Husqvarana For 1981
HUSQVARANA FOR 1981
An All-New Engine And 40mm Forks Put Husky Back In The Hunt
Biggest news from Husqvarna for 1981 centers around an all-new open class engine. An 86mm bore and 74mm stroke combine to produce 430cc, but the powerplant is more than a bored and stroked 390. It's new from the magnesium cases to the top of the head. And primary kick starting is finally standard. A forged aluminum piston with single ring rides atop a con rod that sports a silver-plated big end bearing. Center crank wheels are heavier than past Husqvarna engines in an attempt at making the engine run smoother. Carburetion is via a 38mm Mikuni that feeds an intake mounted six-petal reed. The six-speed transmission has new gears, shafts, primary ratios, shift drum and shift linkage. This engine is available in the CR motocrosser, WR enduro and XC cross country. Porting and carburetion are the same for all 430 models. Ignitions and pipes vary according to the model. An internal rotor Motoplat CDI is used on the CR; the WR and XC feature a 116W SEM CDI with external flywheel.
The OR model designation has been dropped for '81. The XC', standing for XCountry, takes its plaee. The new XC is based a little closer to the motocrosser than the OR was.
Husqvarna forks have had good hydraulics for quite some time. What they didn't have was a large enough stanchion tube size. That's been changed for '81. At least on the models that're designed to be used the hardest; the CRs. and XCs. These models have brand new Husqvarna made forks with 40mm stanchion tubes, l l .8 in. of travel, and four-bolt axle pinch clamps.
Suspension at the rear is nicely controlled by piggyback reservoir Ohlin shocks. Shock valving and placement are modified for better performance. The swing arm is still chrome-molv steel.
The 430 WR, CR and XC also get a new magnesium rear hub for '8 l. The new hub boasts 8-gauge spokes, all the same length. Too bad the 250 didn't get them also.
Many small annoyances have finally been corrected on the new Huskys; the brake lining is a new compound that's supposed to be less prone to water fade, the
airbox is finally equipped with a water drain, the rear backing plate has a wider' bushing to prevent rapid wear, shift levers have folding tip on all models, the gas cap has a vent hose, side number plates are an integral part of the motorcycle, the front number plate has an arm to prevent brake cable snag, the CRs have Pirelli MT 25 Pentacross tires, and the control cables are4 Teflon lined.
Gas tanks on most models are new. The hump-back style tanks are made from aluminum and considerably shorter than the ones they replace. Capacity of the CR has increased to 2.7 gal., while the WR and XC tank decrease slightly to 2.9 gal.
The seat is also new for '81. It has a flat top and overall length has increased to fill the void made by the shorter tank.
Husky has added another model to the automatic lineup. Two models with fully automatic four-speed transmissions are available. The 420AE is designed for enduros and has all of the standard enduro equipment. The AXC is designed for cross country use. It has longer travel suspension and no lights.
