From time to time you will a few Huskys being campaigned at eNZed VMX, Johnny Old VMX and at Vinduro events. Most of these owned and riden by Francis Hoen of Wellington. None of his bikes are garage queens, they are all raced in anger.
One from his stable is really unusual, the Husqvarna GP 125. Here is Francis's review of the bike in his own words.
The bike is a 1975 GP175. That year Husky only made GP models: A 175, 250, and a 360.
I also have a 360GP known as a Mikkola replica because it was a very close copy of the works bike he used to become the world champion in 1974. He was the only rider to beat Roger DeCoster in thatera. Roger won in: '71, "72, "73, "75 and '76 so Mikkolas win was a significant achievement and the GP range were considered exceptional machines. Dirt Bike magazine considered it the closest to a factory bike ever made.
The 175 was probably used more for cross country, desert and enduro style events. It has the same frame and bottom end as the 250 and 360 so the gearbox and clutch are absolutely indestructable. The frame is very light Swedish cromoly and as minimalist as can be. The bikes came standard with Girling gas shocks which worked well but had a reputation for not lasting that long. Mikkola used the Girlings for the entire "74 season.
I had a TS185L in 1974 and lusted after the GP175 so when I found one on Ebay for $1200 USD a few years ago I hit the button and finally owned one. It had Petty guards on it and appears to have been a magazine (Cycle News) test bike set up for enduro. The cylinder has a factory hotup kit liner installed which has two extra transfer ports and the exhaust port is one large port rather than the standard bridged two holes. The port work is exceptional and there is a small plate riveted to the bottom of the cylinder stating "Machined by the Portland Machine Works in Oregon". It is also fitted with Goki air caps and a Hills engineering fork kit, both of which were considered significant upgrades at the time.
I have done the usual restoration work: i.e. Powdercoated frame and seatbase, Mikuni 34mm carb, Hagon shocks, new piston, bars, grips, tyres, seatcover, brake shoes, bearings mudguards, etc. I also managed to buy a complete spare motor on Ebay for $150 and a brand new cylinder from the Australian vintage Husky specialist (Fernando?) . I also bought a rolling chassis (probably a GP250) on Trademe. It was on the West Coast so I have enough parts to put together a second bike. If anyone has any knowledge about the history of that one I would be keen to find out (please email the webmsater).
The bike makes great power, easily as much as my PE175T or "87 KDX200. I have a genuine Husky Products expansion chamber which is a third of the weight of the standard exhaust, gives it a bit more top end and is noisier. This pipe would probably be even better if I increased the size of the carb to a 36mm but I prefer the standard exhaust and 34mm setup as it gives it more midrange.
The bike rides like a typical Husky, stable and rock solid. It corners well as long as you have the mighty orbs resting on the fuel cap i.e. weight well forward. It is an awesome trailbike as it has user friendly power, low seat height, good brakes, is very narrow and light, and starts easily. As with all vintage Swedish Huskys the kickstart is on the left and was designed by the Marquis de Sade. I have learnt to use it without slamming my foot into the footpeg but it require having your foot at just the right angle on the lever.
I have recently found a set of Ohlins shocks to go on it as the Hagons damping is OK but feels a little too soft initially and then gets too stiff further through the travel. This is most likely due to the radical angle the shocks are mounted.
I have sourced parts for Huskies from several places:
The GP models from '75 and '76 are magic machines and are reliable and fun. Later model Husky 175's (1977 through to 1982) were all based on the 125 with different cylinders and rods. The only other year Husky offered a production 175 to the public was 1983. They were based on the 125 engine platform but have a different bore, stroke and con rod to any other Husky 175. Parts from the kitted 125 engines are not interchangeable with the '83 175. I have an '83 engine which I plan to fit to a 1979 WR250 rolling chassis.