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

1986 WR 400 suspension plan

Discussion in 'Vintage/Left Kickers' started by Ventabular, Mar 31, 2022.

  1. Ventabular Husqvarna
    B Class

    Location:
    Beavercreek Oregon
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    86' WR 400
    Other Motorcycles:
    18' KTM250TPI, 14' YZ250, 03' KTM200
    IMG_20220413_133104592ktmforks.jpg IMG_20220413_132948792huskyster.jpg IMG_20220413_132933262huskysuz.jpg IMG_20220413_133046668huskyframe.jpg After going through my forks, I decided not use them. The damper rods are damaged by
    the P.O.s' shortening attempt, by leaving a spring, and a shim just slopping around. They left a serious divot. I would think that they would be secured at the upper end.
    I have a complete front end from a 98' Suzuki RM 125 ready to go. Same bearings, same headstock length.
    After doing all the usual mods to a set of 03' WP KTM forks for my KTM 200. Stock they truly sucked. I improved them a lot but they still were not that good.
    So I rebuilt the RM Suzuki forks, but left the shimming stock. They upped my speed because because they lessened the fear factor. I can hit shit now that I could never before think about. The deflection is gone and the wheel follows the ground amazingly well across the smaller square stuff. The 96' to 98' 49mm dual chambers have a bit of a cult following. They are that good., IMO as good as the SSS forks on my 14' YZ 250. I want to use them on the Husky, rather than chase parts, and they are paid for! My question: Can I lengthen the rear 16.5" WR Ohlin's to match?
  2. 2premo Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Northern NV
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    98 WR360, 1987 WR430, 1988 XC430
    Other Motorcycles:
    Sherco 300, 2002 KTM 380EXC
    a lot of the early Ohlins used a spacer to make the longer shock shorter travel
    so maybe?
    Ventabular likes this.
  3. ruwfo Administrator

    Location:
    NJ
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1980 390CR, 1982 430CR, 1984 400WR
    Other Motorcycles:
    1985 250XC, 2016 FJ-09
    The Later model XC & CR shocks can be found in 17.5" c-c, i'd think you should be able to just swap out the shafts.

    Talk to Drew Smith @ Works Enduro rider https://www.werproducts.net/
    steadydirt and Ventabular like this.
  4. Picklito Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Washington
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    430, 430, 430, ,400, 175
    Other Motorcycles:
    KTM250xc, KTM500mx, KTM440exc
    I'm a little bit confused: 86 400WR would be single shock?
    Ventabular likes this.
  5. Ventabular Husqvarna
    B Class

    Location:
    Beavercreek Oregon
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    86' WR 400
    Other Motorcycles:
    18' KTM250TPI, 14' YZ250, 03' KTM200
    Thanks, That's good info.
  6. Ventabular Husqvarna
    B Class

    Location:
    Beavercreek Oregon
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    86' WR 400
    Other Motorcycles:
    18' KTM250TPI, 14' YZ250, 03' KTM200
    Is a single shock! Sorry about the extra plural.
  7. Picklito Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Washington
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    430, 430, 430, ,400, 175
    Other Motorcycles:
    KTM250xc, KTM500mx, KTM440exc
    No worries, just clarifying.
    What about shortening the forks instead?
  8. Ventabular Husqvarna
    B Class

    Location:
    Beavercreek Oregon
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    86' WR 400
    Other Motorcycles:
    18' KTM250TPI, 14' YZ250, 03' KTM200
    I have found an 85' CR single shock swingarm on EBAY with a chain guide that resmbles
    modern bikes. It looks stock. Also includes a brake stay.
    I also found an 86' CR 400 linkage for a reasonable price.
    What I need to know is, what else is needed besides a backing plate?
    Secondly, is this modification worthwhile?
    This all started with the idea of welding a modern chain guide to what I have.
  9. 2premo Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Northern NV
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    98 WR360, 1987 WR430, 1988 XC430
    Other Motorcycles:
    Sherco 300, 2002 KTM 380EXC

    they use a different hub entirely, brake width is different and the floating backing plate contact point is different
    Ventabular likes this.
  10. 2premo Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Northern NV
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    98 WR360, 1987 WR430, 1988 XC430
    Other Motorcycles:
    Sherco 300, 2002 KTM 380EXC

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/353316030685?hash=item524346c8dd:g:esEAAOSwbYZXT5f3

    is this the one you are calling an 85 CR swingarm?
    Ventabular likes this.
  11. Ventabular Husqvarna
    B Class

    Location:
    Beavercreek Oregon
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    86' WR 400
    Other Motorcycles:
    18' KTM250TPI, 14' YZ250, 03' KTM200
  12. Ventabular Husqvarna
    B Class

    Location:
    Beavercreek Oregon
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    86' WR 400
    Other Motorcycles:
    18' KTM250TPI, 14' YZ250, 03' KTM200
    ....or practice my high-kicks instead, LOL.
  13. Ventabular Husqvarna
    B Class

    Location:
    Beavercreek Oregon
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    86' WR 400
    Other Motorcycles:
    18' KTM250TPI, 14' YZ250, 03' KTM200
    No problem, if I decide to go that route.
    Picklito likes this.
  14. Ventabular Husqvarna
    B Class

    Location:
    Beavercreek Oregon
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    86' WR 400
    Other Motorcycles:
    18' KTM250TPI, 14' YZ250, 03' KTM200
    I can forgo the floating brake. What about using the CR linkage?
    Do I then need them CR swingarm?
  15. 2premo Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Northern NV
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    98 WR360, 1987 WR430, 1988 XC430
    Other Motorcycles:
    Sherco 300, 2002 KTM 380EXC
    the CR swingarm and brake link are not connected like the one on fleabay
    it is a parallel link attached to the frame and the backing plate so it floats with the frame
  16. Ventabular Husqvarna
    B Class

    Location:
    Beavercreek Oregon
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    86' WR 400
    Other Motorcycles:
    18' KTM250TPI, 14' YZ250, 03' KTM200
    I should say for the record what I did with the front end. In the opening post I put a picture
    With KTM 50mm triples. They bolted right in with the KTM bearings. I am ready to install Suzuki forks.
    KTM offset is very close to original Husky. I also have a set of 49mm Suzuki triples that I could easily use with different bearings and races. Suzuki offset is about 3mm greater.
    So if somebody comes along a few years from now wanting to swap forks, KTM bolts on to old Husky.
    Same with USD forks.
  17. steadydirt Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Ontario
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2007 2002 wr 250 1994 wxe 250
    Other Motorcycles:
    fj 1100 cb500 cb350 rt 200 xs 650
    my '86 400wr forks were worn out. put kx 125 forks on and they worked very well getting many miles