The motor bike book : the definitive visual history

An action-packed ride through the history of the motorbike "The Motorbike Book" 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. If you're born to be wild then "The Motorbike Book" is the ultimate ride for you. Contents 4......Page 6 Early Pioneers 10......Page 12 Great Marques: The Indian Story 12......Page 14 Three-wheelers 14......Page 16 Birth of an Industry 16......Page 18 Great Marques: The Royal Enfield Story 22......Page 24 Multiple Cylinders 24......Page 26 Profile: FN Four 26......Page 28 America’s Golden Age 30......Page 32 Racing Machines/Scooters 32......Page 34 Profile: Scott Two-speed 34......Page 36 Two-wheelers for the Masses 40......Page 42 Profile: Brough Superior SS100 42......Page 44 The Mighty V-twins 46......Page 48 Profile: Indian Scout 48......Page 50 Great Marques: The Norton Story 52......Page 54 Sporting Rides 54......Page 56 Great Marques: The Moto Guzzi Story 58......Page 60 Survival of the Fittest 60......Page 62 Out of the Mainstream 64......Page 66 Track Contenders 66......Page 68 New Sophistication 70......Page 72 Profile: Ariel 4F Square Four 72......Page 74 Speed Club 76......Page 78 Reliable Transport 82......Page 84 Great Marques: The BMW Story 86......Page 88 Economy Travel 88......Page 90 Hot Competition 90......Page 92 On Military Service 94......Page 96 Profile: Harley-Davidson WLC 100......Page 102 Innovation and Evolution 104......Page 106 Geat Marques: The Harley-Davidson Story 108......Page 110 Economy Transport 110......Page 112 Racing Resumes 112......Page 114 Profile: Norton Manx 114......Page 116 Scooters 120......Page 122 Profile: Lambretta LD 150 122......Page 124 Sports Twins 126......Page 128 Lively Lightweights 128......Page 130 Great Marques: The Honda Story 130......Page 132 Tourers 132......Page 134 Flyweights 134......Page 136 Great Marque: The Vespa Story 136......Page 138 Useful Lightweights 138......Page 140 Singles 140......Page 142 Trials and Scramblers 144......Page 146 Racers 146......Page 148 Roadburners 150......Page 152 Profile: Triumph Bonneville 152......Page 154 Youth Appeal 156......Page 158 Profile: Suzuki TC250 158......Page 160 Scooters and Mopeds 162......Page 164 Great Marques: The MV Agusta Story 164......Page 166 Willing Workers 166......Page 168 Tourers 170......Page 172 Great Marques: The Suzuki Story 172......Page 174 Built for Speed 174......Page 176 Rough Riders 176......Page 178 Superbikes 180......Page 182 Profile: Honda CB750 182......Page 184 Middleweights 188......Page 190 Great Marques: The Kawasaki Story 192......Page 194 Standing Out 194......Page 196 Fun on Wheels 196......Page 198 Chrome and Smoke 202......Page 204 Off the Highway 204......Page 206 Great Marques: The Triumph Story 206......Page 208 Racers 208......Page 210 Classic Style 210......Page 212 Road Sport 214......Page 216 Profile: Honda RC30 216......Page 218 Power Play 222......Page 224 Great Marques: The Yamaha Story 224......Page 226 Design Diversity 226......Page 228 Mile Eaters 228......Page 230 Dirt Diggers 232......Page 234 Racers 234......Page 236 Great Marques: The Ducati Story 238......Page 240 Sports Bikes 240......Page 242 Profile: Ducati 916 244......Page 246 Street Style 248......Page 250 Cruisers 250......Page 252 Tour and Adventure 252......Page 254 Hypersport 258......Page 260 Profile: Aprilia RSV4 262......Page 264 Street Muscle 266......Page 268 Far and Fast 268......Page 270 Profile: BMW K1600GT 272......Page 274 Cruising 276......Page 278 City Rides 278......Page 280 Great Marques: The Aprilia Story 282......Page 284 Practical Fun 284......Page 286 Off-road 286......Page 288 Racers 288......Page 290 How an Engine Works 294......Page 296 Engine Types 296......Page 298 Harley-Davidson X8A Air-cooled Single 298......Page 300 Lambretta LD 150 Air-cooled Two-stroke 300......Page 302 BSA A10 Golden Flash Air-cooled Twin 302......Page 304 Vincent Rapide V-twin 304......Page 306 Yamaha YZF–R1 In-line Four 306......Page 308 GLOSSARY 308......Page 310 INDEX 312......Page 314 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 319......Page 321 An action-packed ride through the history of the motorbike, this book 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, this 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. If you're born to be wild then this book is the ultimate ride for you 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 greatest motorbikes in the world, it is a visual guide tracing their evolution from the 1910s right up to the superbikes of today.