Magnificent 7

Coffee, what are you his wife ???? LOL!

They are just for my personal collection/hobbie. I used to restore muscle cars, but they take forever to do.

Maybe some day, I will donate them to a US Motorcycle museum.

Coming off a YZ 125, out of 125 class, the 250/430 were my first Husky's.

Hated them at first, till I figured out how to race them.

The only one I am missing, that I will restore is an 82 Cr 430, some day. I had a ported/carbed 430, that on a dusty straight, I hit a Ktm 500 like he was sitting still. We were full throttle and I could not see him. If you have ever raced in Florida, in that black sand dust, you know how hard it is to see. I also jumped over a guy and my foot peg poked a hole in his helmet. He said at the end of the race, his ears were still ringing.

So, will give me an 82 set of 125,250,430 and 500.

Of course I had to have the white 83 Cr250, last of alloy tanks, new frame, Itc's, air cooled. I liked the looks when I first saw them.

I have a 79 390, that will be my trail rider and may race some vintage harescrambles on.

Coffee, that was a great question to ask me. I like to read threads on guys restoring their Father's bikes, etc...... I think we all have a passion to keep them going to preserve history and enjoyment.

Thanx guys! I just learned how to do things from watching old timers and learning from all you guys on Cafe. That's what makes this site so good!

Coffee, you are sounding like my wife!

Just teasing!

I have to admit, she is very supportive in my Hobbies.

But I think her Horses cost more!

I know, when she says, why u need another bike. I say, why u need another horse?

Works every time!

I do try to put my heart and sole into the restoration of these bikes. Maybe im a dumbass for doing so?



If you think about it? Each nut, bolt, weld etc.... is history and the people that built them. The pride of their craftsmanship?

I view them as a work of art.

Well, I would like to meet the guy that welded them aluminum tanks/frames, etc....

Who were these people? What about the people that raced them? Rode them? Some, we do know, but most, their history/stories hidden in these machines.


If only these ol girls could talk?

I knew an old guy that passed years ago. He spent most of his life, locating and restoring those old Harley's and Indians. I think his collection was dismantled in 2 seconds @ auction. I bet he rolled over in his grave when he saw the outcome of his collection. It was sad to see.

That stuff should have went to a museum somewhere, where people could of enjoyed his lifetime of work. Plus took in the history of them. Every nut, bolt, paint color, etc... was perfect. Yes, he even rode them whenever he felt like it.

I agree with darty , the welds on these ole frames are really nice compared to some other makes of that era . I always clean up all the welds and knock off all the marbles with a hammer and chisel , just makes them look even cleaner.
Have you ever brought up sweden on google maps and zoom all the way down into the factory and click the map on satellite and then click the little yellow guy and you can make him walk you around the factory streets and the old factory is right around the corner (Kinda fun). O and yes bikes are a breeze compared to old cars , you get so much more done in a couple of hours...

Cool 84!

Will definately do that. Tonights project was to take a seat cover without lettering and letter it, in red for the silver streak. Forgive me cause I have sinned. It will be kinda my stamp on it.

Looks bad arse on the silver streak. Sweet!

Will post some pics and some assembly required, instructions. Basically, you can put what ever you want in front of that Husky roost!

my nxt project will be a 125 as soon as I can get a job!!

Basically, I pulled out my cheapo air brush/my heat gun and piece of cardboard to get the spray pattern down.
I used Tractor Restoration Enamel from Tractor Supply (I have a Husky logo on the top, front of my new 310 seat, stuff works the best and is durable). It really sticks good to vinyl and stays flexible. I am using Massey Ferguson Red. I also bought the thinner that goes with it. A quart is like $7-$8 bux. Just thin enamel enough for Air Brush to spray it. Also, adjust spray pattern on cardboard.



I went to a local Vinyl lettering place to cut me out a couple vinyl stencils. Font is ARIAL BLACK, Outlined, Size 72. Also, take a picture of an existing lettered seat, so they know about how thick to outline the letters. They charged me a whopping $5 each. I couldn't cut them out for that price.

I placed the cover over an existing seat and drove just a couple staples in it to center it and kinda pull the back tight.

Next, using 2 cotton rags. I put a little regular lacquer thinner on a rag. I wiped the area and followed fast with the dry cotton rag. Just enough to prep area, free of grease or oil. Be careful with thinner because it can melt the vinyl.

Next apply stencil. I used duct tape around stencil/towel for over spray. Masking tape wanted to lift.

Next warm painting area with hair dryer or heat gun about 12 inches away.



Apply 1st coat, just enough to make a tack coat.



Here is after about the 4th/final coat. Don't get carried away spraying paint on. Too much paint and it will bleed under your stencil.

I dried each coat with heat gun, just enough to leave the paint tacky, for next coat.



Here is the finished cover, after I final dried it with heat gun. Still was lil tacky, but will dry eventually. Get heat gun too close and you'll melt something. You are just speed drying the paint.



I used an exacto knife to slowly remove vinyl decal. I know, It is not original but it was something I wanted to do that I think, compliments the resto.

" I left my mark, as they say". You can almost put what ever you want on there! Hey, want it original, well guy can go get a white lettered cover.


Here is cover that I will let dry for a couple of days. It is just staple in couple places over an existing seat.

I think it looks good on the silver streak, instead of white. I purchased the plain cover from DC Plastics.

Well what's your thoughts.

Oh, BTW on those hard to find vinyl air boxes for the 83 ish bikes. I did finally find an epoxy that sticks to it.

Here is what I did that worked. I beed blasted area so vinyl was rough enough for epoxy to stick. Wiped it clean with acetone. I used Versachem plastic welder epoxy. Recommended from auto store, I get paint from. I mixed epoxy and put thin coat on with a bondo spreader. I used a piece of fiberglass mat to spread onto epoxy, to cover cracks/holes. Let dry, mix up more and put another coat over existing epoxy/fiberglass mat. Repeat same thing on inside of box.

Let dry over night. Sand to blend epoxy into existing vinyl. I used Jimspac suggestion on Bulldog adhesion promoter. Then primed. And used John Deere Blitz Black on entire box. Turned out like new box and epoxy stuck like glue and is durable.

http://www.itwconsumer.com/versachem-products/product.cfm?id=Plastic Welder™, 25 ml-126

Plan to keep aluminum one as a back up, just in case.

like the red.... ive got an old fergy that needs a paint job, this post just reminded me!

I think I am losing track of which is which!

390 tank/XC125 Tank sprayed yesterday.

Paint is that Dupont 9900 Super Black.

I paint all the actual pinstriping/husky emblems on.

Got 2 tanks left to spray. 82 CR250 Red/White and the 82 CR430 (Red Molten/Gold).

The CR 430 will have to sit in my office till I find it.

This 390 tank is the one I showed using those clamps to take the dents out.

Here is a great paint chip chart to order. You will find that about 99% of the Husky colors are in this.

Cost is like $4.99 , but nice to have in your hands.

Some of their stuff, you have to buy in a gallon and you may not need that much.

But at least you can take the chip chart to the paint/body store and use it to scan or match up.

I think, even the copper is match for the ohlins.

http://www.eastwood.com/ew-branded-color-paint-chart.html

Thanx!