1938 Other Makes DKW DIAMANT 98CC

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1938 DKW DIAMANT 98CC - SKULLCRUSHER This DKW Diamant was manufactured by Göransson Motor AB Gothenburg, Sweden, in 1938 and has the original engine. It is restored to its original factory quality and looks and would look good in any museum, but could also be driven and runs perfectly. It’s dependable and fun to ride. The manufacturer, Göransson Motor AB Gothenburg, Sweden, was known for its very high standard of quality and design. In the 1930’s Göransson entered into a license agreement and a close relationship with the German company, DKW, which by that time was the World Largest motorcycle manufacturer. The license agreement allowed Göransson to use the well known DKW brand in Sweden. Göransson imported the 98cc engine from DKW and installed on the Swedish manufactured frame. DKW made several German motorcycles and cars and ultimately become what we today know as Audi. This motorcycle was marketed under the name DKW Diamant and became the most desirable Light Motorcycle in Sweden during the 1930th. It was built as the low rider of its time and had a powerful DKW 98CC engine, with a 3 gears transmission with speed up to 45 mph. The accessories include the tire pump and tool bag. The original tool bag can be included for an additional $400, otherwise the reproduction tool bag will be included in the price. I have a clean Indiana Title, its sold AS IS WHERE IS. THE HISTORY OF THE SWEDISH SKULLCRUCHERS In the early 1930th, with already modest economic conditions, Sweden was dragged into the world wide Great Depression and the precarious situation was deepened by the Swedish financial crises “Kreugerkrashen”. For most young Swedes, the main mean of transportation was the bicycle. Even though Sweden was in the forefront of the European Industrial Revolution, with both domestically manufactured cars and motorcycles, 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 young Swedes, the Lightweight Motorcycle (“Lattviktare”), which essentially just was a bicycle with a motor and gas tank.. The goal was to sell the Lightweight Motorcycle 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 was the 16 years age limit. The young men of Sweden took this new lightweight motorcycle to their heart, riding far beyond their hometown expanding their social life while still make it home in the evening so they could ride to work in the morning, working 6 days per 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 most of the ~20 bicycle manufacturers entered into to this new market. 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 got its name “Skullcrushers” (“Skallkrossare” ). On July 1, 1939 the regulations changed, 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.