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501, 350 old berg top ends

Joined Feb 2010
3 Posts | 0+
Los Angeles
Hey this is my first post, I'v done a bunch of reading on other peoples problems, and now I'm looking for a little Berg help. I have a collection of 3 501 motors (91, 94, 2001) and a 350 (91), as well as a parts 350 motor. I got the 2001 with a broken cam follower bearing and i'd like to get it going again. The bearing on the exhaust rocker is totally gone, and the exhaust lobe on the cam is really beat up. Intake rocker bearing feels terrible, but is still in tact at least. Parts at my disposal include a complete 1991 501 and an old (year unknown) 350 cam with associated rockers.

Question #1: besides autodecompression, are the 2001 cam and rockers compatible with the earlier (91) 501 and or 350? I think I can live with no autodecompression. as a side note, the cam cutout for autodecompression seems like a weak link since the bearing needs to drive over the half width area all the time. do people typically see bearing failure on the exhaust side?

Question #2: did the 350s get a different cam than the 501s? I'd rather not pull apart an almost complete 501 motor to steal the cam and rockers when I have a junk 350 already pulled apart (the cam and rockers from the 350 look to be in great shape).

I have looked at husabergforce.com but the parts manual lacked adequate information for me to figure out these questions. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. I do actually have 2 running bikes now, but i'm dying to get the 2001 going as well.
Sam
 
welcome to UHE samstults, we don't very often get new members that enter with 4 bikes and an engine! :D :D

the 2001 should be a totally different engine with the waterpump drive taken from the head and put on the sidecover. so firstly, if it's on the head it's a 2000 engine at the latest.

The cams interchange and all you need to do is measure the gap between the back of the sprocket carrier and the exhaust lobe because for some reason I've seen this gap vary on later bikes.

I would really try to keep an auto decomp? i don't think you can dismiss it that easily... that said if you do, you'll find that the codes for the cams are always printed in tiny white letters 2mm high on the ends. so look there for a date and a cam code.

The auto decomp cut-out in the exhaust lobe has never been a weakness because there is a tappet clearance at the moment the roller crosses the hole.

You can still buy the cam follower bearings and fit them. they will be for sale in the states or if not, i have them here in europe. PM me for anymore help.

regards

Taffy
 
Thanks Taffy,
Looking at 501 and 350 heads apart, it is clear the 350 rockers and cam have different dimensions. The valves are farther apart on the 501, so the rockers cant be swapped.

What year did they add autodecompression if im looking for a used 501 cam that has it? at this point i suspect the bike is a 00 since it has a new frame and old motor. VIN code says its a 2000. the DMV i guess thinks its an 01...Since I dont want to pull apart a complete 501, I think I am in the market for a cam and rockers if anyone is parting a top end.

I have never used a motor with autodecompression, how much do you guys like it? a 501 is hard to start no question, but I tolerate it since its so much more powerful than the 350. the 350 is so easy to start....
 
Hej.
There are two kinds of autodecomp, one on the cam, and one kickstarter activated that press down the rockerarm.
You can`t start it without any kind of decomp as far as i know.
Regards
Jampe
 
When setup properly the 501 is easy to start. When warm, I can start my 98 FE501 with my hand. Carb, spark and the decompressor all setup properly is all it takes.

Steve
 
I was referring to the cam autodecompression, all my bikes have the kick and hand operated decomp. Does the decompression on the cam make a big improvement over the kick starter and hand lever? I dont have e-start, so i dont need cam decompression for that.

On my running bikes, the 501 needs carb adjusting for sure to start hot nicely, jetting is close on the whole but not great. I have read on here about carb adjustments for hot start so im working on that (although i need choke to hot start, so I must be too lean, which seems odd based on what I read). On the topic of carbs, the bikes I have came with 38mm Dellorto PHM carbs, both the 350 and the 501. before i get into optimizing a carb for the 501, is the 38 suitable or should I be running a bigger carb?
 
your starting to go everywhere friend. lets try and get things in order shall we?

OK, nothing beats something that automatically decomps for you as you kick. that's the hot set-up and it started in 1997. As i said, you don't NEED new rocker arms you can fit new follower bearings to yours and make a perfect repair for an old machine where parts don't grow on trees. there is no electric start related decomp. All the decomp on the cam can feel is the fact that it's turning and working and not how and who is starting it!

Your carb will be worn, they all are. if you need choke to hot start it means that you haven't got the premier set up of your bike yet. the carb is not only responsible for many husaberg woers (because they wear easily) but because it's also knocked off kilter by the fact that the ignition timing can be out, camchain worn, age and wear of engine etc etc.

no need for a 40mm carb. the valves are small on the 501so the carb isn't a restriction.

concentrate on looking for that cam a later auto decomp, a new camchain, nice new bits in the carb, 2 new CFBs and maybe a kickstart sledge mod from yours truly and you'll have a nice bike.

regards

Taffy
 

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