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Husqvarna 400 Cross

Make Model	Husqvarna 400 Cross
Year	1969 -
Engine	Single cylinder, 2-stroke
Capacity	396 cc / 24.2 cu in
Bore x Stroke	81 x 76 mm
Cooling System	Air cooled
Induction	36 mm Bing carburetor
Ignition	FESMA magneto
Starting	Kick start
Max Power (claimed)	29.8 kW / 40 hp
Transmission	4-Speed
Final Drive	Chain
Frame	Single downtube, chromoly
Front Suspension	Husqvarna telescopic fork
Front Wheel Travel	152.4 mm / 6 in
Rear Suspension	Griling shocks
Rear Wheel Travel	114 mm / 4.5 in
Front Brakes	Drum
Rear Brakes	Drum
Wheels	Akront rims, laced wire spokes
Ground Clearance	229 mm / 9 in
Seat Height	800 mm / 31.5 in
Dry Weight	105 kg / 231 lbs

As off-road motorcycle racing evolved through the 1960s and early 1970s, a movement began away from lightly modified street bikes toward machines designed from the outset for competition. In this period before the Japanese manufacturers came to be involved, the Europeans set the trends, building ever lighter and more powerful machines. Swedish maker Husqvarna came to epitomize the success of motorcycles developed for and extensively raced in closed-course competition. Its models won 14 motocross and 24 enduro (longer distance) titles through the late 1970s.

McQueen’s Husqvarna 400 Cross was the latest in a line of big-bore motocross models that combines fearsome power and superb handling. Up to that point, many off-road riders endured heavier, twin-cylinder street models stripped and lightened as much as possible; even so, they were leaden and cumbersome. Along came the two-stroke Husky 400 Cross, featuring a breathtakingly lusty single-cylinder engine suspended in a lightweight steel frame. This was the period before plastics, so the Husky presented a sculpted aluminum fuel tank with a polished section to help reduce marring where the rider meets the bike. The polished/bright-red combination became an iconic symbol for motocross bikes of the 1970s.

Husqvarnas were featured in the indelible On Any Sunday motorcycle movie, which put the company on the map for U.S. riders. Seeing motorcycle legend Malcolm Smith and McQueen kick up long roostertails of sand on the beach outside of Camp Pendleton minted new dirtbke enthusiasts with every showing.

The Husky 400 Cross was a brutal, unforgiving motorcycle, difficult to ride well, which McQueen absolutely did. It embodies McQueen’s desire to be taken seriously as a rider and racer. His mastery of the Husky only helps fuel his legend.

Source Photos Bonhams