1938 Other Makes MONARK 98CC

591025

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THE HISTORY OF THE SWEDISH SKULLCRUSHERS In the early 1930th Sweden was dragged into the world wide Great Depression and the financial crises in Sweden were deepened by the Swedish financial fraud scandal, the “Kreugerkrashen”. For most young Swedes, the main mean of transportation was limited to the bicycle. Even though Sweden was in the forefront of the European Industrial Revolution, most Swedes had very limited resources, but could generally afford a bicycle. There were at least 20 bicycle manufacturers in Sweden and they competed fearlessly for the domestic market share. Influenced by trends in Germany and Great Britain, the Swedish bicycle manufacturers developed a new strategy; to provide the Swedes a new mean of transportation, the Lightweight Motorcycle (“Lattviktare”). The goal for the new motorcycle was to sell it at a price that as many could afford as possible. The motorcycles were sold for about 400kr ($50), which represented about 2 months of salary for an industrial worker. The only regulatory requirement for riders 16 years age limit. The young men of Sweden took this new lightweight motorcycle to their heart, riding far beyond their hometown and thereby expanding their social life, while still riding it home in the evening so they could ride it to work in the morning every six days of the week. It is even said that these lightweight motorcycles abolished the inbreeding in the small town of Sweden. During the years of 1937 through 1939 the lightweight motorcycles become a cult symbol among young men in Sweden. The market demand exceeded all expectations and more than of the 10 bicycle manufacturers entered into to this new market. The most prominent Swedish brands were; Husqvarna, REX, Monark, DKW and VEGA. However, the combination of limited regulations, poorly maintained gravel roads, inexperienced riders and sometimes a little too much partying resulted in a significant amount of accidents. It was so bad that the lightweight motorcycles were named Skullcrushers (“Skallkrossare”). On July 1, 1939 the regulations changed and riders were now forced to have a driver’s license and the maximum cylinder volume was increased to less than 125cc, from less than 100cc, also the earlier weight limitation of 45kg (100lbs) was removed. The new regulation, effective on July 1, 1939, and also Hitler’s invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939 and the beginning of World War II killed the Skullcrushers and made them gradually disappear for newer and improved motorcycles. 1938 MONARK 98CC Monark bicycle history started in 1908 in Varberg, Sweden, by the legendary founder and the then very financially poor, Birger Svensson. Birger Svensson originally named the company in honor of the Swedish King and the Swedish Monarky. No one knew that Birger Svensson would become a king himself. After the 1st World War the company’s business expanded dramatically, to become one of Europe’s largest manufactures of bicycles, mopeds and motorcycles with a production capacity of ~1,000 units per day. Birger Svensson became known as “The Poor Man That Became The Bicycle King”. Facing the problems with the motorcycles produced in the early 1900s, plagued with very complicated and unreliable engines and with prices that were prohibited for most people, Monark entered into the 98cc Light Motorcycle in the mid 1930th. The model was simple named Monark 98cc. Monark imported the German ILO 98cc two stoke engine from the ILO-Motorenwerke, the biggest two-stroke engine manufacturer in Germany, and installed it and related components on its higher end bicycles. It has a 2 gear transmission with the gear stick on the right side. The ILO motor and bicycle frame was gradually improved and led Monark to develop its own engines and take a leading position in bicycles, motorcycles and mopeds during the 50th and 60th. This particular motorcycle was manufactured by Monark in Varberg, Sweden in 1938. It has has a very good restoration to its original factory quality and looks. It’s dependable and can reach a speed around 45mph. I just ran this bike and it runs great. This is a very rare motorcycle in very nice restored condition that can be displayed in a museum or in your collection, but can also driven for just fun. It is sold in an AS IS WHERE IS CONDITION. The motorcycle is sold with a Bill of Sale only. If the Buyer want me to provide an Indiana Title, I may be able to do that for an additional $500 fee.If you are looking for a true Swedish collectors Motorcycle named after the Swedish King, and with a unique history, this is it.