1. Husqvarna Motorcycles Made In Sweden - About 1988 and older

85 Husky WRX 250

Discussion in 'Vintage/Left Kickers' started by endurokids, Feb 4, 2010.

  1. endurokids Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    250WRX, CR167, 83 430WR, TE449
    Other Motorcycles:
    75 Guzzi 850T
    I have a line on one of these.
    What can you guys tell me about this model, pros and cons.
    Thanks in advance.
    endurokids, Feb 4, 2010
    #1

  2. ruwfo Administrator

    Location:
    NJ
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1980 390CR, 1982 430CR, 1984 400WR
    Other Motorcycles:
    1985 250XC, 2016 FJ-09
    good woods bike

    The 85-88 250WR or WRX are very good woods bikes, but not as good as Huskys awesome 400 or 430 of the same era. I had one a few years back, along with a 86 400.

    As with most Husky 250's enduro's it's got real good smooth power, not a ton of it, but what it's got it puts to the ground with no waste.

    There a little different than the older Husky's ride was, they don't turn as well. Pull the forks up in the triples & learn to turn using the gas.

    I've found the 85 are fairily hard to find, because it 's the 1st year for
    the watercooling (enduro's) & last of the twin shockers :thumbsdown:

    Make sure the pipe is in good shape as they can break near where it mounts to the cylinder. Also it's a one year only pipe,as they changed it's design in both in 84 & 86, so finding a replacement is tough
    :banghead:.

    Oh, & check that the water pump doesn't leak on the outside & the bike has anti-freeze in it. The water cooled motor had problems with case corrosion if they didn't have good antifreeze it them. I've seen 2 motors that were complete trash
    when pulled apart,because of lower end corrosion.


    Husky John
    ruwfo, Feb 4, 2010
    #2

  3. fran...k. Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    eastern ct
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    420ae 98wr125 2004wr250 others
    Other Motorcycles:
    electric freeride 1993 yam gts
    Is it a mono shock or a dual shock? Once you verify which one I can comment.

    fran
    fran...k., Feb 4, 2010
    #3

  4. endurokids Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    250WRX, CR167, 83 430WR, TE449
    Other Motorcycles:
    75 Guzzi 850T
    Single shock, water cooled and dual drum brake.
    endurokids, Feb 5, 2010
    #4

  5. fran...k. Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    eastern ct
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    420ae 98wr125 2004wr250 others
    Other Motorcycles:
    electric freeride 1993 yam gts
    The con of the 85-86 is mono shock is lack of support for the outer hole the swingarm pivot goes through. The frame is prone to wearing bigger the rear engine is prone to having the inserts loosen up and enlarge or crack the case. It was improved as time went by but the real cure wasn't there until that frame was a four stroke only coming out of Italy. Not sure if the one you have has this feature, some of the early mono shock the backing plate still attached to the swingarm via a rod or bar. The design of attaching to the swingarm inside with no bar was not in the interest of second and later owners. I believe the cr models stayed with a full floater type of set up attaching to the frame. The real plus on that one and all the 85-88 ones is the room the ankles get, absolutely wonderful. The linkage has a lot of parts and a lot of bearings and races. I recommend the 87-88 which may appear quite similar but have a better seat, an extra bolt hole on the clutch cover, a linkage very like the modern stuff. They dumped a lot of 1988 models for low cost so the chances of getting a relatively unused one might be higher.

    Fran
    fran...k., Feb 5, 2010
    #5

  6. Eurofreak Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Western NY
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1986 TE 510, 1982 CR250, 2008 WR250
    Other Motorcycles:
    70's Triumph , Bultaco , Maico, etc
    I had one-very buzzy, not a lot of power, ditto on cecking the water pump for corrosion. rear shock was an Ohlins and worked well. Uncaged needle bearings in the shock linkage, need to service carefully. Front forks were not the best-lot of stiction, had double seals and leaked even with new seals sometimes. I know someone who still has one for sale.
    Eurofreak, Feb 5, 2010
    #6

  7. fran...k. Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    eastern ct
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    420ae 98wr125 2004wr250 others
    Other Motorcycles:
    electric freeride 1993 yam gts
    I think that was the cagiva replacement part. I never took apart an uncaged bearing in one though some of then had the rollers two side by side then cage then two etc strange.
    fran...k., Feb 5, 2010
    #7

  8. endurokids Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    250WRX, CR167, 83 430WR, TE449
    Other Motorcycles:
    75 Guzzi 850T
    This one has the rear brake attached to the swingarm via a rod.
    Thanks for the replies, I bought it and plan to race it as is this year and full rebuild next winter. We have an AHRMA National at Road America this year and plan to be there to race with my sons.
    I'm finishing my 83/84 430WR as we speak. (I'm not sure which seat/tank I'll be using).
    endurokids, Feb 10, 2010
    #8