Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/125636
11 YUBa s cc machine that first appeared in America two years ago, the new 400cc Cross should be another big sales success for the Swedish firm. Husqvarna motorcycles are produced ill the Swedish tOWII of that name at a large, modem, superclean factory. Years ago the firm was only produciuj; works machines for its factory riders to compete on in world champiouships. Then Mr. Edison Dye of Med-International in La Mesa, California convinced the factory to produce some machines for sale to the American public. The early uHuslQes· had a rather short motocross frame made primarily for never-sit-doWII GP racing. It was designed for high speeds over very rough terrain. The latest machines have a completely re-designed frame to cope with the demands of the sky-rocketing motocross in America. The latest models now have a.longer (54 in.) frame, beefed transmissions, and more horsepower. The factory actually tried to bore the 360 barrel to 42OCc. But the metal1eft to the barrel was not enough to sbape the proper exbaust and intake port contours. It was f1nalIy decided to make a 405cc machIne. With better sbaped ports, the 400 (405cc) production bike now bas almost 5 more pontes at the top of the rev scale tban last years works 420's. Although the Husqvarna firm bas not advertised it, the Huskys bave also a seven-port design in the barrel. Gunnar Lindstrom, bead of research at the factory, mentioned, "I dido't realtze how much empbasts the Americans place on 5-porttng or 7-porting. We've bad it all along but dido't think much of mentioning It". With the added power in the 400, Husky bas beefed the transmission with a larger Husqvarna 400cc Cross Test ay BUl Pettigrew malnsbaft and taper. The countersbaft approximately 6-3/4 tnches. '!beseforks sprocket is mounted directly on the are stul short of dampenlng and loDgetaper, without the use of a spllne or key. vity and are the only comparatively Without the spllned countersbaft It is "weait potot" on the bike. When asked what can one do to f1X them. the answer now much easier to change sprockets, with the ald of a special pulllng tool. was. "throw them away'" Puller and sprockets rangi~ from 11 to Front fork angle is changed, the engine 17 teeth are provided with each new mounts bave been cbangedfromprev1ous machine. models. There are now two downtubes The head has been completely redesigned for the 405 to dissipate the extra heat generated by the bigger banger. The piston now wears two tbtn chrome rings. Bore is 81.5 mmandstroke 76mm. The 400 Cross retalns the fam1llar floating rear brake. It bas a soUd steel strut runntng from the brake drum to the swlngtng arm as to other competition macbtnes. 'Ibis allows the brake to function even as the sw1ngtng arm is moving over rough ground, without affecting the suspension. A larger spiDdle with sealed bearings and a grease ntpple on the rear brake cam improve the rear wheel. There are now three dUferent sizes of spokes on the rear wheel and it takes a wheel gentus to re-spoke a rim. In a test on tbts same bike by montbly pUbUcation. it was noted that the new models were blessed wtb new 8 inch travel front forks. Not so. The travel is sprouting from the malo downtube to cradle the engine, and the pivoting point for the swingtngarm has been altered. Wheelbase is now 0.7 inches longer. The bike's bandllng cbaractertsttcs are much better. With JUSt the sllght change in wheelbase, fork angle and pivot point of the swlnglngarm, the bike bas suddenly become a much more stable motorcycle, and a better motocross bike altogether. Handt1~ Is stul precise, but not as touchy as the 360 of yesteryear • Increased low-rpm torque provides a smooth power band on the 400, wbtch is a real blessing to the motocross racer. A rider can brtng the revs down really low in a tight corner, then slowly turn the throttle back on without any worry of bitttng a funny torque curve and baving the macbtne suddenly leap out from under btm. Power is smooth from very low to a.btgb of 9000 rpm. The front wheel can be llfted at almost any time, thanks to the increased displacement. A small wire in the electrics bas been vibrating loose on mlUlY of the 400's, but bas already been corrected in models now being sent to the U.S. The expansion chamber on the 400 is sometbing tbat must be seen to be beUeved. '!be beader pipe is absolutely gtgantic. 'Ibis is to cope with the 405cc displacement. The stockchamberd1ffers from the special works jobs rUll by the factory boys on the European circuits in baving a shorter header and a chopped stinger. The longer stinger gives a be~ ter top-end speed while the shorter one deUvers better low-end torque. Many motocross riders in the states cut off a sec1ion of their old 360's stinger and wt1l probably be doing the same with the 400, although It isn't really necessary. A 2.5 gallon tank comes standard on the 400 with a 4.2 gallon modelavallable for the desert. There is a large protruding bolt between the seat and the tank that holds the back of the tank onto the frame member. It can be a palntuJ experience to land on It coming off a jump or bitting a bad rut. A piece of foam rubber taped over the bolt seems to solve the problem. Ftntsh on the 400 isalmostcompletely flawless. WeldJng, paint, and chrome bave all been appUed with the well known Swedish qualt ty. The 400 is not a trall bike; It wasn't intended to be. It is a full-fledged, 100% SUPer-powerful competition bJke. U you think you can band1e it, try one for siZe. You wt1l not be disappototed. .... .... ~ a... ~ lz:l ~ lz:l ~ >-, U SIIecifications: Husqvarna 400 CrtSs SuspenSion, flOllt: telescopic fork Suspension, rear:' swlnpne arm Type eneine: two-stroke slncle cylioder Bore'" Stroke: 81.5x76 mm Plstoo displacement: 405cc Carburetlon: 32mm Rlne Ignition: !1ywheel magneto Claimed bhp: approx. 40 at 900 rpm Fuel capacity: 2.5 eatlon Clutcb: multi-disc, wet plate Primary drive: eear Final drive: smgle row cbam Gear ratios: lst-18.201XI 2nd-12.30XI 3rd-9.70XI 4th-7.70XI Wbeelbase: 54 mebes Seat belcht: 32 mebes Footpec beicht: 12.5 Inches Ground clearance: 1~ toebes Weicht: 219 Ibs. dry List price: $1249. ************~******************************************* i ,0+ i # : I ENSENADA TOUR I ~~~1 ,\a~'-~'\\\\~~\\(.~~, \\\\'~~~1 ~~\~ ai.\'- ~~t ~ '+-\\" i . ~~~~ .. : '* '* '* '* '* ,0+ ,0+ . ,0+ # '* ,0+ ,0+ * '''* * ,0+ '* ,0+ & : H SUNDAY NOVEIBER 1st & 2nd Sign in sat. Nlv. 1st, 8:00 a,m. to 11:00 a,m. at Ibe (LAST CHANCE MEXICAN AUTO INSURANCE OFFICEl, 59B-E. SaIl Ysidro Blv"', s.. Ysidro, talif. (Int.state 5> Mail Entry: $2.50 Mail Dealile Oetob. 241b Plst Entry: $3.50 Mail Entry TI: TERRAPINS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, 4010 Thn St., S. Diego, Calif. 92105 ,0+ : FSOUAR"U RANDNAUAyL ! t £ ENTIY BLANI 4'" ANNUAL EL TOUI GIANDE Of fNSfNADA (ENSfNADA TOUR) 1 bereby agree to abide by tbe rules o[ tbe tour and to obey tbe laws o[ Mexico wbile 1 am in ber boundaries. And 1 [urtber agree to bold blameless tbe sponsors, owners, promoters, lessees and tenants o[ tbe premises [or any loss or injury to myself or my property in wbicb 1 may become involved by reason o[ my voluntary participation in tbis ~~& NEe Age_Address City State Zip Code Mllor Make Year License No. Cubic In. cc Clu" Aft. Have you read this entry blank? yes no CAUnON: Paren1 must co-sign if rid. is un':er 21 years of age. Parent Signature Entry Signature For 2-day Mexican Insurance, enclose the amount below plus entry fee. If cycle book value up to $1,000.00 $1,500.00 $2,000.00 $2,500.00 Enclose this amount, $3.25 $3.70 $4.10 $4.50 Insurance by: LAST CHANCE MEXICAN AUTO INSURANCE 698-E. San Ysidro Blvd. San Ysidro, California Information: (714) Tour 281-2150, Insurance 428-2117, Motel 239-2368 For Motel write ALL POINTS TRAVEL AGENCY, 947 8th Ave., San Diego, California 92101 We'll meet you at the sign in with your Insurance and Information to make the trip a pleasant one. t i £ .... .... * * .... ~ ~ it ~ ~ '* .... t it* * * it* * .... '********************************************************