Author Topic: First Time Out On The '78 250CR  (Read 4813 times)

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Offline Tahitian_Red

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First Time Out On The '78 250CR
« 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?
The "Factory Novice"
California, USA

'74 Suzuki TM100, '75 Bultaco 250 Pursang, '77 Honda XR75, '77 Suzuki RM125B, '77 Yamaha YZ400D, '79 Honda CR250RZ Moto-X Fox Replica, '83 Honda ME480RD Mugen

lc4

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Re: First Time Out On The '78 250CR
« Reply #1 on: March 18, 2009, 05:54:27 pm »
 Try "Gee" for right and "Haw" for left. ;)
















Sorry I just had to say it ;D

magoo

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Re: First Time Out On The '78 250CR
« Reply #2 on: March 18, 2009, 05:55:32 pm »
You could take up drag racing

Offline Brian Watson

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Re: First Time Out On The '78 250CR
« Reply #3 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)

Offline Tahitian_Red

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Re: First Time Out On The '78 250CR
« Reply #4 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)?
The "Factory Novice"
California, USA

'74 Suzuki TM100, '75 Bultaco 250 Pursang, '77 Honda XR75, '77 Suzuki RM125B, '77 Yamaha YZ400D, '79 Honda CR250RZ Moto-X Fox Replica, '83 Honda ME480RD Mugen

Offline Husky500evo

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Re: First Time Out On The '78 250CR
« Reply #5 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/
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. 
« Last Edit: March 23, 2009, 09:10:47 am by Husky500evo »

Offline Tahitian_Red

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Re: First Time Out On The '78 250CR
« Reply #6 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.
The "Factory Novice"
California, USA

'74 Suzuki TM100, '75 Bultaco 250 Pursang, '77 Honda XR75, '77 Suzuki RM125B, '77 Yamaha YZ400D, '79 Honda CR250RZ Moto-X Fox Replica, '83 Honda ME480RD Mugen

Offline Husky500evo

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Re: First Time Out On The '78 250CR
« Reply #7 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 .

Offline Tahitian_Red

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Re: First Time Out On The '78 250CR
« Reply #8 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  ???  :-\
The "Factory Novice"
California, USA

'74 Suzuki TM100, '75 Bultaco 250 Pursang, '77 Honda XR75, '77 Suzuki RM125B, '77 Yamaha YZ400D, '79 Honda CR250RZ Moto-X Fox Replica, '83 Honda ME480RD Mugen

Offline Tahitian_Red

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Re: First Time Out On The '78 250CR
« Reply #9 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!
 :)
The "Factory Novice"
California, USA

'74 Suzuki TM100, '75 Bultaco 250 Pursang, '77 Honda XR75, '77 Suzuki RM125B, '77 Yamaha YZ400D, '79 Honda CR250RZ Moto-X Fox Replica, '83 Honda ME480RD Mugen

Offline Husky500evo

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Re: First Time Out On The '78 250CR
« Reply #10 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 .

Offline Tahitian_Red

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Re: First Time Out On The '78 250CR
« Reply #11 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
The "Factory Novice"
California, USA

'74 Suzuki TM100, '75 Bultaco 250 Pursang, '77 Honda XR75, '77 Suzuki RM125B, '77 Yamaha YZ400D, '79 Honda CR250RZ Moto-X Fox Replica, '83 Honda ME480RD Mugen

Offline Tahitian_Red

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Re: First Time Out On The '78 250CR
« Reply #12 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)
 :)
« Last Edit: May 20, 2009, 04:06:32 pm by Tahitian_Red »
The "Factory Novice"
California, USA

'74 Suzuki TM100, '75 Bultaco 250 Pursang, '77 Honda XR75, '77 Suzuki RM125B, '77 Yamaha YZ400D, '79 Honda CR250RZ Moto-X Fox Replica, '83 Honda ME480RD Mugen

Offline Tahitian_Red

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Re: First Time Out On The '78 250CR
« Reply #13 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
The "Factory Novice"
California, USA

'74 Suzuki TM100, '75 Bultaco 250 Pursang, '77 Honda XR75, '77 Suzuki RM125B, '77 Yamaha YZ400D, '79 Honda CR250RZ Moto-X Fox Replica, '83 Honda ME480RD Mugen

viper42

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Re: First Time Out On The '78 250CR
« Reply #14 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)