On The Pegs May 2020 - Volume 5 - Issue 5 | Page 103

On The Pegs
VOL. 5 ISSUE 5 - MAY 2020
103
career was no doubt the 500cc four stroke in the beginning of the 60s.
“It was a wonderful masterpiece of engineering,” marvelled Bror. “And also, a
winning concept as we captured three world titles with Bill Nilsson and Rolf Tib-
blin.” The bike was state of the art and he kept one factory 500 for the Husqvar-
na museum, where it still can be observed today.
In the old Golden Era, most riders were also skilful mechanics and understood
well the technical side of the sport. There was a tremendous will to conquer and
win at a time when money only played a supporting role.
“Unfortunately, in the modern days, this fact has changed,” said Jaurén. The
riders wouldn’t go near their machines when they didn’t race and suddenly
contracts, money and fame became time’s ruling order. He was formally elected
Sales & Competition Manager in 1961, a position Bror held until 1971.
“Contract figures weren’t nearly as steep as they are in modern days,” Jaurén
told me. “Riders weren’t well paid and only a few had the benefit from our fac-
tory support then. You had to have one hell of a talent in order for me to take
out the cheque book.”
In the 70s, Husqvarna developed a light-frame for motocross constructed from
aluminium. It broke at the Swiss 250cc GP with much negative publicity after
Jaurén had rejected an American-made frame of titanium, which was banned by
a FIM technical committee where Jaurén also was a member. “Not so much to
brag about,” were his shy comments.
After 33 years in the saddle at Husqvarna, Bror J decided to call it a day in
1979 and he withdrew from the paddock at the age of 61. “Things started to get
complicated with the involvement of the Swedish conglomerate Electrolux and
the future for motorcycles was uncertain.” Bror Jaurén proved to be right yet
another time as the company was sold to the Italians eight years after he left for
retirement.
“Any regrets?” I asked him.
“Oh, yes,” Jaurén stated. “I’d give anything to undo the fact that we let the
Japanese technicians come close to our machines. Without scruples, they pho-
tographed every detail there was to copy. So, some years later, the big factories
overtook the dominance in the motocross field. But we didn’t understand that
at the time of the Japanese arrival in motocross. Try taking a shot at their factory
bikes today and you’ll see what happens!”
Otherwise, there is not much that Bror Jaurén missed at Husqvarna in his three
decades. Unfortunately, Bror Jaurén passed away in 1985 at the young age of 69
years. n