Today in motorcycle history, April 1, 1986
Having beaten the likes of Triumph, Bultaco, Maico, Greeves and CZ on the World Motocross GP circuit, Husqvarna thought it seemed it could make an easy transition into the American market where the sport of motocross was seriously lagging behind. In January of 1966, Edison Dye imported two Husqvarna 250cc machines and gave them to Malcolm Smith and John Penton. Then in the fall, Dye brought over someone who could fully demonstrate the potential using the proper riding style and techniques. Torsten "Mr. Motocross" Hallman. The Swedish Sensation won every race he entered in what became known as the '23-Moto Streak' – an exhibition of superiority that ignited Americans’ imaginations and put Husqvarna on the map in the US.
With racing success came sales ($$$) in America and abroad, but Husqvarna’s management was content to rest on its laurels, refusing to make a 125cc machine despite the pleading of Penton and Dye.
Remember kids, management always knows what's right, never question it.
Husqvarna began constructing a new plant for its motorcycle production, called M73, but the vision was never realized. Swedish home-goods powerhouse, Electrolux, purchased Husqvarna in 1977. Electrolux never really wanted the motorcycles and only took them as part of the deal and after realizing the money to be made in chainsaws, it headquartered that effort at M73. Motorcycles were split off into their own division, Husqvarna Motorcycles AB, and transferred nearly 50 miles away to a woodshed in Odeshog.
Soon Husqvarna became the target acquisition for CAGIVA, a conglomerate owned by the Castiglioni brothers, Gianfranco and Claudio, which made a habit of purchasing small European brands including Aermacchi, Moto Morini and MV Agusta. A young company with grandiose visions of its role in the world motorcycle economy, Cagiva purchased Husqvarna on April 1, 1986, taking complete control three months later and eventually moving the entire operation to Varese, Italy.
Torsten Hallman
From the moment CAGIVA took over operations of Husqvarna it was obvious that quality was not a prority. With sales plummeting and their hard-earned reputation fading, Husky was about to enter two of the darkest decades in their history.
Fortunately, BMW bought Husqvarna in 2007 and began the long ride to resuming pride and honor to one of the greatest names in off-road motorcycles in history.
