OzVMX Forum
Clubroom => General Discussion => Topic started by: firko on January 01, 2008, 11:26:06 am
-
I know this is a big ask considering that most forum members weren't involved in the sport in '94 but I'll give it a go . Does anybody remember the name of the Swedish rider who rode an ex Works 500 Monark at the Tanunda, South Australia Nats in 1994? The Elizabeth club had something to do with bringing him and his bike out here for the event and I'm hoping that someone has a program stored away. I'm researching Monark GP bikes at the moment and this Swedish bloke is an integral part of the story. They only made 20 Monark 500 GP bikes and I would like to know where that particular bike (and rider) fits in to the history.
-
is this of any help Firko or do you have this allready?
http://www.vintagemonark.com/
-
I was there and did have a program, but a fire in 2000 would have taken care of that.
I'll ring around a few blokes in the club. Surely someone will have one.
-
A bloke called Barry Kirk organised it apparently. I'm getting a call back later today with his contact details.
He will no doubt have a program and probably remember the bloke in question.
I'll let you know when I've found out.
-
Thanks Tony
-
I got his number and have left a message.
If he doesn't ring back, I know another bloke who religiously collects programs and he was at that meeting too.
-
i went there but only watched for a bit, outside the actual venue near the main staight so i dont have a program either
-
OK. I've got his name and contact details so you can speak to him first hand.
I'll send you another pm.
-
G'day Tony,
at least let us all know his name. :D
-
Thanks Tony, Walter and everybody who PM'd me with information regarding the mystery Monark rider. His name was Kurt Gustaffson from Sweden and he bought his Monark with him to the Tanunda Nats in '95. Four stroke Monarks are very rare, supposedly only 20 original bikes made. Alan Jones in Sydney has just imported an ex works Monark 500 engine and has ordered a new replica frame/tank and oil tank from the guy who made the original works items. He's pretty excited by the project and if it turns out half as good as Black Betty and his other bikes it'll be a gem. I'm researching the Monark story for a possible story later on.
Below:Here's a shot of Jonsey's new Monark engine and below that is the Monark that Gustaffson rode at the Tanunda Nats in '95.
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/monarkjonesengine.jpg)
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/monoz.jpg)
-
Has that motor just been slapped together for the photo? I ask this as the head is on backwards compared to the bike in the photo. While Im here, what a gorgeous bike!
-
Brad...The motor is slapped together for the photo but the head is the right way around. look at the exhaust port.
Below is Per-Arne Westlings unrestored Monark in Sweden. Per -Arne sold Alan his engine and is organising the parts for his replica. Also shown is a replica Monark frame identical to the one Alan will use. If you think that these bikes are a dime a dozen, have a look at the Lito that Terry Good just paid $75000 for. (1960's Lito, Husqvarnas and Monarks are virtually identical)
http://www.mxworksbike.com/Lito_page_1.htm
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/monark5.jpg)
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/monarkframe.jpg)
-
firko what the difference between this and the one on ebay 2 or so weeks ago (frame)
-
If you think that these bikes are a dime a dozen, have a look at the Lito that Terry Good just paid $75000 for. (1960's Lito, Husqvarnas and Monarks are virtually identical)
http://www.mxworksbike.com/Lito_page_1.htm
is that because they were all designed/build by Nisse Hedlund ?
-
Paul....The one on eBay with the Jawa speedway engine is a locally made frame made by a Swedish bloke who lives in Melbourne named Kell Amberndson. I have a mate, Edgar Phipps who owns one and the welding is pretty piss poor. I've seen one break in half at the Ravenswood Nats in '98 as well. Not having seen a genuine Monark next to it to compare I couldn't tell you how close they are but the one photographed is made by the same bloke who made the works frames for Lito, Husky and Monark back in the day, Roland Gummesson so I'd be going with the real deal if I had a choice.
Below:Klub Kevlar's Edgar Phipp's Monark Triumph at Rockley.
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/ro4.JPG)
-
I don't think Nisse Hedlund had any input into the Albin/Monark/Lito/Husqvarna engine at that stage Hoony. He later developed his own engine basedon the original Monark engine but that was after these bikes life. The history of Monark/Lito Husqvarna is a great yarn and an important part of motocross history that is often overlooked. It's good that something as rare as a Monark will be here in Australia along with (hopefully a sixties Husqvarna 4 stroke). Even though they are made up of mostly replica parts, the replicas themselves are as rare as shit due to the Manx Norton style costs involved. Here's a shot of Per-Arne's own Lito that is an ex works bike with similar history to the Lundin bike that Terry Good now owns.
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/lito2.jpg)
Below: Here's an extract from Works Bikes.com
A total of 5 Monark/Albin bikes were built at the Varberg factory. These bikes were built for the Monark factory riders to compete in the 500cc World Championships and promote the Monark name throughout the world. No two bikes were the same. There was never any intent to sell these handmade works bikes and none were ever sold to the public. Nor were any replicas of these bikes made by Monark. Today there are many Monarks in circulation and all but the original works bikes that all are accounted for are fake Monark bikes. Most are represented as the real thing and most people have no idea whether they’re real or not. This is also true of Lito’s and early 4-stroke Husqvarnas. Although the Lito 500 was produced for sale (approx. 35 total), Husqvarna never sold a production 4-stroke in the late 50’s or early 60’s. There are many fake Litos and Husqvarnas in circulation from this early era. There has also been several fake 4-stroke Monarks, Litos and Husqvarnas for sale on ebay. If one of these bikes is ever presented to you for sale, it is most likely a fake. It is very rare that one of the original bikes comes on the market. There is nothing wrong with a replica as long as that's how it is represented. Do your homework.
-
I can't believe how many awesome works bikes Terry Good has. He obviously has too much cash!! Anyone know what he does for a living?
-
Fortune 500 commodities broker (dont know what that means exactly, he aint a pool tiler thats for sure!)
-
I'm glad you raised that point 090 and Maico 31. I was just thinking the other day how life was a breeze money-wise before I got into these money-munchin' old bloody bikes. Why haven't I got 20 works bikes tucked away in the shed?
I reckon we should have a thread for a while to check out what everyone here does for a living. Just to see what a colourfull bunch we really are. I think it'd be interesting.......
-
http://images.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://www.imageuploads.net/ims/pic.php%3Fu%3D9052kfkGE%26i%3D103549&imgrefurl=http://www.britbike.com/ubb/noncgi/ultimatebb.php%3F/ubb/get_topic/f/65/t/000024/p/1.html&h=694&w=800&sz=298&hl=en&start=8&tbnid=wJXR1l2_CS1E0M:&tbnh=124&tbnw=143&prev=/images%3Fq%3Ddick%2Bmann%2Blito%26gbv%3D2%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG (http://images.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://www.imageuploads.net/ims/pic.php%3Fu%3D9052kfkGE%26i%3D103549&imgrefurl=http://www.britbike.com/ubb/noncgi/ultimatebb.php%3F/ubb/get_topic/f/65/t/000024/p/1.html&h=694&w=800&sz=298&hl=en&start=8&tbnid=wJXR1l2_CS1E0M:&tbnh=124&tbnw=143&prev=/images%3Fq%3Ddick%2Bmann%2Blito%26gbv%3D2%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG)
Here's an interesting exchange on the BritBike forum. I presume that PAW is Per Arne Westling. He gives a lot of good history about Monarks and Litos. I find this historical stuff very interesting. It's a welcome release from some of the tedious stuff that often gets a run here.
-
I dont know what he is doing now , but I knew him when we raced Sidecars in Europe . In 1985 we both hade the 1000 cc Cosworth Wasps . I think Guy Allen did a story on mine at Monza Park in Ballarat.
I can't believe how many awesome works bikes Terry Good has. He obviously has too much cash!! Anyone know what he does for a living?