THE HUSKY TWIN THAT NEVER WAS
“When the Husky 500 Twin is first fired up, everyone present draws a quick breath. The exhaust emits a howling, ear-splitting sound, sort of like an 8000-pound wolf in a bad mood.” That was the January 1972 issue of Dirt Bike magazine, which contained the only test ever written on the Husqvarna 500 Twin. At the time the bike was slated for production, but that would never happen. Only one or two were ever actually imported to the U.S. One of them—the one tested by Dirt Bike—actually won the Baja 1000 in 1969.
The bike was conceived and designed by Husqvarna engineer Ruben Helmin. It was basically two 250cc top ends grafted together with a sand-cast crankcase and was said to produce 60 horsepower. It was mated to a four-speed gearbox. Gunnar Neilson and J.N. Roberts had ridden it in the Baja 1000, and then it did a number of other high-profile races, including the Elsinore GP, Corriganville and the Greenhorn Enduro. By the time it was ridden by the Dirt Bike staff, it was well-used. In truth, Husqvarna officials had long since abandoned the notion of offering a 500cc twin to the public, but they humored the editors for the sake of publicity. After that, the bike was forgotten in Edison Dye’s warehouse until 1995, when it was purchased and restored by Franz Munsters. In 2002 it became part of Tom White’s Early Years of MX collection, where it is displayed today.
The bike was conceived and designed by Husqvarna engineer Ruben Helmin. It was basically two 250cc top ends grafted together with a sand-cast crankcase and was said to produce 60 horsepower. It was mated to a four-speed gearbox. Gunnar Neilson and J.N. Roberts had ridden it in the Baja 1000, and then it did a number of other high-profile races, including the Elsinore GP, Corriganville and the Greenhorn Enduro. By the time it was ridden by the Dirt Bike staff, it was well-used. In truth, Husqvarna officials had long since abandoned the notion of offering a 500cc twin to the public, but they humored the editors for the sake of publicity. After that, the bike was forgotten in Edison Dye’s warehouse until 1995, when it was purchased and restored by Franz Munsters. In 2002 it became part of Tom White’s Early Years of MX collection, where it is displayed today.
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Dirt Bike magazine test rider, circa 1972.
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In the January 1972 issue of DB, the Husky was tested and compared to a production Maico 501.
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