Nimbus (motorcycle)

The Nimbus is a Danish motorcycle produced from 1920 to 1957 by Fisker and Nielsen (Copenhagen, Denmark), also known as manufacturer of Nilfisk vacuum cleaners. (A nimbus is a halo of light or mist.)

Two basic models were produced, both had 750 cc in-line four cylinder engines and shaft drive.

The first was made during the 1920s and had both front and rear wheel springing and a very characteristic spine frame giving birth to its nickname "The Stovepipe".

The later model "The bumblebee" was produced in very large numbers from 1934 till the end. It had a ohv-design engine and a frame made from steel bar. Also it had one of the earliest telescopic front forks seen – possibly the first? A very reliable and sturdy motorcycle often seen attached to a sidecar. Many of them served the post, military, police and other official duties in Denmark. Few were exported when new.

Eventually the design grew old-fashioned and as interest in motorcycles turned down in the late 1950s – as a consequence of the availability of cheap cars such as the Volkswagen, VW – production ceased after some work to develop new models (a four cylinder with a rotary valve and a two cylinder – both never reached production).