Need help on 400 Cross parts

As I get into my restoration project, I have come up with a few "head-scratchers".
1. Can someone tell me, is the inner (rear) fender on an early 400 Cross made of steel, aluminum, or plastic, and what is the correct color for it ?
2. I also have a steel rear fender. Did HVA ever use steel fenders on early 1970 models?
3. I have two front fender brackets. One is longer than the other. It also looks like it has been welded, but is it a factory weld or did these things break because of their length? I found 1 on one of the Swedish Fireballs bikes with a similar length and welded. See photos below. Can anyone identify these fender braces? (years, models)

Swedish fireballs:


Mine: ( upper one is a bit bent )



thanks in advance for any insight into these questions.
Rosco

I have a 70 MH 360, inner fender is steel, same silver as frame, my rear fender is aluminum allthough 69 and earlier used steel rear fender, 1970 was the last year for the tubular front fender bracket, 69-70 used the shorter version, 68 and earlier used the longer one. 71-72 used a stamped steel front fender bracket.

Here is a pic from John Lefevre's website of a restored 69 400cross that shows the steel rear fender and correct front fender bracket http://www.vintagehusky.com/images/restorations/resto6.htm

Thanks dumbdotdog:

It's possible that the original aluminum rear fender was damaged and was replaced with an earlier (pre 69) version.
I just can't remember, as it was over 40 years ago.....
This was in the days before Preston Petty's universal plastic fenders. LOL

On the subject of the front fender bracket, what about the obvious weld? Is that a factory weld or are these long brackets known to break and get re-welded by their owners? The Swedish Fireballs photo shows exactly the same welds as mine.

John Lefevre's photos shows the short bracket I think, because the long brackets go almost to the rubber flap, as seen below:

Just did some searching @ Husky club website, turns out early 70's used the steel rear fender http://www.huskyclub.com/70cross.htm More info and pics here http://www.huskyclub.com/vinthus.htm

Hi, the long front fender bracket was monted on the enduro models, with steel front fender, painted red or chrome. The correct one for the 400 cross is shorter.
1969 model originally had steel rims and steel rear fender(painted). 1970 aluminium rims and fenders.
Unsure what year the inner fender became plastic, but before 1970 it was made of aluminium.
//Erik

Erik
My 400 does have a plastic inner fender, but I assumed that it was an aftermarket item. It has a "wrinkle finish" on the outside, but a smooth finish on the inside. The plastic is a silver/grey color. Does this sound like a HVA part? Would it be acceptable on a MH400 ?
thanks
Rosco

I have restored a couple of Huskys and personally I dont see the point in being 100% correct when restoring old MX bikes. Just like modern riders people rebuildt and changed their bikes to improve handling, power and looks back in the day. Heck, even the bikes that came from the factory had parts that some times belonged on another year model. I personally own a 1987 TE 510 that is aircooled, but officially it is supposed to be watercooled.
When I found my 1969 HVA 400s they had been in storage since the seventies but at some time previous owners had hopped them up with alu fenders, 1972 works alu tank, longer shocks, stretched swingarm newer engine. I kept some of it, turned some of it back to original.
I belive that bikes that got tuned by their owners back in the day have their place in history too, were is the fun if all bikes that got restored looked excactly the same, i dont think that is how the starting grid looked in the seventies.
My opinion is, if your plastic rear inner fender fits and looks good use it.
//Erik

I have a 71 400 it has metal inner fender & aluminium rear fender. I did it that way because I wanted to stay original. I am now doing a 72 450 and its gonna have plastic fenders... I can always go back to the metal but right now I just prefer to use the palstic...when I get to that finishing touch of the restoration, that is. Basically use what YOU want for what you intend to do with it ..

Thanks for your responses. I think I will go with the steel rear fender, as the one I have is in great shape. I have a plastic inner fender, but I think I will use the steel inner from the Sportsman as it is in good condition, it is OEM HVA, and it will paint up better than plastic. This bike will never be "concourse" anyway, as it is a 360 / 400 hybrid after all.

Rosco

I went thru some old photo albums and found a few photos of the 400 that I took back in '72.
This photo clearly shows that the original fender was steel, and is the same one that I have now.
The handlebars and grips had been changed, a fuel filter added, and some decals added.
Front fender bracket is the short type. Flap on top.
I can't identify the inner fender from the photo, but I will use the Sportsman item as it is steel and will support
the rear fender better than the plastic inner fender that was on the bike when I got it back.

New to the forum but have some knowledge of this series of bikes. First off, what year bike are you working with? And also, when some of you state steel, are you actually talking about "steel" or just metal (which includes both steel and aluminum)? The MH was the 1970 model, the MI was the 71' and in 72' they changed the way we saw bikes when they released the MJ left shifter, large case bikes. I had restored (don't ask me why I sold it) a 71" series bike along with a 72' 450 CR and the 74' series Mag clone which I still own. These bikes had alloy fenders with some varying degree of hangover out back. The last post here isn't a 72 (MJ) bike because of the right shift. Also, it has the right side fuel filler tank which of course is the "tab" variety. The only clue I can garner from this bike's identification is for it to be a 70' model because of the longer rear fender overhang. Anyway, am almost 99% sure that the rear inner fender was painted aluminum, not steel! For the 70', 71' and 72' series bikes. Still remember working on that bike(71' 400 CR) and can say for sure the inner fender was alloy. I remember that those inner fenders always cracked from stress and vibration. The 71' 400 that I restored was pretty much original and also had a cracked inner fender. I remember having my older brother weld it up and then sanding the weld down flush before I had it powder coated to match the frame color. Steel wouldn't allow me to do that ! Regarding the rear fender, am sure that HVA lost the actual steel fender in 69', all bikes up to 72' other than the WR series which used metal fenders for 73'(am sure about the latter because I had purchased a new 250WR in 73') used alloy fenders. One comment I'd like to make about the pix of John's supposed restoration is that the front fender looks incorrect because it doesn't have enough of a curve to the metal. Look at how much curve the bottom front picture has and judge for yourself. In closing, if you're working on a 70 or 71 series bike which is indeed a CR model, more than likely it would have had the shorter "steel" front fender brace. Also, whatever you do, please don't put the bike together with the later plastic fenders. They look so much better with the pretty alloy pieces....
Pat

Pat, let me start by letting you know that I have a "71 400 (MI) restored w/aluminium fenders and YES with the aluminium INNER fender...I agree with all but your last sentence.. I am restoring a '72 450 WR.. I wanna make her a rider..BUT...as a "RIDER" I had the engine rebuilt by John Le Fevere....painted the frame, new akront-morad rims..sent to Buchnan's to be drilled... right now they are being superlaced and bearings replaced by Woody's wheel works, new Hi-rise husky bars, magura levers, replating BUFO bolts..& replacing those that are NOT BUFO with NON BUFO..new chain guard, rebuilt BING carb, welding - straightenin- painting of expansion chamber etc. BUT I want to use plastic fenders do you think I am wrong & should use the aluminium ones? (ohh yea..I will probably use another tank but have the 450 tank restored - chrome + paint by John).....Am I still wrong?