New member, with questions

[jrsride2002]

Hey guys!
I am in the process of buying my first Husqvarna. The current owner doesn't know detailed info, so I'm coming here.

The bike:
2008 TE510

From the ad:
Electric and Kick start
Anti Gravity Li Ion Battery
JD jetting FI programmer
trail tech x2 headlight
trail tech voyager GPS
seat concepts seat
3 gallon IMS tank- no leaks. . .
HDB guards, 2 sets
gpr under bar steering stabilizer
suspension by Precision Concepts
7602 stator cover
7602 clutch slave piston
7602 clutch slave guard
motosportz disc protection front and rear
uptite skid plate
unbreakable Extreme Dual Sport LED blinkers (w/relay)
air box block off cover for air box cleaning
PMB rear chain guide
brand new chain and sprockets f/r
brand new meat f/r
bunch of extra stuff and some things I'm probably forgetting

Just by the pictures. He has the O2 sensor removed, assumably for the "racing" plug

First, I read that BMW bought the company in 2007, and 2008 is when they started taking over, making changes.
Owner says: When BMW took over, the engines were starting to be produced in China and that his is one of the last few real Husky's... He says....
Possible, not likely?? I thought they were all Italian until the KTM take over??

Second. With the O2 sensor gone, would I have difficulties with elevation changes?? I do most of my riding between 0-4000ft.(~1200 meters). But sometimes go riding in Colorado(+5000ft/+1500m). Would it be better to install the O2 sensor, then fiddle fart with the JD computer so it would run smooth??
I plan on using this bike for my Continental Divide ride, once I get the money/time for it... Big elevation changes.... And my XR650, would be a dog in those higher levels

He has some of the maintenance records, oil changes he did himself, other things were lost/trashed. I haven't test rode it yet, because of conflicting schedules. But my Uncle checked it out, he said if fired up nice, idled smooth, and the cosmetics show its been used.

Is there any other history I should know about the company, just for the sake of knowing??
Is there quirks with the bike I should look/feel for when running/test driving??
What am I not thinking of to ask??

I very much appreciate any and all insight, and help with my questions
~Junior

 

[rancher1]

The bike still senses altitude without the oxygen sensor. Those motors were made in Italy thru 2010. Only the 449/511 motors were made by kymco in taiwan from 201-2014.

 

[Big Timmy]

This is correct. Model years 2011 on was the Kymco engine, up to late 2013 early 2014, or so they are calling them. It's easier IMHO to just say if it was from 2011 on and they were a 449/511 model ( the "511" actually being a 477cc engine) and the bikes were Red and White when new. It is a BMW / Kymco powered bike....

 

[jrsride2002]

The bike still senses altitude without the oxygen sensor....

Excellent! I was a little worried about that. Is that because of the sensor in the air box?

It is a BMW / Kymco powered bike....

Wait, so BMW made them in Kymco based Taiwan? A little confused about this last sentence... I understand they were build in Italy until 2011, just the addition of Kymco to the end of your statement is throwing me for a loop...

Very much appreciate the help guys. I know there is a TON more for me to read about, and ask later as the days roll on,
~Junior

 

[Mike-AK]

Wait, so BMW made them in Kymco based Taiwan? A little confused about this last sentence... I understand they were build in Italy until 2011, just the addition of Kymco to the end of your statement is throwing me for a loop...

The engines in the 449's and 511's are BMW-designed, Kymco built engines. They have a very strong following here on Cafe Husky. The 2008 510 you are posting about has an Italian engine, also with a very strong following. OHR ran his Italian-built 450 without coolant with no permanent damage to the engine. A testament to quality IMO.

 

[jrsride2002]

The engines in the 449's and 511's are BMW-designed, Kymco built engines. They have a very strong following here on Cafe Husky. The 2008 510 you are posting about has an Italian engine, also with a very strong following. OHR ran his Italian-built 450 without coolant with no permanent damage to the engine. A testament to quality IMO.

AAAhhhhhh!!
I get it now! Thanks for the clarification!

Let me ask this. The motor is Italian, but would I be correct in saying, BMW added their fuel injection system to the Italian made, Cagiva designed motor? Not the BMW design/built motor?

 

[Mike-AK]

AAAhhhhhh!!
I get it now! Thanks for the clarification!

Let me ask this. The motor is Italian, but would I be correct in saying, BMW added their fuel injection system to the Italian made, Cagiva designed motor? Not the BMW design/built motor?

Can't say for sure, but I think it is Mikuni injection like on my 310...or possibly even carbureted? Don't know what year they changed over to FI on the bigger bikes.

 

[Big Timmy]

The bikes themselves were built in Italy until the sale of Husqvarna to KTM last year, on I believe January 13th of 2013. + or - a day or 2.

BMW supplied the BMW/Kymco engines for both the G450X bikes from BMW and the Husky 449s and 511s. They (BMW) over saw the design, manufacture and on site quality control of the 450 Kymco while they were being used in the 09' and 10' BMW G450X and the Husky 449/511 engine building program at the Kymco factory in China. This lasted during the production of Husqvarna's, 2011 and on, to early 2014- 449s and 511s right up to the end of production of the Red & White Italian Huskys.

Husqvarna may have made a few upgrades and minor changes along the way during the course of usage of this engine but they are nearly the same. These changes I know of included, 1pt. higher compression, bigger cams in the TC models which were close ratio 5 spds.
Hydraulic clutch actuation and a single flap in the TCs Keihin throttle body. The other TE/Enduro models recieved 6 spd. gearboxes and hydraulic actuation of the clutch. 6 Spds came on all the TE 449/511 model line-up. The TEs also have a double flap in the Keihin throttle body which was used on the BMW G450X bikes. I believe there were a few minor changes on the TC head castings which is how they upped the TCs static compression as mentioned above. There were a few other Husqvarna requested internal mods also.

"Tinken", at "ZipTy racing" who are sponsoring members on "Cafe Husky" here would know the most about that. As they are responsible for some of these upgrade requests being implemented themselves as they were and still are advisors to Husqvarna.

These Kymco 450 engines are still being made now and are being used in the new CCM 450 models out of England. They are being sold and available today.

If you buy the 2008 450 I would stick with advice from those who have actual experience with these engines and the models they came in.

You won't see me posting on that engine itself because I don't own one.

Good luck on your purchase and most of all have fun.

 

[Mike-AK]

I think he was asking about a 2008 510.

 

[Big Timmy]

Typo, Gee sorry,

I think he was asking about a 2008 510.

Edited accordingly.

 

[jrsride2002]

Can't say for sure, but I think it is Mikuni injection like on my 310...or possibly even carbureted? Don't know what year they changed over to FI on the bigger bikes.

2008 Is the first year, that I know of for the TE's

Typo, Gee sorry,

Don't worry about it Tim. Really appreciate the help everyone is giving me!

~Junior

 

[rancher1]

The TEs started long before 2008. The design of the motor in the 2008 TE started in production in 2003. The fuel injection on the 2008s was under development by Cagiva with Mikuni when BMW bought Husky, 2008 was the first year of use.