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

1980 WR 390 Rescue...

Discussion in 'Vintage Restoration Projects' started by SnoDrtRider, Dec 17, 2016.

  1. SnoDrtRider Husqvarna
    A Class

    Location:
    South Jersey, USA
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1980 WR 390
    Other Motorcycles:
    2013 BMW F 800 GS,1974 Yamaha TY 250
    My first Husky!

    Purchased this 1980 WR 390 off of a Facebook page ad. I saw here and knew I had to save her from possibly being parted out.
    She had been in a garage fire and all the plastics were melted as well as the cable sheaths, etc. The rims were scorched black and the tank singed and blistered.

    First night home...

    [IMG]

    [IMG]

    She was so greasy and dirty that she would slide right off the stand so I sprayed her down with gunk degreaser and let her soak for an hour...

    [IMG]

    [IMG]

    Some Specialty Reducer and elbow grease and the rims cleaned up rather well...

    The rear after cleaning.

    [IMG]

    The front before cleaning... The rear was worse than this!

    [IMG]

    Before even trying to start her a good carb cleaning was in order...
    The carb broken down before going into my ultrasonic cleaner.

    [IMG]

    I checked for spark and reinstalled the carb...

    After working up a sweat kicking and pulling the plug several times and finding no fuel on the plug I sat down for a drink...
    I pulled the carb off and stuck my fingers into the intake to be sure the reeds were intact and not stuck. I pulled the reed block and made sure the reeds worked. I put the carb back on and kicked some more... still no fuel to the plug!
    I had another cocktail and thought some more....
    Then it hit me! The exhaust could be clogged and since nothing can get out of the exhaust then nothing can get in through the intake!

    Pulled the pipe expecting a mouse nest or something like that...
    What I found was the bottom bend of the exhaust was filled with fuel...

    [IMG]

    While I had the pipe off I figured the base of the engine also was loaded with fuel so I turned the bike upside down in the dirt... Another pint or so came out while turning the engine with the plug out. Note the dark spot under the bike...

    [IMG]


    I tried to embed a video but no luck... I'll work on that!
    Anyway she runs, she shifts and rides... I have played around with her for a few weeks now and once I get the parts I ordered and fit them up (plastics, etc) I will be tearing her down to have the frame powder coated then build her back up... More to follow.
  2. ruwfo Administrator

    Location:
    NJ
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1980 390CR, 1982 430CR, 1984 400WR
    Other Motorcycles:
    1985 250XC, 2016 FJ-09
    Even though it was in a fire, it still looks in better shape then mine when i got it, lol.

    It's Going to be a great bike, you'll love it

    Attached Files:

  3. Skoalman Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    maryland
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    82 & 83 HUS 430WR
    Other Motorcycles:
    Maico, Penton, KTM, DKW, Rokon, BUL
    Now, that's some Husky love right there. Good job SDR!
  4. visiteur1948 Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    france Europe
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    husqvarna only
  5. SnoDrtRider Husqvarna
    A Class

    Location:
    South Jersey, USA
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1980 WR 390
    Other Motorcycles:
    2013 BMW F 800 GS,1974 Yamaha TY 250
    I have a question... I know the headlamp shell, fork sliders and triple clamps are supposed to be black... are they gloss black or a satin/matte finish or all different from each other?
  6. SnoDrtRider Husqvarna
    A Class

    Location:
    South Jersey, USA
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1980 WR 390
    Other Motorcycles:
    2013 BMW F 800 GS,1974 Yamaha TY 250
    Let's try that video again...

    454x and troy deck like this.
  7. SnoDrtRider Husqvarna
    A Class

    Location:
    South Jersey, USA
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1980 WR 390
    Other Motorcycles:
    2013 BMW F 800 GS,1974 Yamaha TY 250
    A riding video...
  8. suprize Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Bendigo, Australia
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    WR 400, bike in a box Moto Villa 350
    Other Motorcycles:
    ktm 300
    great work, the needle and seat always leaks and fills the crank with pooh. always turn the tap off. if it doesn't fire in 3 or 4 kicks choke no throttle, go to no choke and full throttle...when it fires it will shoot all that unburnt pooh out the exhaust..be warned beware as to what its pointing at:D
  9. Eurofreak Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Western NY
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1986 TE 510, 1982 CR250, 2008 WR250
    Other Motorcycles:
    70's Triumph , Bultaco , Maico, etc
    Nice find! Doesn't look as burnt as you would expect after the plastic melted.
  10. everfree Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Bend, Oregon
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    86 430AE (2), 88 430AE, 87 430WR (2)
    Other Motorcycles:
    87 250 XC, 87 430 CR, '17 GG 300
    Great! Another 390 saved. The tank looks to be dent less?
    A good time to pull it all apart.
  11. everfree Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Bend, Oregon
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    86 430AE (2), 88 430AE, 87 430WR (2)
    Other Motorcycles:
    87 250 XC, 87 430 CR, '17 GG 300
    I've seen a scan of the original color brochure for the 390 posted on here. Might be worth searching for.
    SnoDrtRider likes this.
  12. suprize Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Bendigo, Australia
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    WR 400, bike in a box Moto Villa 350
    Other Motorcycles:
    ktm 300
    visiteur will have one, look in the tansformed thread....
    everfree likes this.
  13. SnoDrtRider Husqvarna
    A Class

    Location:
    South Jersey, USA
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1980 WR 390
    Other Motorcycles:
    2013 BMW F 800 GS,1974 Yamaha TY 250

    Yes! Tank is practically dent free I did notice a tiny crease/line type dent the other day when the light hit the tank just right.
    everfree likes this.
  14. SnoDrtRider Husqvarna
    A Class

    Location:
    South Jersey, USA
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1980 WR 390
    Other Motorcycles:
    2013 BMW F 800 GS,1974 Yamaha TY 250
    Got my parts (finally) on Monday... Hopefully I get time to fit them up over the Christmas weekend. Today I received another delivery...[IMG]
  15. Eric The Leg Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Currently Tacoma, WA
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1986 WR400, 1985 WRX400, 1979 WR250
    Other Motorcycles:
    83 Kawasaki KZ 440
    Looks like a great start!
  16. SnoDrtRider Husqvarna
    A Class

    Location:
    South Jersey, USA
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1980 WR 390
    Other Motorcycles:
    2013 BMW F 800 GS,1974 Yamaha TY 250
    Finally had some time to install the parts that came last week...
    A little Christmas Eve love for the old gal....

    I feel as if I should have been drinking Aquavit instead of Guinness while fitting up the plastics!
    I need to make the rubber spacers for the front fender yet but she is looking good!

    The seat cover was an old T shirt...

    [IMG]

    [IMG]

    [IMG]

    [IMG]

    [IMG]

    [IMG]

    [IMG]

    [IMG]

    [IMG]

    [IMG]
  17. 84scrambler Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    mid Florida
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    87 xc 250, 85 wrx 250, 79 wr 250
    I like the tank as is, has a story to tell.
    DaveM and SnoDrtRider like this.
  18. Eurofreak Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Western NY
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1986 TE 510, 1982 CR250, 2008 WR250
    Other Motorcycles:
    70's Triumph , Bultaco , Maico, etc
    Looking much better. +1 on the tank
  19. jimspac Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Connecticut
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    82 250WR, 82 430WR, 84 250WR, 85 400
    Other Motorcycles:
    86 400WR, 82 Montesa Cota 349
    I have used Rustoleum semi gloss engine paint on engines and triple clamps. It will likely work on the fork legs as well. I have not tried that yet.
    SnoDrtRider likes this.
  20. oldbikedude Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Honey Brook Pa.
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1988 wr 430 with cr suspension
    Other Motorcycles:
    66flh,67 CA77,76 CR125M,73H1,74ty250
    The bike sounds great.