Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
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the smooth powerband just motored the WR right on through. While the WR did comer better than the CR/OR, it was typical Husky: Up on the tank if you want the front end to stick. If the rider didn't, the bike wanted to straigbten up in the turn. No big deal, just a cbaracteristic that had to be learned. All the riders complained about the rear brake lever -pivot which had a tendency to jam the boot. This is a potentially dangerous problem, and if we owned a WR, we would modify it. Our final test was to ride the bike in an enduro. We entered a CRC enduro held at .Rosarita Beach in Baja, Mex.ico. While the enduro wasn't in the class of a National, it did have some rugged sections and many tight turns to test the bike out. The wide ratio gearbox was really appreciated in an extremely tight six mph section, and we passed out 10 riders who were struggling to get through. The smooth clutch action prevented any unwanted engine stalling, which is a bitch on Husqvarnas due to the lack of primary-kick starting. (We hear rumors of 1980 ... please!). The 384cc engine, while a torquer, was fast. A top speed over 80 mph was approached a couple of times until common sense took over. Incidentally, our test rider took fourth overall, first in class, which pleased him to no end. In the meantime, one of our other test riders rode a friend:s brand new stock WR390 after it was broken in. The power on the stocker seemed to be down over Burleson's bike leading us to believe maybe the factory bike did have some internal hop-up work. We checked the pipe very closely and the dimensions appeared to be stock. The stock spark arrestor was even intact. We next tore down the Mikuni and came up with some very interesting differences from stock. Burl••on'. WR390 Effect Stock Main jet: 440 Richer 430 Needle: 6DH4 Leaner 6DH3 (4th from top) Needle jet: R-O Leaner R-2 Richer 45 Pilot jet: 50 2.5 Leaner 2.0 Slide: Air jet: 2.0 Same 2.0 The stock WR390 was way too rich in the midrange and suffered a loss of horsepower. The jetting on Burleson's WR leaned out the midrange. The owner of the stock WR390 installed identical jetting in his bike and was extremely pleased with the results. The bike would pull in the midrange with an abundance of power that was previously lacking. One of the test riders also installed the jetting in his OR390 ('78 model) and reported much better throttle response. Be warned, however, that when rejetting any carb, care must be taken to carefully check to make sure the bike is not too lean. Use these figures as guidelines onlyl . Our only failure during the test was the kick !itarter lever. Tbis bas been a problem since Husky went to a new type lever in 1978. The metal surrounding tbe kick starter shaft can't take the strain and cracks. Supposedly, the black levers are stronger but Burleson's was black. Keep a close eye on yours if you have a late model Husky. One of our testers checked his and found a hairline crack starting. He ground the crack, welded it. overlaid the area with a piece of strap metal and welded the strengthed unit solid. He then ground. the area smooth and has had no further problems. Tight going is where the WR390 really shines. After riding a stock WR390'witb the jetting cbanges, it was apparent that Burleson's bike was indeed stock, just finely tu_ned. That's not to say the engine has never been apart. Burleson tore ,it down before he ever rode it and checked each and every part for proper fit and clearance. The end result is a reliable, smooth machine. It says a lot for Husky that a stock bike can be ridden to the National Championsbip. It helps that Dick Burleson is a super-talented rider, but even he couldn't do it unless the bike were up to tbe task. We were impressed with the WR390, not only as a woods bike, but as a super enduro bike for the desert. The tough desert enduros are not won in the flat out open desert where the extra suspension of the OR/eR would be helpful, but in the tight canyons and rocks where the WR shines! • PACIFIC COAST PORTCYCLES SUZUKI· RM lIN" SERIES 400-250-125-100-80-60-50 Available for YOUR Reservation! Plus, the complete SUZU KI Dirt Line: OS 1: ~: PE ~ OR 370 ,., 71e II-'e , . __ 1- de "Ie ,. ~ " 1979 Suzuki RM 400 'N' -In Stock Now! We serve you completely Genuine SUZUKI part.s - sales - service For YOU, the OFF-roader, we offer Diagnostic Dyno Tuning to Complete Race Bike Prep See the entire Suzuki GS Street Line too! PACIFIC COAST SPORTCYCLES 1820 WEST PACIFIC COAST HWY. LOMITA, CA 90717 (213) 326-3810 Store hours: 9:30 am - 9:00 pm Mon.-Fri. 9:30 am - 5 pm Sat. 35