The Nimbus Museum
The next time you decide to do some intercontinental shopping why not go a little further than Paris or Amsterdam. And if you really have decided to go further - then why not pop into a lovely museum full of beautiful old motorcycles and related paraphernalia in Denmark? Take the partner, wife, or girlfriend, and while they are enthusiastically going around the museum - you can go shopping for socks or underwear in a local mall. It really is a great idea. Isn't it?
Let's talk about the Nimbus museum in Horsens.
It's a wonderful place. Looking every bit like a giant wooden garden shed, its set in a partly re-developed former industrial area now reborn to attract tourism 'somewhere in Denmark'. There are a few other 'industrial' museums very close, so it's well worth making a trip.
Coal shed? Or museum for one of the most iconic motorcycles ever?
Nimbus Museums and History
As happened with many of the British motorcycle manufacturers in the 50's and 60's, when it was time for the factory gates to clang shut for the very last time, they did just that. But where did all the bits left inside go - all those tools, machines, moulds, and drawings? In many cases, sadly, the metal ended-up in scrap yards and the drawings and patterns on big bonfires, never to be seen again.
It is very fortunate then, that during the last days of the Nimbus motorcycle factory these precious items were consigned to a special museum within the surviving and successful vacuum cleaner manufacturing part of Fisker & Nielsen (Nilfisk), where the importance of their motorcycling heritage was duly recognised and cherished. Sheaves of original technical drawings, the contents of P A Fiskers own development workshop, unique manufacturing tools and patterns - were thus rescued from oblivion in the 1970's, and many were put on display there for Nimbus enthusiasts to see. During 1982, some items were passed to the 'Teknisk Museum' of Elsinore, and others were moved to the Nilfisk-Advance showroom in Brondby - where a Nimbus Stovepipe motorcycle, various Nimbus-C models, and the only 2-cylinder Nimbus prototypes in existence are on display.
Horsens Nimbus Museum
Usefully, some parts were given to 'Danmarks Nimbus Touring Club' - a highly enthusiastic and very active Nimbus motorcycle club. The club were also allowed to make facsimile copies of many Nimbus drawings, records, and other documents from the factory. Everything given was thus stored with them privately until 2001 when they could be displayed as part of the Nimbus museum in Horsens - The 'Coal Shed'. The Horsens museum building itself is very special, being an original coal store dating from 1856 once sited at the local Horsens gasworks. It was restored in 2000, and is now a listed building - a perfect place for a Nimbus motorcycle collection. Recycling taken to the extreme - but what excellent re-cycling!
It is worth saying here - that all of the money for the huge task of creating this fascinating museum has been provided by motorcycle enthusiasts out of their own pockets. There have been no government provided funds or grants. Furthermore, the Horsens museum (like many small museums) lives on a knife edge, and its long-term future is always uncertain. A small museum still has running costs that have to be found from somewhere.
So when you are with your partner/wife/girlfriend on that intercontinental shopping trip - forget the socks and underwear - pay the Horsens Nimbus museum a visit. You will get a very warm welcome from some great enthusiasts. Spend some time absorbing the atmosphere (a heady mixture of pure engineering genius, engine oil, and colour), and view the technical marvels within. Buy a T-shirt or two, perhaps some magazines, or a cuddly toy - it all helps the museum to keep going.
Where is it?
Not far from the E45, which is a main motorway on the east side of the main lump of Denmark which runs from Vejl to Aarhus. Easily found on a 'sat-nav'.
At the time of writing, entrance is free - but please be warned - the museum is not open every day - so plan ahead.
Address:
Nimbus Museum, "Koksskuret", Industrimuseet, Gasvej 17-19, 8700 Horsens, Denmark
The entrance beckons
When the Nimbus sign is out - the museum is open
Museum Contents
Inside the museum, you will find many things connected with Nimbus motorcycles: Various examples of Nimbus models through the years; A replica of P A Fisker's development workshop; A 'round-the-World' Nimbus in 'as it came back' condition; Josef Koch trophies (JK was a well-known racer in the 30's); engine cut-aways - showing the internal workings - plus so much more.
Gallery
Nimbus and Sidecar in Danish Post Office colours (RAL Maize yellow)
Family transport before the invasion of cars
Inside P A Fisker's workshop
The ultimate 'mini-me' - a half-scale Nimbus beside a big brother
Original Nimbus service-shop tool board
Around the World Nimbus 75,000 km in 2 years
Another view
The engine looks sad - but apparently it still goes well.
Copyright - R T Reich - all rights reserved
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