Nimbus (motorcycle)

Nimbus is a former Danish motorcycle brand.

Nimbus is a trademark of the Copenhagen company Fisker & Nielsen, also known as a producer of industrial cleaning machines and vacuum cleaners ( " Nilfisk " ) is known.

History

The founder PA Fisker and his son, the engineer Anders Fisker, developed after the First World War, the Nimbus motorcycle.

Nimbus 1924 " stovepipe "

During his studies Anders Fisker constructed a four-cylinder motorcycle. While the dream of young engineers was often unsuccessful, his father took the ideas positively on: together contributed father and son further development work in the family villa in Richsvej in Copenhagen and built the components of the motorcycle trial basis in wood and steel models on. Gradually from this developed the first of its motorcycles, which later received the nickname " stovepipe " Nimbus. Reason for the nickname was the built- in frame tank whose diameter and shape strongly reminiscent of a stovepipe. Without knowing of the same developments in BMW, father and son built the front wheel to the front forks, which appeared simultaneously with the BMW motorcycles.

The Nimbus had a longitudinally-mounted alternately controlled four -cylinder engine with individual cylinders bag that sat on a housing made of aluminum, in which the crank gear and the gear were housed. The force was transmitted to the rear wheel via a cardan shaft.

Nimbus 1933 " Humlebien "

The " Humlebie " to German " bumblebee " to owe their name to their characteristic sound signature. She was the second part of the model of Fisker & Nielsen and was developed in 1933. However, it was only in 1934 on the market and has since been sold with only slight facelift to 1960. To ensure the compatibility of newer versions with the original model, all the new parts were fitted at the factory to test the " Ur - Humlebien ". So the prototype was in 1960 one of the most advanced models of this type. The optically most dramatic change was the introduction of high telescopic fork 1948. 1950 came the rubber suspension of the saddles instead of the springs.

The chassis of flat steel profiles with rigid, ie unsprung rear wheel first got the improved front fork of the " stovepipe " type. This was replaced by the front fork, which was constructed simultaneously with BMW, but without that they knew each other.

Initially, four individual cylinders were provided. However, eventually, the cylinders were cast together, which was a novelty at that time and are both difficult in view of the different cooling conditions and could benefit from the higher loaded rear cylinders. The concept proved successful. One problem observed was the third cylinder, which received the least cooling by the wind, a weak point, especially in city driving.

The overhead camshaft is driven by a vertical shaft, the bore of the anchor vertically arranged alternator.

The entire construction work at the Nimbus - machine was designed for extreme meticulousness, craftsmanship and durability. Nimbus machines were expensive at any time, but also extremely durable.

The crankshaft has dual ball bearings, which proved to be one of the few weak points of the four-cylinder engine with 746 cc displacement. This engine produced 18 hp at 4000 rpm initially and later with higher compression 22 hp at 4500 rpm. The rod bearings were made ​​of white metal. For the Danish police more powerful versions were produced with higher compression.

The Humlebie came in several versions on the market. 1934 came the Nimbus "Standard " on the market, with black lacquer, black tank, black rims and deep exhaust pipe. As the name suggests these, it was the base model of Nimbus and also the cheapest. In 1937 the Nimbus "Sport " on the market, with blue paint, chrome tank, chrome rims and & Remote, also chromed exhaust pipe. This model received a foot switch with a lighter hand clutch, instead of the original manual gearbox with foot clutch and hand clutch hard more common. The Handkuppung should allow the driver to depose the left foot when stopping. So he could stop when in gear with the initially stronger foot brake on slopes with the right foot, without falling over.

It was also the Nimbus Sport, which as early as 1938, the stable version of the low fork and connected with it had the 180 -mm drum brake, which was previously found only in the back. The initial 120 -mm drum brake at the front had turned out for the high driving speed to be too weak.

The last major change in 1956 was no more successful. The " luxury model " had sealed valves as opposed to the current rocker arms open all previous versions. However, heat dissipation and lubrication were not successful, the valve springs and valve guides suffered by the encapsulation.

A rear suspension (Delivery Motorbikes Fisker & Nielsen were already so equipped ), a new gas -exchange control on the piston without valves, camshaft and rocker arms and a two-cylinder prototype were no longer in series.

Market changes, the desire to drive a car, and high tax burdens on imported materials led to sales declines and ultimately to set the Nimbus - production of new machines. Production of spare parts was however continue to operate for another ten years.

Engine numbers and years of manufacture

For documentation of Fisker & Nielsen. From No. 1301 to No. 13573, the chassis number and engine number are the same, from No. 13573 follows the VIN not the engine numbers.

12715 Nimbus II were built, of which one third are ready to drive today. This number is proof of the solid, user-friendly design.

The image of the Nimbus II as durable and reliable motorcycle was often proved. 1935 drove Palle Huld and Elith Fors 18,000 km around the Mediterranean. An Austrian went on a Nimbus to Thailand, a Danish engineer from Khartoum to Nairobi.

Nimbus motorcycles were mainly sold on the Danish market, but a part scattered all over the world. The Chinese army has received three 1937 Nimbus with 20 -mm cannon, mounted on the sidecar. Largest consumer of Nimbus machines were the Danish army, post office and police. However, companies that conducted their shipping within the cities with Nimbus motorcycles with Lieferbeiwagen, were among the customers, in addition to countless individuals.

The Royal Danish Mint used for a long time this delivery motorcycles mailbox pick. The last ride with a yellow post- Nimbus in Copenhagen was carried out only on 20 September 1976. The last machine of formerly 137 piece was donated to the postal and telegraph museum.

Nimbus as a treasured vintage motorcycles

In recent years, interest in NIMBUS - bikes in Denmark, in Germany and in other countries has grown significantly. In Greater Hamburg eight machines are known, distributed in the Federal Republic more around 250. Their owners participate widely mostly on information exchange, as a loose community.

In Denmark around 4000 machines, according to the brand clubs " Danmarks Nimbus Touring" still roadworthy, many of them 30 or 40 years old and still in use.

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