Motorcycles: books - history, types and construction (1/3)

European Racing Motorcycles

This book covers no less than twelve countries; all of which, although gaining a fair level of success, didn't quite justify a whole book to themselves. The twelve countries are Austria, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Finland, France, Holland, Portugal, the Soviet Union, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Yugoslavia.

The Czechoslovakian & Spanish chapters are the two which have the most words and photographs, but the other ten are just as fascinating. Of course some European nations such as Denmark or Norway produced riders rather than racing bikes.
Many individual marques are covered, plus various Soviet types which, although they come under a single heading, are in fact the product of seven individual factories.

The book also encompasses a large number of talented engineers, designers and riders of world standing. Over 500 pictures in colour and black & white.

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The Motorbike Book

Takes you on an action-packed ride through the history of the motorbike that is all about the men, machines and landmark technology behind the most iconic bikes from ACE to Zundapp. Featuring over 1,000 of the latest and greatest motorbikes in the world this is an amazing visual guide tracing their evolution from the 1910s right up to the superbikes of today.

All about the grit and the glory, "The Motorbike Book" takes a truly international view from Italy's Ducati to Japan's Suzuki and tells you just how famous marques like Honda and Harley-Davidson became household names.
Plus, go on a virtual tour inside the engines of some of these legendary bikes to see just what powers their performance.

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Motorcycling in the '50s

For many, a motorcycle bought at the beginning of the 1950s was a first taste of the freedom offered by personal transport. Although postwar austerity was fading, money was still tight and new machines virtually unobtainable, but there were plenty of cheap prewar machines around and an ex-War Department motorcycle could be bought from one of the big city dealers on the never-never; better still it would be sent to your local railway station.

Ex-army dispatch riders' coats and boots would serve to keep the weather at bay as the new motorcyclists explored and enjoyed the quiet roads in a pre-motorway era.

The decade would become a Golden Era of motorcycling as manufacturers brought new and excitingly advanced machines to an appreciative audience which had never even heard of a Japanese motorcycle.

Motorcycle sport mushroomed in popularity at a time when you actually had to go to the race to see it and helped to reinforce the public's ever-growing enthusiasm for the motorcycle. the era would also see the arrival of the moped, scooter and bubblecar.

For those that were there, Jeff Clew's insight to motorcycling of the '50s will provide a delightful nostalgic journey into the past, while those younger riders who cherish 1950s motorcycles today will discover a whole new dimension to their enjoyment of the machines.

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The Art of the Vintage Motorcycle

This is the most beautiful book of its kind: celebrating the art and design of the luxury motorcycle by presenting forty of the best-designed and most enduringly iconic motorcycles ever made, spanning half a century.
The book showcases forty rare and exceptional motorcycles, from 1905 to 1956, presented in chronological order, illustrated with stunning studio photographs that present the machines as works of art and wonders of design in themselves.

An international roster is featured: a 1905 Peugeot Factory Racer, a 1916 Indian Power Plus, a 1929 Majestic, a 1936 Excelsior Manxman, a 1951 Harley Davidson 750CC WR, a 1951 Vincent 1000CC Black Shadow, and a 1955 Triumph Tiger Cub, among others.

Written by a motorcycle collector and expert, the book presents the history of the motorcycle through the most significant makes of all time. Each is accompanied by detailed images and texts covering the bike's background, legends behind the machines, feats of design and engineering, and tales of classic races, rallies, and motorcycle shows.
The book is enhanced with reproductions of period ads and historic photos, evoking a sense of time and place.

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Vintage Dirt Bikes Enthusiasts Guide

Knobby tires, small two-cycle engines, four-speed transmission, and a full four inches of suspension travel. Those are the bikes that most baby boomers grew up on. Now, those simple little Hondas, Yamahas, Harleys, and Pentons are making their way from the back of the garage to the front. From the barn to the shop. The shop where patient mechanics and enthusiasts are stripping them down and bringing them back to life.

The questions for the prospective buyer is: What to bring home? Among the thousands and thousands of dirt bikes, scramblers, trials bikes, play bikes and early motocross bikes, which are the best bikes to make your own?

"Vintage Dirt Bikes" will help the reader make that decision by providing information on all the most popular makes. For each bike, this book provides four to six paragraphs describing the bike in general terms. In addition, bullet points for each model include the following information: Relative cost to acquire, value when finished, and which are most likely to offer the most fun for the money. Readers will also find what to look for when checking the condition of items such as paint, suspension, frame, and engine.

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Motorräder des Ostblocks - Bulgarien, Polen, Sowjetunion 1945-1990 (Typenkompass)

It was not only MZ and Simson that drove in the former GDR: in the course of so-called compensation deals, vehicles were repeatedly imported from Eastern Bloc countries.
Since the GDR was given sovereignty over motorcycle construction up to 250 cc by the CMEA states, the CZ and Pannonia, the CZ and Ural were hardly to be found on the road, but all the more so in the countries of origin.

In his usual meticulous manner and extensively documented in numerous, often historical photos, Frank Rönicke offers a comprehensive overview of two-wheeler production in the Eastern Bloc in this Typenkompass.

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Das Motorrad-Buch - Die große Chronik mit über 1000 Modellen

No other vehicle represents freedom and independence like the motorcycle. For many, it is much more than just pure transportation - sitting on the bike is pure life and the ride itself is the goal.
"The Motorcycle Book" tells the exciting story of the motorcycle and its technical development. This extensive chronicle presents over 1 000 important models, divided into decades - from the first motorcycles at the turn of the century to the legendary Harley-Davidson machines to sporty cross-country vehicles and racing machines.

The book explains the milestones of engine technology and portrays the major brands and their designers. Profiles of important models and gallery pages with lesser-known machines invite you to browse and discover.

This comprehensive and richly illustrated volume is really a must for every motorcycle lover!

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