Motorcycles - Great Britain: Illustrated History Books & Guides

British Motorcycles 1945-1965 : From Aberdale to Wooler

Rinsey Mills provides A-Z coverage of British motorcycle manufacturers and their products during the 20 years following World War II. This was a time when the British industry was at the top of its game, exporting all round the world and producing everything from humble ride-to-work two-strokes, to fire-breathing projectiles like the magnificent 1000cc Vincent Black Shadow.

Pages of the book "British Motorcycles 1945-1965 : From Aberdale to Wooler"

From the forgotten Aberdale, of Llwynypia, Wales, to the ingeniously eccentric Wooler, of north-west London, here is alphabetical coverage - in no less than 600 pages - of British motorcycle makes of the period 1945-1965, among them great names such as AJS, BSA, Matchless, Norton, Royal Enfield, Triumph and Vincent.

There is a brief history of each maker, and detailed coverage of the various models they produced, using the original manufacturers' publicity material for the illustrations.

Product details

Author:	Rinsey Mills
Details:	600 pages, 10.8 x 8.7 x 1.73 in (27.5 x 22 x 4.4 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	1500+ b&w and color photos, drawings
Language:	English
Publisher:	Herridge & Sons Ltd (GB, 2018)
ISBN:	9781906133610

British Racing Motorcycles

With foreign-built motorcycles generally dominating road and track today, it is perhaps difficult to appreciate that the situation was not always so. There was a time when virtually every manufacturer in Great Britain listed a racing machine in his catalogue and British machines dominated the scene.

Between the world wars, Norton, Rudge, Sunbeam, AJS and Velocette shared the spoils of victory despite the efforts of Italy, Germany, Sweden, France and Belgium. It was not until the mid 1930s that success began to come the way of the continentals, at first in the lightweight class, when Guzzi and Benelli from Italy appeared in the list of winners, along with Germany's DKW.

For many years after her decline as a force in world motorcycle manufacturing, Britain (and the Commonwealth) continued to provide great riders; Surtees, Hocking, Hailwood, Read and Sheene, to name but a few.

Contents: AJS 7R, BSA Gold Star, Manx Norton, Matchless G50 & G45, JPS Norton, AJS Porcupine & 3-valve, Rocket 3 & Trident, Specials, Triumph GP, Two Strokes, Velocette, Vincent HRD & Thruxton.

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Author:	Mick Walker
Details:	208 pages, 11 x 8.25 x 0.59 in (28 x 21 x 1.5 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	800+ b&w and color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Brooklands Books (GB, 1998)
ISBN:	9780953131105

Coventry's Motorcycle Heritage

Coventry was the birthplace of the British cycle industry and 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 motorized vehicles, and many of the early motoring pioneers moved to Coventry to become part of this revolutionary work. Local companies such as Bayliss, Thomas & Co., Coventry Eagle, Humber, Riley, and Swift were just a few of the cycle firms quick to catch on, and steadily new companies were formed solely to manufacture motorcycles.

This book covers the history of all these companies and their products, focusing on the individuals who both founded and worked for such firms. From world-famous companies like Triumph, to the more obscure marques like Wartnaby and Draper, it provides a brief summary of each manufacturer, as well as an insight into the social history of Coventry at the peak of its involvement in motorcycle history.

Product details

Author:	Damien Kimberley
Details:	160 pages, 9.7 x 6.9 x 0.47 in (24.5 x 17.5 x 1.2 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	illustrated
Language:	English
Publisher:	The History Press Ltd (GB, 2009)
ISBN:	9780750951258

The British Motorcycle Directory - Over 1,100 Marques from 1888

The authors have been involved in the old bike hobby for decades and have been collecting information on every British marque over all that time.

This book is a culmination of their efforts and is a comprehensive directory of British motorcycle manufacturers and their products. Each entry contains a summary history of the manufacturer and its most important machines, and where possible entries are illustrated. There are over 850 illustrations in total.

Product details

Author:	Roy H. Bacon, Ken Hallworth
Details:	288 pages, 11.4 x 9.1 x 0.87 in (29 x 23 x 2.2 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	850 b&w photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	The Crowood Press Ltd (GB, 2004)
ISBN:	9781861266743

British 250cc racing Motorcycles 1946-1959 - an era of ingenious innovation

From 1946 up to 1959, the 250cc class in Britain was supported almost entirely by privately built Specials and Hybrids.
This book recalls the men and machines involved, and traces their history and development, in what was clearly the most technically innovative class of Road Racing in the 1950s.

Product details

Author:	Chris Pereira
Details:	80 pages, 9.8 x 8.1 in (25 x 20.5 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	97 b&w photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Veloce Publishing Ltd (GB, 2018)
Series:	Veloce Classic Reprint
ISBN:	9781787113299

British Motorcycles of the 1940s and 50s

After VE Day in 1945 the British population returned enthusiastically to the road. But the cost and availability of both vehicles and fuel led to the post-war scene being dominated by motorcycles, most of them ex-military machines, eagerly snapped up for everyday use in an age when a family car remained just a dream for many. The British industry, meanwhile, was exhorted to 'export or die', and until well into the 1950s the majority of new British bikes were sold abroad.

During this period, the industry - the largest and most important in the world - continued to develop new and exciting machines. Mick Walker tells the story of the British post-war motorcycle during this golden age of the industry. With the help of archive photographs and advertising material, this book conjures up a lost age of the British bike, of journeys to work by popping two-strokes, and trips to the seaside in the family motorcycle combination.

Product details

Author:	Mick Walker
Details:	56 pages, 8.25 x 5.9 x 0.2 in (21 x 15 x 0.5 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	b&w and color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Shire Publications Ltd (GB, 2010)
ISBN:	9780747808053

Brough Superior - The Complete Story

George Brough began building motorcycles shortly after World War I, naming them Brough Superior to distinguish them from his father's Brough models and to emphasize their high performance and quality.
During the 1920s and 1930s, Brough Superior became known as the pinnacle of motorcycle engineering. These machines gained fame through riders such as Bert le Vack, Eric Fernihough, Noel Pope, and T.E. Lawrence, also known as "Lawrence of Arabia."

This book explores the complete history of Brough and Brough Superior, from the early 20th century to the end of production during World War II, including post-war revival efforts.

Topics covered:
- The history of Brough Motors
- The development of Brough Superior motorcycles and cars
- Their achievements in racing and record-breaking
- Special models
- Biographies of key figures
- Detailed specifications

Product details

Author:	Peter Miller
Details:	320 pages, 11.2 x 8.9 x 0.94 in (28.5 x 22.5 x 2.4 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	300 color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	The Crowood Press Ltd (GB, 2010)
Series:	The Complete Story
ISBN:	9781847971128

Catalog of British Motorcycles (1951)

Published in the USA under the same title in 1951 by Floyd Clymer, the original publication was a pocket sized landscape format book and it is often criticized as difficult to read due to its small print size. Consequently, this edition was re-formatted into a larger and more conventional portrait size which has increased the text size by almost 40%.

This publication provides the reader with an insight into the country, and the manufacturers, that were ultimately destined to succumb to the dominance of the Japanese motorcycle industry. A total of 33 different British motorcycle manufacturers and their various models are included and sadly, less than a handful of those 33 manufacturers survive today.

A 'must have' resource for any motorcycle enthusiast and an invaluable reference for anyone interested in British 'iron'. Many of the motorcycles featured within are highly collectible today and the predominance of these early manufacturers no longer exist.
This truly historical documentation of the glory years of British motorcycle manufacturing has been out-of-print and unavailable for many years. We are pleased to be able to offer this reproduction as a service to all motorcycle enthusiasts worldwide.

Product details

Author:	Floyd Clymer
Details:	84 pages, 11 x 8.25 x 0.2 in (28 x 21 x 0.5 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	83 photos and drawings
Language:	English
Publisher:	Veloce Press (USA, 2014)
ISBN:	9781588502223

Classic British Motorcycles

Classic British motorcycles were more than simple machines, they were a cultural phenomenon that lasted half a century. From the early days of motoring, British innovators led the way, building some of the world's most famous motorcycles, as well as some of the best performers.
At one point, the rest of the motorcycle world followed Britain's lead, and by the late 1950s, the British were by far the largest producers of motorcycles in the world. However, barely a decade later, the British motorcycle industry was almost bankrupt and in utter disarray.

Illustrated with over 150 photographs, this book explores the rise and fall of the British motorcycle industry, looking at its history through the years and then at the motorcycles themselves by brand, giving the complete story of these amazing machines.

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Author:	Andy Tallone
Details:	96 pages, 9.7 x 6.7 x 0.51 in (24.5 x 17 x 1.3 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	150+ b&w and color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Key Publishing Ltd (GB, 2022)
Series:	Classic Vehicles
ISBN:	9781913870577

Francis-Barnett - The Complete Story

Francis-Barnett was a key player in the motorcycle industry during the 1930s and 1950s. Founded in 1919 by Gordon Francis and Arthur Barnett, the company was located in Lower Ford Street, Coventry, England. Francis-Barnett significantly contributed to the industry with its two-stroke motorcycles designed for commuting.

The author examines the important role these innovative motorcycles played in the peak years of British motorcycling. Topics include:
- Company origins and history
- Manufacturing periods from 1919 to 1966
- Engines and carburettors
- Detailed technical specifications

Product details

Author:	Arthur Gent
Details:	208 pages, 9.8 x 7.7 x 0.71 in (25 x 19.5 x 1.8 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	177 b&w and 58 color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	The Crowood Press Ltd (GB, 2011)
Series:	The Complete Story
ISBN:	9781847972460

Motorcycle Road Tests 1949-1953 (from The Motor Cycle Magazine UK)

This book combines two volumes first published by Floyd Clymer in 1952 and 1954. The original material appeared in the UK magazine "Motor Cycle- and features road tests mainly of British motorcycles and European models sold in the UK.
The 1952 volume focused on motorcycles, while the 1954 edition expanded to include tests of scooters, three-wheelers, and cyclemotors.

This combined edition has 120 pages and includes 226 photographs. It presents specifications and performance data for each vehicle tested. In total, the book contains 49 motorcycle tests, 2 scooter tests, 2 three-wheeler tests, and 7 cyclemotor tests.
A detailed list of the tested models appears on the front cover. The book includes machines from various manufacturers.

Motorcycles: Ariel, Bown, B.S.A., D.M.W., Dot, Excelsior, Francis-Barnett, Greeves, Indian (Brave), James, Norman, Norton, Royal Enfield, Sunbeam, Tandon, Triumph, Velocette & Vincent.

Scooters: Vespa & Lambretta.

3 wheelers: Bond & Reliant.

Cyclemotors: Berini, Cucciolo, Mini-Motor, Velo-Solex, Cyclemaster, Power Pak & B.S.A. Winged Wheel.

Product details

Author:	Floyd Clymer
Details:	122 pages, 10 x 8.1 x 0.28 in (25.5 x 20.5 x 0.7 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	226 b&w photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Veloce Press (USA, 2021)
ISBN:	9781588502377

The British Motorcycle Story

Until the 1950s, even into the 1960s, British motorcycle makers ruled the roost, names such as Scott, Rudge, BSA, Norton and the mighty Triumph. There were many others now remembered by enthusiasts. Yet these were the companies which developed the motorbike from its earliest beginnings as little more than a bicycle with a tiny engine and made it the fast, powerful and exciting machine we recognise today.
This is the story of those British machines and their development, even the story of some who rode them. Within this story may perhaps be discerned some of the reasons for their demise, but this is primarily a story of success.

Product details

Author:	Colin Jackson
Details:	128 pages, 4.9 x 7.7 x 0.51 in (12.5 x 19.5 x 1.3 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	many b&w and color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	The History Press Ltd (GB, 2013)
ISBN:	9780752487359

The Famous James Military Lightweight

Tells the story of the famous James ML military motorcycle which had originally been developed as a utility machine for the working man and was then modified for the military during World War II. The James ML was used for carrying messages on the beaches of Normandy during the D-Day landings, earning it lasting respect and affection.

The book covers the various military roles for the motorcycle, including airborne use and its various deployments. It also describes ML production after the end of the war when the reliability and ruggedness that it had displayed as a military machine proved effective in off-road competitions.

The author also presents a brief history of the James and Villiers companies and provides a background to the military decision to purchase lightweight motorcycles. He describes the evaluations and tests and compares the James ML with other motorcycles in the running.

The book includes a full list of specifications as well as colour schemes for both military and civilian models. Illustrated with colour and black and white illustrations from contemporary magazines such as Motor Cycling and The Motor Cycle, this book tells you all you need to know about this iconic motorcycle.

Product details

Author:	Peter Miller
Details:	96 pages, 9.25 x 6.5 in (23.5 x 16.5 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	150 b&w and color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Amberley Publishing (GB, 2016)
ISBN:	9781445653976

Motos anglaises - Les marques de légende

With over 550 brands to its name, including the legendary Ariel, Brough Superior, Excelsior, Vincent, Velocette, Triumph, Norton, BSA, Royal-Enfield and Matchless, the British motorcycle industry dominated the world of motorcycling for several decades.
Also present on the world's greatest circuits, where the Norton 16H side-valve motorcycles, then the famous Manx, or even the Triumph overhead valve twins of GP and the unforgettable Velocette KTT won so much success, English machines have long been at the top of the competition. Riders such as Phil Heath, Joe Davis, Ken Kavanagh, Bill Lomas, Dick Mann, Geoff Duke or Bob McIntyre, Phil Read and the unforgettable Mike Hailwood, have also contributed to the success of English motorcycles by repeatedly offering them the laurels of victory.

With over 400 illustrations, this French book traces the history of the British motorcycle industry and its most iconic manufacturers, as well as the riders who brought them their letters of nobility. It should be noted that Triumph, legendary and indestructible, occupies a privileged place in this book.

Product details

Author:	Francis Reyes
Details:	192 pages, 10 x 10 in (25.5 x 25.5 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	300 b&w and color photos
Language:	French
Publisher:	ETAI (F, 2015)
ISBN:	9782726893135