Husqvarna For 1978

Husqvarna for 1978

Husqvarna is here to stay.

That's news? Hasn't the Swedish company with all the world titles been in the U.S. for years, racing and winning and selling?

Yes, and so have many European motorcycle makers. Some of them have gone away and for 1978, others are in a state of confusion, with cutbacks in models and staff. The big manufacturers are getting better and better, so it's become hard to sell an expensive limited production bike unless there's no doubt the buyer gets something extra for the money.

Husqvarna is providing that extra something. The 1978 line is just about all new and the designers have incorporated a long list of changes and suggestions made by Americans familiar with our racing and riding.

Major signs of this is the OR line. The OR is a high-speed cross-country racer, in 250 or 390cc forms. It has the powerful motocross engine tuning, used with an 86dbA exhaust system that makes it legal for public land riding. Gearbox ratios are wide in the lower gears, for tight work, and close ratio in the top three, for speed and efficiency in the open. The ORs have production Curnutt shocks, of a length picked so the back of the bike sits a bit lower and gives a steering head angle of 31.5 deg., best for stability at top speed. (For quicker steering in cramped quarters, the CR motocross models have longer shocks and 29-deg. rake.)

The 390-OR has the 17-in. rear wheel also used on the CR, with a nice fat Trelleborg tire to match. And all the 1978 Huskys have the steering head revised for the tapered Timken bearings which the factory says will make loose steering a thing of the past.

Husqvarna’s excellent automatic transmission will be fitted to the 390 now. There will be an automatic 250 for motocross and trail riding later in the year.

• And all the toot-shift Huskys get the odd-but-effective kick start lever.