Motorcycles Books

Harley riders develope a passion for the bikes. Maybe it has something to do with a safe vent for midlife crisis. If you are looking for a Harley novel read "The Second Coming Of Age" by: C. Vedrine

While the title suggests a listing of parts you can buy for your Harley, the book actually covers "What you can do to your Harley". The sub-title says it better: "A Guide to Personalizing Your Bike". The book is loaded with fabulous photos (and diagrams, where needed, like where they tell you about the real meaning of dyno numbers). I read every single page with great care and attention, and I know I will do so again.

The table of contents clues you in right away about what awaits you inside: Paint, Seats, Handlebars and Foot Controls, Powertrain, Suspension, Wheels and brakes. The subtitles in each section go much further. Installing inspection covers, re-jetting the carb, how to lower your bike (and why you may not want to), practical advice on changing handlebars, choosing an exhaust system, and setting up your suspension are just a taste of what you'll be getting into in here.

If you're wondering what are the possibilities for modifying your Harley-Davidson, here's the place to start.

This book has some of the nicest photos of Bikers and their Tattos that I have ever saw in one place. The pictures are Black and white. The Author chose some really great photos for this one.

In this book, Sandro Miller reminds us of the power of black and white photography. His subjects are at once frightening and vulnerable. His ability to look through these bikers' eyes into their souls is astonishing. Lovers of the photographic art will find themselves enthralled by the skin textures, tatoos, and depth found in these photographs. Beyond a sort of tribal celebration, this work truly conveys the interpretative, emotive capabilities of an outstanding artist. Sandro Miller has joined the elite of America's finest photographers. Bravo!

This book is a must for all the OCC fans out there. I purchased this for my 14 year old nephew, who just loves all things loud, metal,motors and boy stuff !! This book showcases the artwork of the bikes created by the OCC boys, from the ideas to the finished product. As for being a technical book then I would say it will not be sufficent in that area. But to a 14 year old it does a couple of things, firstly it encourages reading and conversation, the pages are well covered with plenty of photos and enough text to be of interest. The cover is very lavish and very appealing to the boys, especially as it has an OCC medallion as the centre piece. This book even caught the attention of my nephews father, which is a good thing, although Dad will have to get his own copy !! So well done to the OCC marketing dept. you have a good product.

This is a must-buy for all OCC fans and for bikers alike. Wow, I must say this book encompasses what OCC has done and their contribution to the world of custom bikes. Not only that this book have featured their custom bikes and the story behind it, but it also has provided the readers the history of motorcycles, Sturgis, etc. It also has wonderful photos of their bikes like the Liberty Bike, Jet Bike, Caterpillar Bike, etc. Make David Mann prud and buy this book.

This book has all the latest riders from the 2002 U.S. Supercross and Motocross race season. Carmichael, McGrath, Stewart, Lusk, Reed, LaRocco, Ferry, Vuillemin, Tortelli, Pastrana, etc.... The photos are incredible, and the quality of the book is first rate.

A must have for every motocross enthusiast! The book positively bulges with full color photos by Simon Cudby...incredible...the photos pop right off the page. And the articles by RacerX editor Davey Coombs and RacerX writer Eric Johnson give all the record breaking details of the 2002 season.

If you don't know what size or color gear the dirtbike rider in your life wants, buy this book. Buy it no matter what...it's a life time keepsake.

This book reveals just some of the Ridable Art designs by a true American Genius. Other builders are just starting to scratch the surface of what Arlen has done for forty years. This book should be displayed front and center in ANY artists or artists at hearts collection.

Michael Lichter uses his consistently strong photos and writing to tell the story of Arlen Ness's achievement of the American Dream including a prosperous, booming motorcycle business, adapting to or sparking change(creating parts like the 'Evolution Solution'), and staying married to the same woman all these years. Ness started out working for the post office and also helped out with his father delivering furniture . Both his Mom and Dad taught him the importance of a strong work ethic which would become a key factor in his success in an industry where he is affectionately referred to as "King of Choppers". When he bought a knucklehead for three hundred dollars (c. 1964) which he reworked into his own vision he knew he found his calling.

Sonny Barger wrote the forward and says they have a lot in common. Barger and Ness have endured and flourished all these years. It is befitting to have Barger write the foreword because the counterculture Hells Angels and their mystique have contributed enormously to American Culture inspiring film, literature, art, the original and new wave of motorcycle chopper art that has found yet a new ever expanding audience in the 21 century.

My favorite photo in the book is Hulk Hogan sitting on his customized bike "Hulkster". The book doesn't focus on celebrities but on the "art" of Arlen Ness and his story. Motorcycle creativity combined with the American Dream business machine which remains a family business and endurance are an art form that is uniquely Arlen Ness. If you are an Arlen Ness fan this book is for you.

Autocourse has for many years now provided an annual containing all the myriad of details of the Formula One season. This year's offering is as good as ever and provides a first rate coverage of Formula One.

Apart from overview articles, it provides a detailed review of each team and the drivers as well as a detailed description of each race, including all the qualifying action. For the statistically minded there is a full set of stats including lap charts for each race.

There are also brief overviews of other motor racing formulae.

Overall, if you want a permanent record of the Grand Prix year, you will have to go a long way to find a better book.

The Autocourse series is by far the best I've ever seen written of Formula One. I've devoured several years of Autocourse and will read it for a very long time.

What the critics say:

Derek Roberts, founding member of the Southern Veteran-Cycle Club (now Veteran-Cycle Club), England, editor and principal contributor of 'The Boneshaker' for its first 21 years ('The Boneshaker' is the first periodical to be devoted to cycling history):

"...you have produced a work that every student of cycling history must buy. It is the coffee-table book to end all coffee-table books, and it has the merit of being a work of art as well as a reference manual. I congratulate you on your fine achievement...I shall obviously have to have a special coffee-table made to hold it."

Les Bowerman, editor of 'The Boneshaker':

"It is a magisterial view of all aspects of cycle history, and I strongly recommend it to all interested in the general history of cycles and cycling. Forget the high price - you must have the book,....this is the cycle history publishing event of the decade."

Nick Clayton, Honorary editor of 'The Boneshaker':

"...the most comprehensive and correct treatment of the subject to date."

The Guardian, Manchester (UK), February 27, 1997:

"Pryor Dodge...has combined what is unquestionably the most finely illustrated history of cycling ever produced with a text which is both erudite and elegant. Dodge not only reminds us of the curious paths and byways the bicycle has travelled down; he points a way forward by documenting the bicycle renaissance of recent years."

London Review of Books, April 24, 1997:

"The Bicycle is full of delights....adds up to what used to be called a wonder book....close-ups of clean, shining mechanisms can have an elegance all their own..."

Bicycle Culture 11, York (UK), December 1996:

"This is the most sumptuous book ever on the history of cycling. The author borrows generously from his astonishing collection of historical illustrations: revealing images not previously known even to cycle historians.  That so many of them are in colour is particularly delightful. The many finely-lit studio photographs make old, worn machines look truly beautiful, from the pitted and scratched Levocyclette of 1905 on the front cover, to the two-page spreads devoted to a Velocipede pedal detail and to the Simpson lever chain."

VELO, 1996 Fall/Winter Catalogue:

"This book is nothing short of the finest cycling history/picture book ever published...This book is a treasure for any cycling enthusiast....Outstanding color photographs."

In 1988, when living in China, I bought a Shanghai-built Yongjiu ("Forever") bicycle. Reputed to be a copy of a 1936 Raleigh, or a 1938 Legnano, depending on which expert it was, the Yongjiu is clearly from another era: massive steel tubing, rod-operated brakes, a wide, brown sort-of-leather saddle with lots of springs underneath, one speed. It was almost brand new and very inexpensive, so I thought I was buying a bit of history and a nifty souvenir. It looked great, with its deep black enamel finish and chrome flourishes. And it had a sturdy rack, suitable for carrying furniture, or ducks to the market.

After returning to Canada, I had the opportunity to ride the Yongjiu to work once when my regular commuter bike, an elderly Gitane ten-speed, required some major repairs. The five kilometer trip was interminable. The bicycle was awkward and ponderous. It was undergeared for load-carrying, meaning I had to spin at much too fast for comfort. But the bike was so heavy that even speed bumps took on Matterhorn dimensions. The brakes did not appear to slow what little forward progress there was, although I could hear them working. And I had to ride with my feet pointed outwards to prevent my knees from being whacked by the handlebars on every revolution of the crank. And everyone at the office who saw the Yongjiu was enchanted by it.

This fascination for old bicycles seized Pryor Dodge at an early age. His epiphany was seeing Cantinflas ride a high-wheeler in the film "Around the World in 80 Days" and the result has been many years of collecting old bicycles and related paraphernalia. And this wonderful book, which traces the development of the bicycle from Baron Karl Friedrich Drais von Sauerbronn's Laufmaschine ("Running Machine") of 1817 to the velocipede, with its cranked front wheel, to the elegant but precarious high-wheeler and, finally, the safety bicycle of 1886. The last thirty pages are devoted to the bicycle in the Age of the Automobile, but you can tell Mr. Dodge's heart is not really into relating the story of the BMX or mountain bike.

No, Pryor Dodge loves bicycles from before 1900, when an inventive madness swept the world and the bicycle took so many whimsical forms. One can savour the details of the 1884 Kangaroo geared high-wheeler, the steam-powered velocipede (!), the bamboo bicycle or the bizarre Coventry Rotary Tricycle, whose appearance defies description but which is beautifully illustrated in one of the many superb photos that grace this book. The text, which is somewhat overwhelmed by the quality of the images, is full of interesting facts, conveyed in a clear and attractive style. The photos of bicycles are supplemented by images of posters, medals, club uniforms and other amazing things.

For anyone with any feeling for bicycles (or gorgeous books), "The Bicycle," which has been published in at least three languages, is a must, and a steal at the price.

And on page 193 is a photo of people in Shanghai riding to work on their Yongjius.

I too have had the privilege of visiting Mr. Metz's garage-cum-museum, which is only a half hour's drive from here. If you can't get to see his collection first hand, this is the next best thing.

this book is an excellent pictorial trip through one of the world's finest collections of bicycles and related items. i have actually been to the Metz Bicycle Museum in Freehold, New Jersey and have had a personalized tour by David Metz, the owner of the museum which is the basis for this book. this book is a very good introduction to the history of bicycles and the photograpy is excellent. however, on an actual tour of the museum you get some of the most interesting stories first hand from David Metz. this 87 year young collector is only too happy to share his knowledge of bicycles with any visitor to his museum. the book and a trip to the museum if at all possible will both be something to remember

I need this book urgentl

The book contains hundreds of photograhps of mainly the BMW R12 and some of the R75. All photographs are taken in Worldwar II and represent valuable historic information on how these bikes were used in combat. It also reveals the strategies being used by motorcycle companies and shows some of the human suffering of this era. Furthermore it contains valuable technical information, drawings and exploded views of the BMW R75. Highly recommended to anyone interested in this part of the history or for those who are involved in BMW R12 or R75 restoration.

An intersting look at the riders who go for broke
at the Bonneville speed trials,great pictures and
some fun stories, this takes you right out on the salt.

An outstanding review of the first 3 years of the BUB Trials for motorcycles. Horst does an excellent job of capturing the bikes, the Salt and the personalities that populate the salt during the event. This is a great book and exceedingly well done and tells the bike week story perfectly.