When you wash, crash or race it

All items are generally accepted for all Husaberg models.

When you wash it

Don't wash

Wheelbearings directly or lower rear shock-impossible I know! Seal off these. Bag over airfilter, block tailpipe, remove seat, and tank to clean well.

Intake cover

Afterwards

If you didn't seal the intake, pull air filter off and clean out water at the bottom of the 'sock'. Start immediately. Air jet chain and use chain spray.

Fuel lines

With either Dell Orto or Keihin: If tank off-block the fuel pipe ends!

Stator cover

Remove after each wash if none of the mods in It'll break if you don't... were done.

When you crash it

General

They scratch up fairly easily but they look OK for it. Change to forged apico levers, handguards help. '02 is the last year with the small spindles so forks always twist when you fall. Seat subframe is part of frame but doesn’t seem to suffer for it. Headlamp shroud snaps on the mounting pins far too easily. All plastics can be considered cheap. R/H metal strip that supports tail unit is weak and breaks. The waterpump is susceptible to flying stones-buy a guard.

When you race it

Tuning details are in Tuning a Husaberg - Engine, Carburation and Peripherals. Also checkout Front suspension, Rear suspension and Handling whilst reliability is covered throughout the Doc.

Compression rings

Replace very two seasons. Must strip engine for this unfortunately...

Riding position

I'm 5' 10" and 200lbs. the bars are best 'near' and on 1-1.5" tall spacers for which the KTM bar clamps are ideal. Chop 1" off each end of the bars for better tight woods. the taller the seat-the narrower the tank! with the tall seat, high bar combo: the leg can stay by the tank.

Fuel consumption

9 litre tank = 2 Imperial gallons = 2+ USA gallons. Good for 3 hours on 14/51 gearing and Keihin jetting done. Less 15-30 minutes for Dell Orto.

Bars twist very easily

Over tighten spindle screws. Sorry but you have to. OK for '03+.

Narrow fuel tank

This has been known as the husey's achilles heel for many years and neither the factory nor the after sales people have done anything about it. Along with the raised bars and the tall seat though you can try to narrow the tank using a heat gun. First, stick the tank on the exhaust of the car for 10 minutes (with the taps open) then lay the tank on it's inner face and use a heat gun. Press the flank down with a broad piece of wood, clamp down and then heat.... the tank will fold in slightly, and capacity will drop to 8 litres (from 9). It makes a nice difference and saves £$£$£$£$£.

KTM triple clamps

Improve handling at crawl speed. Rolls Royce type ride down those bumpy straights!

Fit is easy but need to make a 3mm spacer; 29.5mm i.d (50mm o/d). KTM cup; L45410 is same as L44610. Bearing code is; L45449. Use/order KTM seals. Forks have been dropped through by 15mm. Fitment and feel.

Dell Orto - choke

Move to left of cylinder head. Start, rev, go, turn choke off with left hand whilst moving. Worth it.

Air filter

Dust is a major problem. In a 2 + 2 change at lunchtime on a dusty day. Engine makes a "hunting" noise when filter is full.

Mud

Where does it collect? Terrible around front sprocket and around rear shock. no clever answers.

Mousses

are the way to go, a bitch to fit but should last two amatuer seasons. No air pressure and no punctures either. You get more grip and more wear but worth it to the 'up-and-coming'.

Sump guard

The designs are all poor. How much mud do you want to take home?