Monark is a motorcycle company established in Varberg, Sweden that was started in 1908, by Birger Svensson. They, like many motorcycle companies, started out making road bikes, but later stepped into the off-road bike market. During World War II, Monark supplied the Swedish military with 500cc bikes that used Albin four-stroke engines. Once the war was over, they went back to making Ilo-powered 50cc and 250cc two-stroke bikes, and became Sweden’s largest motorcycle producer. In the twenties Monark used engines of the Swedish EBE factory. These engines were made between 1919 and 1930 in capacities of 172 cc (auxiliary engines) 172 cc ohv for light motorcycles and 596 cc side valve for heavier machines. The 172 cc ohv model was a popular machine in its day because it was exempt from tax due to its weight of less than 50 kgs. For such motorcycles a driving license was not needed.
