This book covers the long history, from its origins through to the present day, of the historic Italian manufacturer Beta Motorcycles, active in the two-wheeled world for over 100 years, presenting previously unpublished material. A particularly versatile firm, over the decades Beta Motorcycles has proved capable of diversifying its products - building all kinds of motorcycle - and satisfying the mutating demands of its clientele. The Florentine marque built its own two- and four-stroke engines in-house, but has always been open to joint ventures with other European or Japanese firms. Founded as a bicycle manufacturer, Beta Motorcycles moved into the moped market in the 1960s, off-road motorcycles in the late 1970s, enduro models in the following decade and then scooters, for over 20 years, not to mentions the Trial sector in which it conquered eight World Championship titles. In more recent years the company has returned to the "classic" Motocross and Enduro categories and in 2016 collected a further two world titles, including the Constructors' Championship. The book features a comprehensive catalogue of every model and every engine produced by Beta Motorcycles during the course of over a century.

This manual is for all owners and enthusiasts of the legendary Kawasaki Z1 900, Z/KZ900 and Z1000 built between 1972 and 1980. The book covers the complete restoration of a 1976 KZ900, from the sourcing of the bike to its completion as a fully restored machine. Every area is covered starting with advice on the different models, spares availability, and where best to source a bike to restore. Every area of the restoration is then covered in full detail including the engine, frame, gearbox, wheels, suspension and forks, brakes, ancillaries, bodywork and electrics, accompanied by hundreds of clear colour photos to illustrate the text. Additional work on a 1974 Z1A model adds complementary information. What really sets this manual apart from the everyday however, is the style in which it is written: not as some dull and distant workshop manual but in a friendly, humorous manner by an enthusiast of many years who is able to involve and entertain the reader, as well as guiding them through the restoration process. This is the third restoration guide from Chris Rooke, whose previous works have been a massive hit with mechanics, enthusiasts and restorers throughout the world.

April 1946: the first 15 examples of the Vespa leave the Piaggio factory. This was the beginning of a unique and unrepeatable story, that of a revolutionary two-wheeled vehicle that as well as leaving an indelible trace in the history of transportation, has become an authentic cult object for every generation that followed. Simple elegant forms, practicality and riding comfort were just a few of the qualities that brought the popular scooter success on a global level. 75 years on from the first Vespa, this book, an updated version of the successful Vespa 70 Years (ISBN 9788879116398) , traces decade by decade the technical and stylistic evolution of this timeless icon. All this without losing sight of aspects associated with communications - ever a strong suit of the Pontedera group - and the ever-increasing interest of collectors. The title "Vespa. The complete history" is complemented by the book "Vespa. All the models", published in 2020, which offers in a single volume a systematic catalogue of every model and every version produced by Piaggio.

Despite being one of the most successful motorcycles of all time, the Royal Enfield Bullet has had a very chequered history. Its story begins in the 1930s and by the 1950s it was at the height of its popularity in post-War Britain. Then it became a stalwart of the Indian Army and manufacture transitioned from Britain to India. The near-collapse of the Royal Enfield marque in the 1990s almost meant the end of this classic motorbike, but with the involvement of the Eicher Group from 2001 onwards, the updated Bullet generated new interest and renewed its original commercial success, just like a phoenix rising from the ashes. With over 200 photographs, this book describes the origins of the Royal Enfield company and the pre-war Bullets from 1932 and the relaunch of the Bullet in 1949 with its radical swinging-arm frame. Derivative models such as the 350 and 500, as well as those for competition and road are covered as well as specials such as diesels, V-twins, Egli and big-bore Bullets. The development story behind the lean-burn, electric-start and 5-speed updates is discussed as well as the UCE - the all-new Bullet from 2008 and the Classic and its design story. Finally, the evolution beyond the Bullet is covered which includes the Continental GT and Himalyan 650 twins.

Many books have been published about Japanese motorcycles, but none has focused exclusively on the Japanese motorcycle-based chopper, bobber, trike, and quad custom bike scene--until now.

This book looks at some of the fascinating custom projects out there, accompanied by stunning photography of the finished bikes. A great book for Japanese bike fans, and fans of the custom bike scene in general.

No other Hollywood star has been so closely linked with cars and bikes, from the 1968 Ford Mustang GT Fastback he drove in Bullitt (in the greatest car chase of all time) to the Triumph motorcycle of The Great Escape. McQueen's Machines gives readers a close up look at the cars and motorcycles McQueen drove in movies, those he owned, and others he raced. With a foreword by Steve's son, Chad McQueen, and a wealth of details about of the star's racing career, stunt work, and car and motorcycle collecting, McQueen's Machines draws a fascinating picture of one outsized man's driving passion. Revised and updated from its original hardcover edition.

XJ600S Seca II (1992-1998 U.S.), XJ600S Seca II (1992-1996 Canada), XJ600S Diversion (1992-1998 U.K.), XJ600SC Seca II (1992-1998 California), XJ600S Seca II (1992-1996 Australia)

"World's Toughest Motorcycle Riders"-long-distance motorcycling is not a pastime but an obsession. In this candid, eloquent, sharply observed book, Melissa Holbrook Pierson introduces us to this strange endeavor and the men and women who live to ride impossibly long distances, eating up road, almost without cease. And who find it nothing but fun. Perhaps the most determined of them is John Ryan, a magnetic, enigmatic man who loves nothing better than breaking records of amazing distance-at no small risk to himself and his health. But why? Pierson, who rediscovered the joys of motorcycling in the midst of a personal crisis, puts on her helmet and joins Ryan in his element in order to understand his singular desire and discipline, his passion and his obsession. The Man Who Would Stop at Nothing offers an intimate glimpse of an unusually independent yet supportive community as well as a revealing, unforgettable portrait of its most daring member. In electric, pitch-perfect prose, Pierson gives us rare insights into not only a subculture but also the deeply human craving for something more that drives it.

'Every time I have ridden 66, within 10 miles of setting off, I never want that ride to end. I think it's because Route 66 encapsulates struggle, and, ultimately, triumphing over unimaginably difficult conditions. I think everyone can connect with that.' RIDING ROUTE 66 follows Henry Cole as he travels along Route 66, on a journey of self-discovery. Route 66, or the 'Mother Road', is one of the most famous roads in the USA. Crossing the width of the country, it is an immensely challenging road to travel. Henry has ridden it four times. This book is about the freedom that only the road and a motorcycle can give you, and the importance of embracing the highs and lows of life equally. Henry is one of the most well-known figures in motorcycling, having presented over twenty series of many TV shows as well as being the founder of bespoke motorcycle manufacturer Gladstone Motorcyles.

CB450 (1965-1974), CL450 (1968-1974), CB500T (1975-1976)

From the first race in 1922, the Ulster Grand Prix has been one of the most thrilling events in the international motorcycling calendar, attracting enormous crowds of spectators to watch the world's great riders in action. Now, a century on, the UGP holds a special place in the hearts of fans here in Northern Ireland and across the world. A lifelong fan, Norman Windrum has been attending the UGP for seventy-five years and has an unmatched knowledge of the race and its history. In this new book, he vividly captures the excitement of the event, from Hubert Hassall's win in the first race in 1922 to Tom Herron's magnificent treble in 1978 and the domination of the Dunlop dynasty from the 1980s on. With over 100 photographs, alongside lively commentary and stories, and bringing together statistics about the race from across its entire history, this is the definitive account of one hundred years of the Ulster Grand Prix.

This charming book, packed with unique artwork and engaging photographs, celebrates scooter mania. In a feast of nostalgia, it takes us through the evolution of the scooter, focusing naturally on all things Lambretta and Vespa, but also covering plenty of obscure and eccentric machinery along the way. Scooter enthusiasm in all its forms receives generous attention, whether as fashion accessory for fifties movie stars, style-conscious transport choice for the Mod generation, or object of worship for today's retro-loving adherents. Quotes in the book such as "The scooters, clothes and music - an unforgettable time of my life" and "Exciting, fun and carefree days when anything seemed possible" sum up the enduring appeal of classic scooters. Anyone afflicted with the obsession will adore this book.

The book is the fruit of hands-on experience gained in the workshop as well as knowledge gleaned over years of consulting books, manufacturers' manuals and specialist magazines by one of the leading technical journalists in the sector, Massimo Clarke. It is intended as an easy-to-read guide with clear, precise contents regarding the restoration of classic bikes, with attention being focussed not on pre-war models but those from the Sixties and Seventies, those on which we still work most frequently today. All aspects of restoration are dealt with special reference to mechanical work on the engines and the chassis components, those which enthusiasts can do themselves in their own garages, using tools that are easy to find at reasonable costs. The book is enhanced by an in-depth examination of the reassembly of the crankcase and two chapters dedicated to the final drive and the spark plugs. A guide of fundamental importance for those who want to "get their hands dirty" around their classic bikes.

DT1 Series, DT2 Series, DT3, DT250, DT360, DT400, MX250, MX360, RT1 Series, RT2 Series, RT3, YZ250, YZ350, YZ360

KLF300 2WD (1986-2004), KLF300 4WD (1989-2004)

Kawasaki KX250 1992-2000

XL125S (1979-1982, 1984-1985), XL185S (1979-1983), XL200R (1983-1984), XR185 (1979), XR200 (1980-1984), XR200R (1981-1983, 1986-1988, 1990-2003), TLR200 (1986-1987)

An Alternative History of Bicycles and Motorcycles: Two-Wheeled Transportation and Material Culture accounts for the nineteenth-century creation and development of two-wheeled vehicles, both human-powered and motorized. Specifically, the book focuses on the period from 1885 (which saw the appearance, simultaneously, of the Safety bicycle and the Einspur, the first motorcycle) to 1920, while exploring implications for later bicycling and motorcycling. We argue that invention of these vehicles, rather than the product of gifted individuals, should be seen as the consequence of a number of historical, economic, cultural and political forces that intersect so unpredictably that the notion of a genius inventor is reductive. The common evolutionary model of development from the bicycle to the motorcycle oversimplifies both the technology and its origins. Stripping the vehicles of all their material and cultural associations, such a model fails to advance our understanding of the devices, their creators, and their riders. Taking a contemporary vehicle and tracing its lineage creates a false sense of evolutionary necessity in its creation, and fails to account for the many possible developmental paths that were, for whatever reason, abandoned. By contrast, our book adopts a material culture approach, a form of inquiry that stresses the connections between artifacts and social relations. We consider not simply the bicycle and motorcycle as material objects but focus also on the complex socio-political and economic convergences that produced the materials, materials that in turn themselves shaped the vehicles’ appearance, function, and adoption by riders.

Now in paperback! The Lambretta Bible is the in-depth guide to 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 on to machines prepared and built by Lambretta Concessionaires. The book ends with a look at the main British dealer specials of the 1960s.

Discover the best biking routes around Europe. The definitive European motorcycle touring bible, with the best biking roads presented in 100 easy-to-follow, tried-and-tested routes from motorcycle journalist, author and traveller Simon Weir. From the peaks of the Picos de Europa to the sun-kissed shores of Sicily, from Alpine passes to dramatic gorges, atmospheric forests and fabulous historic sites, A-Z Europe for Bikers is packed with fantastic places to ride. With full-day and multi-day touring rides across the whole of western Europe, each route is presented with turn-by-turn directions and detailed mapping, with all the key attractions highlighted. Printed on high-durability paper and spiral bound to fit in a tankbag, you need never end up on a dull road again. Packed with practical advice and stunning photography, there are memorable rides to be discovered in every corner of Portugal, Spain, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, Czechia, Switzerland, Slovenia and Italy. Features include: 100 great biking routes to discover on your European adventure Clear, detailed maps to help you plan Routes for short days and long days Ideal size for fitting in a tank bag