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

I was swearing like a soldier......

Discussion in 'Vintage/Left Kickers' started by Bryll, Apr 7, 2010.

  1. Bryll Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    Some
    Other Motorcycles:
    Some
    .......in several languages when I put the motor in the frame on my CR500 83 :banghead:

    How intelligent is that to use the swing arm axle as the rear support for the motor?

    The bike was bought with the motor out of the frame as a project, so this was my first time to put in a Husky motor in to the frame.
    It might go easier the next time, I sure do hope so :doh:
    Is it only me being a newbie at this or what's your experience?

    Replaced the spokes at the rear wheel yesterday (first time for me with that too), but it was quite easy and fun :).
    I got two more Huskies waiting for the same treatment as this one.......
    Bryll, Apr 7, 2010
    #1

  2. jdaatwebco Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Tulsa, Ok USA
    It gets much easier each time.

    Set the motor between the frame rails and install the front mounts first, loosely. I cut a 2 x 4 to help spread the rear frame just enough to get the wear washers in place and tap the swingarm bolt thru.
    jdaatwebco, Apr 7, 2010
    #2

  3. Dirtdame Administrator

    Location:
    Rock Springs Wy
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    11 WR300,13 WR125,18 FE501
    Other Motorcycles:
    17 Beta Xtrainer
    Don't know how intelligent it is, but I know that it is very common.
    Dirtdame, Apr 7, 2010
    #3

  4. Bryll Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    Some
    Other Motorcycles:
    Some
    I don't have it on my other MX bikes, except the Huskies of course.
    I was quite exited when the o-rings bounced around on the floor when I dropped them, not only once or twice...... :banghead:
    Everything greased up quite good too, so I had grease up to my armpits before I was done.
    More practice might help or I have to grow a few more arms ;)
    Bryll, Apr 7, 2010
    #4

  5. racemx904 Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    owenton, ky
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2014 Beta 350RR & 1986 430XC
    Other Motorcycles:
    1975 Rokon and 2004 Kawasaki KX65
    almost every bike out there does it...

    I unhook the shock pull the swingarm back a little...drop motor in...then feed swingarm back in with the shims...
    racemx904, Apr 7, 2010
    #5

  6. Dirtdame Administrator

    Location:
    Rock Springs Wy
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    11 WR300,13 WR125,18 FE501
    Other Motorcycles:
    17 Beta Xtrainer
    All 6 of my dirt bikes (4 Kawasakis, 1 Honda and my TE450) are designed that way.:D
    Dirtdame, Apr 7, 2010
    #6

  7. oldhuskychuck Husqvarna
    A Class

    Location:
    Denver Co
    lol, sorry made me laugh, its a 2 man job for sure, or at least a man and kid job, someone to feed the shaft as another holds the motor..and maybe another to hold the swingarm..new swear words are found for sure..
    oldhuskychuck, Apr 7, 2010
    #7

  8. Husq.fleet Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Pendleton Oregon
    I use a piece of 1 1/2" by 1/4" flat strap under engine/frame, just about to hold back of engine at swingarm height.
    Husq.fleet, Apr 7, 2010
    #8

  9. Dirtdame Administrator

    Location:
    Rock Springs Wy
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    11 WR300,13 WR125,18 FE501
    Other Motorcycles:
    17 Beta Xtrainer
    I haven't taken an engine out of the frame for a while, but I think that I supported the frame with a stand, dropped the bottom end in, bolted the front and lower mounts, then lined up the swingarm to the motor to put that bolt through, then installed the top end after the bottom end was properly in place. For me at least, this was less awkward and heavy than trying to install the entire engine.
    Dirtdame, Apr 7, 2010
    #9

  10. Joe Chod Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    upstate NY
    Sounds like you do need more practice.......take the engine out again and do it all over now that you have the pointers.
    FYI no linkage swingarm bikes is easy..not wieghing much and leaving the other mounts finger tight leaves plenty of whiggle room. It is easier to wigggle the swingarm into place than the engine
    Joe Chod, Apr 7, 2010
    #10

  11. Motosportz CH Sponsor

    Location:
    Vancouver WA
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2021 TE250i, 570 Berg, 500 KTM, 790R
    Other Motorcycles:
    many
    motor / swingarm bolt is how almost all of them are done. All the force from the motor is transfered tot he rear wheel via the swing arm. Mounting these points together makes a lot of sense. Yeah, makes it harder to pull the motor but is the right way to tie these to points together.
    Motosportz, Apr 7, 2010
    #11

  12. crankpin Husqvarna
    B Class

    Location:
    England
    Also puts the drive sprocket closer to the swingarm pivot :thumbsup:
    crankpin, Apr 8, 2010
    #12

  13. Bryll Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    Some
    Other Motorcycles:
    Some
    I do need more practice, but I'm not taking the motor out of this one again.
    At least not for a while :p

    You are right, most of the later bikes are built this way :notworthy:
    I had to check, never thought of it until now.

    The old "garbage" I got is not built that way, makes it a lot easier to put the motor in the frame :doh:
    Well, it makes me swear too. But not as strong as with this Husky 500.
    This -83 is the newest bike I've worked with since the kids YZ80 -92.
    We only replaced the piston and restored the fork before I sold it.

    I wasn't sure the top end was possible to install with the motor in the frame (my first Husky to restore), previous owner removed the motor because of a siezed piston.

    I'll save a piece two-by-two for the next time, good idea :thumbsup:
    Might keep the swearing on a more moderate level :D
    Bryll, Apr 11, 2010
    #13