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

Husky Chain Tension - the ultimate reference!!!

Discussion in 'Vintage/Left Kickers' started by hva-factory, Oct 22, 2014.

  1. hva-factory CH Sponsor

    Location:
    uk
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    Husqvarna 510TE , 300WR Etc...
    Thought I would share with you something I came across whilst listing a load of new parts on the website... Pic refers to 1982 to 1984 bikes. Andy. P1010532.JPG
    hoppy likes this.
  2. stormer254 Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    England
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    More than I dare let her know
    Other Motorcycles:
    Yes!
    Oops, so that 4 inches (100mm) that I run with isn't quite right then?
  3. vintagecs Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Lebanon, IN
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    '78 390OR, '76 360 Auto, '74 125SC
    Other Motorcycles:
    Penton, Yamaha
    Does that mean distance from the swingarm or distance of flex up and down?
  4. motomwo Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Imbler Oregon
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    Many vintage big bore and automatics
    Measured from the bottom of the swing arm tube.

    Marty
  5. Bigbill Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    '83 250wr
    Other Motorcycles:
    0 right now
    This is more important than most think. I've seen a few loose running chains crack cases in my day. Not mine but break out the JB Weld.

    Chain tention maintenance is number 1 if not it could get costly.
  6. wrx Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    845 newyork
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1973 to 1986 husky's various models
    Other Motorcycles:
    RM -250 / Buell / Penton 400 mc5
    loose is WAY better than tight !
  7. darren7878 Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    79 CR390 and 84 CR250
    Other Motorcycles:
    81 Maico, 79 Kawasaki, 88 Honda
    That graphic is for sale on Ebay.com if anyone wants one......................
  8. Bigbill Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    '83 250wr
    Other Motorcycles:
    0 right now
    Don't forget most bikes I have seen are missing the spring loaded chain tensioner. We ran the double roller that seemed to work but we found out the spring loaded one was missing. I did add them. But finding the "H" roller was impossible. I put on the square roller. It worked.
  9. hva-factory CH Sponsor

    Location:
    uk
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    Husqvarna 510TE , 300WR Etc...
    We have the Chain tensioner complete kits, replacement 'Weld-on' repair lugs, springs, bushes etc... Also a few genuine nos Husky roller wheels with the 'H' on!


    Andy
  10. Kartwheel68 Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Newnan, Georgia
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    82 125XC, 250XC, 430XC, 430WR, 250CR
    Other Motorcycles:
    83 175WR , 76 250WR, 74 250 Mag
    I use a proper modern style guide and eliminate the roller for my XC/CRs, the shorter travel WR you can use the stock guide and eliminate the roller. The tensioner is just a band aid fix for an ineffective guide.

    And wrx is right, loose is far better than too tight.
  11. Bigbill Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    '83 250wr
    Other Motorcycles:
    0 right now
    Well my son cracked the case on his 430wr I'm not sure what fell off or if the chain was too loose but I want to make it original. We can't afford cracked cases. I'm over worried.
  12. Kartwheel68 Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Newnan, Georgia
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    82 125XC, 250XC, 430XC, 430WR, 250CR
    Other Motorcycles:
    83 175WR , 76 250WR, 74 250 Mag
    This thing is the problem.

    [IMG]

    Its a leftover from the mid '70s and should never have been used on a bike with more than 8" of travel. The correct way to fix the issue is not to use the gimicky roller/tensioner, but to adapt a proper guide that makes it impossible for the chain to jump off the bottom of the sprocket. I have used these, from a later Husky, I think an '87.

    [IMG]

    [IMG]

    Even better though, because it completely encloses the sprocket on the bottom edge, is to use one of these modern blocks and make a bracket to adapt it to the Husky swing arm.

    [IMG]

    With one of these, it is impossible for the chain to derail as the guide forces it to seat on the sprocket. Thats why you never see modern bikes derailing chains unless a rock or something gets stuck in the guide.
  13. justintendo klotz super techniplate junkie

    Location:
    mercer, pa/northwest pa
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    84 250,86 400,87 430,88 250,95 360
    Other Motorcycles:
    99 kawasaki zrx 1100
    im pretty sure the guide you pictured is a husky products item? they didnt ever come on the bikes did they? i have several of them and have them fitted to several, they do work well
  14. Kartwheel68 Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Newnan, Georgia
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    82 125XC, 250XC, 430XC, 430WR, 250CR
    Other Motorcycles:
    83 175WR , 76 250WR, 74 250 Mag
    I think the later single shock bikes came stock with that guide, maybe only the CRs? There are too many of them on eBay for it to be a HP aftermarket guide.
  15. justintendo klotz super techniplate junkie

    Location:
    mercer, pa/northwest pa
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    84 250,86 400,87 430,88 250,95 360
    Other Motorcycles:
    99 kawasaki zrx 1100
    i think you are right about cr models, my 88xc only had the simple one
  16. rwgregory Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Chula Vista, CA
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1985 500XC, 1987 510TX, 1990 510WMX
    Other Motorcycles:
    1979 Honda CR250,'88 CR500,'92 XR600
    That looks exactly like the stock guide on my 1985 500 XC.
  17. Bigbill Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    '83 250wr
    Other Motorcycles:
    0 right now
    This is why we see so many cracked cases were the sprocket guard was ripped off and the screw threaded holes cracked. I don't want to scare you but it is Halloween. BOO

    Just kidding about Halloween but this chain tensioner is very important and I think "that's good enough" thoughts in most cases isn't going to cut it. I just wanted to raise an awareness about it. I think we all have guessed it's good enough sometimes and we been lucky so far.

    Let's do it right while still can get the parts.

    Hint, Every time a part needs to be replaced I order two so one is in-house extra. On that weekend ride if something happens and it's needed you have it. I had in stock pistons, cylinders, cases, gasket sets, tires,tubes, carb jets, chains,sprockets. I could refresh a husky engine in three hours of it breaking. Before all the husky parts are online I scoured the old husky dealers for parts around the country.
  18. Kartwheel68 Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Newnan, Georgia
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    82 125XC, 250XC, 430XC, 430WR, 250CR
    Other Motorcycles:
    83 175WR , 76 250WR, 74 250 Mag
    That was my point, the gimicky tensioner is NOT "doing it right", it is a band aid fix for the real problem which is the totally inadequate guide. That guide is fine for the Husky's up to '77 with 6-9" of travel, but after that it is of little use. Fix the guide and the gimicky tensioner is redundant and no longer needed. If the tensioner is such a good idea, why is it no other bike of the era or since uses one?