Nimbus Motorcycles Bumble Bee 1919-1959
NIMBUS research advises that 12,000 Nimbus Fours were built between 1919 and 1959.
The parent company was formed in 1905 specialising in manufacturing electric motors and vacuum cleaners which sold very well in many countries worldwide.
The Nimbus designer, Peder Andersen Fisker, was very original and truly unique in his thinking with his 1918 design of using flat steel strips and welding the round fuel tank in place as a structural member. This design soon saw the ‘Stovepipe’ nickname in place (possibly better illustrated on the 1924 Black Nimbus solo machine also on display). The non-adjustable telescopic front forks were introduced in the mid-1930s and were the first in the world with BMW releasing its version some months after Nimbus.
Nimbus ceased bike production in 1928 as their other product sales demanded more attention a decision apparently soon regretted as in 1934 a new building was commissioned and the Nimbus 11 was brought out in April that year. 25% to 30% of Nimbus production went into supplying the Danish Military, Police and Postal Service.
The Nimbus has a 4 cylinder in-line air cooled SOHC engine with a 746cc displacement and generates approximately 20 hp. The reason the designer stuck with the rigid rear end design is quiet simple- the shaft drive set up required it. The engine is also notable for the open valve operation, and the sequence of valve actuation can be followed as you ride. Speeds of 75 mph are not uncommon for a solo unit with 60 mph about tops for a sidecar unit.
STILL GOING STRONG:
There are about 3,800-4,000 of these motorcycles still registered in Denmark, and it is estimated that 6,500-7,000 of these classic bikes are still in existence around the world today.