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

New Bike: 1974 Husky 400 WR

Discussion in 'Vintage/Left Kickers' started by Stephen Hill, Jun 10, 2012.

  1. Stephen Hill Husqvarna

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1974 400 WR
    Other Motorcycles:
    Norton Commandos
    Hi. I just picked up this bike, and have a few questions. Hopefully some folks are familiar with these bikes.
    1. The bike has a piece missing on the crankcase around the rear chain drive sprocket. Are the cases magnesium? I have a spare mag cover I was thinking of using as a donor for welding, and wondered if they are also made of magnesium?
    2. I would like to change the spark plug wire coming out of the coil. Does the plug wire screw in style to the coil, or is it not possible to remove the wire and replace it with a new plug wire?
    3. I was hoping to find an electronic copy of the owner's manual, but so far, no luck. Does anybody have a copy, or know of a source?

    Thanks,
    Stephen Hill
    Victoria, BC
    Stephen Hill, Jun 10, 2012
    #1

  2. Bud Porembski Husqvarna

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1974 Husqvarna 400WR
    Other Motorcycles:
    '77 Honda CB750K8, '84 Yamaha XV1000
    Stephen: I've got my original 1974 400WR Owner's Manual; I'd be delighted to scan it for you. But, it lacks some of the detail you need. I'm working on the magneto and wires myself (FEMSA unit). The manual does not have a wiring diagram. There are 3 outputs from the mag to the downtube - red, yellow, green. I found an '82 360 diagram that says "yellow is hi-output for headlight; green is lo-output for tailight" - that would indicate that red is hot to the under-tank coil for the ignition, but I'd sure like to confirm that. I'm getting spark at the points, but nothing to the plug as yet. I'll test for continuity next.

    I've often seen the countershaft sprocket cover off similar bikes, I've never had a problem with the bike throwing a chain, but I'd guess it's there to keep out crud and protect your leg. I saw one on eBay at one time.
    Bud Porembski, Dec 2, 2013
    #2

  3. jimspac Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Connecticut
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    82 250WR, 82 430WR, 84 250WR, 85 400
    Other Motorcycles:
    86 400WR, 82 Montesa Cota 349
    I am pretty sure the big case engines used aluminum cases. Mostly because Husqvarna made a big deal of it when the 250 MAG came out in 1974 :)
    jimspac, Dec 3, 2013
    #3

  4. jack topper Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Cascade, MT
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1974 400WR
    Other Motorcycles:
    honda, yamaha, suzuki, Indian, Kawas
    Stephen, i'm starting a restoration on my 74 400WR myself. I bought it in 75 from the original owner; been carrying it around ever since.

    Anyway mine has a Femsa mag and a Bosch coil. The plug wire screws onto a post centered in the coil socket. The plug wire on mine was/is stranded copper core "Bumblebee" 7mm dia. wire. I just ordered some from an Ebay seller. Now I need to find a new 7mm rubber boot for the coil end and a rubber screw-on plug cap.

    Hope this helps.

    JT
    jack topper, Sep 9, 2016
    #4