 | This article needs additional citations for verification .(May 2015) |
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| Industry | Bicycle, moped and motorcycle manufacturer |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1908 in Varberg, Sweden |
| Founder | Birger Svensson |
| Website | www |
Monark, also known as Cykelfabriken Monark AB and Monark AB, is a Swedish bicycle, moped and motorcycle manufacturer, established in Varberg, Sweden, in 1908 by the industrialist Birger Svensson. [1] As of 2016, Monark is valued at 11.5 billion kr.
In the 1950s, Monark had a successful record in off-road motorcycle competitions. In 1954 they entered 8 bikes in the International Six Days Trial, a form of off-road motorcycle Olympics. All 8 Monark riders finished with Gold Medals. In 1959, Monark's Sten Lundin won the 500cc motocross world championship. [2] [3] [4] When Monark stopped racing, Lundin re-badged his Monark motorcycle as a Lito and recaptured the world championship in 1961. [5] He dropped to third place in the world championship in 1962, finished second to Rolf Tibblin in the 1963 world championship and, third in the 1964 world championship. [5] [6] [7] [8]
In 1961, Monark merged with Nymanbolagen, Uppsala, Sweden into Monark-Crescentbolagen or MCB. [2] Monark is today part of Cycleurope, belonging to Grimaldi Industri AB. Monark is also a brand of Brazilian bicycles, related to the original Swedish Monark AB. [9]
The Cykelfabriken should not be confused with the Monark-Silver King, Inc., Chicago, IL, a manufacturer of classic bicycles from 1934 to 1957, (formerly the Monark Battery Company). Nor should it be confused with the Monarch Cycle Manufacturing Company, 1892–1899, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Toronto, founded by John William Kiser.
Monark produces the Elcykel, an electric bicycle, built of aluminum with the same engine system including Posten AB uses. It utilizes a 10 Ah Lithium battery for long running time and fast recharge and is equipped with a Navgenerator, approved locks and immobilizers elimination part.
[11] The Transporter is a Unisex steel work bike which is equipped with a heavy-duty front carrier and a robust kickstand. The rims are made of stainless steel and reinforced spokes They are available as Shimano Single or 3-speeds. They only come in black.
[12] The Truck is workbike, popular in Denmark, [12] It is a steel framed work bike with a front carrier and generator lightning. It is available as a single or three speed and only comes in Black.
[13] The military bike is a new version of the Swedish military bicycle, it is available in a men´s or women´s model. The rims are made of stainless steel with reinforced spokes. The bicycles are equipped with lock and generator lighting. They are only available in red or green and come as single or 3-speeds.
[14] Monark produces the following Specialized bikes:
[15] Monark produces the following scooters:
Ove Vilmer Lundell was a Swedish professional motocross racer. He competed in the Motocross World Championships from 1958 to 1965. Lundell was one of the top off-road motorcyclists of his era coming from Sweden, a nation that produced many of the sport's first world champions.
Roger De Coster is a Belgian former professional motocross racer and current Motorsport Director of KTM and Husqvarna North America. He competed in the Motocross World Championships from 1966 to 1980, most prominently as a member of the Suzuki factory racing team where he won five FIM 500cc Motocross World Championships.
Heikki Antero Mikkola is a Finnish former professional motocross racer and motocross team manager. He competed in the Motocross World Championships from 1967 to 1979, most prominently as a member of the Husqvarna factory racing team where he became the first competitor to win both the 250cc and 500cc world championships.
Torsten Hallman is a Swedish former professional motocross racer and business entrepreneur. He competed in the Motocross World Championships from 1959 to 1971. A four-time world champion, Hallman led a contingent of Swedish riders that dominated the motocross world championships in the early 1960s. His battles with Belgium's Joël Robert were considered some of the best in the history of the championships. Between 1964 and 1968, the pair finished first or second to one another in the world championship four times.
Eric Geboers was a Belgian professional motocross racer and racing driver. He competed in the Motocross World Championships from 1980 to 1990.
Åke Jonsson is a Swedish former professional motocross racer. He was one of the top riders in the Motocross World Championships during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Jonsson came close to winning the world championship title in 1968, 1970 and in 1971 when he led the championship going into the final round when, a mechanical failure ruined his bid.
Bengt Edvin Åberg was a Swedish professional motocross racer. He competed in the Motocross World Championships from 1966 to 1979. He was a two-time FIM 500cc Motocross World Champion.
Sten Lundin was a Swedish professional motocross racer. He competed in the Motocross World Championships from 1955 to 1966. Between 1955 and 1964, Lundin placed in the top three competitors of the 500cc Motocross World Championships.
Bill Nilsson was a Swedish professional motocross racer. He competed in the Motocross World Championships from 1952 to 1967. Nilsson was the first 500 cc motocross world champion after winning the inaugural 1957 championship sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme.
Håkan Carlqvist was a Swedish professional motocross racer. He competed in the Motocross World Championships from 1974 to 1988. Carlqvist was a two-time world champion who was known for his fierce competitiveness.
René Gommarus Desire Baeten was a Belgian professional motocross racer. He competed in the Motocross World Championships from 1947 to 1960. Baeten is notable for winning the 1958 500cc Motocross World Championship. In 1958, Baeten was named the recipient of the Belgian National Sports Merit Award.
Leslie Archer, best known as Les Archer Jr., was an English former leading motorcycle racer of the 1950s, competing in long-distance speed trials, road racing and scrambles, now known as motocross.
Arne Kring is a Swedish former professional motocross racer. He was a top contender in the F.I.M. 500cc Motocross World Championship from 1963 to 1975.
The 1973 FIM Motocross World Championship was the 17th F.I.M. Motocross Racing World Championship season.
The 1977 FIM Motocross World Championship was the 21st F.I.M. Motocross Racing World Championship season.
The 1960 Motocross World Championship was the 4th edition of the Motocross World Championship organized by the FIM and reserved for 500cc and 250cc motorcycles.
The 1961 Motocross World Championship was the 5th edition of the Motocross World Championship organized by the FIM and reserved for 500cc and 250cc motorcycles.
The 1962 Motocross World Championship was the 6th edition of the Motocross World Championship organized by the FIM and reserved for 500cc and 250cc motorcycles.
The 1963 Motocross World Championship was the 7th edition of the Motocross World Championship organized by the FIM and reserved for 500cc and 250cc motorcycles.
The 1964 Motocross World Championship was the 8th edition of the Motocross World Championship organized by the FIM and reserved for 500cc and 250cc motorcycles.
