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Hi everyone,
As you all know, Coffee (Dean) passed away a couple of years ago. I am Dean's ex-wife's husband and happen to have spent my career in tech. Over the years, I occasionally helped Dean with various tech issues.
When he passed, I worked with his kids to gather the necessary credentials to keep this site running. Since then (and for however long they worked with Coffee), Woodschick and Dirtdame have been maintaining the site and covering the costs. Without their hard work and financial support, CafeHusky would have been lost.
Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been working to migrate the site to a free cloud compute instance so that Woodschick and Dirtdame no longer have to fund it. At the same time, I’ve updated the site to a current version of XenForo (the discussion software it runs on). The previous version was outdated and no longer supported.
Unfortunately, the new software version doesn’t support importing the old site’s styles, so for now, you’ll see the XenForo default style. This may change over time.
Coffee didn’t document the work he did on the site, so I’ve been digging through the old setup to understand how everything was running. There may still be things I’ve missed. One known issue is that email functionality is not yet working on the new site, but I hope to resolve this over time.
Thanks for your patience and support!
TE511 - crappy pot metal shifter keeps loosening. Aftermarket Replacements?
- Thread starter SloChicken
- Start date
SDPUTTER
Husqvarna
AA Class
I'll race you down San Felipe Wash and let mine flame out first if that will make you feel better?
P.S. - Let me know where you leave your bike out there....I'll need the spare parts
SloChicken
Husqvarna
AA Class
Ha, I will be at Superstition this wknd. When my shifter loosened the third time i was at thermal pots. It was a pretty fast ride back to the cove, san Felipe wash is fun in top gear, it just sucks when you have no choice LOL.I'll race you down San Felipe Wash and let mine flame out first if that will make you feel better?
P.S. - Let me know where you leave your bike out there....I'll need the spare parts
SloChicken
Husqvarna
AA Class
Yep, it is a good thing.
My Harley, for all the flack I get, has been absolutely unfailingly reliable. 40000 miles on it so.far, and 0 breakdowns.
My ducatis have a variety of ongoing nuisances, and my Yamaha gets hard to start at valve adjust time.
Strange, but true.
Tinken
Husqvarna
Pro Class
Sorry to hear about your Husky woes.
Order a new shifter and bolt, once you have rounded the splines once, you will continue to have issues. You do not have to take off the chain, you can tighten from underneath. Use blue locktite on the fresh shifter and bolt.
The stock maps in the Keihin ECU are too lean, especially at low rpm's. You cannot get upgraded maps from BMW/Husqvarna, it is illegal for them to give you them due to emissions regulations. Even on the "Race Map" setting, the carbon residue on my valves was almost pure white. Replace ECU with a Powercommander 5. Autotune is best, especially because you can switch it on and off on the fly with a secondary map.
If you ordered your suspension using the online Racetech spring rate tool, your springs are too stiff. Just because Paul puts his spring program on the internet, doesn't make him magically all knowing. The KYB suspension on the 449/511 is custom made for Husqvarna and is unlike what would normally be found on the Japanese bikes. Lighter, progressive springs work better than what is of the norm. It is too bad you had bad luck with Zip-Ty racing. I hang out in Ty's shop a lot, and I can tell you first hand that Ty probably knows more about the KYB and Ohlins suspension on our Huskys than anyone else in the country. Zip-Ty racing does suspension work for riders worldwide and Ty rebuilds each shock himself.
The Husqvarna 449/511's are awesome bikes. They are not Jap-crap. They are also not "Race Ready" out of the box like KTM's and require upgrades. Once upgraded and dialed in, they are pretty kick ass. If they weren't, you wouldn't see them racing DAKAR.
Order a new shifter and bolt, once you have rounded the splines once, you will continue to have issues. You do not have to take off the chain, you can tighten from underneath. Use blue locktite on the fresh shifter and bolt.
The stock maps in the Keihin ECU are too lean, especially at low rpm's. You cannot get upgraded maps from BMW/Husqvarna, it is illegal for them to give you them due to emissions regulations. Even on the "Race Map" setting, the carbon residue on my valves was almost pure white. Replace ECU with a Powercommander 5. Autotune is best, especially because you can switch it on and off on the fly with a secondary map.
If you ordered your suspension using the online Racetech spring rate tool, your springs are too stiff. Just because Paul puts his spring program on the internet, doesn't make him magically all knowing. The KYB suspension on the 449/511 is custom made for Husqvarna and is unlike what would normally be found on the Japanese bikes. Lighter, progressive springs work better than what is of the norm. It is too bad you had bad luck with Zip-Ty racing. I hang out in Ty's shop a lot, and I can tell you first hand that Ty probably knows more about the KYB and Ohlins suspension on our Huskys than anyone else in the country. Zip-Ty racing does suspension work for riders worldwide and Ty rebuilds each shock himself.
The Husqvarna 449/511's are awesome bikes. They are not Jap-crap. They are also not "Race Ready" out of the box like KTM's and require upgrades. Once upgraded and dialed in, they are pretty kick ass. If they weren't, you wouldn't see them racing DAKAR.
SloChicken
Husqvarna
AA Class
Thanks Tinkin,
First, I found it easier to take the chain off than screw around with such little room to turn a wrench. In addition, it was virtually impossible to pull the shifter off the spline without taking the chain off.
Next, I filed new splines in the shifter, so that is going to have to do for this weekend at least. I am somewhat fearful that getting a new shifter is going to be another circus act and I am really not in the mood at the moment. Frankly I would rather purchase a decent milled shifter out of some decent billet than the cast beezneez that is the source of my angst.
I think the current one may hang in there though. As I said earlier, I tapped out the original threads after they exploded under the great torque of a 8mm box end wrench ... Now, and as should have been done in the first place, I am using a larger diameter 1/4" grade 5 bolt and as has been torqued heavier than the OEM bolt could take.
I am hopeful this will last the weekend, and maybe for a while, as it should have in the first place.
Regarding the injection and stalling issues. According to my dealer, who I have been riding at willow spring with for years and have done business with for just as long, he installed the akropovic full-system map on it. Unfortunately, there is nothing other than my faith that he is telling the truth to me to confirm this. However he wouldn't BS me on this. It may be illegal, and he maybe shouldn't have it, but so goes the story.
I would consider getting a Power Commander, especially if it is closed loop now. That would be a good setup, I bet.
Still, I am getting tired of throwing good money after bad on this thing, as it seems so far.
My 2005 YZ kicks this things butt all over the desert as of now. It is lighter, softer in the little bumps (Read: Comfy), yet in the high speed stuff and big hits it soaks it up well (It has stock shocks/forks with enzo springs). The YZ is faster, all the way to it's top end. The only thing the Husky has is top end after about 55 mph or so - even still, the husky tops out at 70 or so. Not exactly what I was looking for in my desert bike.
So, I am having a hard time justifying this purchase.
I understand you are pals with the guys at Zip Ty, but as I told you I talked to one of the head guys (I told you his name), and gave him my info, including my credit card info, and waited for 10 days before calling back to see what happened.
As there are other vendors, I went with RaceTech instead of playing that game twice - just makes sense.
Like I tell my crew. I don't care if you are the best tail-gunner in the war, if you only show 90 percent of the time, than you are of no use to me. And so goes the lost sale.
The springs are 50kg from race tech, and were spec'ed after a conversation with brad.
I don't feel the springs are the problem as much as the low speed compression damping of the fork, and the back to this point is soft.
I am stuck with it for now, so I will keep working on it. I don't mind the less than amazing forks (like my YZ), but the stalling in technical, and the shifter bs, not to mention the lame gas cap that both is difficult to take off and also falls off which necessitated finding an aluminum cap (which would not be the case with most any other bike)
BTW, Jap bikes aren't "Jap Crap" as you say.
And any bike with funding can do any race, those bikes are far from stock, and the support crew matters every bit as much as the bike. So that bit about Dakar means not much to me.
I appreciate the input, but really there shouldn't even need to be a conversation about this stuff.
It should be about the stoke of a new bike and all the great things it does that the older, worn out one didn't.
Don't you think?
First, I found it easier to take the chain off than screw around with such little room to turn a wrench. In addition, it was virtually impossible to pull the shifter off the spline without taking the chain off.
Next, I filed new splines in the shifter, so that is going to have to do for this weekend at least. I am somewhat fearful that getting a new shifter is going to be another circus act and I am really not in the mood at the moment. Frankly I would rather purchase a decent milled shifter out of some decent billet than the cast beezneez that is the source of my angst.
I think the current one may hang in there though. As I said earlier, I tapped out the original threads after they exploded under the great torque of a 8mm box end wrench ... Now, and as should have been done in the first place, I am using a larger diameter 1/4" grade 5 bolt and as has been torqued heavier than the OEM bolt could take.
I am hopeful this will last the weekend, and maybe for a while, as it should have in the first place.
Regarding the injection and stalling issues. According to my dealer, who I have been riding at willow spring with for years and have done business with for just as long, he installed the akropovic full-system map on it. Unfortunately, there is nothing other than my faith that he is telling the truth to me to confirm this. However he wouldn't BS me on this. It may be illegal, and he maybe shouldn't have it, but so goes the story.
I would consider getting a Power Commander, especially if it is closed loop now. That would be a good setup, I bet.
Still, I am getting tired of throwing good money after bad on this thing, as it seems so far.
My 2005 YZ kicks this things butt all over the desert as of now. It is lighter, softer in the little bumps (Read: Comfy), yet in the high speed stuff and big hits it soaks it up well (It has stock shocks/forks with enzo springs). The YZ is faster, all the way to it's top end. The only thing the Husky has is top end after about 55 mph or so - even still, the husky tops out at 70 or so. Not exactly what I was looking for in my desert bike.
So, I am having a hard time justifying this purchase.
I understand you are pals with the guys at Zip Ty, but as I told you I talked to one of the head guys (I told you his name), and gave him my info, including my credit card info, and waited for 10 days before calling back to see what happened.
As there are other vendors, I went with RaceTech instead of playing that game twice - just makes sense.
Like I tell my crew. I don't care if you are the best tail-gunner in the war, if you only show 90 percent of the time, than you are of no use to me. And so goes the lost sale.
The springs are 50kg from race tech, and were spec'ed after a conversation with brad.
I don't feel the springs are the problem as much as the low speed compression damping of the fork, and the back to this point is soft.
I am stuck with it for now, so I will keep working on it. I don't mind the less than amazing forks (like my YZ), but the stalling in technical, and the shifter bs, not to mention the lame gas cap that both is difficult to take off and also falls off which necessitated finding an aluminum cap (which would not be the case with most any other bike)
BTW, Jap bikes aren't "Jap Crap" as you say.
And any bike with funding can do any race, those bikes are far from stock, and the support crew matters every bit as much as the bike. So that bit about Dakar means not much to me.
I appreciate the input, but really there shouldn't even need to be a conversation about this stuff.
It should be about the stoke of a new bike and all the great things it does that the older, worn out one didn't.
Don't you think?
SloChicken
Husqvarna
AA Class
Tinkin, I appreciate your input, just pretty down on this bike right now. I really want to like it, but it has been leaving me hanging with one issue or another basically every time I have had it out so far.
I am leaving for the desert in a few minutes. I will post up when I get back on monday. Hoping the problems are behind me ...
Thanks all,
If anyone knows where I can get an aftermarket shifter, feel free to post up!
Thanks!
I am leaving for the desert in a few minutes. I will post up when I get back on monday. Hoping the problems are behind me ...
Thanks all,
If anyone knows where I can get an aftermarket shifter, feel free to post up!
Thanks!
K5PL5
Husqvarna
Pro Class
I love my TE449. The shifter was loose after 2 rides. As with any motorcycle, I do routine checks on all the components, hence finding the loose pinch bolt. I moved my shifter up a notch because it was mounted too low and tightened it up. I did not have to remove the chain or anything. I have a couple more hours on the bike and it has been staying tight and shifting great.
SloChicken
Husqvarna
AA Class
What a freaking POS. This bike deserves to be burned. After 1 ride it iz already loose again.
Bike for sale coming next week
Again,
What
A
Piece
Of
SHIT.
Never again...
Bike for sale coming next week
Again,
What
A
Piece
Of
SHIT.
Never again...
ray_ray
Mini-Sponsor
Selling sounds like a good idea ...
Unless you are already privy to info on selling used motorcycles ... Get ready to find out about the re-sale values of used motorcycles ...
And winter months are not the time to sell a bike in most states ... Maybe CA is different with its weather ...
Unless you are already privy to info on selling used motorcycles ... Get ready to find out about the re-sale values of used motorcycles ...
And winter months are not the time to sell a bike in most states ... Maybe CA is different with its weather ...
SloChicken
Husqvarna
AA Class
As i wake up out here in The desert i have realized that i am stuck with this bike for now and am just going to have to get it sorted
So i will ride my YZ today, piss on The husky when i am full of beer and order 2 shifters when I get home.
Getting a new sticker the will properly reflect the bike's quality
It will read
HUFFY...
So i will ride my YZ today, piss on The husky when i am full of beer and order 2 shifters when I get home.
Getting a new sticker the will properly reflect the bike's quality
It will read
HUFFY...
marshwater
Husqvarna
A Class
its called maintenance bro
Well lets not add to the frustration for this guy. You all should see me when I pissed lol. I wish venting on a forum would help but I'd rather punch my truck when I'm working on it or punt my helmet when my bike or I are messed up lol
I really hope you figure it out. There seems to be quite a few guys here that can fix most anything. Don't quit on it just yet. Hopefully it will work perfect soon. I'm sure you'll love the bike once its acting right.
I really hope you figure it out. There seems to be quite a few guys here that can fix most anything. Don't quit on it just yet. Hopefully it will work perfect soon. I'm sure you'll love the bike once its acting right.
SloChicken
Husqvarna
AA Class
Don't be a dick dude .
The bike has all of 200 miles on it. I have been fucking with this shifter after every session for the past 3 weekends with progressively more intensive remedies.
Just sucks when the bike is killing the weekend-over and over.
Took the rail out last night to cool off, and as i sat on a ridge I realized that I am stuck with this bike for now. Worked on the shifter again this AM. Going to order a new shifter when I get home, going to CAD myself a decent shifter to be milled out of some billet stock at the friendly local machine shop. Probably will do a run of 20 or so and sell them to other poor suckers like me that are in the same predicament.
But your comment was every bit as wise as you are ...
Bro...
Sourdojack
Husqvarna
AA Class
If you have one inexpensive part on your bike fail, it makes you want to sell it??? Sounds like the original shifter that came on your bike was junk. I would try a replacement OEM shift lever before making an aftermarket one. And use Red loctite instead of blue haha. But like Tinken said, you already have it all figured out.
sharpie1
Husqvarna
AA Class
I had a shifter get loose, get rounded, and would never get tight again. Put a new crappy Husky pot metal shifter on it and its been tight for years and 15,000 miles later its still tight. As far as the flame out issue goes, at least for me, I've never had a dirt bike, carb or FI, that has not needed jetting/tuning. FWIW the JD tuner I have on my '09 has solved all my complaints with the Mikuni FI system on the early FI bikes.
Caiman
Senior Vice Procrastinator
Finally got my hands on one, and....... It'll fit, if you have teeny tiny feet lol...
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-...BsE/WLvaKvWpadE/s1108/IMG_20130102_155522.jpg
I've emailed the guys at Driven to illustrate the issue and hopefully they'll make one, however unlikely.
EDIT: I've got a zipty +10mm shifter tip on there atm.