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/126510
IJn~ression: 1981 Hus~vArnA 430 'CR Ridinc the Iron Man' By Tom MueUer Modern technology is improving many products, and motorcycles are no exception to the rule. In years past what factory riders had the year before is basically what came off the production line as the current model--until 1981. Factory bikes t~s year will be. s~milar to what pnvateers are !"1dmg,. and so~e facto.ry backed n~ers ':"Ill be 0 • - 2 usmg modified pr';lductlon bikes to take on the MX Nationals. Gary ~ustelak: or the Iron Man as he calls h~mself, IS one of those: factory backed nd~. He recently ID!ted .a cont~aet to.nde for Husq:varn~ m this year s Nauonal ChamptOnshlp MX Series in the Open class and will be using a modified production 430 CR. AU modificati~ are available to any J?!:.ivateer. a aU work. Pustdak's tuner ~ t>".ve er ~ Set up an' of out" th-: crate no just bdo~e the Florida Wmter-AMA. MX Series and Gary ~i~~~d up takmg home the Open class During the course of the series we spent a day with Pustdak and Bender and had a chance to put some time on his series winning Husky. We found out what Husky offers the big bore rider in '81. and what can be done to make it better. Bender hdped us learn what it takes to keep the bike running with a zero DNF record. • What. new The 1981 430 features primary kick A 420 kit was offered for 'Auuy d§(T big bo~ faSt yeaCaiiif instaniJ~. '81 the stroke was lengthened to create the 430cc top end. A shorter shifting linkage gives the gearbox a more Japanese feel. A new exhaust system broadens the powerband and makes it more useable. Fork tubes have been enlarged from 35 to 40 millimeters for a stronger front end with 1l.8 inches of travel. Shocks are again state of the art Ohlins, this year with piggyback reservoirs instead of remote units. The shocks have different damping and are more progressive, and mount on the side of the swingarm in '81 instead of orr top. Travel remains at 12.2 inches but seat height is lower. The seat is longer and the tank is redesigned for greater fuel capacity and to let the rider get more body weight forward on the bike. The aluminum tank is durable and doesn't scratch. A die cast straight rear hub is used as opposed to last year's conical unit. S~kes _o,n. !~~"'-~o_n!if' _:ah~~ - ~~d': _~~ cal different engtll~ -an h a a ten ency- to break on the shorter, or weak side. The hub is also wider for greater braking and waterproofing traits. Out of the crate Engine work on Pustelak's bike is done by RPM. The cylinder has smoothed and matched ports with no radical changes. A Mossberger reed is added to let more gas flow into the cylinder. The bottom end gets RPM's turbo torque balanced crank treatment. Ridges are cut in the flywheel weights in a pattern like a tractor tire. The crank throws gas up through the ports into the cylinder and makes for a quicker and better mixed gas flow. Shocks are left stock, set on the softest setting with 160 p.s.i. of pressure. Fork oil is changed from stock 15 weight to 20 weight with 450cc's in each leg, the standard amount. Bender riveted a plastic plate around the air box where the carb connec~ .1 make ,it.!$lmo:rturdy~n to .Jlli . 1~1 ','( lit 1 air ana water tigHt. I J'S°a 0