Swedish Army bikes
Adam Rush
Swedish army bikes. They're easy-riding, durable, low-maintenance,
and have a fantastic front drum brake. I must get one of these things
before I leave (or, if I don't leave, get one anyway).
Anyway I was wondering who made these (they are all painted over with
typical army green) and what kind of specs they were made to.
Kronan's (possibly the original manufacturer) modern rendition of them
seems to mention "1942" over and over, so I suppose that they may have
been from thereabouts.
These Swedes have a habit of making their wehicles as quirky as
possible, so I wouldn't be surprised if these guys are half English
roadster specs (I heard that half of the world's bikes were this one
type of English roadster, probably from A. Muzi's site, so I suspect
this might be a close relative) and half Swedish specs.
Thank you so much,
Adam Rush
Carl Fogel
Dear Adam,
Wouldn't a red Swiss Army bike with a corkscrew
be more practical?
Seriously, Kronans are widely available, although
perhaps without drum brakes:
They list U.K and U.S. sites.
Carl Fogel
Per Elmsäter
> Dear Adam,
>
> Wouldn't a red Swiss Army bike with a corkscrew
> be more practical?
>
> Seriously, Kronans are widely available, although
> perhaps without drum brakes:
>
> http://www.kronancycle.com
>
> They list U.K and U.S. sites.
>
> Carl Fogel
Interesting site. Those bikes resemble the ones I used during my Swedish
Army service about 33 years ago. However I seem to remember the frame as
having much sturdier tubing. I remember the tubes were much thicker than the
Crescent bike I rode as a kid. Apart from that it looks pretty much the
same. And yes they needed absolutely no maintenace whatsoever.
--
Perre
You have to be smarter than a robot to reply.
A Muzi
http://www.kronancycle.com/kronanusa/company_history.html
That was almost too easy!
--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971
Carl Fogel
Dear Per,
In case you missed it, here's a picture of what
I assume is typical Swedish Army bicycle training:
http://www.kronancycle.com/photo_gallery/photo_pages/telegraph_ad.htm
I can't make out what kind of champagne bottle
she's holding, but it seems tactically sound.
Carl Fogel
Per Elmsäter
This is how they were issued to all units that wore a beret. The champagen
was just sparkly, but we didn't give a shit.
Adam Rush
> be more practical?
>
> Seriously, Kronans are widely available, although
> perhaps without drum brakes:
>
> http://www.kronancycle.com
>
> They list U.K and U.S. sites.
>
> Carl Fogel
These are the modern renditions I was talking about. I have no
interest in one of these ones. The ancient workhorses are everywhere,
but noone seems to have any information on them. Does anybody even
know what they're called?
Adam Rush
I'm afraid that is the webpage to which I was refering. These
bicycles have no connection to the old Swedish army bikes which I am
looking into buying, besides similar frame geometry. Kronan is a
company which was started to produce replicas.
Does anybody know who had the original Army contract for these things?
Jan Lindström
Adam Rush wrote:
>
> I'm afraid that is the webpage to which I was refering. These
> bicycles have no connection to the old Swedish army bikes which I am
> looking into buying, besides similar frame geometry. Kronan is a
> company which was started to produce replicas.
>
> Does anybody know who had the original Army contract for these things?
No idea, but you may get a lead on this page: http://www.fmv.se/
That's the army material management program, and they've been selling
the old bikes. You can't purchase a single bike from them, but they may
know who has bought the bikes.
Jan
Q.
"Jan Lindström" <jan_li...@spam.yahoo.filter.com> wrote in message
news:bovsn8$4jq$1...@phys-news1.kolumbus.fi...
>
>
> Adam Rush wrote:
>
> >
> > I'm afraid that is the webpage to which I was refering. These
> > bicycles have no connection to the old Swedish army bikes which I am
> > looking into buying, besides similar frame geometry. Kronan is a
> > company which was started to produce replicas.
> >
> > Does anybody know who had the original Army contract for these things?
Out of curiosity, I started looking into these bikes ... there are modern
ARMY versions of the bikes as well, completely redesigned from the ones you
are probably thinking about. They're not in service anymore but they made
the new ones for a few years (actually quite nice except for the price).
So, apparently there are 3 Swiss army bikes ... the original, the more
modern redesigned official ones, and the newer aftermarket remake. Just
letting you know what to look for.
If I find any more info I will post ...
Good luck,
C.Q.C.
Per Elmsäter
> So, apparently there are 3 Swiss army
Are you sure you don't mean the Swiss Navy???
Q.
> Q. wrote:
> > So, apparently there are 3 Swiss army
>
> Are you sure you don't mean the Swiss Navy???
>
DOH! Having a senior moment ... not the most wide awake person at that time
of the morning.
Someone made a joke about a Swiss army bike with corkscrew, and I guess it
stuck in my head! The Swiss did have a nice bike army though.
OKay, Swedish right, as in hot naked blond girl who like to ride a bike?
http://www.sph.emory.edu/Helmets/HRC/sweden.nude.html
At least she's wearing a helmet (c: We need educational posters like that
in the US, maybe Ida paid more attention in school.
C.Q.C.
Per Elmsäter
Hehe. You know it's funny. I've seen that poster so many times on the
internet but I've never seen it here in Sweden. I'm not saying it's fake.
I'm just saying it sure attracted a lot of interantional interest ;)
BTW. After the last Americas Cup the Swiss ought to form a Navy.
Carl Fogel
> > So, apparently there are 3 Swiss army
>
> Are you sure you don't mean the Swiss Navy???
Dear Per,
Swiss, Swedish, it all swounds the swame
in the USwA.
Swincerely,
Carl Fogel
Per Elmsäter
In that case we might be able to combine forces. I'd love to donate the
Swedish Navy to the Swizz in return for some of their beautiful mountains.
Rik O'Shea
> > So, apparently there are 3 Swiss army
>
> Are you sure you don't mean the Swiss Navy???
No, no, no, let's be correct about this...
.. its the "Royal Swiss Navy" !
Forget about your Swiss Army knife and always remember ro carry your
Royal Swiss Navy Handbook with you.
Per Elmsäter
Easy enough to say once you've joined the dark side of an Empire.
Carl Fogel
Dear Per,
Just as the Swedes have mountains, so do the Swiss actually
have a navy:
http://atlasgeo.span.ch/fotw/flags/ch-sea.html#navy
Swiss Navy
Switzerland does have a small navy of sorts. Lakes Konstanz
and Leman (Geneva) form international frontiers, and their
navies consist of a few patrol craft. Switzerland also has
a major Rhine commercial fleet (you can see the Swiss flag
flying all the way to the Netherlands), which military craft
patrol in time of war. Both the navy and air force are branches
of the army (like the infantry and artillery). The air force
is 1st in Europe -- so good that Israel used it as their model.
T. F. Mills, 12 February 1996
Mills says nothing about naval models, but probably the
Colorado State Park Navy patrolling the mighty Pueblo
Reservoir has adopted the Swiss maritime example.
Admiral Carl Fogel
David Reuteler
: Mills says nothing about naval models, but probably the
: Reservoir has adopted the Swiss maritime example.
being a minnesotan i got a kick out of watching enormous boats being hauled
up into the mountains .. to where i'm not sure. i'm still not sure. they
couldn't have all fit into the reservoirs. they were all empty anyway.
crazy coloradans. what were they doing? they should take their tourist
dollars to minnesota. we have water. they can even wash their cars and
boats and take showers and stuff. water is neat stuff.
btw, being part swiss i felt a twinge of pride reading about the swiss navy.
--
david reuteler
reut...@visi.com
Carl Fogel
Dear David,
Just a guess, but you may have seen boats being hauled up the
interstate west of Denver to Dillon Reservoir on the far side
of the Front Range. The mountains above there have lots of
abandoned mining roads that might appeal to mountain bikers.
Carl Fogel
Mike Latondresse
>
> btw, being part swiss i felt a twinge of pride reading about the
> swiss navy.
How about the America Cup
David Reuteler
: How about the America Cup
positively giddy. in a sort of reserved swiss way.
--
david reuteler
reut...@visi.com
Simon Brooke
> Someone made a joke about a Swiss army bike with corkscrew, and I guess it
> stuck in my head!
No accounting for taste. Trotsky used an icepick...
But I have to confess it sounds painful to me,
--
si...@jasmine.org.uk (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/
;; gif ye hes forget our auld plane Scottis quhilk your mother lerit you,
;; in tymes cuming I sall wryte to you my mind in Latin, for I am nocht
;; acquyntit with your Southeron
;; Letter frae Ninian Winyet tae John Knox datit 27t October 1563
Waal
"Adam Rush" <adam...@mail.com> skrev i en meddelelse
news:d0731d03.03111...@posting.google.com...
Husquarna
regards
Michael
A Muzi
>>Someone made a joke about a Swiss army bike with corkscrew, and I guess it
>>stuck in my head!
Simon Brooke wrote:
> No accounting for taste. Trotsky used an icepick...
> But I have to confess it sounds painful to me,
Are you referringto Trotsky's death?
http://www.yellowjersey.org/photosfromthepast/trotsky.jpg
His last ( deathbed) photo shows effects of an ice axe, not
an icepick. He didn't "use" one, being on the receiving end.
Adam Rush
> > No accounting for taste. Trotsky used an icepick...
> > But I have to confess it sounds painful to me,
>
> Are you referringto Trotsky's death?
>
> http://www.yellowjersey.org/photosfromthepast/trotsky.jpg
>
> His last ( deathbed) photo shows effects of an ice axe, not
> an icepick. He didn't "use" one, being on the receiving end.
Are any of you reminded of a "Kids in the Hall" sketch in which a
fashion designer is debuting a line of accesories for ugly women, one
of which is a railroad spike through their head?
Carl Fogel
Dear Michael,
Or Husqarna. Or Husquvarna. Or Husqvarna, to use
the most common spelling. I liked their 400cc
machines best.
Carl Fogel
Waal
"Carl Fogel" <carl...@comcast.net> skrev i en meddelelse
news:8bbde8fc.03111...@posting.google.com...
>
> Carl Fogel
The natives prefer Husqvarna.
Regards
Michael
Adam Rush
> > bicycles have no connection to the old Swedish army bikes which I am
> > looking into buying, besides similar frame geometry. Kronan is a
> > company which was started to produce replicas.
> >
> > Does anybody know who had the original Army contract for these things?
>
> Husquarna
>
> regards
> Michael
You're kidding me, right? The motorcycle company? Although, both of
them have pretty similar looking front drums...
Dave Thompson
"Adam Rush" <adam...@mail.com> wrote in message
news:d0731d03.03111...@posting.google.com...
Yup, the motorcycle, chainsaw & sewing machine company
Carl Fogel
Dear Michael,
Chain-saws, rifles, and sewing-machines, too.
Carl Fogel
Roger Marquis
>These Swedes have a habit of making their wehicles as quirky as
>possible, so I wouldn't be surprised if these guys are half English
>roadster specs (I heard that half of the world's bikes were this one
>type of English roadster, probably from A. Muzi's site, so I suspect
>this might be a close relative) and half Swedish specs.
The Kronan isn't that quirky but it does have some non-standard specs.
I bought one a few months ago and it's absolutely the best around-town
bike I've ever owned, by far. The best part is the steel rack, solid
as a rock. With a pair of Wald foldable baskets it carries 4 full
grocery bags w/o any sway whatsoever.
The steel rims, steel cotterless cranks, 1/4in chain, and 2.4mm spokes
are probably overkill but will surely outlast anything else on the
market.
On the downside the bike is _heavy_. 45+ lbs is probably not a big
deal in flatter areas but the 3 speed SRAM coaster break - planetary
gear hub ratios are out of their element on any but the slightest
grade. I put a 24t Huret cog on the back (and drilled and raised the
chainguard) for the rolling foothills of Berkeley. Another benefit of
the 24 is that the coaster brakes work much better (though I'd have
preferred hand brakes).
The handlebars and stem are not particularly comfortable either.
Kronan's ship with swept back bars and a 1cm stem which I swapped out
for a straighter bar and 12cm stem. I'll eventually out the Woods
valves too, for Presta or Schrader.
The front light + fork mounted generator is adequate for occasional use
but the rear light is near worthless. Too bad they didn't use one of
those beautiful front hub - integrated generators.
Probably the worst design element is the bottom bracket height, 13in!
That 2in higher than most MTBs! Makes getting on and off a real pain
but at least you sit up high in traffic.
So it's not perfect but could easily be. Kronan's are a lot more
functional than the Bianchi Milano, Breezer, or other pretenders to the
(American-market) town bike crown.
Rumor has it that they're looking to sell the factory and the list of
buyers includes Bianchi. I sure hope the eventual buyers don't
'modernize' with aluminum frames or components, or make them so light
as to be attractive to thieves.
--
Roger Marquis
http://www.roble.net/marquis/
Waal
"Carl Fogel" <carl...@comcast.net> skrev i en meddelelse
news:8bbde8fc.03111...@posting.google.com...
Dear Carl
Just round the corner
Michael
Per Löwdin
> On the downside the bike is _heavy_. 45+ lbs is probably not a big
> deal in flatter areas
Right, once you get the speed up they keep going forward, they were
originally designed for the Swedish Army to be used as battering rams. I
think 50 lbs is not bad considering that the thing is built from solid pig
iron.
Adam Rush
> >possible, so I wouldn't be surprised if these guys are half English
> >roadster specs (I heard that half of the world's bikes were this one
> >type of English roadster, probably from A. Muzi's site, so I suspect
> >this might be a close relative) and half Swedish specs.
>
> The Kronan isn't that quirky but it does have some non-standard specs.
> I bought one a few months ago and it's absolutely the best around-town
> bike I've ever owned, by far. The best part is the steel rack, solid
> as a rock. With a pair of Wald foldable baskets it carries 4 full
> grocery bags w/o any sway whatsoever.
I'm afraid that the only relationship between the bike I'm talking
about that the Kronan is the country of origin.
Christian Edstrom
> Anyway I was wondering who made these (they are all painted over with
> typical army green) and what kind of specs they were made to.
> Kronan's (possibly the original manufacturer) modern rendition of them
> seems to mention "1942" over and over, so I suppose that they may have
> been from thereabouts.
I checked out _Älskade Cykel_ by Gert Ekström, and the Army bikes were
made in a number of different configurations, beginning in 1901.
The common models were m/1901 by Wiklunds, m/1930 by Wiklunds and
Nymans, and the ubiquitous m/1942, made by Husqvarna, Nymans, Rex, and
Monark. All had Novo hubs and 28 inch (635mm ISO) rims. m/1942 was
made until 1977.
Since 1977, two new models have been created: m104/m105 with 26 inch
(559?mm ISO) rims and Sachs hubs and m111 with 28 inch (635mm ISO)
rims and Torpedo hubs.
The bike you are interested in is undoubtedly the m/1942. Now, how to
get one in Sweden? I would guess that an offer of en tusenlapp to
anyone seen riding one would have the desired effect, but short of
that, you might check with your local bike shop, or post a wanted
classified in your local paper. To be honest, locating a used army
bike in Sweden seems almost too easy...
BTW, the ISBN number of _Älskade Cykel_ is 91-518-3906-7. It cost me
149 kronor and is full of beautiful old Rexes, Nymans, and everything
else you could want to see!
> Thank you so much,
> Adam Rush
Jajamensan,
Christian
NYC, USA
Adam Rush
> made in a number of different configurations, beginning in 1901.
> The common models were m/1901 by Wiklunds, m/1930 by Wiklunds and
> Nymans, and the ubiquitous m/1942, made by Husqvarna, Nymans, Rex, and
> Monark. All had Novo hubs and 28 inch (635mm ISO) rims. m/1942 was
> made until 1977.
> Since 1977, two new models have been created: m104/m105 with 26 inch
> (559?mm ISO) rims and Sachs hubs and m111 with 28 inch (635mm ISO)
> rims and Torpedo hubs.
Who did the front drums (those were on the m/1942, right?)? I had
thought I'd seen some perverse "26 x blah1 x blah2" (if anybody knows
what the two "blah":s are, please speak up!) on them, but I'll check
again--this time without being accused of being a bicycle thief.
> The bike you are interested in is undoubtedly the m/1942. Now, how to
> get one in Sweden? I would guess that an offer of en tusenlapp to
> anyone seen riding one would have the desired effect, but short of
> that, you might check with your local bike shop, or post a wanted
> classified in your local paper. To be honest, locating a used army
> bike in Sweden seems almost too easy...
You'd be surprised, there's a lot of people like me out there. But,
yes, I will try that tusenlapp thing.
I wonder if it works on Swedish women, though. WWSBD?
> BTW, the ISBN number of _Älskade Cykel_ is 91-518-3906-7. It cost me
> 149 kronor and is full of beautiful old Rexes, Nymans, and everything
> else you could want to see!
Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you....
Christian Edstrom
> Who did the front drums (those were on the m/1942, right?)? I had
> thought I'd seen some perverse "26 x blah1 x blah2" (if anybody knows
> what the two "blah":s are, please speak up!) on them, but I'll check
> again--this time without being accused of being a bicycle thief.
Hi Adam,
Yeah, front drum brakes are m/1942. You know, I had another look at
the book, and some of the bikes look like 635mm (28") wheels, but some
distinctly look like they have 26" wheels. These would be 584mm (650B
demi-ballon) tires & rims. Perhaps the standardization was not as
good as claimed! 584mm tires would be marked 26 x 1 1/2 (650B).
Oh, if you're really lucky, you might find a tandem army bike.
Apparently, these were used for hauling radio equipment. I'd venture
a guess they're umm, sturdy.
- Christian
Adam Rush
> > thought I'd seen some perverse "26 x blah1 x blah2" (if anybody knows
> > what the two "blah":s are, please speak up!) on them, but I'll check
> > again--this time without being accused of being a bicycle thief.
> the book, and some of the bikes look like 635mm (28") wheels, but some
> distinctly look like they have 26" wheels. These would be 584mm (650B
> demi-ballon) tires & rims. Perhaps the standardization was not as
> good as claimed! 584mm tires would be marked 26 x 1 1/2 (650B).
Yep, the ISO diameter was 584. You know, it might have been "26 x 1½
x 2", does that sound right? I'll check in the parking lot, anyway.
Please tell me that these are clinchers! If not, I'll have to pay the
arm and leg to order the alternative from Bombay.
Do you know who made the drum brakes? Are they the same as Husqvarna
motorcycles'? Where could I find out how to service them and where
would I get parts?
What kind of standards do these bikes follow? Is it going to be like
renovating a French bike?
> Oh, if you're really lucky, you might find a tandem army bike.
> Apparently, these were used for hauling radio equipment. I'd venture
> a guess they're umm, sturdy.
I have personally worked on at least one HAM radio-equiped bike at
each bike shop I have worked for. As odd as you might figure that
bike, it's just another episode of the Twilight Zone for me.
Christian Edstrom
Yes, they're clinchers. Available from Michelin & Hutchinson. Easy
to find in France, and probably Sweden. In the US, I shop ShelBroCo
(Harris Cyclery).
> Do you know who made the drum brakes? Are they the same as Husqvarna
> motorcycles'? Where could I find out how to service them and where
> would I get parts?
The rear hubs are "Novo," which was a captive Husqvarna brand. I
would assume, though I have no proof, that the front hubs are also
Husqvarna. Now, whether these are the same as old mc/moped hubs, now
you're off into esoteric territory. If you do a Google search on
"veteranmopeder husqvarna" or "novolette," you'll get some good
results. Having a cursory look at the front hub of a 1952 Husqvarna
Novolette, I'll give you a "mmm, maybe!" If it is the same as a
moped, it'll be a Novolette.
Ok, it's official, we're the only people left in this thread! :)
- Christian
Adam Rush
> > Please tell me that these are clinchers!
> Yes, they're clinchers. Available from Michelin & Hutchinson. Easy
> to find in France, and probably Sweden. In the US, I shop ShelBroCo
> (Harris Cyclery).
I take a look at those rims and think, "How does a tire get a bite on it?"
> > Do you know who made the drum brakes? Are they the same as Husqvarna
> > motorcycles'? Where could I find out how to service them and where
> > would I get parts?
> The rear hubs are "Novo," which was a captive Husqvarna brand. I
> would assume, though I have no proof, that the front hubs are also
> Husqvarna. Now, whether these are the same as old mc/moped hubs, now
> you're off into esoteric territory. If you do a Google search on
> "veteranmopeder husqvarna" or "novolette," you'll get some good
> results. Having a cursory look at the front hub of a 1952 Husqvarna
> Novolette, I'll give you a "mmm, maybe!" If it is the same as a
> moped, it'll be a Novolette.
Is there a large Husqvarna following in the US that one might get parts off of?
> Ok, it's official, we're the only people left in this thread! :)
That's probably for the best. Everyone else pointed me to Kronan's site.