Value check Husqvarna 1979 OR390

[eddie]

Looking at a neighbors OR390; are these good models? Overall condition good for an old dirt bike, runs and starts fine. Needs front forks rebuilt and has Curnutts that have no dampening; asking is $1200, I'm thinking 600-800 any opinions? Don't need another Husky as I have a 1978 CR250 and a 73 WR250; but I like old Huskys!

Thanks!

 

[adam6402]

Hard to say without pictures and more info. Generally, if nothing much has been done to it but it happens to run, I would say $700 or $800 IMO. If it is really clean, tank dent free, wheels nice and straight no evidence of leaky engine seals or other engine issues, then maybe more. Any idea as to top end, original bore or last time top end was rebuilt? Compression test is always a good idea and easy to do.

 

[Ron]

I wish I could pick up a decent 79 390 for $700. I would expect to pay in the $1200 to $1500 range.
Here's what I got for $700. The bike had been sitting in a garage for 20 years, back rim was cracked and the motor was really worn out.

http://s226.photobucket.com/user/ronsracers/media/IMAGE_145-1.jpg.html

 

[adam6402]

A picture is worth a 1,000 words. I've seen running 390's on craigslist within 500 miles of Tulsa going for 700 to 1000 range. Again, it's all about the condition and "good condition for an old bike" may mean different things to different people. However, this area is not exactly a hot bed for VMX either.

 

[adam6402]

In fact, here is one for $800 right now. Of course it has issues, I wouldn't pay more than $600 for this, and likely target less if I was interested.
http://memphis.craigslist.org/mcy/3639434212.html

 

[Ron]

I guess it is a personal thing. For me a 79 390 has a much higher value, they are great bikes still.

BTW, That bike on craigs looks more like a 75 -76, definitely not a 80.

 

[eddie]

here she is, needs rebuilding of front and rear suspension.

 

[Jesus freak]

does any one else have cold start issues with a cr390

 

[dumpbear]

Thats a nice looking bike eddie start low and work towards $1200.Shock and fork rebuild under $100
rebuild top end, bore and piston kit under $300 if crank and tranny are good your good to go.

 

[adam6402]

Curious, I thought '79 models had remote reservoir shocks. Looks pretty good, $1k sounds like a good price.

 

[Ron]

Curnutts came on the OR's

 

[huskybear]

My '79 or390 has remote reservoir ohlins on it. I have a pair of curnutts in good shape that I tried on it and the ohlins work far better IMHO.

 

[Ron]

My '79 or390 has remote reservoir ohlins on it. I have a pair of curnutts in good shape that I tried on it and the ohlins work far better IMHO.

I stand corrected. My new in 78 OR came with Curnutts, I figured the 79 OR had the same. Sorry...
Ron

 

[Mike-AK]

I stand corrected. My new in 78 OR came with Curnutts, I figured the 79 OR had the same. Sorry...
Ron

'79 OR's had Curnutt shocks. The '79 250OR I bought in 1982 when I was 16 had Curnutt shocks on it, and like one of the posters above, the damping was completely gone. I didn't know what I know now, so instead of rebuilding them, I tossed them and put on a set of KYB reservoir shocks off of a Suzuki PE250.

 

[Puckerbush]

The overall bike looks complete. I think Curnutts work mostly on the rebound, so unless you see evidence of oil leaking out of the seal, they are probably OK. Most of the ORs I've seen come with Curnutts but I've see some that had Ohlins fitted. I've restored about a dozen Huskys from '78 through '82 and I can tell you that if you do the engine work yourself, bearings/seals/gaskets alone are going to set you back about $250. If you need a new piston, wrist pin, bearing, and bore, add another $275. Most of those I've sold have brought anywhere from $2000 to $2500. Another thing: You will never know what condition the transmission is in unless you split the cases and inspect the dogs on the gears. Especially the 3rd gear on the main shaft. That one is famous for abuse.

 

[Ron]

A rod kit will run close to $300, plus labor to install and true.

 

[Chayzed Pilot]

I can rebuild your Curnutts which includes nitrogen recharge. I worked for Curnutt for 7 years and know how they work. The Curnutts on the OR's were set up for an average rider if there is such a thing, so they didn't work for alot of people.

Info @ scotmarian@aol.com

 

[Smilinsmitty]

I don't really have anything to ad to whether or not you should buy that bike eddie, or what you should pay, but I think often of what I'd give to have this bike again. I have had several Huskys in my life, and this was the worst handling. The power was fun, and the curnutts and tiny forks compared to todays stuff really sucked. These bikes are more to me than their resale value. I suppose that is the description of a disease. My dad took this picture of me over 30 years ago. I took this bike to the Timber Mountain cross country race in Jacksonville, Oregon in about 1981. It was winter storm conditions with horizontal snow and hail all day. I remember thinking if this thing quits on me, I'm leaving it here; it was that miserable to ride. After you buy it (or a different one), don't ever let yourself say "you wish you hadn't". Every experience with an old-er Husqvarna will be precious someday.

 

[justintendo]

wouldnt mind that old ford either smitty

 

[jimspac]

I would be happy with a 390WR engine to put in my 1978 WR frame I am setting up. I will likely put a primary kick 250WR or 430WR engingine in it as I have done the engineering to make the whole thing work. That is because those are all I have on hand. My first impulse was to build a 1978 390WR as that was what I really wanted the whole time I was riding the 1978 390 Auto I had from 1981 -1984. I loved everything about it except the auto part I had a love-hate relationship with. Loved the power and auto shifting, hated the lack of engine compression and brakes going down steep hills not too far after axle deep water crossings. Disc brakes were not popular then and likely killed the Auto series for Husqvarna as much as Cagiva did