Many motorcycle manufacturers have started in business producing something entirely different than two wheeled vehicles, and so it was with Husqvarna. A clue to the type of items they manufactured in the early days can be found in their badge or emblem: the view through the barrel of a gun with the sights on top.

The Husqvarna Rifle Factory was founded 1689 by Count Eric Dahlberg (an architect) on the authorization of King Charles the XI of Sweden.

Weapons were to be manufactured for the Swedish army that fought against Denmark (in a dispute over territory) at a factory in the village of Huskvarna. The company manufactured fire arms into the late sixties.

Beside firearms, the Husqvarna company has manufactured a range of engineered products including bicycles, kitchen appliances, sewing machines, stoves and lawn mowers. The company has a strong following in the US for their chain saws and lawn mowers.

Husqvarna produced their first motorcycle (or rather motorized bicycle) in 1903. After testing several different engines, the company eventually chose a Belgium UN engine, which developed just ¼ hp, for this first motorcycle. By 1904 the UN engine used had 2 hp and by 1907 an NSU engine was rated at 3.25 hp.

Husqvarna used a number of other manufacturer’s engines (in particular Swiss company La-Moto-Rêve engines) before producing their own engine for the model 150 in 1919, an engine designed by engineer Gustav Goethe. The model 150 was produced until 1933.

First Husqvarna Motorcycle

The first machine produced by Husqvarna that could be described as a motorcycle was the 1910 model 65. The two cylinder engine was supplied by La-Moto-Rêve and used until 1919. This machine also sported a frame designed exclusively for a motorcycle, as against the modified cycles frames previously used.

Larger capacity motorcycles were introduced (the model 65 had a 350-cc unit, the 70 had a 405-cc example) but it was the 1916 models 145 and 145A that established Husqvarna as a serious motorcycle manufacturer. The 496-cc V-twin proved to be very popular and was also used by the army. In addition, the machine proved competitive in reliability trials and endurance races.

In 1922 a new twin-cylinder 994-cc engine was introduced, the new engine was intended for sidecar use. However a larger 990-cc side valve engine which was used in the model 120 (and proved to be a more popular unit) was manufactured up to 1934.

Competition success continued for Husqvarna in endurance (the International Six Day Trial) and also in road races such as the motorcycle Grand Prix and the TT in the IOM. One of their 500-cc machines finished in third place in the first ever Swedish Grand Prix in 1930, held at the Saxtorp track near Landskrona. However, they went on to win this same event in 1932.

Lightweight TT Racer

The most respected engine from Husqvarna was the 500-cc V-twin unit with OHV’s which was designed by Folke Manner Manor and developed through the middle twenties by engineers Heimdahl and Goethe. The engine used aluminum extensively, which, combined with a light weight frame, helped to make a machine with an excellent power to weight ratio. (By 1934 the 500-cc machine entered in the TT weighed just 124 kg’s (273 lb’s).

By 1935/6 the market for large motorcycles had shrunk considerably. Husqvarna decided to change direction and produce a lightweight machine powered by a 98-cc 2-stroke engine; charged with designing this new machine was Calle Heimdahl.

The new motorcycle, model 101, sold for 400 SEK ($60) and became very popular. The engine size (98-cc) was chosen because the rules in Sweden at the time said that no driving license was required for machines with engines of less than 100-cc.

After the Second World War, Husqvarna concentrated on manufacturing high-quality low cost 2-stroke street motorcycles. In 1946 the company produced a machine they would become famous for the Svartkvarna. The model 24 had a 118-cc engine and a three speed gear box.

In the 50s and 60s the motorcycle began to change again. Performance was becoming more of a consideration in the purchasing process. Husqvarna responded by introducing the Silver Arrow, a lightweight (175 kg’s) motorcycle with a 175-cc 2-stroke power unit. This engine was increased to 200-cc the following year. Of particular importance to Husqvarna was that this bike became the machine that launched them into the MX market; a market they have been highly active in right up to today.

Lars Larsson is the man credited with the international sales success of Husqvarna; he was a professional off-road racer in Sweden using the Husqvarna machines to win numerous national and international events.

Larsson was about to enter a full season of World Champions MX racing when an opportunity was presented to him that changed his direction and started the ball rolling which made Husqvarna a fixture in off-road competitions the world over.

In 1967 Edison Dye of Husqvarna was looking for a rider with business experience to set up a distribution network in the United States and a deal was made with Larsson to become the US representative of the company.

Three days after arriving in America (in the fall of 67) Larsson took part in the Indiana State TT Championships. Larsson had brought an Husqvarna MX bike for the races which caused a stir amongst the local riders who were using Bultaco’s with flat track tires and low level pipes (the Husqvarna had knobby MX tires). He won the race.

Dealer Network

Larsson and Dye travelled the US visiting dealers to set up a dealer network. Their system was simply to consult the local directory when they entered a new town or city and start to call the local motorcycle dealers. One such stop proved to be highly beneficial for all concerned.

The duo stopped at a dealer in Ohio, Competition Cycles of Xenia, and was told to “go out and show them the bike by riding in this field across from the dealership,” as Larsson is quoted as saying on his web site.

After a ripping across the field and popping wheelies, the owners told him to “get them a shipment of bikes as quickly as possible."

By the early 70s the MX market in the US had caught up with the European technology and the races were becoming much more competitive, but Husqvarna had made their mark and were highly respected in MX and Enduro’s.

Note: Husqvarna was taken over by Cagiva in 1986 and later (2007) acquired by BMW.

Further reading:

Husqvarna history, (Swedish web site).