FE/FC Let's see pictures of your new FE501

[Big Timmy]

Its definitely not the S model. I don't need all that extra stuff thrown in a box here where I live.

I could get license plates for a dirt bike or nearly anything here without even hooking up a brake light switch or mounting a folding mirror and hand squeezed Bicycle horn.

I have had 8 second full 4130 full tube chassied Mopar drag cars here for 20+ years, we've driven them around on the streets for years with slicks, 60" wheelie bars, parachutes, half the body panels and doors are fiberglass with Lexan windows, 900+ horse power, 572/604 Cu.in. Aluminum Hemi's, 5" Bullet mufflers and 1 working taillight. I never got a ticket once. The Police chief lives right down on the corner at the end of my street. I have to use the stop sign in front of his own driveway while he is out mowing his lawn. He just smiles and waves.

Done registrations on dirt bikes before straight back from the dealer with a buddies new Honda CRF450 motocrosser and they gave us the street plates and didn't even walk out into the parking lot to see the bike in the back of the truck. After he got it home with his tags and plates. We put a Trailtech banjo fitting brake switch, mini 12 volt glued in battery. A high/low beam handlebar switch. A mini 19.99 dollar taillight from Cycle Gear that he cut off half of and added a Polysport headlight on it. He mounted the plate way up under the rear fender where you can't even see it above the splash guard for the rear shock. One splash through a puddle of mud and it's not even capable of being seen by a cop unless he's carrying a squirt gun or Super soaker in his shot gun rack. We added a Trailtech flywheel weight later and he has been riding it on the street ever since. Getting Insurance is just as easy. Its a joke. I know everybody working at the MVD anyway.

"North50", I haven't been able to find the Megabomb header for the FE 501. Do you have the part number please? What did you have to pay for the FMF F4.1 Titanium slip on pictured above and part number for it too if you have it? Where did you get it?

Bills parts guy "Brian" said he will order and get the S/S FMF set up for me but I haven't talked to him today to see if he has the headpipe, sent them some shopping extras money. I would actually prefer the Stainless system as it's easier to repair with easily sourced mandrel U-bends if I crunch it or it gets damaged in any way. I have a bunch of sizes of mild steel and several S/S mandrel bends already in my shop that I need to use someday. Just no straight lengths of the same tubes sizes needed unless cut off from the U bends themselves. At my age now I would rather just buy it, bolt it and ride it all at once. Start making little trinkets and parts in my shop for it later when I have more time. Spring is here and it rained all today. Will ride my G450X on Saturday. I got 3 days off.

Taking my Buddy KTM shopping Manana. I'm not mentioning at the Husky/KTM dealer that I already made my final deal. They know I'm coming up there but basically he can't come close to "Bills" deal anyway. I'll get to drool a bit myself on accessories and husky gear, if they aren't too rude to us. but I need to get my buddy Richard in there amongst the hardware so he will drool a little and make his move on the 500 XC-W he wants.

I know Husky Powerparts lists a "new" FMF slip on for the FE 501 for like $329.00 as well as the "Akroverpriced" slip on's for like 700.00

 

[North50]

Timmmmmmmy!!

I bought the slip on FMF F4.1 Titanium w/carbon tip slip on from 58Cycle.com. It was the only place I could find the actual Husky part numbered pipe and was the best price at around $390. Everyone said the KTM pipe is the same but after dropping almost 10k on the Husky I insisted I get the pipe that FMF makes for my bike. I spoke to FMF and they said both would work but because the part numbers are different that the pipes are some what different.

http://www.fmfracing.com/Products/BikeAsList/2015_HUSQVARNA_FE501

Originally I didn't plan on getting the header but with a credit from Revzilla I figured what the hell. I bought the Titanium header (part#045577) from Revzilla and had them price match another site I found it cheaper at.

Recently bought these because hey they look cool

Also installed the swing arm covers and for the money ($27) I really like them. The one rubs just a hair on the rear brake master cylinder when the suspension travels.

I bought the integrated brake light turn signal piece from a guy named Paul on Ebay along with the harness and switches on the bars and Zeta hand guards with integrated signals. So I'm way legal and still have the same look as a regular 501. Even have mirrors

 

[Big Timmy]

Thanks North 50 just got back from Tucson dealer and got the FMF PowerCore 4 Husqvarna powerparts slip on that just showed up yesterday for 345.00 in the box so that's cool. It has a removable quiet insert that will get taken out for sure but is nice to have when needed.

Also got the Blue Husky powerparts rear sharkfin and mount with replaceable fin for like $75.00 and a few other little goodies.

I ordered the entire kicker install kit with every clip, retainer, gears, the kicker the gasket and all the other needed parts etc, for $170.00.

Same as what comes on the EXC's and XCW's why they don't add this for the price of the bike I don't know? nice to have the kicker provision whether I ever need it or not.
I'm sure I won't need to install it right away but the stock battery is going dead everyday a bit since day one and the bike will be on a truck for about a week or so . The FE 501 kicker installation kits are back ordered for awhile even from the factory. I wonder why at that price. I thought it was quite reasonably priced for all that comes with it Hell the gasket would probably cost 35 bucks.

I may look into sourcing some side cover guards at least and maybe the new upgraded water pump impeller when I pull it apart to do the kicker. I know someone makes a bulged clutch cover that adds a bit more oil.

I bounced around on the stock FE 501 they had up there and it seemed way too soft for my weight. I was told the stock fork springs are a .44KG spring rate stock. I'm having .48KG installed in mine before it even ships. A rear 6.4 rate spring also. I spoke today to Bill himself and have made it clear that I want to flash the ECU to the Euro map. He said they have been experimenting with the electronic tool to do this but had yet to have anyone ask for more power or have had any reason to actually do this yet. I said to do some more experimenting with it on my bike please because I got the pipe already.

The swingarm covers are made by who? Great price and a good idea.

I will look for the light switch but won't need any turn signal provision, just an on, off, high, low beam. I will scan the Ebay site for the switch tonight. What is the name of the part if you haven't thrown out the wrapper already. Asked Bill for the Trailtech handle bar map switch as well but he didn't have it in stock.

Parts really seem cheap and somewhat plentiful already for this thing coming off my BMW G450X.

I mean complete seats for like 150 bucks.

The stock seat felt fine to me and I could easily touch the ground with both feet in street shoes. It seems a lot lower than my Speedbrain seat on my G450X but the G450 is sprung stiffer also.

 

[Big Timmy]

Thanks, North50. I just ordered the S/S header with Megabomb also from Revzilla. I couldn't find it anywhere else, including the dealers catalog, $382.00 which is 42.00 off retail and earned a 15 dollar credit towards next purchase there too. I noticed it lists it for the 14 and 15 FE 501 Husky but says also before that "FC450" but no year listing. It better fit. The available FMF slip-on's Revzilla had were comparable in price to what I got from the dealer today. $329 plus tax. I'm set. Now just need the bike to show up.

The dealer in Tucson who had gave me a local price a few days back was telling me today that he could have done that good or a better deal but I said he seemed to firm and didn't sound like he wanted to negotiate much over the phone from 135 miles away. Then said he could have done a bit better and so on and so on. Then said he could have done a deal for 200 bucks less. Then when he realized my $250.00 shipping fee was not added but was part of my total quote which I showed him and was the only thing added to the suggested retail price. He was asking who the carrier truck service was as he wanted to use them in the future. Plus I told him Bills is doing my springs for nothing. He also didn't realize I'm not needing to be registering it right away. I'll do that for a few years at a time anyway when I feel like it. No Off highway tags are really required on my street legal plates when I get em. City Tax is even cheaper in my county and city also and no state sales tax upfront.

 

[LandofMotards]

Congrats on the new bike! Can't wait to read the comparison with your GTC449X .

 

[Big Timmy]

OK, LandofMotards,

Here's the dealio.

I've been trying to name my old bike for a few years too. I called it the BMWHUSKYTOOM. You forgot it has a complete 450 XC-W front end on it, Forks, trees, wheel, caliper and lever.
So the short version as you have so far suggested would now be the GTC449XC-W.. Thanks that's easy for us here all to understand and a bit simpler.

With me trying to explain things I've done, the hard part for me is to put it into words. Nothing ever seems simple or easy as I'm too long winded. My Dad was pretty good at it. He taught shop classes to 7th, 8th and 9th graders for 36 years. He has never had any interest in my drag racing days, My psychotic street driven muscle cars, My race car chassis shop, welding or any other hobbies or Dirtbike, or any motorsports interests and of course my Motorcycle forums where I have shared interests with like minded people. You know what I'm saying?

My Dad has never even put a welding helmet on I don't believe, in my shop in 40 years of doing this kind of work to see it actually being done, and I have several welding helmets.



My Dad says I'm obsessed with my cars and bikes. The apple doesn't fall to far from the tree.

Nowadays, he hardly ever understands anything I want to do or what I'm talking about. He re-married a few years back. Even has less interest in my things now.

So I do what I do. He lives about 2 miles or so away. I can ride all but about 800 ft. of that 2 miles if I want, off the pavement and on the dirt on my dirt bikes to go say "HI", right to his driveway.

Some day I won't be able to do that. So I still do what I do.

Sorry for the long Sermon or off topic sidetrack.

 

[North50]

Installed the FMF header.

Need to wait for the silicone to cure for 24 hours then warm the engine oil to change it and filters and install this.

 

[gameover]

Heres my bike.

 

[Big Timmy]

New FE 501 bike has been unloaded off the first semi truck in a truck terminal in Phoenix. Just 230 miles north of my place. I should get a phone call for final delivery details tomorrow.

Won't be sleeping tonight, hardly.

Already got the OK from my Boss to sneak off from work early to the Border Patrol Garage parts warehouse where I'm having it off loaded so I can pick it up when it gets delivered.

Hope it's tomorrow and not the next day. Lots of stops can take place for a truck in 230 miles..

Title is already is in my safe.

Then the fun begins, I will be having lots of stock take off parts.

 

[BILLF]

New FE 501 bike has been unloaded off the first semi truck in a truck terminal in Phoenix. Just 230 miles north of my place. I should get a phone call for final delivery details tomorrow.

Won't be sleeping tonight, hardly.

Already got the OK from my Boss to sneak off from work early to the Border Patrol Garage parts warehouse where I'm having it off loaded so I can pick it up when it gets delivered.

Hope it's tomorrow and not the next day. Lots of stops can take place for a truck in 230 miles..

Title is already is in my safe.

Then the fun begins, I will be having lots of stock take off parts.

Have fun put all your goodies on.

 

[reveille]

Hopefully border patrol doesn't confiscate it for their arsenal...lol. congrats man. Enjoy the moment.

 

[Big Timmy]

Well finally got the new FE501 today. Worked outside the garage on the lift until 15 minutes ago. Got lots of the new parts installed. Pulled the shock to change the rear spring and that's a pain in the ass let me tell you.
With the stock head pipe being one piece Glad that's off of there. FMF Mega Bomb is on front to rear its 3 pieces so the mid pipe makes shock service a bit easier I suppose.

One thing that sucks kind of is I have a brand new X-Trig preload adjuster but can't put it on over the lower end of the shock without having the shock disassembled. My WP Trax shock on my G450X is the same way. So I had to leave the cheesy plastic preload adjuster on there until I get the shock serviced and let them install the X-Trig adjuster while the end of the shock is removed.

I had heard that you can't even get the plastic one off to change them out to quality adjusters made of aluminum rings and its true. They do not fit over the lower end of the shock base. The shock base above the mounting clevis end is larger than the threaded section on the shock body.

Full FMF Pipe on, Pegs, Hammer head shifter +15mm. Hammer head toe pedal for the brake side, rear chain guide Billet brace for the mounting tabs. Case saver for the brake pedal side on the clutch cover, Enduro Engineering Slave cylinder guard, case saver combo, front disc guard, 7602 radiator guards and full frames. Front springs in, Euro map installed. Didn't even try to start it, got to let the high temp silicone dry 24 hours on the exhaust connections, Oh well It'll get ran this week end Got to get a silicone hose kit to bypass the thermostat and refill it with the XF2 coolant, soon as I do the first service . I have the ZipTy fuel filter but I'm still waiting for the Dorman/Oediker type pinch clamp pliers to install it right with the proper type hose clamp. Bought the complete set.

Still got lots of stuff coming and left to go on.

Hope these pics load.

 

[Big Timmy]

Still Got to set the sag but even with the stock seat it isn't near as tall as my SpeedBrain seat on my BMWG450X.

I have 3 seats for the 501 and a Seatconcepts carbon gripper sports foam and cover coming. so which ever seat I dislike the most will get the seat concepts kit installed Just save the old cover and foam and I'll use the seatpan.

Sitting next to my 450, at 8:00 pm and getting unloaded off the back of a semi in a crate at 2:30 PM. What a day.

More pictures to follow in the next few days . Hell I didn't even check my front porch for deliveries today while I was in the back all afternoon.

It's going to be so nice having a 6th gear.

 

[Big Timmy]

Hammer Head pedal tip for the brake side and case guard.
Mega bomb exhaust.

 

[North50]

more pictures

 

[Big Timmy]

Took mine out for a few break in miles this afternoon. About 9 miles total. It had .02 before when I got it. Took it through some of the deep sandy washes and it seems a bit twitchy in the loose 2 track sand from the Border Patrol vehicles and trucks fluffing it up. Snugged down the steering stem nut first after loosening the top fork leg pinch bolts and stem pinch bolt. Before I even left the driveway. I'm so used to the steering damper on my other bikes I came home and just ordered a BRP Rubber mounted Submount with a Scotts stabilizer from Slavins. It needs it here.

The FE 501 for one thing is definitely a friken beast. I have a feeling I'm going to like this a lot.

Unlike my G450 that is on the Power commander 5 and goes quite well. The fact that it has coaxial traction system like the 449/511 Huskys and some what rises in the rear under hard acceleration. You always know when It's going to wheelie.

This New FE 501 Husky pulls so hard that when it hooks. It pulls the front end straight up and down so fast it aint even funny. Easily in 4th gear without even trying. This thing is going to shred some rear tires quickly. This thing fricken comes on hard.

Set the static height on the rear shock spring which I installed myself to about 1 3/8" Inch. I have to see what I get now with me and all my gear on at this setting. I'll drain the oil in the morning and add the S/S filter and some fresh 0w 40 Mobil 1 and time to playing with the clickers a bit to see what if any changes I can get out of these forks.

Engine shifts very nice by the way for a brand new transmission. It'll only get better from here.

 

[Koko]

Here's my '14. I just got it all back together and rode it for the first time since I bought it yesterday. I bought it in February right before we got buried in snow. The previous owner had added a lot of parts, I added a LHRB to go along with the Rekluse he had installed, radiator guards, tall seat, swing arm protector, eline pipe guard. I think that's all I added. Just ordered a rear brake switch. I didn't realize this bike didn't come with one.

 

[reveille]

The rear brake switch is easy to install , I have one from sicass. It works perfect. Enjoy the bike. A rekluse clutch is kinda unnecessary since it has tractor like power but hey what the hell right? ; )

 

[Big Timmy]

Got home early enough today to take the bike down the 3 or 4 miles out on Highway 80 to MVD Dept. To get my Registration plates and off highway sticker. Both stickers are applied right at the counter. they don't even look at the bike at all anymore. Seriously they don't do motorcycle inspections where I live ..Period. Now have the New clear title in my name. put away in my safe.. Kind of liked the cool Husqvarna Title or statement of Origin signed to Bills MC Plus. So had a photocopy of it already to keep. but had to give it up for the new Arizona Title and registrations, $25.00 for the plate and sticker tags + $4.00 more for the Off highway sticker for when I'm up in Forestry land or on BLM land. The US Forestry guys and Fish and Game Dept. likes us to have that too.

The Killer- $599.67 total for the Arizona taxes, new AZ title, Registration, plates and tags. Ouch! still saved money buying out of state though even after shipping which was $250.00. Next year it won't be that much. Tried to pay the tags for 2 years while I was at it, like they let you do on cars and stuff on the ServiceAZ website online. But I was told the Off highway has to be renewed each year anyway.

I have 30 days to show proof of insurance since its registered now. I came home and added the bike to my Progressive policy through USAA and just got liability insurance like I have now on my paid off other 2 bikes too. My other 2 bikes ( 2010 Harley Roadglide bagger and my legal G450X is about $197.00 total a year. Adding the new FE501It cost me a whole $7.00 more for the year ( I was already paid up until Sept.27th). and is only gonna be like $25.50 more on this bike for the entire year. Gotta love those rural area insurance rates.

 

[nep2012]

I'll start out a new thread for posting pictures. Here's mine, picked it up today and sold my 2012 TE310 today. I'm over whelmed right now and trying to take it all in and process it. Guess my riding gear isn't going to match

Interesting post as I am in major decision mode right now. My 2012 Te310 has problems. Needs a top end rebuild and possibly crank problems. Was offered 3000 as is and was thinking about a FE 501. My dealer says for the riding I do the 501 is a better fit. We ride a lot of open roads in the NJ pine barrens. Very little single track. A lot of roads where we blast up to 50-60 mph. The 310 is nimble and to go to a 501 the size of which I never had is a big difference Dealer says the bike is not heavy and actually weighs only a couple pounds more than the 310. Ready to make the switch and am glad I came across this post.