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Shot in the dark with a '96 Berg

J

jaycub

Joined Jan 2015
10 Posts | 0+
Western United States
Hello all, made an account on this site after reading everything I could find about the '96 Husaberg 501 fc and fe. I have the opportunity to purchase one (I'm unsure if its FC or FE :eek:) from a friend for only $500. It has been sitting for years (4-6 years about) so I understand I would have to give it a good internal cleaning and what not. I am completely a virgin to Husabergs and have only rode a 100 cc Honda when I was a wee lad, and my dads '07 KTM 450EXC recently. Being that I have the time to give the Husa a good clean and maintain it, and it is only $500, would any of you say I should go for it? And if anyone knows how it would compare to the 450 that'd be great too. Thanks all!
 
how did it run when it last ran? how good a friend? estart or kick?
differences are fc probably a 4 speed and no lighting coils on the stator. maybe smaller flywheel. tank with two petcocks. slightly stiffer suspension.
fe has a vacuum fuel pump and one petcock, 6 speed and lighting.
it is equal to the 450 in power, but won't turn as well due to the angle on the front. much easier to work on, but prolly needs more parts. color is much nicer
 
he says it ran good, he is an aquantince more than a friend I should add. and it's a kick starter. I'm going up to look at it this weekend. sounds like fe is better for my wants out of the bike. However FC or FE, given what you know do you think it's worth $500? I'll see how much I can shed off the price while haggling.
 
For your experience level a near 20 year old racing motorcycle is probably not the best choice. However, the $500 price of admission seems almost to good to pass up. If you don't like it you could always resell it and probably recoup all of your investment.

As far as it comparing to the KTM 450 is an interesting question. The motor in the KTM has its roots in the Husaberg motor. KTM purchased Husaberg in part to acquire the motor. Your dads KTM motor is essentially the same motor but with 11 more years of development and refinement. A few parts are still interchangeable. I recently put a 07 KTM cam in my 97 600 Berg. The KTM motor's power will probably feel a little smoother and linear while the Berg may have a bit of a hit.

As Ned said the turning and cornering will not be as good. Straight line stability is fine. You can adapt to the handling. Instead of just mostly leaning into a turn you need to coax it by turning the wheel into the corner also. Planting your foot and power sliding works too Jumping back and forth between the two bikes would be difficult as they require two different riding styles. Wide open spaces is O.K.. Playing around on a tight MX type of track or woods, not so much.
 
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you were both very helpful, I'll likely follow through with the purchase and hope I enjoy the berg family! my dad certainly is excited to ride with me again if it all works out, thanks again guys.
 
take along a volt / ohm meter and ohm the red / black and black / green leads on the stator. if it's wrong, you should be able to get it much cheaper.

excerpted from the famous tome: the owners doc:
"Carbonone ordered the KTM part number 580.31.002.050 from his local dealer for $160 and it fitted straight in with no modification. This is the part # for a KTM LC4 and will work on all '98 and prior bikes. Make sure the black to green measures 23 Ohms as some of the last models measured 165 Ohms. Anything from '99 to '03 will have to be from Husaberg, the SEM stator for these years was a one off and wasn't fitted to anything else."
Stator test figures
Prior to 1999
Black to Red 1750 Ω
Black to Green 23 Ω
 
Looks like parts have gone up a bit since then.

A complete stator and flywheel is now $ 478.09

and the stator by itself is $390.79

Definitely cost effective to have the original rewound.
 
ned37 said:
excerpted from the famous tome: the owners doc:
"Carbonone ordered the KTM part number 580.31.002.050 from his local dealer for $160 and it fitted straight in with no modification. This is the part # for a KTM LC4 and will work on all '98 and prior bikes. Make sure the black to green measures 23 Ohms as some of the last models measured 165 Ohms. Anything from '99 to '03 will have to be from Husaberg, the SEM stator for these years was a one off and wasn't fitted to anything else."
Click to expand...
so if I end up needing a new stator coil the KTM one mentioned should work in its place? and also how difficult will it be for me to find parts for this bike if I need? Fuel lines, chain, sprockets, etc
 
I don't think you will have any trouble finding most of the parts you mentioned... Probably most will be available aftermarket. I think engine parts will be slightly more challenging but there are sources and lots of good info on here.
 
I bought the bike from the owners father, (the title will come when the father next sees his son) but he was unsure of the year of the bike. He guessed it was a '96 as I said in this post but we are both unsure. I have stripped off the plastics, seat, and gas tank and cannot find any 'tag' of sorts that tells me VIN number or year built, just a stamp on the motor that says '501cc'. Something I thought that might be unique for a '96 berg is the air filter/air filter box. There are two air filters both of which are mounted under the gas tank to the frame and the air filter box is inside of the frame. Can anyone either confirm or deny that this air filter/air box location and style are unique to the '96 501 berg? I think I have a picture if that'll help my explanation.

Also I suspect its an FE model, but how can I tell for sure? I also noticed there is a third style, FC501 FE501 and FE501E. Anyone know what the E after the 501 means? Thank you guys.
 
(very old filters I should add)
 

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Good info. I wish I knew about the frame, I now speculate its a '95 but there is no telling for sure until I find that chassis number or title.
 
jaycub said:
I bought the bike from the owners father, (the title will come when the father next sees his son) but he was unsure of the year of the bike. He guessed it was a '96 as I said in this post but we are both unsure. I have stripped off the plastics, seat, and gas tank and cannot find any 'tag' of sorts that tells me VIN number or year built, just a stamp on the motor that says '501cc'. Something I thought that might be unique for a '96 berg is the air filter/air filter box. There are two air filters both of which are mounted under the gas tank to the frame and the air filter box is inside of the frame. Can anyone either confirm or deny that this air filter/air box location and style are unique to the '96 501 berg? I think I have a picture if that'll help my explanation.

Also I suspect its an FE model, but how can I tell for sure? I also noticed there is a third style, FC501 FE501 and FE501E. Anyone know what the E after the 501 means? Thank you guys.
Click to expand...
may have parts here for that model engine and frame, if you buy it tell me what you need.
ORANGEBERG
 
I think you'll be totally out of your depth BUT if there is one bike you can learn on at home it is the Husaberg!

your call!

taffy
 
Did not know the early subframes were removable....Goes to show you can learn something every day!;)
 

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