Velocette is one of the most respected names in the history of the motorcycle. Though not as numerous or as successful, as some machines, the motorbikes produced by the Veloce company in Birmingham command a special respect and an extremely loyal following, and machines such as the KTT and Thruxton are among the most desirable classic bikes you can buy today.
Royal Enfield Bullet - 350, 500 & 535 Singles 1977 - 201
by Peter Henshaw
This step-by-step guide to buying a secondhand Royal Enfield Bullet includes everything a buyer needs to know: assessment of engine, transmission, frame, paintwork and chrome, tinwork, wheels and tyres, brakes, electrics, and even an explanation of engine and frame numbers. Included is a run down of the various Bullet models, and an assessment of which of these offers the best investment potential, including the rare diesel and Fritz Egli versions. Plus, there's detailed advice on auctions, pape...
When most people imagine a motorcycle, chances are they picture a Harley-Davidson. That's because Harley-Davidson machines look the way the primordial biker inside each of us feels a motorcycle should look. In short, Harley-Davidson makes mythic bikes. Harley-Davidson: The Complete History celebrates these iconic motorcycles, presenting them all in one beautifully illustrated book. The most beloved and recognizable motorcycles are included here: the Knucklehead, the Panhead, the Peashooter, the...
In 1969 Honda launched a motorcycle that many consider to be the world’s first superbike. The Honda CB750 had the first mass-produced 4-cylinder inline engine, a single overhead camshaft with four carburettors, a 4-into-4 exhaust system, and came with electric start and front disc brakes as standard. This specification set the bar higher than ever before on a production motorcycle, and led to other Japanese manufacturers introducing their own 4-cylinder models. Following the success of the origi...
MV Agusta's classic four-cylinder dominated Grand Prix racing for a decade from 1956. When it was replaced by the new triple in 1966, Count Agusta decided to make the Four available in limited numbers as a production bike. To prevent privateers converting it into a Grand Prix racer that might embarrass the factory, he stipulated it should be 600cc and have shaft final drive. The touring 600 eventually evolved into the 750 Sport and GT, and finally the America, but MV Fours were always built in e...
The Best of Peter Egan offers a “greatest hits” collection of Egan's motorcycle musings from the past four decades, delivered in his signature, wise but amusing, style. Peter Egan's writing invites you to pull up a chair, pour a little scotch, and relax while he shares with you his tales from the road, his motorcycling philosophy, and his keen observations about the two-wheeled life. For some forty years, Peter Egan’s columns and feature articles have been among Cycle World's most anticipated mo...
The bevel-drive 860 and 900 was one of the most significant motorcycles of the late 1970s, providing a unique combination of power and handling that was unequaled by other motorcycles at the time. When Italian car stylist Giorgetto Giugiaro penned the 860GT in 1973 few would have believed it would evolve into one of the greatest Ducati line-ups of all time. The square-case 860 become the legendary 900 Super Sport, Darmah and eventually the Mike Hailwood replica, built to honour Hailwood's specta...
For the first time the life of Edward Turner, one of Britain s most talented motorcycle designers, is revealed in full, so this is much more than just another book about Triumph motorcycles. Although seen by many as an irascible man who ran a very tight ship, it is an inescapable fact that that his was a highly profitable company. His hugely successful sales campaign after World War 2 stunned America s own manufacturers and had long lasting repercussions on their own home market. As Bert Hopwo...
An in-depth look at the world's finest scooter, from the Model A to the GP 200. The Lambretta story doesn't end there though, with the focus moving onto machines prepared and built by Lambretta Concessionaires. The book ends with a look at the main British dealer specials of the 1960s.
An Italian Journey by Vespa
by Silvana Annicchiarico, Tommaso Fanfani, and Gaia Milani
Ask just about any motorcycle fan, and theyll tell you that Harley-Davidson builds the ultimate motorcycle. And the motorcycles housed in Harley-Davidsons Archive Collection represent the best of the best. Harley-Davidson Museum Masterpieces tells the story of this amazing company through the incredible motorcycles it builds, selected from the hundreds of motorcycles in the Archive Collection. Portrait-quality photography of the book taken by expert lenseman Randy Leffingwell reveals the remarka...
This book gives a glimpse into the trials and tribulations of inventing, developing and perfecting the art of pedal-powered transport over the years from the the original 'hobby-horse' velocipede to the the notorious bone-shaker, and from the grand but tricky penny-farthing to Graeme Obree's world-beating home-made suprbike. This second edition has been updated to take in Chris Hoy's amazing three gold medals in the 2008 Olympics.
The Triumph 350cc and 500cc unit-construction twins were called the 'C' Series, and were made between 1957 and 1974. The range started with the 350cc 'Twenty-one' - a sedate touring bike with full enclosure in the form of the famous Triumph 'Bathtub' - went through such famous names as the Speed Twin, Tiger 100 and Trophy, and ended with the rip-roaring Daytona and the off-road Adventurer. This book deals with the whole range, giving the history of all the models, and also describes the restor...
Considering that Coventry was the birthplace of the British cycle industry, it is perhaps no surprise that the city became heavily involved in the development of the British motor industry during the mid-1890s. From the first velocipedes built here in 1868, most of the later well-established cycle manufacturers quickly turned their attention to motorised vehicles, and many of the early motoring pioneers moved to Coventry to become part of this revolutionary work. Local companies such as Bayliss,...
This is the story of the design, development and production of Kawasaki Fours. Starting with the Z1 of 1973 and continuing through to the retro-styled Zephyr range, Mick Walker provides an insight into an influential and ongoing part of motorcycle history. Topics include: background of the company; development history; full specifications of major models and additional coverage of the Z1300 six.
The Complete Book of Classic and Modern Triumph Motorcycles 1936-Today
by Ian Falloon
"Take an authoritative, thorough, and heavily illustrated look at Triumph motorcycles, from beloved classics to popular new models! What do Marlon Brando, James Dean, Steve McQueen, Bob Dylan, and Arthur Fonzerelli all have in common? All of these men define the very essence of cool, and all have owned Triumph motorcycles. Originally formed as a bicycle company in 1885, in 1902 Triumph produced its first motorcycle, which was simply a bicycle fitted with a Belgian Minerva engine. From there, the...
Marc Marquez is the new motorcycle racing icon, the very young rider who has changed the face of MotoGP by winning the world title at just 21 years old. His story is told in this book by Marco Masetti, the well-established motorcycle racing journalist, who closely follows MotoGP as his publication's correspondent. Masetti has literally seen Marquez grow from when he was a little boy with racing in his blood to when he became the sport's sensation on two wheels, a true heir to Valentino. As well...
For the past three years Aaron Heinrich has interviewed over fifty motorcyclists for his popular web magazine, asphaltanddirt.com, dispelling the myth of the stereotypical "biker." As these stories reveal, there is no one definition of what a motorcyclist is and that any description is as varied as the riders who make up the motorcycling community-no two are alike, other than their shared love of two wheels. Here are the stories of motorcyclists that run the gamut of the motorcycling world, fro...