'70 400 Cross

[SteveJ]

This machine has been in our family since new. In 1970 my dad must have hit it big at the horse races or something, because he bought both this 400 and a 250 Husky brand new. I was thirteen years old at the time. We got to enjoy the early days of motocross racing, my fifteen year old brother looking like a wind sock tied to the handlebars of the 400 and me on the 250. My 250 died of a broken frame in 1974 and was scavenged to keep the 400 running... then long suspension came along and the bike sat severely neglected for almost 30 years. A few years ago, I decided it was time to go vintage racing and set about to restore the machine. This is the result. Other than the Renthal bars, Progressive Suspension shocks and a few other details, it is pretty much original. Started on the 4th kick and the bark from the expansion chamber first scared me the put a giant grin on my face. The paint job is rattle can, on both the frame and the tank. Since I am racing it in vintage motocross, I didn't want an expensive paint job. Some of you may notice the steel painted rear fender, it is original to this machine (Frame #MH1201) although most 70 models had the aluminum fender, including my 250, built a few months later. Thanks for putting up with my long post! Steve

 

[Xcuvator]

This machine has been in our family since new. In 1970 my dad must have hit it big at the horse races or something, because he bought both this 400 and a 250 Husky brand new. I was thirteen years old at the time. We got to enjoy the early days of motocross racing, my fifteen year old brother looking like a wind sock tied to the handlebars of the 400 and me on the 250. My 250 died of a broken frame in 1974 and was scavenged to keep the 400 running... then long suspension came along and the bike sat severely neglected for almost 30 years. A few years ago, I decided it was time to go vintage racing and set about to restore the machine. This is the result. Other than the Renthal bars, Progressive Suspension shocksView attachment 26653 and a few other details, it is pretty much original. Started on the 4th kick and the bark from the expansion chamber first scared me the put a giant grin on my face. The paint job is rattle can, on both the frame and the tank. Since I am racing it in vintage motocross, I didn't want an expensive paint job. Some of you may notice the steel painted rear fender, it is original to this machine (Frame #MH1201) although most 70 models had the aluminum fender, including my 250, built a few months later. Thanks for putting up with my long post! Steve

Very Very nice! I have always liked how the 60s and 70s Huskys looked.
Good job!

 

[Ron]

She's a beauty!

 

[86 400 XC]

What a sweet ride you have!

 

[SteveJ]

Thanks. I'll admit, severely neglected may have been an understatement. I was almost ashamed to post the "before" photos. But maybe it will inspire someone to save that old Husky! The fuel tank was off my 250, I had painted it green years ago. The dents in the tank were caused by a wide open throttle 3rd gear endo when I tangled with a Greeves. The big dent is where the handlebars got folded back and the Magura throttle bashed the tank. I used the old body shop method of using lead to fill the dents. With respect to the rust in the tank. I found an old electric barbecue rotesserie with motor and attached the tank to it. I then filled the tank about 1/3 full of blasting media and let it rotate on the spit for days (no, I didn't build a fire under). Got rid of most of the rust. I used the tank for a short while, then found a good straight one and scrapped this one. The frame was sand blasted to bare metal, primed and painted. Not to the quality of some of the superb restorations I'm seeing on here, but good for vintage racing. Now, if I can find those engine pictures...

 

[SteveJ]

 

[Bruce]

What an amazing transformation. Beautiful. I do love the look of the old ones.

 

[Crashaholic]

Theres a great deal of work that goes into a restoration. It can be quite rewarding, from a personal satisfaction point of view.

 

[70sRider]

Very Nice work, and glad you posted before and after. What color RED did you use since it looks very close to the Husky Color, and did you finish it in Clear? I have the same year 250 that I need to finish. Wish I had a Steel Rear Fender. Also, did you go through the engine for a complete rebuild?

 

[Picklito]

Nice. Any more pics during the build?

 

[SteveJ]

Very Nice work, and glad you posted before and after. What color RED did you use since it looks very close to the Husky Color, and did you finish it in Clear? I have the same year 250 that I need to finish. Wish I had a Steel Rear Fender. Also, did you go through the engine for a complete rebuild?

Thanks and sorry for the delay. I no longer have a can of the red, so I am not sure what it was, I do think that it is a little too red compared to the proper Husqvarna red (could use a slight tinge of orange I think). No clear coat. Tank chrome was good. I positioned the Husqvarna decal too low on the tank for a 70 and it should have a "400 cross" decal below it. I did compeletly disassemble the engine, new main bearings, transmission bearings & seals. New clutch plates. New Mahle piston and rings. New wheel bearings. I re-laced the wheels with Buchanan spokes, they are slightly heavier guage than origninals. Still running the Femsa magneto, had to hand rewind the magneto coil as it had a break in the windings. Runs beautifully, starts on 2nd kick cold.

 

[SteveJ]

Very Nice work, and glad you posted before and after. What color RED did you use since it looks very close to the Husky Color, and did you finish it in Clear? I have the same year 250 that I need to finish. Wish I had a Steel Rear Fender. Also, did you go through the engine for a complete rebuild?

Also of possible interest to you, my 1970 250 Cross purchased just a few months after this 400 had the polished aluminum rear fender from the factory. I think the aluminum fender looks better and is a little shorter.