1. Husqvarna Motorcycles Made In Sweden - About 1988 and older

1972 360 Works Husky

Discussion in 'Vintage/Left Kickers' started by Crashaholic, Jun 1, 2017.

  1. Crashaholic Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Antelope Valley, CA.
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    73 450WR 6spd motor in a 75 MK frame
    Found this 72 360 Works bike on LeFevres Vintage Husky website. Its an example of the bike that was raced in the 1972 FIM Motocross World Championship in which factory Husky riders Bengt Aberg, Heikki Mikkola, Gerrit Wolsink, and other factory Husky riders competed. As some of you may know this prototype set the stage for the bike that would win the 74 500cc MXGP and ultimately become the 360GP sold by HVA in 1975.

    John LeFevre built this bike from a titanium frame he purchased at an auction and it so happens the frame belonged to pro GPMX'er Gerrit Wolsink. The clutch and ignition covers are from a 125 just like the original works bikes. The 360 top end appears huge against the small cases. John said his bike probably weighs in around 198lbs. John referred to Terry Pratts book Grand Prix Motocross for authenticity.

    There are some differences in Johns bike such as the radial head and larger exhaust stinger but it certainly captures the feel of 1972.


    resto54_2.jpg



    resto54_4 C.jpg


    resto54_7.jpg

    Mikkola on his 72 360.
    Heikki Mikkola 1972 500cc MXGP on 360 Husky.jpg
    GaryM and Brad-in-STL like this.
  2. chamber66 Husqvarna
    B Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    WR250 1972
    Other Motorcycles:
    RM370, Curtis Honda, Maico 400
  3. suprize Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Bendigo, Australia
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    WR 400, bike in a box Moto Villa 350
    Other Motorcycles:
    ktm 300
    judging by the look on the masters face ...he has overcooked that jump:eek:
    dave400 and Crashaholic like this.
  4. Vinskord Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    400 CR
    If this is labeled correctly - a picture from 1972 Sabadell - Tarrasa, Spain showing the 'Bolt-Together' frame and radial head. Maybe HVA was experimenting with radial heads rather early. Think I can make out Aberg on the side of the leathers.

    72 Sabadell - Tarrasa, Spain.jpg
  5. auto Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    NJ,USA
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    too many
    here's the poor mans version. 72husky 001.JPG
  6. Crashaholic Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Antelope Valley, CA.
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    73 450WR 6spd motor in a 75 MK frame
    auto I like your bike. That gear box is so much lighter than the giant 5 speed motor that came in the MK frame. You mentioned to me once that the engine you put together for this bike is 380cc. According to the info in Pratt's book the 72 works bike is a 360. What makes up the 20cc difference, is it just the difference between a 400 and 360 piston or is the difference in the stroke?
  7. auto Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    NJ,USA
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    too many
    Yes I'm using a longer stroke.
    GaryM likes this.
  8. jimspac Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Connecticut
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    82 250WR, 82 430WR, 84 250WR, 85 400
    Other Motorcycles:
    86 400WR, 82 Montesa Cota 349
    By any chance a 390 crank with 4mm stroke with 360 bore?
    auto likes this.
  9. Crashaholic Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Antelope Valley, CA.
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    73 450WR 6spd motor in a 75 MK frame
    :thumbsup:
    jimspac, I bet your right. A 390 stroke with a first over 360 piston nets 379cc.