1934 Nimbus For Sale

1934 Nimbus Details

1934 Nimbus Motorcycle. Oldest in the USA?
Restore it, or just putt it around. Watch how easily it starts in the video. It runs great. You could also just clean up it and polish up the old paint, or just leave it like it is. Super cool rare collector motorcycle.

This bike is believed to be the oldest Nimbus in America by the Nimbus owners club of America. Here is a link: http://nimbusclubusa.com/

Specs: 746cc Air Cooled, 4 Cylinder In-line, Single Overhead Cam
The Nimbus model C motorcycle was manufactured in Denmark between 1934 and 1959 by Fisker & Nielsen in Copenhagen. The company started in 1906 manufacturing electrical motors.

Specifications

The Nimbus has a 4 cylinder in-line, air cooled, SOHC engine with a 746cc displacement and it generates between 18 and 22 horses, all depending on the type of pistons and shape of the single head. It was the first motorcycle ever manufactured with telescopic front forks, although only by a few months before the German BMW. It is also an original ‘hard-tail’ with the only type of rear suspension consisting of either coil springs or rubber bands on the seat mounts. The reason for this is that these motorcycles have a direct shaft drive, no chain or belt on this bike.

The most notable thing about these bikes however, is the fact that the engine has no valve covers. This means that as the engine is running one can actually follow the movement of the 8 intake and exhaust valves, springs and rocker arms. The motorcycle can still reach speeds of 75 mph when geared for solo riding and about 55-60 mph when geared for sidecar.

Still Going Strong

There are still about 3800-4000 of these motorcycles registered in Denmark today, not including the ones not registered for the road, and it is estimated that at least 6500-7000 of these old classic bikes are still in existence around the world today. This is a great testament to the durability of these 50 to 70 year old motorcycles, as well as to the love of riding and maintaining these great Danish bikes by their owners.

It is estimated that there are about 200-250 of these motorcycles in North America, with 50 of them being registered between members of the Chicago’s Mid-West Nimbus club and our Nimbus Club USA.

The engine number matches the body number near the speedo.

Watch the videos, and listen to it run!

1934 was 1st year for this popular model which was manufactured in Denmark through 1960 when the company went out of bussiness. There were a total of only 200 made the first year. This one is # 62. [made in batches of fifty at a time this is the 12th one of the 2nd batch] The Nimbus was never offered for sale in the US but was very popular in Europe, as it is a well made reliable motorcycle. I’ve read these are still used in some countrys as mail delivery and police bikes and parts are still available as the original company is still in operation making vacume cleaners today.

Total production for all years was less than 13,000. It is a 4 cylinder, shaft drive, overhead cam. pcv system, hydrolic front suspension, foot shift, hand clutch model. All in 1934! This bike is complete, and about 90% original. [1936 front hub {with larger brakes} with newer front rim. missing horn and top of horn button].

Have extra parts; including the rear seat, tool box for under bike, and down pipe [which is only difference between sport and touring models, looks wise]

This is a solo bike, in solo gearing, so it’s top speed is around 90 mph. Bike cruises comfortably at 55 to 65, with bursts to well over 70 very do-able. it will stay in high gear [3rd] as slow as 15 or 20 mph and pull away completely smoothly. [speedo is in kilometers per hour, so these are my best estimate]

what’s wrong with it? :First gear pop’s out occasionally if you leave it in first gear for too long. I’ve been told it’s common with this transmission. clutch slips a little till it warms up [after about 1/2 hour of riding it’s always stopped slipping and you can accelerate full throttle all the way with no problems] ; i mentioned the newer front rim, and the 1936 nimbus front brake [an improvement I’d think about keeping, as the original front hub was same as rear -very small brake] ;It stops much better with this setup. it stopped charging recently [haven’t found time to look into why] ; I just charge the battery and go riding.; and in general it needs a good cleaning. You could do a full restoration, but I love the patina of the bike so I would leave it as is. It turns heads everywhere it goes, and people always want to know what it is.

Over-all this bike is in good condition for it’s vintage nature.

1934 Nimbus Pictures