Became the owner in 1998 FE501

Hi, I became the owner of fe501 1998 purchase was impulsive and a lot of information about it could not collect. and now on these models is little information.
Opinions on the Internet split almost equally some say "bad old motorcycle, the Japanese better" Others on the contrary claim that "the bike is very reliable," I would like to know the opinion of the owners of such models. My be getting rid as soon as possible or motorcycle is still so much that my grandchildren will get.
Is there any suggestions for a beginner or books for review?

PS I apologize for the spelling write through a translator.

Hello Andy.
Change oil/filter often, change all bearings in the top end and camchain if you don`t know when they are changed.
The inlet valves often get "tuliped" and then they snaps of ;-)
Use electronic spray on the SEM stator, and change all the brass in the carb then you will have a bike for many fun rides.

If you find any Enduro Japs 4-stroker from 98 thats wheigts about 100kg and is so easy to maintain as the Husaberg than buy it ;-)
Have over 300h on a 501 -99.
And at last, don`t rev it too high, high revving kill old engines.
Regards
Jampe

i hate to say, if you arent willing or able to work on it some then it may not be for you, you may notice during your research that there are a lot of 97' and 98' 501/600 still around, that has to say something on there reliability. i recently opened mine up and it required a connecting rod replacment, judging by the looks of everything else i would have to say it had a pile of hours on it, due to its uniquness, speed, optional equiptment like electric start/kick start, dual discs, 6 spd gears and overal quality manufacturing i decided to give it one more run at life, i dont think it will make a 3rd go around, by then parts will be gone and things will likely be pretty worn but i expect it to be a long time before that point. as far as manuals you can find them online places but usually poor quality, i have the 1997 parts manual i found online in good quality also the 99 manual can be found online and many things are the same to 99 so that shop manual is still helpful. owners manual and parts manuals can be found at husaberg.com, i think sombody said to search for manuals or downlads to find them......and like jampe said change oil very frequently, and at least the camshaft bearings and rocker arm follwers will need to be replaced at some point, my rocker foller pins were very worn and looked ready to fail but the connecting rod started knocking first, i am guilty of revving pretty high at times and maybe why my rod failed....or maybe just because its 15 years old. i presonaly think some of these bikes were better than others, i recently replaced my original stator with a used model only to find my problem still persisted and was a tuning problem, i could tell a difference by replacing the old stator but the fact it was orignal leads me to beleive that some of these sem style stator obviously will stand the test of time to......

good luck on making your choic

if you do decide to keep it, you will have a great site to back you up during repairs and to find info, combined with the poor quality manuals you can do anything 8)

I have a 98 FE501, acquired almost new as a demonstrator in 1998 with < 20 hrs. These days it mostly sits in the shed as I have other toys too. It does however still go well. It is now almost 34,000 kms and 700+ hrs. Its needed a couple of stators. Hopefully the current Sparks version will be the last. Its on its second set of roller followers (and camshaft because I let them go too long, so my bad). I also fitted a FCR because I could never get the Dellorto right. At about 80 hrs, ie nearly new, it had an inlet valve seat disintegrate which resulted in a Wiseco piston and some new valves and seats. Keep an eye on valve clearances.

I use and recommend Delo 400 oil every 5 hrs or so. Considering the roller followers went at < 200 hrs, and the new ones have only ever had Delo 400, whereas the originals had only ever had Mobil 1 R4T, I'm a convert. The manual says the roller followers have a rated service life of 150 hrs.

All the usual stuff needs to be looked at like swingarm, linkage, wheel, and steering head bearings, just like any bike, especially an older one.

They are basically a tough thing, go as well or better than anything else of its vintage, and still compare well with modern stuff too I reckon.

Many thanks for answers. But from for difficulties of transfer I want to specify some answers.

jampe said:

Use electronic spray on the SEM stator

Click to expand...

what for spray it is possible to learn or the reference to look?

jampe said:

and change all the brass in the carb

Click to expand...

Didn't understand what to change in the carburetor? can where there is a detailed description what to change and how to regulate. Or sets of orifice plugs and other for my model are on sale a whale?

jampe said:

change all bearings in the top end and camchain

Click to expand...

What bearing means? steering tube or camshaft?

Bergini said:

i have the 1997 parts manual i found online in good quality

Click to expand...

if it is possible that will share I ask throw off on mail

Bergini said:

i am guilty of revving pretty high at times and maybe why my rod failed....

Click to expand...

jampe said:

And at last, don`t rev it too high, high revving kill old engines.

Click to expand...

About what maximum turns there is a speech? can put at once on the carburetor the arrester?

steve said:

roller followers

Click to expand...

here it at all didn't understand what rollers are available to a look

If everything is so bad with spare parts and frequency of service can start to look for any engine the donor for a frame ?????????? from fresher Berg or from KTM who can knows what will approach in this frame and on landing bores more?

Andrey said:

Many thanks for answers. But from for difficulties of transfer I want to specify some answers

jampe said:

Use electronic spray on the SEM stator

Click to expand...

.
.a lot of people spray stuff of the stator keep it good longer silicone lube,vaseline,etc
what for spray it is possible to learn or the reference to look?
.best would be to pull apart carb and get the numbers from the jets themself

jampe said:

and change all the brass in the carb

Click to expand...

Didn't understand what to change in the carburetor? can where there is a detailed description what to change and how to regulate. Or sets of orifice plugs and other for my model are on sale a whale?
.chane the needle and needle jet, replace pilot and main jets, also start jet and atomizer, the jets will get all gunked up and the needle on the sldie wears

jampe said:

change all bearings in the top end and camchain

Click to expand...

What bearing means? steering tube or camshaft? .just cam bearings- replace with sealed bearings per owner doc

Bergini said:

i have the 1997 parts manual i found online in good quality

Click to expand...

if it is possible that will share I ask throw off on mail
.i dont have any electronic copys i just printed them out for repeated reference, check husaberg.com and do a search for the part manual and owner manual then you can also do a google search for the 1999 service manual and it should come up with little searching

Bergini said:

i am guilty of revving pretty high at times and maybe why my rod failed....

Click to expand...

jampe said:

And at last, don`t rev it too high, high revving kill old engines.

Click to expand...

About what maximum turns there is a speech? can put at once on the carburetor the arrester?
.8,000-9,000rpm or so max

steve said:

roller followers

Click to expand...

here it at all didn't understand what rollers are available to a look
.taffy sells them at taffmeisters.com i just replaced mine, couldnt tell they were worn till i took it apart, i think they were ready to explode, they also are called cam follower bearings

If everything is so bad with spare parts and frequency of service can start to look for any engine the donor for a frame ?????????? from fresher Berg or from KTM who can knows what will approach in this frame and on landing bores more?

Click to expand...

.i saw a ktm 560 engine on ebay the other day for 1900.00$ i dont think you will find an engine to fit right in unless its a berg and it probably wont be cheap

checked year of manufacture of a motorcycle according to frame number!!! it appears to me palmed off 1996! I shocked! and so at once for two years is more senior!
But the engine begins with figure 1 it 1991 means? or 2001? or then still there was other coding?
Who knows why in the 96th year there was an overturned front fork, in 1998 again usual, and with 2000 again overturned? (I on manuals traced it) the conclusion Arises that the fork of 1996 badly recommended itself. who does that think?