81 430 xc

I have a line on a 81 430XC and I'm looking for some input from you gurus out there. What are the pro's and con's of this bike.

Original owner. Runs good. He has rebuilt the Ohlins. Price is about what I would expect in the fact he is not giving it away.

Your thoughts........?

RE...

Arguably the best PV chassis for offroad riding that Husky made. (Swedish Husky)
430 is a sweet motor that does most things right, it acts like a 4 stroke until the throttle is WFO. Then look out.
I prefer the '83 "milk truck" bikes but that's because I started with them. Buy it!

A local, clean, well maintained 1 owner 81/82 430 is a very rare find. Snatch it up before the owner changes his mind and "seller's remorse" sets in. It will never decline in value and you'll always have a distinct/fun bike to ride.

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/rds/mcy/1576319966.html

I've been oogling that 430 as well. Not that I have time for it but it would be cool.

I was set to go see it last weekend then work got in the way. These Olympic Games have realy turned my world upside down. Long days and longer weeks have realy shortened my time off. Will call this guy today and see about a trip out to Langley to look over his XC. Will update you all on what goes down. Wish me luck.......

That kind of 430 in the silver frame seems to be liked by the guys who buy bikes. They get more dollars than the white framed ones more often than not from what I have watched. I don't know if you really can but seeing if the frame where the swing arm pivot goes through has worn lager is something to look for. On the chain side. Eventually they will all wear loose there if used enough. The way the frame tubes near the foot pegs is when your foot gets knocked back you ankle can end up swollen. The white frame is much better but your ankles can still hit the shocks on those if you get really out of shape. Any of the set up with the shock attaching to the center of the swingarm is pone to bending the shock shaft if the rear end washes out or you crash. Just a little more input.

Fran

On the 430's as with the 250' and 500's of this vintage, ALWAYS pull the clutch out and inspect the kick gear,kick idler gear stub, and the gear on the back side of the clutch basket primary start gear. Look for uneven wear also looks like beveling of these gears.
Just about everything else can be made or sourced. This should be a deal breaker. Later George

George is right and my only 2 cents to add would be to upgrade to the '82 series clutch assembly. If the cases are going to be split (you really should because the 6 speeds take a lot of abuse) then check/replace the as much as you can afford & then some. Once it's done you'll never have an issue but that's assuming $ is flowing freely.

Thanks all for your input. Can't see the guy letting me pull the cover of the clutch so if it looks good elsewhere I may just snag it and look later. With my luck I usualy don't get boned. Plus I would asume a original owner would stay on top of such issues. We'll see.....

But first I need to get a peek at it. Will be contacting the owner later tonight to see about setting up a time to see it.

I think the clutch/kicker set is definitely to be examined, but I'd do it at home. What you want to see when you go look at the bike is whether the case is cracked right above the kick idler gear, usually right through the stamped numbers. Look for a hairline (or larger) crack from the clutch cover gasket surface straight in toward the center of the engine, right through the numbers.

If the case is NOT cracked, take that bike home! Inspect clutch/gears. If you then find you need to buy clutch parts it's a bolt-in repair that you can do with the motor in the frame. No big deal. As long as you check it out before the case cracks you're good.

If the case IS cracked, bike is still a possibility but price will have to reflect the work needed: Split cases and rebuild with a new matched case set. $$$ and time. LOTS of $$$ and time if you can't do it yourself.

Thanks for that tip. I'll be sure to look for that crack in the case.

I'm loving this site! Cool people. Cool bikes......

Look for this. This is an early one:

Hey Picklito,

The only cracked case I have is cracked one float bowl forward at the thickenig that you see for the shaft which holds the intermediate gear. Mine needs a new case, yours is probably repairable.

One guy I know had the dealer replace one case half not go matching set. They do have different part numbers.

Fran

When I say the cases have to be a matched set I mean you'll have to check that the base gasket surface is level between the two halves. Not uncommon for random halves to be off. It's been my experience that Husky was pretty sloppy here. Easy to fix, though, if you've the motor torn down that far. Most shops can mill that surface and get it flat.

Husky wasn't necessarly sloppy what matched cases means is that the case were together when they were machined both sides together. Bearing receiving holes, cylinder deck, and all thru holes. After this process then matching #'s were stamped to the cases. Then were seperated and more individual machining was done.
Having explained this when swapping un matched case halves should be bolted together then the line bores checked, they then can be rebored and re-sleeved then clearanced to the proper size for proper bearing fit.
Later George

Very nicely put, George. You said it much better than I.

George, do you provide this service or have a recommended shop? I'm going through this exact hassle right now.

It's best to find some good cases and swap them out. Lots of time in machining to do it.
I use 250 cases and machine them for 400,430,500's.
Even these parts are starting to get scarse.
Main problem is the old Husky's are still being ridden so parts are being used up. Later George

Update: Went to see the Husky tonight. No cracks in case. A typical used bike with signs of use. Scratches on cases and frame. Paint worn on tank and frame. Rusty bars that look like the originals. Cables run a bit strange and in need of a good cleaning and lube. All in all nothing unexpected. It is missing one of the upper washers for the right side Olhin shock. Lots of little things need some loving but it's all there.

Been a few (25+) years since I last kicked over a "left sider" but maybe 6 kicks from cold it fired right up. Sweet! Took a quick spin and it all works.

I told the owner I would have the money Friday if he could hold it till then. He agreed and is happy that his baby is going to someone that will use it and respect it. Happy times!

Oh and it comes with a big desert tank, a few main jets and a few skid plates. I will post pic's when I get it home.