New (used fe400e) Berg owner needs help please?

Welcome tony.......sounds like you made a good deal on the bike. I have a 99fe400e, and mine seems to be a cross between a 98 and a 2000. check out my gallery you'll see how i bought the bike for $500 I think our bikes are pretty close to the same from what I have seen. after getting the bike back together I have had a stator issue,clutch basket issue ( my fault when assembling the bike). As i'm sure you have read you should get a cam gear upgrade, not sure if 2000 had the aluminum cam gear, but if it did you might wanna consider the upgrade before it goes. if you have an sem ignition, might have stator problems, but if you do contact sparks on here and you won't believe what a difference one of his rewound stators will do.I had a regulator go on my bike too, but I'm pretty sure the 12 pack I consumed was at fault......LOL. Damn frame got in the way of the screw driver, when installing the battery and the main switch was in the on position. Other than those few issues i love the bike, i will never go back to a jap bike for off road.I'm 6'3 about 240 and love the suspension.... have fun and be careful....the bike will pull and pull......you'll have alot of motor noise, at first its real noticeable, but you'll get used to it. Where are you from? I'd love to find another berg rider to help show my ktm buddies there is a better bike...........

the 400 motor is solid.keep up on the maintenance and she should offer excellent service.the 400 does not seem to like high revs so shift soon and often.change gearing to suit rider ability and riding conditions.dan

tony2000fe400e said:

Hello to everyone. Im new to the Husaberg club. I've always wanted a Berg, and finally found one i could afford! Today i bought a 2000 fe400e for a steal (i think?)$1500 US. Anyway, i've been doing alot of research on older berg's and found out about the troubles of the 2001 and '02's. But i cant seem to find ANYTHING on the 2000?! I know i dont have the engine of the 2001, so im wondering where to find parts for my bike? It doesnt need anything at the moment but i want to be prepared when it does end up needing parts. Also can anyone tell me about the 2000 model? Was it plagued with problems? Im also hoping to make it street legal, so im looking for any info from people who have done this in the USA. THANKS VERY MUCH FOR ANY HELP.

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The 2000 was the last year of the original style motor. Some consider it to be one of the best Bergs ever produced as it combines the highest form of development of the old motor with a second generation (new style) frame. A highly sought after Berg indeed. Those who have sold theirs usually wish they did not. The rocker arms can be prone to failure and can be updated with 2003 versions. Check out Joe USA's gallery and perhaps ask him if they were a straight bolt in ( I think an oil jet hole neeeded to be drilled). The only part of an 2000 I don't like is the powder blue fuel tank. I plan on adding a 2000 Berg to my stable someday if I can find a nice one at a good price.

The aluminum cam gear was a 01 and early 02 issue only.

Hey Tony,
Live in Lemont,IL. Got myself a 98 600 dualsport, Any questions, hope I can help.
Werner

Just helped put a top end in my old 2000 Husaberg 501 for the young fellow that bought it. Oil ring had developed a problem and was smoking a bit. Average hours for a 2000 and well maintained. Rockers were ok other than rollers. Cam and valves fine. Crank looked like new. Cylinder had very little wear. Had the aluminum cam sprocket which was worn as was the cam chain. Reed valve in crancase was frayed and needed replaced. Wristpin bushing loose and was replaced. Stop bolt for the Auto Decompressor was loose and about to fall out. Red loctite needed there. All in all not too bad considering its age. Still on original stator.
dan

husabutt said:

The 2000 was the last year of the original style motor. Some consider it to be one of the best Bergs ever produced

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Couldn't agree more!

Ride it and enjoy it!

Simon

Tony, You have a good one! The chassis is a big improvement over earlier Bergs. Much of your running gear (wheels, sprocket-rear, controls and levers, some suspension parts) are identical to KTMs of the same year. The 2000 was the first year to see a lot of the influence of KTM's ownership of Husaberg. The motors are just fine, needing you to keep an eye on valve clearance, and change oil frequently. By the way, seeing a few very small-nearly microscopic- metal particles in the filtering screen when changing oil is normal. Most of us have had good luck with, and recommend, a high quality synthetic oil. Husaberg recommended the same. Enjoy it!

husabutt said:

The aluminum cam gear was a 01 and early 02 issue only.

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Husabutt, I beg to differ I have a 2000 FC501 and it had an aluminum sprocket, maybe it was a late 2000 engine, whatever the case, it happened. I would just say to change your oil often and watch the tampon filter under the drain plug. If you find a bunch of aluminum shavings under that chances are that you have an aluminum sprocket. By the way the cam chain tensioner design is different from the 02 stuff in the doc. So don't bother buying the updating parts, they won't exactly fit Unless you want to do some precision drilling and change some mounting points on the case.

2000fc501rider said:

husabutt said:

The aluminum cam gear was a 01 and early 02 issue only.

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Husabutt, I beg to differ I have a 2000 FC501 and it had an aluminum sprocket, maybe it was a late 2000 engine, whatever the case, it happened. I would just say to change your oil often and watch the tampon filter under the drain plug. If you find a bunch of aluminum shavings under that chances are that you have an aluminum sprocket. By the way the cam chain tensioner design is different from the 02 stuff in the doc. So don't bother buying the updating parts, they won't exactly fit Unless you want to do some precision drilling and change some mounting points on the case.

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I stand corrected. I had never heard/read about the issue except on the 01 and early 02 models. I thought that when the new design engine was introduced an aluminum cam sprocket was part of the new deal and ultimately turned out to be a flop. So it may be then that all Bergs up to late 02 had the aluminum sprocket. Does anyone know if that is the case?

tony2000fe400e said:

Thanks for all the resonses guys. So it sounds as though i do have the aluminum cam gear problem? I would like to get that changed before spring. Where do you guys get parts? Can i use a KTM gear? What year? Also does anyone know how to get a repair manual for my model?

Thanks
Tony

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When it becomes time to replace the cam gear instead of trying to fit a steel one from an 03 perhaps have a new aluminum one cryogenically treated.

http://www.cryoscience.com/auto/

You can download an owners manual and workshop manual for your bike at husaberg.com. (site seems to be down at the moment)

you want parts, talk to Dan or Ann at Motoxotica, good people!

My 96 had a steel sprocket. 2000 had aluminum. Somewhere in the middle there was?
dan

Tony,
as for parts when I was putting the bike together i dealt with sun cycle somewhere in illinios, I haven't spoke with Dave since ktm's hostile take over of husaberg, Dave is a super nice guy, one of the dealers ktm is squeezing out. I also got parts from eurosport near flint mi. but i know he has been nixxed by ktm's demands. he's quite happy selling husqvarnna's now, but still riding a fe550........LOL. I have Dave's number in illinios if you want to contact him and see if he is carrying bergs anymore. its 309-496-1408. give him a call and if there is anything he can help you with i'm sure he will do so.
Dan

dsducati said:

My 96 had a steel sprocket. 2000 had aluminum. Somewhere in the middle there was?
dan

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my 1994 has aluminium and i know that since 89 until 95 it was aluminium.
in 96 the new top end introduced ( elephant foot type adjusters, 12mm rocker axles 50mm water impeller new valve guides etc) with a different cam and cam gear.
but still i remember 96 to have also aluminium gear, which was though interchangeable with the newer steel units out of the newer engines.

at models untill 1995 fitting a steel gear is not possible as far as i know and the only option is aluminium.

about 500 hours and still i have the OEM alu unit in my engine.