• Husqvarna Motorcycles Made In Sweden - About 1988 and older

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1987 WR430 - how reliable?

U

usedtobefast

Husqvarna
AA Class
I picked up a very nice low hour 1987 WR430.

I've been going thru all the normal stuff: new airfilter, replaced intake manifold rubber, repacked silencer, replaced all fluids, rebuilt forks, cleaned carb, etc.

I have not replaced the crank seals, isn't showing any signs of issues, but I do need to test/check this more.

So I am wondering, what if I wanted to treat this bike like a 2015 new bike. Take it out for 80-100 miles day rides, venture ~25 miles or so from the truck. Put hundreds and hundreds of miles on it a month.

Bad idea? Or go for it?

So far I've been treating it like a respected elderly bike. Short loops from the truck, not riding more 45min-1hr at a stretch, not running it that hard, not slamming it thru stuff, etc.


476759




 
they are very good reliable bikes. if you ride it like you do in your video i dont think you will have any problems with it.
as with any bike, if you plan to really stray with it you need to be vigilant on maintenance and eyeball everything prior to venturing out.

as a new owner i would recommend pulling the swingarm and inspecting/greasing the bearings. they like to dry out, bind, then crack the swinger. really needs to be an annual maintenance item...make sure the front motor mount bolts stay tight too.
the bike you have looks to be in great shape, and even tho they were racebikes they are built to last and they really do when used for fast trail riding.
 
Very good advice on the swinger; my low hour 430 had dry bearings. Easy fix; just a small maintenance issue to attend to.
 
Nice clean example! Excellent footage too, was that a GoPro or another type of camera? I'm just starting to look into a camera for some rides down here in Australia.
Tony.
 
I had one of these back in 88. Totally awesome bike. Mine was 100% reliable and never missed a beat. Apart from the fact I always thought they were 'butt ugly', I would have another one tomorrow. Of all the enduro bikes I have had this was the easiest to ride all day. Excellent on fuel too.
 
Grouty, how could you say they are butt ugly? :D I guess it must just be my taste, I thought my BMW1150 GS was a good looking bike too! :eek:
 
ajcmbrown said:
Nice clean example! Excellent footage too, was that a GoPro or another type of camera? I'm just starting to look into a camera for some rides down here in Australia.
Tony.
Click to expand...

It was a Contour camera, probably 3-4 years old at this point. They went out of business, then came back. They have a helmet mount that sticks on the side of your helmet and the camera is pretty close, so worlds better than a GoPro sticking out several inches to the side. Been thinking a GoPro mounted on the chin bar might be the best option and location.
 
Thanks for all the replies.

I have been using Halls. I think I did a weekly order for the first 4 weeks! :)

I have rebuilt the forks since that picture and now have the sliders on there.

Thanks for the reminder on greasing swingarm and linkage, kind of like reminding my daughter to brush and floss, a hated thing, but needed. :)

And I think the bike is beautiful! Love the color scheme.
 
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