1984 Husqvarna 510cc Four Stroke

This is a 1984 510cc Husqvarna single-cylinder four-stroke which hosted twine pipes that I thought were really neat. After competing for a year or so in cross country races on a little Honda 200R, I was feeling at a real disadvantage. So I wanted an upgrade, and I found one of these. So how did that work out for me? I discovered that bigger is not always better! Now don't misunderstand, I love the big bikes, however, back then the four-stroke division hosted anything that was four-stroke. So I was competing against those little Hondas I felt at such a disadvantage on. I discovered I wasn't at such a disadvantage after all. Here's the rub, this thing was a Monster, and it was hungry to devour you at a moment's notice. Keep in mind these cross country races were dead engine starts and those little Honda would start just by giving them a strong look. However, this think thought it was necessary to break your leg in two places before it was supposed to fire up. By the time it fired the field was empty and all those little Hondas were dashing into the woods. Fortunately, when it did fire the Monster was alive and ready to devour, just letting out on the clutch and shifting the gears gave you enough thrill to forget your leg was broken in two places. 

Catching all those little Hondas was no problem at all, blowing by like they were but dust and roosting rocks the size of boulders as you twisted the throttle once again. After finding yourself running in 1st you realized you made a good decision. That is until you taped the brake slightly too much with a slightly too little throttle and you killed the engine. Now the engine is hot, and you have to break your leg twice more to fire the Monster up again. During this time all those little Hondas just came rolling on by. But hey, the Monster had fired up again and was ready to devour! 

Once again you went to the slaughter leaving a trail of wounded little Hondas along the way. That is until you tip over in one of those tight rutted corners. The Monster dies once more and the carb fills the engine with flooded fuel. Bringing the thing back to life was like dragging a drowned shark out on the beach and giving it mouth to mouth. While you were doing this, all those little Hondas just came rolling on by.  Once you finally saved its life, you were so exhausted all you could do was idle your way in to find all those little Hondas waiting at the finish line hosting their winnings.

What can we learn from this life experience, the Scriptures have some wise instructions:    

Hebrews 13:5-6 KJV

(5)  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

(6)  So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man (Monster) shall do unto me.

Hope you enjoyed the story,

David