Excellent vid ! I concur that these are fantastic motorcycles and I am speaking from experience having ridden my 1938 all around Colorado where I live and all over the US. with the Antique Motorcycle club for close to 15 years ! Industrial build quality , made to haul a fully loaded sidecar, super dependable and easy to start. Most any enthusiast would agree that it would be the very last bike sold of any collection ! My brother and I are over 65 and still ride the heck out of our pair not only on pavement, but dirt roads AND forestry off road trails as well. My favorite thing is seeing the expressions on the guys faces when they see 80+ year old Nimbusses go past their 4x4's , quads and dirt bikes out on the trail ! They don't call me "The Nimbus Nut" for nothing ;>) Thanks Bo for the excellent presentation ! Might be the best on the Nimbus I have seen yet !
Being Danish i am very proud of the Nimbus bikes i remember as a kid. And still not a rare sight on danish roads. What a lovely video and a well told Story
Basicly still 50% percent in operation of the total produktion figure. Thats impressive for a almost 100 yrs old bike. Ahead of its time with a ohc design and front suspension and drive shaft
Although production of Nimbus motorcycles stopped more than 60 years ago, they are not a rare sight on the roads in Denmark. They were clearly built to last, and the owners like to ride them. Like the old model had the nickname The Stovepipe, this one has a nickname of it's own, The Bumblebee.
Absolutely lovely motorcycle. I’ve not heard of Nimbus before but I’m blown away by their simplicity and aesthetic beauty. Plus the sound of the engine is delicious 😊
What a beautiful piece of engineering, to think they were made in the 30s and 40s. Such simple design. Wonderful video, thanks for seeking him out and sharing with us
Met Bo yesterday at the Firle hill climb. Very interesting to talk to. The bike not only looks fantastic and far ahead of of time, but the sound of the exhaust note is like nothing ive heard before. I t has a wonderful very deep rumble that makes it sound unique. The valve guides run dry in their guides!
These bikes are absolutely beautiful! I am 52,, soon to be 53 yrs old & have never even heard of this bike. Probably because I am an American? I would ride this bike with pride here in America!👍🇺🇸
Dane here. My uncle used to have 8 Nimbuses all with different sidecars. one had a flatbed, another was shaped like a giant led pencil etc... When my dad was around 5 yrs old he almost drowned in a nimbus sidecar after my uncle drove them through a flooded tunnel at speed. The water level was so high it rushed into the sidecar and flushed my dad down the footwell. he was so paniced he couldn't get out and only reason he came up was because my uncle reached in there and pulled his small brother out of there! LOL -My cousin used to race one of them. He once drove 3 times around a big 2 laned roundabout with the sidecar raised off the ground.... with his GF screaming in the sidecar! LOL
Really interesting and different from the usual show. Love simple and yet effective engineering that is robust and just keeps going. Think it’s great that you can get all the parts still.
Danke für die detaillierte, tolle Vorstellung. Ich habe diese Motorräder am Strand von Römö gesehen und wegen der Optik ihres Flacheisenrahmens immer etwas gering geschätzt. Das hat sich jetzt grundlegend geändert. Was für eine schöne, schlichte Konstruktion!
These are wonderful motorbikes and had never heard of them until I visited Denmark 40 years ago for the first time…. I’ve seen several of them over the years sounding as sweet as in the film….great film
That’s a cool looking bike . Sounds great. Motorcycle companies should make a new edition of this bike. Everyone would buy it . Easy to fix we like that. Looks very durable.
A pleasant and elegant bike with the heart of a superbike! I love how the older vehicles with cast metal/alloy parts such as the cam housing on the Nimbus not only serve a purpose, but are visually appealing. Nothing superfluous to add weight. 😗👌🏻
I wish the big manufacturers would produce mores bikes and develop a community that follow the heart of this machine right here. Built to last, easy to work on, plenty of spare parts, and built to customize for anyone’s use. If they build a budget lightweight basic element protection, very droppable, naked/adv bike with that heart I think it’d do well.
I believe that the company should put these bike's back into production. the design is much better than modern motorcycles. which there's something to be said for for this design. vs over designed bike's of today, simple is always better. I really like the looks and the sound of that green bike.
Beautiful piece of historical engineering that I would love to own! The sound alone is fantastic! But being a rideable and useful machine is more of bonus! Thank you for sharing this wonderful machine! As a mechanic and a enthusiast of older machines I greatly appreciated this gem of motorcycle history!
In BC, Canada my Dad sent me a Nimbus to restore 1988. 1995 it was showcase winning. Still ride it today. Always starts after 1-2 kicks. The one time it didn't I just put it aside as I was on another project. After looking and checking ignition turns out I simply was out of gas.
I'd never heard of a Nimbus until this video. It's a cool looking machine. I like what you've done to your green one. I especially like the throaty sound it makes through your 4 into 1 exhaust. Nice sound, not overly loud. Thanks for sharing!!!
Austin 7 engines, when tuned for motorsport, often had shorter conrods fitted to the middle two pistons, to mitigate the problem of crank flex. On unmodified engines the middle two pistons could kiss the cylinder head at high revs as the crank flexed.
What a beautiful, looking motorcycle it’s hard to believe that it is 80 years old. It’s got a lot of design features that eliminates the need for servicing in some aspects. I had a quick look about on the Internet and could hardly find any for sale. I would love to own one of these beautiful machines. Bo has done a fantastic job on his sand racing machine.
Being front the US we don't have a large design variety of antique motorcycles. The flyers and ancient Harley-Davidsons. All look about the same, this a beautiful motorcycle. I would love to just have the engine!
Saweeeet bike, this would have made the ultimate pit bike!!! I have owned some tricked out mini's, this bike would have won all shows!!!(Texas in the house)
These bikes are awesome. To hell with those modern, widow maker, suicide bikes. I'd take one of these over almost any bike. It is a work of art, not just a bike.
ive never seen one. what a beautiful piece of machinery. the Harley of the time were no where as simple to work on. i can see why that would make a great war horse.... but now i want one. haha
I remember Pete Watson bringing this to our attention, can't remember if it was Bike or Classic Bike, but decades later I've yet to see one on the road in the UK
Sadly I don't ride anymore, but I would love to have this bike just sitting in my living room. It has a classic design look, just like Danish furniture.
I saw a couple of Nimbus motorcycles at an AMCA antique motorcycle meet in Wauseon, OH several years ago. The antique inline 4 cylinder motorcycles, according to legend, were prone to the rear cylinders overheating but I think that was mostly hype. A Nimbus has an abundant oil sump capacity and that huge heat sink oil pan also helps. I like how easily serviceable they are and the simplicity of the electrical system. Modern bikes have computers and miles of wiring to deal with..
It is beautiful inside out! 😍 Just imagine a modernized version that maintains the simplicity as much as possible and adds features like modernised suspension, disc brakes and so on. a revvier 500cc would probably do just fine. Just a robust simple and cheap to buy and run daily driver. Such a bike could be a real featherweight as well! That gets you dreaming, doesn't it?
@@crouchingwombathiddenquoll5641 I wouldn't demand zero plastics. It just shouldn't be for making a bike look like a peeved alien insect and only serve the practical purpose of generating repair costs in case the bike tips over. Good aerodynamics are a very good excuse for plastics on a bike, I think! It should be good plastics, though. Fibreglass! With modern and simple bikes, I think we take a look at Royal Enfield, right? Somewhat of a niche maker for European streets, but pretty well made workhorses! FortNine found surprising results when trying to evaluate the quality of make of engines of various manufacturers: ua-cam.com/video/9GAUo8eUXeU/v-deo.html I wouldn't want to be on a German Autobahn with a Himalayan when fourty ton trucks chase you around while you blast full Braaaap! of all 24 horsepowers against the wind at 100 kph, but they really just need to tweak their designs a little to make that work as well! If they made bikes that make 100 mph/160 kph top speed, Autobahn would be no worry either. I guess they'd check all boxes then! 🤗
there are some danes trying to revive it as an electric bike.... It might feature many of the changes you mention if they succeed in getting them made... :D
@@JokerInk-CustomBuilds As the Nimbus never was an electric bike what happens is that there are some Danes who want to build an electric bike that superficially resembles the Nimbus in its appearance. 🙃 What bothers me about such projects is that the original was purpose built with the simplest, most straightforward design to fulfil its purpose ideally. An imitation that uses an entirely different drive system but is built to look like that original will make functional and economical compromises to achieve its goal of being a look-alike. That basically spells it won't be the same brilliant design, only look like one.
@@zweispurmopped Maybe... But theoretically a Nimbus with an electric motor would be an even simpler system than the motor. alot less moving parts... I don't know what they will end up making... it could be good or bad as you suspect... maybe time will tell. :)
A neighbour in rural Ireland had one that he let me borrow in the late 70’s to go on club runs. Lovely bike! Took a while to get used to the flat frame flexing slightly when you accelerated 😊. Wasn’t there a connection to the vacuum cleaner company Nilfisk?
Excellent vid ! I concur that these are fantastic motorcycles and I am speaking from experience having ridden my 1938 all around Colorado where I live and all over the US. with the Antique Motorcycle club for close to 15 years ! Industrial build quality , made to haul a fully loaded sidecar, super dependable and easy to start. Most any enthusiast would agree that it would be the very last bike sold of any collection ! My brother and I are over 65 and still ride the heck out of our pair not only on pavement, but dirt roads AND forestry off road trails as well. My favorite thing is seeing the expressions on the guys faces when they see 80+ year old Nimbusses go past their 4x4's , quads and dirt bikes out on the trail ! They don't call me "The Nimbus Nut" for nothing ;>) Thanks Bo for the excellent presentation ! Might be the best on the Nimbus I have seen yet !
Being Danish i am very proud of the Nimbus bikes i remember as a kid. And still not a rare sight on danish roads. What a lovely video and a well told Story
Rolls royce of a motorcycle , built too last .
This is the first i have ever seen , im blown away ,stunning bike i would love one .
Basicly still 50% percent in operation of the total produktion figure.
Thats impressive for a almost 100 yrs old bike.
Ahead of its time with a ohc design and front suspension and drive shaft
Danish engineering , clean, simple, Beautifully detailed work of art . Id love one , sounds good too.And that engine is a real peach, so well made .
Although production of Nimbus motorcycles stopped more than 60 years ago, they are not a rare sight on the roads in Denmark. They were clearly built to last, and the owners like to ride them. Like the old model had the nickname The Stovepipe, this one has a nickname of it's own, The Bumblebee.
L
No body in Denmark know skills that are determined to be adrenaline rush stay in line every body has down syndrome in England
I think that might be the most elegant bike I have had the pleasure of seeing.
I think the Nimbus is the most beautiful and well thought out machine I’ve ever seen 😊❤👍🏻✨
Absolutely lovely motorcycle. I’ve not heard of Nimbus before but I’m blown away by their simplicity and aesthetic beauty. Plus the sound of the engine is delicious 😊
First time I see this motor bike, but it is by far the best bike in the world! Simply great! wish I had one!!
What a beautiful piece of engineering, to think they were made in the 30s and 40s. Such simple design. Wonderful video, thanks for seeking him out and sharing with us
I love listening to engine sound of Nimbus. These masterpieces are worthy of resurrection.
Never seen or heard of these before, but what a fantastic looking motorcycle. I would love one.
Simple to work on ,and today's dealerships wouldn't like that .
That looks like a fun unique bike to ride .
The intro was all I needed and I was hooked. A beautiful machine!
What a lovely motorcycle. Would have one at the drop of a hat. Perfect.
What a lovely engine, the simplicity is a hallmark of absolute genius engineering. KISS taken to the extreme.
Met Bo yesterday at the Firle hill climb. Very interesting to talk to. The bike not only looks fantastic and far ahead of of time, but the sound of the exhaust note is like nothing ive heard before. I t has a wonderful very deep rumble that makes it sound unique. The valve guides run dry in their guides!
These bikes are absolutely beautiful!
I am 52,, soon to be 53 yrs old & have never even heard of this bike. Probably because I am an American?
I would ride this bike with pride here in America!👍🇺🇸
I love the sound of that engine. What a cool bike.
Dane here. My uncle used to have 8 Nimbuses all with different sidecars. one had a flatbed, another was shaped like a giant led pencil etc... When my dad was around 5 yrs old he almost drowned in a nimbus sidecar after my uncle drove them through a flooded tunnel at speed. The water level was so high it rushed into the sidecar and flushed my dad down the footwell. he was so paniced he couldn't get out and only reason he came up was because my uncle reached in there and pulled his small brother out of there! LOL
-My cousin used to race one of them. He once drove 3 times around a big 2 laned roundabout with the sidecar raised off the ground.... with his GF screaming in the sidecar! LOL
Great video and a beautiful design !-John in Texas
Really interesting and different from the usual show.
Love simple and yet effective engineering that is robust and just keeps going.
Think it’s great that you can get all the parts still.
Piękne motocykle 👏😀szkoda, że dzisiaj takich nie ma.Pozdrawiam serdecznie 👍🇵🇱
Very cool motorcycle. Never seen it before!
It sounds so fucking good, I love the sound of the engine
What a beauty 😍 !!!
Danke für die detaillierte, tolle Vorstellung. Ich habe diese Motorräder am Strand von Römö gesehen und wegen der Optik ihres Flacheisenrahmens immer etwas gering geschätzt. Das hat sich jetzt grundlegend geändert. Was für eine schöne, schlichte Konstruktion!
These are wonderful motorbikes and had never heard of them until I visited Denmark 40 years ago for the first time…. I’ve seen several of them over the years sounding as sweet as in the film….great film
Outstanding.... absolutely beautiful!....
I love the sound of this bike!
The centrifugal oil delivery ♥️
This bike is like a peek into an alternate realm , another universe so to speak , sooooo coool
Just my cup of tea! so simple, durable, beautiful.
That’s a cool looking bike . Sounds great. Motorcycle companies should make a new edition of this bike. Everyone would buy it . Easy to fix we like that. Looks very durable.
A pleasant and elegant bike with the heart of a superbike! I love how the older vehicles with cast metal/alloy parts such as the cam housing on the Nimbus not only serve a purpose, but are visually appealing. Nothing superfluous to add weight. 😗👌🏻
I like them. I would buy one today if they were just updated slightly with modern lights etc. Dual seat as well.
I wish the big manufacturers would produce mores bikes and develop a community that follow the heart of this machine right here.
Built to last, easy to work on, plenty of spare parts, and built to customize for anyone’s use.
If they build a budget lightweight basic element protection, very droppable, naked/adv bike with that heart I think it’d do well.
They would if not the stupid EU...
I believe that the company should put these bike's back into production. the design is much better than modern motorcycles. which there's something to be said for for this design. vs over designed bike's of today, simple is always better.
I really like the looks and the sound of that green bike.
I agree. And take their efforts globally- they’d sell if the price wasn’t to insane- ❤️
Beautiful piece of historical engineering that I would love to own! The sound alone is fantastic! But being a rideable and useful machine is more of bonus! Thank you for sharing this wonderful machine! As a mechanic and a enthusiast of older machines I greatly appreciated this gem of motorcycle history!
well you can get a nice restored one for around7.000euro
Bo is a creative genius, and those bikes are just fantastic!
Another video i shouldn't have watched , Now i WANT one
BEAUTIFUL!
What a cool look.
The black nimbus with the tank backbone 😎 it's freaking genius boys, very impressive design.
In BC, Canada my Dad sent me a Nimbus to restore 1988. 1995 it was showcase winning. Still ride it today. Always starts after 1-2 kicks. The one time it didn't I just put it aside as I was on another project. After looking and checking ignition turns out I simply was out of gas.
What a brilliant machine, wish I had one 👍👍❤
I'd never heard of a Nimbus until this video. It's a cool looking machine. I like what you've done to your green one. I especially like the throaty sound it makes through your 4 into 1 exhaust. Nice sound, not overly loud. Thanks for sharing!!!
Austin 7 engines, when tuned for motorsport, often had shorter conrods fitted to the middle two pistons, to mitigate the problem of crank flex. On unmodified engines the middle two pistons could kiss the cylinder head at high revs as the crank flexed.
I have heard about the middle cylinders having shorted rods, but I have never had those problems with the Nimbus engine. Maybe it's a stronger crank?
It is an immensely beautiful bike. I would love to own one. It looks so much fun to ride.
Superb machines, great guy Bo and Dave as usual got us behind the scenes with panache 👍👏👌
What a beautiful bit of engineering!
70' childhood memories...the fish dealer came around and we sat on his sidecar / fish box with ice , all while he peddled his trade in the local area
What a beautiful, looking motorcycle it’s hard to believe that it is 80 years old. It’s got a lot of design features that eliminates the need for servicing in some aspects.
I had a quick look about on the Internet and could hardly find any for sale. I would love to own one of these beautiful machines. Bo has done a fantastic job on his sand racing machine.
Hey Phil, thanks for your nice comments, I think Bo might be selling that silver one in the video, not 100% sure though :)
@@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel The silver one and also the blue 1947 Sport are both for sale.
Being front the US we don't have a large design variety of antique motorcycles. The flyers and ancient Harley-Davidsons. All look about the same, this a beautiful motorcycle. I would love to just have the engine!
I didn't even know that I wanted a Nimbus, sir
Saweeeet bike, this would have made the ultimate pit bike!!! I have owned some tricked out mini's, this bike would have won all shows!!!(Texas in the house)
A really beautiful bike.
O som desta motocicleta e maravilhoso de se ouvir, um som de super bike.
Я сразу обратил внимание на звук выхлопа!
These bikes are awesome. To hell with those modern, widow maker, suicide bikes. I'd take one of these over almost any bike. It is a work of art, not just a bike.
Wow, just such a beautiful machine design is so friendly ❤️👍🔥
First I've heard of these bikes, I'd love to have one,, Awesome video
Lovely bikes - there’s one here in Iowa, on display at the Danish Heritage Museum in Elkhorn
The bonneville salt flats racer is BAD ASS!
No shit! Th sound alone is awesome -
So cool love it vary cool motorcycles
What a fantastic bike, such a good design.
Je ne connaissais pas cette marque, et je trouve ces motos Nimbus, elles sont magnifiques!
Beautiful bike
These are great bikes as long as you don't exceed 50MPH.The Danish mail service used them extensively from 40 to mid 60ees.
ive never seen one. what a beautiful piece of machinery. the Harley of the time were no where as simple to work on. i can see why that would make a great war horse.... but now i want one. haha
Fisker and Nielsen really had the ability to think outside the box back then. Many of the technical solutions are surprisingly modern even today.
I remember Pete Watson bringing this to our attention, can't remember if it was Bike or Classic Bike, but decades later I've yet to see one on the road in the UK
Hi Bo, looking forward to seeing you at Saunton again this year.
Det glæder mig at se en gammel dansk Nimbus ❤️🇩🇰
Very much a similar engine to an Indian in line four. Beautiful machines.
Multiple thumbs up!
Sadly I don't ride anymore, but I would love to have this bike just sitting in my living room. It has a classic design look, just like Danish furniture.
Ships in a harbor are safe, but that's not what ships are made for...
Wonderful bike and video. Thank you for sharing.
Great looking motorbike.
I saw a couple of Nimbus motorcycles at an AMCA antique motorcycle meet in Wauseon, OH several years ago. The antique inline 4 cylinder motorcycles, according to legend, were prone to the rear cylinders overheating but I think that was mostly hype. A Nimbus has an abundant oil sump capacity and that huge heat sink oil pan also helps. I like how easily serviceable they are and the simplicity of the electrical system. Modern bikes have computers and miles of wiring to deal with..
That 4 cylinder Nimbus engine sound reminds me of the old radial engines on vintage bi-planes.
It is beautiful inside out! 😍 Just imagine a modernized version that maintains the simplicity as much as possible and adds features like modernised suspension, disc brakes and so on. a revvier 500cc would probably do just fine. Just a robust simple and cheap to buy and run daily driver. Such a bike could be a real featherweight as well!
That gets you dreaming, doesn't it?
Thinking exactly what you said.... modern upgrades but ZERO plastic.
Hehehe, do you think modern design departments could stick to a simple design ?
@@crouchingwombathiddenquoll5641 I wouldn't demand zero plastics. It just shouldn't be for making a bike look like a peeved alien insect and only serve the practical purpose of generating repair costs in case the bike tips over. Good aerodynamics are a very good excuse for plastics on a bike, I think! It should be good plastics, though. Fibreglass!
With modern and simple bikes, I think we take a look at Royal Enfield, right? Somewhat of a niche maker for European streets, but pretty well made workhorses! FortNine found surprising results when trying to evaluate the quality of make of engines of various manufacturers: ua-cam.com/video/9GAUo8eUXeU/v-deo.html
I wouldn't want to be on a German Autobahn with a Himalayan when fourty ton trucks chase you around while you blast full Braaaap! of all 24 horsepowers against the wind at 100 kph, but they really just need to tweak their designs a little to make that work as well! If they made bikes that make 100 mph/160 kph top speed, Autobahn would be no worry either. I guess they'd check all boxes then! 🤗
there are some danes trying to revive it as an electric bike.... It might feature many of the changes you mention if they succeed in getting them made... :D
@@JokerInk-CustomBuilds As the Nimbus never was an electric bike what happens is that there are some Danes who want to build an electric bike that superficially resembles the Nimbus in its appearance. 🙃
What bothers me about such projects is that the original was purpose built with the simplest, most straightforward design to fulfil its purpose ideally. An imitation that uses an entirely different drive system but is built to look like that original will make functional and economical compromises to achieve its goal of being a look-alike. That basically spells it won't be the same brilliant design, only look like one.
@@zweispurmopped Maybe... But theoretically a Nimbus with an electric motor would be an even simpler system than the motor. alot less moving parts...
I don't know what they will end up making... it could be good or bad as you suspect... maybe time will tell. :)
11:21
That Bonneville bike is beautiful.
Those are nice bikes!
love the sound from the motor
A very interesting man, and great bike too. 👍
Fairly raced for their day. I’m a ‘47 also!
Absolutely stunning 👌🏻😎
Sounds like Honda CB 450 mk2 incredible
Most Nimbus's left from back then are with the side wagon. The Danish post offices bought a hell of alot of them in the 40's
love the engine sounds!
A childhood friend's father had one with a sidecar back in the days, 60's. In Copenhagen ofcause.
I love it. Such a unique bike. Hate to have to replace handlebars if they got damaged. Not many choices out there!!
A neighbour in rural Ireland had one that he let me borrow in the late 70’s to go on club runs. Lovely bike! Took a while to get used to the flat frame flexing slightly when you accelerated 😊. Wasn’t there a connection to the vacuum cleaner company Nilfisk?
absolutely fascinating design!
This is a very cool motorcycle.
Реально смотришь на этот байк и удивляешся технологиям прошлого века, рама, двигатель гениальны по своей простоте и эффективности.
Superbe moto!!!! j'adore le style...
c'est la grande classe!!!!
Never heard of Nimbus bikes. Living in Norway that is kinda surprising but they are awesome! Man i want one of those :P
What a neat machine
Excellent video! Bo's a really great guy and one of our official sponsors of the Ride of the Ruperts. Proud to have him on board with us! 👍
Fantastic old bikes 😍