Husqvarna - Long Range Tanks

I know that there are other threads on here with similar subject areas.


I'm looking at doing a week long navigational endurance race, in late 2009.

This is an event i have wanted to do for some time, and had always planned on doing it on a 610.

Why 610?
- 17 Litre IMS tank available
- Rear subframe for additional fuel (aproxx 25 litres reqd)
- Unbreakable, Less Daily Maint, etc etc.

Went into my local dealer yesterday, and he says 610 no good, you need a 510. 610 to big, heavy, slow, old technology etc.

I say, OK, just find me a fuel solution for the 510.

He says there are lots of solutions, but i said that there were not.

Well after about 20 mins of him ringing everyone he knows, he then agrees that there are not many solutions for the 510.

He then asks about Dakar etc, which i explain that those guys run a modified KTM Mecasystems tanks that cost mega $$$, or some other system that requires heaps of modifications.

Questions:
- Would you guys consider the 610 to be a suitable (maybe not best) bike for an event such as i have described
- Is anyone aware of some straight forward fuel modifications to a 510 that would give a capacity of no less that 25 litres
- Any other feedback on any of these ideas?

Thanks in advance,

David

Tell us about the terrain involved

or the name of the event and the range between fuel stops? They must have a minimum distance requirement for the event??


I've had the 3 gl IMS and 1.3 gl Acerbis number plate tank mounted on the side of the rear subframe for a total of 4.3 gls. Not ideal but the only solution I could find for distance at this point in time on the TE510. But that is only about 16.25 ltrs.

25 ltrs would be 6.6 gallons which you suggested as your minimum ... offering a potential range of 240 miles or 370 Kls

I raced a 510 at Dakar. Its very doable, and not that expensive. I can help you with info, or even sell you what is needed to put the two saddle tanks on a 510.

I also have a 610 that getting the 'rally' treatment.

IMHO both are great rally bikes, in very different ways.

What event? Finke? The Safari? Lets talk. I might do the Safari in '09.

Safari is not technical, the 610 would be fine. The EFI version gets 50mpg. Just put a Mecca System rear right hand tank and a back up fuel pump. Not that expensive.

Would be very happy to help ya.

Take a look at my 'albums', i have lots of pics of my 510 rally bike, just for ideas for ya.

What event are we talking about?

Thanks for the feedback Mike.

The event in question is the Australian Safari.

I had always planned on doing it on a 610, and after a few phone calls today, the consensus has been to use the 610 as well.
Why the 610 reccomendation?, basically reliability.
Being able to do a weeks racing with little daily maintenance.

Am curious about what solutions you have for the EFI pump.

I had planned on finding an 06 or 07 model, and setting up with a an IMS main tank, and a nomad rear tank.

I would very much like to see some ideas on how to hook up an 'external' fuel pump on an 08 efi model.

David

So thinking about this a bit more, would you then reccommend using an EFI model over a Carb model?

Do you think there would be any Reliability issues using an EFI system on an event such as the Safari?

As you are in Oz, give Robin Box a call at Aqualine Australia 03 5729 5556. http://www.rvaqualine.com.au/
They make the tanks for most of the Oz Safari competitors.
I import their tanks into the UK/Europe and they are built to a V High standard. I have been asking him to consider making tanks for the Husky TE 510/450 but he is concerned about demand. He may be able to sort something out for you he keeps telling me they are looking into it!
Tell him Alec from the UK sent you!

I too have been trying to get Aqualine to make Husky tanks over the last few years. Maybe demand is great enough now? Worth keeping the pressure on them.

--------
The Australian Safari! Awesome. I have all the 'background' emails from them if you want, just PM an email address. Might give ya something to think about if you dont have already.
That event is very very easy in terms of the route and ground. Not technical at all. Its a war of attrition. The 610 is about as reliable as it gets. Tried and true. Hence the good choice. The 510 doesnt like long periods of constant high speed, bad for the bearing journals. The 610 with a fairing, HID lights, and a second, rear fuel tank or just the 5 gallon IMS tank on the '07 model, would do great.

EFI vs. Carb--well given the issue of no big tank for the '08 EFI version it is probably smart to use a carb'ed '07 version with the big IMS tank. Simple. 5 gallons will be plenty. Add a Uptite skidplate, better footpegs, some MotoZ tires, handguards, assorted protection, etc. and you are good to go. Run stock gearing. Just make sure its an 'uncorked' bike so it will pull 6th offroad.

The nice thing about EFI is the wonderfull fuel milage and ease of use, etc. But--Australia is flat, and the advantage of adjusting for altitude is not needed. Ship the forks and shock to Les at LTR and have him work his magic.

Consider a steering dampner--Motosportz or other.

The Australian Safari has got to be the best value of any off road event. Its a week of action for around $2500 US. Tuff to beat that. Dakar is twice as long, but 20 times the cost!

We should stay in touch regarding this project. Ive wanted to race it the last few years, i think im in a better way to do stuff like this again. Fingers crossed.

I will try to post some pics of my bike with a fairing for ideas for ya.

I spoke with Robin at Aqualine last night and yes they are going to build a Safari tank for the TE250/450/510 which will fit the SMR's too.
He has had alot of enquiries for the 610 also, so maybe one for that too.
The tank will be the trail size so between 15 to 17ltr depending on how they go with the shape. They are considering a rear tank similar to their YZWR and CRF rear tank to up capacity for those who want more range. It looks like I will be getting the TE over the TXC!

A point of Interest for you? Full throttle motorcycles in brissy, could be one of the largest wreckers, parts peoples about. R&D husky in melbourne carry a few race bred items. On the fuel side of things, I average roughly 230k/tank on the 07 TE 610. However I dont race it, so you may run a tad less?? I reckon the 610 would be a more " easy " ride on the Safari, if your riding for the fun. Someone ran one at the Finke this year, i haven't heard how the lad went though?? Good luck with it all. TE 610 awesome !

When did R and D move to Melbourne,they moved from the old HUGE facility at Emu Planes to a smaller shop about a kilometer up the road,that's in the outer western suburbs of Sydney

Hm i didnt know they were in Sydney? my bad... Some reason, i had the idea they wwere in Vic.

Great News about Aqualine!!

I will send them an email. We gotta get someone in the US to stock their tanks. George? Kelley? Jeff? Someone?

Thanks for letting us know. A 4+ gallon for the new bikes is a big deal.

Hope they do something for the 610 as well.

IMS already has a big tank for the 610

The 08? I checked with them a couple weeks ago and they said that nothing was in the works.

I didn't know they had changed them

Actually you are both right!

The '07 and '08 and '09 euro bikes all have the same 610 tank.

But for the US its just '08 and '09, with '07 being different.

The issue of course is the EFI vs. Carb.

EFI was introduced in limited numbers in europe on the '07 610, and its on all 610's for '08 and '09 everywhere.

The tanks are different because of the need for a fuel pump.

IMS currently only sells a non-fuel pump 5 gallon tank for '07 610's.

Rumor is they arent making a '08/'09 tank for the 610.

SO hopefully Aqualine will! Or Acerbis?

Curiously the Husky factory rally team has big plastic tanks for '08 610's-ive emailed them for info but never got a reply.

The 5 gallon tank fits the 06 carb version 610 also.