Max Nagl's Rockstar Energy Husqvarna FC 450

Pit Bits 2016 - MXGP GH
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Max Nagl was the lone rider FC 450 rider for the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna MXGP team, which is interestingly owned by Formula 1 star Kimi Raikonen.

Straight away, we noticed that Nagl's bike, like the MXGP KTM 450s, featured a longer head pipe than what's found on Jason Anderson's bike. Both Nagl and Anderson's machines are of course equipped with FMF systems.

While looking down here, we also noticed these radiator screens from Twin Air.

More fuel tank cooling blankets from Hurly.

While peeking at the Husqvarna's GPS sensor, we noticed something about the forks.

The forks aboard Max Nagl's bikes are actually the separate fork system found on Andrew Short's bike. With a Cone Valve damping system on the right hand leg...

...And the four-chamber air cartridge on the left side. Yes, we said four-chamber system! The same forks that Andrew Short has used this year. We know the use of three chambers, but not the fourth. But we suspect it to be another form of balance or negative pressure chamber. We also noticed the chambers had marks next to them, one without, one with a +, one with three +++ marks. This leads us to believe this is the filling pattern, no mark first, one + second, the third chamber we suspect is down below with two ++ marks, and the fourth back up top with three +++. Also, two chambers up top have blue caps, which we surmise are positive chambers (inner cartridge pressure and outer tube area pressure), while the red cap leads to the second negative chamber, similar to the balance/negative chamber down in the fork lug area. What we're not sure about is where this second negative chamber fills exactly.

Map selection, kill switch, and launch control; the electric start button is on the right side.

This case serves as the polished example we mentioned when comparing to Dean Wilson's KTM 450 SX-F's ignition case.

While in the US we're used to seeing Talon and Kite hubs, HAAN is a relatively popular brand that many MXGP and MX2 teams use. In fact, the Pro Circuit squad had them listed as a sponsor for about two seasons, but appear to be back on factory supplied hardware. Why the zip-ties? To keep the spokes from flying out and catching the forks or front brake rotor, if one is to break during a race.

Like the KTM's, we suspect larger rear rotors but the Husqvarna's feature MotoMaster brackets instead of Kite.

Many GP teams are still using the HSL (rear holeshot link) produced by C2P, but we didn't notice quite as many bikes running them as the previous year.

Credit
ML512
Vital MX Pit Bits: 2016 MXGP of USA
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