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A/S Fisker & Nielsen
Although well known amongst most readers, this will certainly be the place to briefly go through a short description of A/S Fisker & Nielsen and the people behind the Nimbus motorcycle.
NIMBUS motorcycles were produced by A/S Fisker & Nielsen from 1918 until 1959, their main production however being vacuum cleaners and other cleaning equipment for domestic and industrial use.
Summary from KRAKs BLAA BOG until 1934 (Explanation: Krak’s blue book contains biographies of well known Danish people. The book is issued annually)
Fisker P A, Director, (Knight); born August 18, 1875 in Skalmstrup near Randers; son of Chr. A. Fisker, farmer (deceased in 1918) and wife Kirsten, born Pedersen (deceased in 1914); married (October 18, 1907) with Astrid F., born November 8, 1885 in Odense, daughter of director A. Petersen and Hustru Cathrine, born Svarre (deceased in 1900). Teacher’s exam (Gjedved 1896); education at the school for electrical engineering (Kbhvn.) 1898-1900; has worked in the United States and in England 1901-1904; employee at Thrige, Odense, 1905-06; founded A/S Fisker & Nielsen in 1906. Owner 1910-1920; director of Akts. Fisker & Nielsen as of 1920, besides member of the Board of Directors; member of the representatives of the Union for the Industry 1932. Constructor of the Nilfisk vacuum cleaner and the Nimbus motorcycle. Address: C F Richs V. 35, Kbhvn.F.
The firm originated from a little workshop for the production of small electric motors, started in 1906 by Peder Andersen Fisker at Vesterbrogade 80, Copenhagen. P.A.Fisker received his education as an electrical engineer and worked as such at home and abroad, with his last position with the Thomas B.Thrige Company in Odense. After a short period of time as an independent engineer, he set up a partnership with foreman H.M.Nielsen, a former colleague at Thomas B.Thrige, and A/S Fisker & Nielsen was born.
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H.M.Nielsen was responsible for the workshop and P.A.Fisker for design, sales and book keeping. In the beginning the firm’s products, apart from production equipment for their own use, comprised solely of electrical motors in various sizes. These were highly appreciated products, as mechanisation with the help of electrical equipment was in full swing at that time. The premises however became too small as early as October 1907 and the company moved to a new and larger plant located at Holtegade 5 in Nørrebro, Copenhagen. At the same time P.A.Fisker started to experiment with the idea of producing an electric vacuum cleaner for household purposes, which was not released for sale as a ‘Nilfisk’ vacuum cleaner until early 1910. With this launch, the foundation was laid for the well known and highly valued product, throughout the world.
By mutual agreement, the partnership was abolished in 1910, H.M.Nielsen left and P.A.Fisker became the sole owner of Fisker & Nielsen. Sales of vacuum cleaners was booming and consequently the Company needed larger premises and moved in 1911 to Falkoneralle 94 and again, in spring 1913, into the newly built office and production premises at the Peter Bangsvej 30 in Frederiksberg, which was to become the Company’s final address, even though they frequently extended and purchased surrounding buildings to expand.
Overview of A/S Fisker & Nielsen’s products at that time.
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[Translation of the text in the photograph above]
TYPE TYPE TYPE ELECTROMOTORS C1 C5 A1 CENTRIFUGAL BLOWERS VENTILATORS 1910-1912 1912-1933 1914-1915 1906-1916
DRILLPRESSES 1915-1926
TYPE TYPE TYPE ELECTRIC HAND DRILLS B3 D1 A2 1915-1927 1914-1928 1915-1917 1916-1927
GRINDING MACHINES 1915-1927 [End of translation] |
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Because of the decreasing sales of vacuum cleaners as a result of the outbreak of First World War, Fisker & Nielsen started the production of electrical tools such as grinding machines, hand held drilling machines and drill presses, which helped the Company to survive during the years 1914 / 1918.
Like all good design engineers P.A.Fisker had an ‘antenna’ in the field of engineering and technology. Motorised transport just before the First World War was developing rapidly, which did not escape Fisker’s attention and since he had been considering options to supplement the production of vacuum cleaners, he decided at the turn of the year 1917 – 18 to try his luck with the production of motorcycles. When he started off, P.A.Fisker had no experience with the construction of motorcycles, but from the beginning he was convinced that he could make a motorcycle which was superior to most others.
P.A.Fisker’s ‘Nimbus’ was ready in the autumn of 1918. And although it clearly had the characteristics of foreign motorcycles, like the Belgian ‘F.N.’, and the American ‘Pierce Arrow’ and ‘Henderson’, Nimbus had its own solid construction.
P.A.Fisker christened his new motorcycle ‘Nimbus’, which means ‘glory’ or ‘aureole’, but the man in the street soon called it ‘stovepipe’, after its long, stovepipe shaped petrol tank, a pet name which P.A.Fisker was not very fond of.
The frame of the ‘stovepipe’ was built with the long cylindrical petrol tank as the main frame structure; the left and right frame parts were made of iron flat bars. The motorcycle was provided with a new phenomenon for that time, viz. a sprung rear wheel. The front wheel fork was of the parallelogram type. The front wheel did not have a brake and the rear wheel of the first model had a simple band brake, which was later replaced by a drum with brake shoes. Tyres on the first machines were 26”x2½”, later 28”x3”. The engine was a four cylinder in-line type with a capacity of 746 cm³, the cylinders being segregated. The cylinders were made of cast iron, cast in one piece with the cylinder heads. The engine was equipped with overhead inlet valves and side outlet valves. The pistons were made of cast iron with two compression rings and one oil control ring. The crank case was made of aluminium and the three main bearings of the crank shaft were lubricated under pressure. The connecting rods had splash lubrication. The 3 speed gearbox was a simple one, with the second gear wheel as the shift wheel. The gearbox was operated by means of a hand gear lever, mounted on the right hand side of the motorcycle. The motorcycle had shaft drive, the shaft being positioned in the left leg of the rear wheel fork.
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The carburettors were F&N made throughout and the magneto ignition was manufactured by Bosch. The first motorcycles had no lighting at all; later models could be provided with carbide lamps and in the last year of production the motorcycles had electric lighting, made by F&N.
[Translation of the text in the photograph above]
NIMBUS 1920-1927 Bore: 60 mm Stroke: 66 mm Cubic capacity: 746 c.c. Power output: 12 HP. Weight: 160 kg Speed: 80-90 km/h
MODEL 1920
[End of translation]
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Planning and production preparation took longer than anticipated so they were not ready to start the actual production of the new motorcycle before the end of 1920. To secure the firm’s solidity and to be able to pay for the investments needed for the production of motorcycles, the firm was converted into the ‘Limited Liability Company’ Fisker & Nielsen in July 1920.
The Nimbus ‘Stovepipe’ quickly became a popular motorcycle, for both private and professional use. The Postal Services, the Police and the Army acquired many machines. The ‘Stovepipe’ gained the reputation of being both fast and reliable, aided by the many victories at national and international races the Nimbus participated in, often with P.A.Fisker being the rider. Of special importance was Albert Petersen’s victory in May 1922 at the Odense-Berlin-Odense race and in June 1922 with the Paris-Copenhagen race, as well as Ingemar Petersen’s victory in June 1927 at the Rome-Copenhagen race. A/S Fisker & Nielsen produced the ‘Stovepipe’ from 1919 till 1926 when production ceased, it was said because the introduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) for motorcycles, which was introduced in 1925 had made sales more difficult, but the main reason was that the production of vacuum cleaners was more profitable and required all available resources.
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The factory however continued to supply motorcycles from 1927 until 1928, assembled from previously produced parts from the spare parts warehouse. The total number of Nimbus ‘Stovepipes’ produced were 1252 units.
During the period 1928 till 1932 all the company’s resources were required for vacuum cleaner production. Sales were excellent, both at home and abroad. The annual turn around of the factory was three to four times the capital stock which generated favourable results for the shareholders. Sales of new vacuum cleaner models increased, demanding an increase of the floor space.
The information about the Company below shows that it was not too bad to be a Fisker & Nielsen shareholder in the early thirties.
GREEN’S DANISH FUNDS AND STOCK, ISSUE SERIES 1934/35
Fisker & Nielsen
Nr. 4494 Registered as Lt. Place of business: Copenhagen F., Peter Bangsvej 30.
Founded: 1920. Latest regulations April 30, 1932. Goal: Manufacturing and trade, (mainly of vacuum cleaners and motor cycles) partly direct, partly by means of capital investment in related enterprises. The Ltd. is main stockholder of ‘The Tellus Super vacuum Cleaner Ltd.’, London. Board of Directors: 4-6 members: President Vald. Hansen, Directort manufacturer C.W.Messerschmidt, Vice President Lawyer Alb. Helweg-Larsen, Secretary Povl Drachmann, Director P.A.Fisker. Director: P.A.Fisker. The signing responsibility of the company jointly resides with two members of the Board, in case of sale or mortgage of immovables by joint three members of the Board. Proxy: P.A.Fisker H.C.Pedersen, individually. Accountant: Egil Snorrasson and E.Simoni. Stock capital: 3 milj. Kr. in stock for the shareholders. Original Founding capital 1.2 milj. Kr.; in 1930 extended with 800.000 Kr. (Prospectus December 21, 1929-stock price 105%); in 1934 with 1 milj. Kr. (Prospectus August 22, 1934-stock price 102%), both cases an offer to the existing share holders for the acquisition of respectively 2 new for 3 old and 1 new for 2 old shares. Budget year: Calendar year. Annual meeting: Before the end of April. For every 1000 Kr. in stock 1 vote after 3 months’ quotation.
Explanation: The information in Krak’s blue book as well as in Greens is very brief and much more condensed than customary in the Danish language. The information above is a translation of an original copy. For specialists in the field of companies with limited liability this is however fully understandable.
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Profit sharing: After legal (see page 2) and other reservations and after judgement of the Board has taken place, shareholders will receive a 7% dividend and the Board a 10% dividend. The remainder will be distributed at the discretion of the Board of Directors and the final decision [concerning profit sharing] will be taken at the Annual Meeting, for example profit, depreciation, reservations and similar. Net profit: 1925: Kr. 310,562.50. 1926: Kr. 403,795.00. 1927: Kr. 700,489.18. 1928: Kr. 755,318.27. 1929: Kr. 1,031,381.74. 1930: Kr. 1,027,246.13. 1931: Kr. 947,871.67. 1932: Kr. 1,739,674.70. 1933: Kr. 1,017,453.23. 1934: Kr. 1,189,297.00. Dividend: 1925: 8%. 1926: 8%. 1927: 10%. 1928: 12%. 1929-1933: 15%. 1934: 15%. (New shares will generate half of the dividend). Place of coupon payment: Landmansbanken. Period of Coupon description 5 years.
Status 31 december 1934.
P.A.Fisker did not lose his interest in motorcycles, an interest that rubbed off on his son, Anders Fisker. He graduated in 1932 as an engineer at the Danish Technical University; his graduation project was said to be a new Nimbus engine. Father and son decided to develop a whole new Nimbus motorcycle. Anders Fisker was hired by the company and given this assignment among others and with its full co-operation the goal of producing an entirely new motorcycle was achieved. And that’s what this book is about.
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[Translation of the article in Motor-Sport on page 15]
MOTORSPORT:
The new Nimbus is beautiful. Yesterday, the new Danish Nimbus was presented; there are currently 250 motorcycles in production.
[Photograph] The new Nimbus with it’s designers: father and son, engineers Anders and A.P.Fisker.
Two years ago the Board of Directors of Fisker and Nielsen Ltd. decided to resume production of motorcycles again; during the years 1920 until 1927 a total of 1250 of the previous type were built, but production was stopped as the manufacturing of the Company’s other product, the well known ‘Nilfisk’ vacuum cleaner, had become so voluminous, that they were [now] obliged to build a new plant, just for motorcycles. This factory was ready and during the last year staff have worked under immense pressure to build special equipment, tools and much more, not to mention design of the new Nimbus. It is now ready and yesterday the newly born machine, the latest promotion vehicle for the Danish industry, was presented to the Danish press. The Company’s Managing Director, Engineer P.A.Fisker strongly emphasised in his introduction speech the pointless fact that the Danish industry as well was suffering from the Value Added Tax (VAT) while, at the same time, hundreds of thousands were unemployed.
THE NEW DESIGN After a thorough tour through the extended factory, finally the new motorcycle could be admired and was presented by the Assistant Engineering Manager Anders Fisker, who undoubtedly has been a great support to his father in developing the new machine; he was the only rider who carried out test rides with the new Nimbus. The first motorcycle had been completed a year earlier.
TECHNICAL DETAILS As we know that the majority of the B.T.’s Motorsport readers are very interested in the technical details, we will describe the various dimensions and specifications of the newly manufactured motorcycle in broad terms:
The engine has overhead valves and overhead camshaft. The compression ratio is 5:1. Bore 60 mm, stroke 66 mm. Cubic capacity 746 c.c. The cylinder block has large cooling fins and is cast in one piece with the upper part of the crank case. The cylinder head is cast together with the inlet manifold. The valves are placed at an angle in exchangeable valve guides. The pistons are made of light metal having three compression rings and one oil control ring. The piston rods are drop forged and have drilled oil ducts, as is the case with the robust crank shaft, which rotates in two substantial ball bearings. The overhead camshaft is well protected; it is driven by the dynamo shaft which in turn is driven by the crank shaft, by means of bevel gears. The lube oil pump which is bolted against the cylinder block is also driven by the vertical dynamo shaft. The vertically positioned dynamo is mounted in front of the engine and is of the well known ‘third brush’ system. The engine has battery ignition, with the distributor in line with the cam shaft. It is apparent that engine, ignition, dynamo and lube oil pump are one entity. The clutch is the mono dry plate type, placed in the flywheel and the gear box is bolted directly to the rear of the engine. The power is transmitted by means of shaft drive. The frame is made of double steel profiles. The front wheel forks are telescopic. Spring action is achieved by means of two coil springs which are contained within the fork tubes. The machine has a Balloon shaped fuel tank with a volume of 12.5 litres. The handlebar is made of pressed steel plate incorporating all controls. The right hand twist grip is used for throttle, the left as the light switch. The dashboard houses the speedometer and ammeter, the latter functioning as oil pressure indication as well. The weight of the machine is only 170 kg and the sales price is 1850 DKK, excluding V.A.T. The new Nimbus is considered an engineering boost for the Danish motor vehicle industry.
Ott.
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Anders Fisker worked in the factory during the entire period of production. First as an engineer and later, until his death, as director.
Summary from: KRAKS BLUE BOOK 1958 FISKERS Anders director, civil engineer; born 13/7 1908 in Kbhvn.; son of director P A Fisker; married (24/9 1932) w. Margrethe F., born 4/9 1907 in Frdbg., daughter of wholesaler H P Backer (deceased in 1945) and wife Lisbeth born Nielsen (deceased in 1956). Student (Frdbg. Gymn.) 1926; cand. Polyt. 1932; employee with A/S Fisker & Nielsen same year industry engineer. 1945, director 1956.
Member of the Board of the section ‘industry’ of the Danish
association of Danish engineers from 1946 until 52, of the machine Member of the “Nimbus” design team from 1932 to 1934 and has acquired both Danish and international patents in the field of rotating valves for combustion engines between 1956 and 1957.
Address: Peter Bangs V. 78, Kbhvn. Cottage: Tjørnevej, Snekkersten.
The name of the new motorcycle, “Nimbus Model C”, was chosen by the factory, but due to its distinguishing humming sound, it was immediately nicknamed “Humlebien” (bumble-bee).
The bumble-bee quickly became just as popular as its predecessor. The Postal Services, the Army and the Police purchased them in large numbers, but many machines were also sold to private buyers and commercial businesses. From 1934 up to the late seventies, the bumble-bee and its distinguishing sound was a well known and beloved aspect of Danish traffic.
The production of motor cycles however, was just a sideline for A/S Fisker and Nielsen and the real question was “had the factory ever earned money from the production of motorcycles ? In the mid fifties, the preferred vehicle for craftsmen and businesses were inexpensive vans, and these started to compete with the Nimbus sidecar combination. The Nimbus was not fast enough for the Police and at the same time it had become too expensive and too outdated for young speed minded buyers, therefore the Board of Directors of Fisker & Nielsen took the sad but inevitable decision to cease production, which was communicated through the circular of May 6th 1959.
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