On The Pegs September 2019 - Volume 4 - Issue 9 | Page 121

On The Pegs
Vol. 4 Issue 9 - September 2019
121
In the need for speed, Husqvarna also realised that there was a market for small-
er bikes, which were affordable for most customers. In 1927 they presented the
model 20, which soon became the 25. This outfit consisted of a 175cc side-valve
JAP engine. It was nicknamed “the Kitten” and went through the factory until 1931
when it had turned into model 30 with a JAP side-valve 245cc power source. The
30 model was introduced already in 1929, being then manufactured for the com-
ing six years. The 30 inherited the nickname of “Kitten” from its predecessor and
was also equipped with the 250 JAP. The 30 had a performance of 7.5 horsepower
at best. The cylinder, together with the cylinder head, was cast in one piece as this
method was simpler and more economic for Husqvarna at the time. With a ride
height of 64 cm the brochure promised customers a comfortable riding position
on the machine’s Terry-saddle.
In 1930 there was also a 490cc JAP-engined machine available and even a 496cc
Sturmey-Archer motor was being introduced. Looking at the sales figures from
Husqvarna, it was clear that motorcycling had caught many people’s eye in the
roaring 20s. According to factory statistics, the Swedes sold approximately 7,500
units in the decade from 1921 to 1930. Unfortunately, these motorcycle figures
were not matched in the coming years. During the 30s and through the Second
World War production declined severely for obvious reasons. n