Readers Rides - Alastair Brown’s Husqvarna CR500
By Team TMX on 13th Jan 19
This potent immaculate twin-shocker started life as an auto enduro WR500 model provided by Pro Circuit to sponsored Scottish enduro rider Dougie Kerr in 1983. It was acquired during the late 80s by its present owner, Alastair Brown, who only competed on it in a couple of enduros back in 2013.
Riding it in classic MX with the Scottish Classic Racing Motorcycle Club, Alastair knew the bike wasnt right and decided on a major rebuild. The best upgrades were sourced from Andy Elliot of the HVA Factory while Alastair meticulously blueprinted the engine and build.
The frame and swinging arm were carefully repaired and checked for fit and alignment. Front forks were fitted with new stanchions, progressive springs and seals. Rear ITC Ohlins units were re-valved by Falcon shocks and new struts, springs, bearings and seals firm up the rear end.
CR500 Timing side
Morris MLR40 at 40:1 is fed to the motor via a new Mikuni carb reduced from 40mm to 38mm and V-force reed system. Sparking is via new Electrex ignition. The vapour-blasted head and barrel is fitted with an HVA exhaust and upgraded silencer. Piston, crankshaft, bearings, seals and bushes are new. Newly-replaced gears ensure the six-speed gearbox changes smoothly through the upgraded steel plated clutch.
Fixings are either stainless steel, nickel plated existing or HVA titanium upgrades. Wider footrests and billet footbrake are HVA. New plastics, seat foam and cover complete the bike. Owners may have experienced problems starting the 488cc motor on tired legs which can be quite a feat. However, Alastairs modification of incorporating a new Stihl decompressor in a specially made 14mm adaptor in the head to the rear of the plug solves the problem. It now kicks-over like a 250, reckons Alastair.
Describing the bike as a bit of a beast, Alastair will be riding it in the Scottish Classic Twinshock Pre-84 class along with his 1983 Husky CR250.
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