Mr
Motocross promoter) offered a wild card entry in to the Mr
Motocross
series at Amaroo Raceway for Beatle to race against the like of
Stephen
Gall and Anthony Gunther.

As a wild card entry in a pack of 40 riders he
was forced to start in the
second row and each of the race's made his way
up to about 4th.  For the
Wild Card event into Mr Motocross John Harris
built the bike especially for
the races.  He vaguely remembers a 420 , but
could not 100% confirm - as an
18 Yr old he was more interested in the
race.

He mentioned that at the time it was common for the frames and
motors to be
swapped particularly between the 250 and 390's.

To be 100%
clear and to fair to Beatle Bailey, he has not confirmed that
this is his
bike as he has not seen it.  Beattle has however confirmed that
he rode
Husky's prior to John Harris Motorcycles and John Harris
Motorcycles built
Beatle a Husky (390 or 420) for the wild card entry into
the Mr Motocross
round at Amaroo.  He also confirmed that 250 flywheel
being put on was
done and that the bike had a black race tank.

Both of our sources are
correct, mine probably a little better

Hope this
helps