1977 390cr

Anyone own or race a '77 390CR? How do you like it? How does it compare to your other Huskies (bikes)? Thanks for any input!

Yes, Love it, My favorite out of my thirteen Husky's 1972-1984

Tahitian, I'm glad that you brought this bike I up because I've got a buddy bought during the Fall. Now, he called me 2 days ago to inquire about the rear brakes. I looked at the 77 schematics and forgot that these brakes are a little odd. His backing plate is pretty much trashed, and he's tracking one down...He's talked to the west coast husky gurus, John (CA) and Phillip (AZ) and was directed to contact Steve Ovat (please forgive the spelling) in Ohio.

Can some give me a little history lesson these brakes so that I can pass this onto my friend so he can get this issue resolved? Is it possible to upgrade to 78-81 wheel and brake assembly?

By the time you get to 81 don't you have both conical hubs and hubs with spokes all the same length? They do interchange fine however I have a container of all sorts of length bushings that go on the other side from the brake. I am not in any position to give history lessons on that four year section however by 1981 the axle is a little longer. All axles are 15mm right? You would need cr stuff as that attaches to the frame near the brake pedal instead of the swingarm like wr, ae, axc, xc maybe others. It might be necessary to modify the length of the rods holding the plate and twisting the lever which spreads the shoes. I kind of have done something of that nature and just changed the spacer on the axle, the chain and wheel centering alignment was ok for the time I used that wheel. I am going the other way older wheel newer frame/swingarm. I have one wheel like that I can use and I switch out the backing plate and rod with it. There is a bushing between the axle and plate that might be missing.

Fran

The '77 was a lot of motor for the frame, I preferred the '78 but it's still a great bike.

I race a '77 CR390 and it is one of my favourite bikes. It is the first Husky model with leading axle forks and has a swingarm design that was only used for the one year (which is unusual for Husqvarna). Obviously the factory thought that the swingarm was too flimsy, because the '78 model arm is made from much bigger tubing .

Thanks for the replies! The reason I asked was because I have a racing friend who will be running a '77 Suzuki RM370 this season and I wanted a Historic/GP1 bike, so that we could race against each other. The '77 Husky 390 seemed like a logical choice, since I spent last Summer and Fall sorting out my '78 250CR.

I'm having a tough time finding one and most other Historic/GP1 open bikes for that matter. The ones I come across are either totally ratted out or full restos ($$).

Here is a list of eligible bikes let me know if you think the Husky 390 would be a good choice.

'77 Suzuki RM370 (can find '76, but no '77)
'77 Yamaha YZ400 (most are pretty ratty)
'76-77 Bultaco Pursang 36-370 (??)
'76-77 Maico AW400 (kinda pricey)
'78 Montesa 360VB (good luck)
'77 Yamaha HL500 (hard to find and pricey)
'77 Husky 390CR (I know they're out there)

Thanks!

I just restored a 77 YZ400 and I really like it. Parts are easy to find and it is a good all around machine.

Ed

HL isn't eligible for that class,a Bultaco will break,Maico's are good-but can be big head aches,1977 Montesa 360VB very rare-your best is 1977 Husky 390,1976/77 RM370,1977 YZ400 my personal choice. Both the RM and YZ are easy to get parts for and pretty reliable. I like the YZ because of the narrow mid section. The YZ's handle much nicer if you can find a longer swing-arm[wheel-base]. Also if you put in Race-Tech emulators and a Works Performance shock your good to go.A bonus the 1977 YZ has better brakes they even the Husky's with duel leading shoe fronts!. A 1977 Penton/KTM is also a great choice.Here's picture of what I'm building!

frog,
Very cool bike!! Nice work!!
Rick

That's not my actual bike,but what I'm basing it on. I have the pipe/silencer ordered,clear works style side-panals/front # plate and other parts.Here's what I startd with,I'll post pictures when complete.My other 1977 YZ400 is going to be a white Euro model.I also have a 1977 YZ250,the funnest vintage bike I have ever ridden.

This the 77 400 I just finished.

Ed

The few '77 YZ400's I've found are either near rat-bikes or complete restos ($). I'm leaning towards the YZ400 or the Husky 390, because I didn't want race RM370 against RM370. I have seen two '77 Husky 250CR's for sale, but never a '77 390CR.

How much you looking to spend? I have a 1977 YZ400 I just purchased,I was new top/bottom end-hasn't been started,new plastic,power-coated frame,new tires,seat cover. Might need a few things like fork-seals ect.It's Winter,so I haven't even tried to start it yet. I love my other 1977 YZ400 so much I couldn't pass it up. Thanks