Timeline of a Husky
Motorcycle riding has been an obsession for a good number of men for quite some time. Riding enthusiasts swear by the power it has in liberating the mind and spirit. Maybe so, having come down in history actually speaks for itself. Here’s a review of how one of the most pined for machines has come about.
As the Swedish king commanded that a weapons factory be built in the town of Huskvarna in 1689, Husqvarna, the company was founded. Initially, they manufactured mostly muskets, thus, to this day, the Husqvarna logo symbolizes the sight over the end of the barrel. Later, kitchen appliances and sewing machines made of cast iron were manufactured as well.
In 1903, Husqvarna, the oldest motorcycle manufacturer unveiled the first motorcycle. They called a “motorized bicycle” and used imported engines. This, after they built the bicycle in the late 19th century.
1918 saw the company begin to build their completely in-house machines since they have started production of their own parts and engines, too. This was also when they burst into the cross country and long distance motorcycle races.
The first 550cc four – stroke 50 degrees side valve V twin engine was designed in 1920.
The 1930’s started the more than 80 years of racing family tradition. Husqvarna competed and consistently won in races like the Grand Prix in the 350cc and 500 classes. The latter years of the decade established Husqvarna as the largest motorcycle manufacturer in Sweden.
Post-war Europe in 1953 saw the emergence of the newly popular form of motorcycle sport, moto-cross.
In 1955, the Silverpillen which translates into “silver arrow”, weighing only 75 kilograms was built for off-road use.
Rolf Tiblin won the 1959 moto-cross in his 250cc Husqvarna. Always with his Husqvarna motorbikes, Tiblin won numerous world titles more, including the Baja 1000.
The 1960’s to the 1970’s was considered the golden age of Husqvarna. This is due to the consistent off road world victories it has garnered. Much like moto-cross and enduro championships in the United States and Europe. Bill Nilsson claimed the first Husqvarna world title in the 500cc class which started an era in the big bore moto-cross. This decade was also witness to Husqvarna being considered as foremost in off-road bikes with the boost in its growth and popularity. Fourteen moto-cross world titles, twenty four enduro European wins and eleven 1000 Baja championships don’t lie.
Besides the off-road type of motorcycles the late 70’s engrossed Husqvarna in corporate demands. Electrolux, one of the most prosperous corporations in Sweden, acquired Husqvarna.
In 1983,the light weight, easy handling and air cooled 500 cc four-stroke off-road model set the new standard in the industry. It served as the forerunner of the four-stroke competition motorcycles’ new generation.
The Husqvarna motorcycle division was bought by the Italian manufacturer Cagiva in 1987, becoming part of MV Agusta Motor S.p.A. making Varese its new manufacturing location.
In 1988, the company managers and engineers of Husqvarna, not wanting to be relocated to Italy broke away from Cagiva and put up Husaberg AB which was later bought by KTM AG in 1995.
BMW acquired Husqvarna in 2007 for the purpose of expanding their off-road motorbike range.
In 2013, Pierer Ind AG, the new owner of Husaberg, bought Husqvarna merging both into the original Husqvarna brand. It was later bought by KTM AG with the production site transferred to Mattighofen, Austria.
2014 brought the new generation Husqvarna back to its illustrious origins and iconic Swedish blue, yellow and white color scheme with cutting edge technology. Husqvarna was back as the leading brand in motorcycle sports with a new range of moto-cross, enduro and supermoto engines.
In 2018, the street model range was made available to the public. It includes the Vitpilen 401 and 701,and the Svartpilen 401 and 701.
So you’ve got the machine of your dreams and it’s time to get your hands dirty to do a bit of maintenance or minor repairs. Rule number one is to make sure you only get genuine and high quality MX Store’s husqvarna motorcycle parts, your life may depend on it.
