Italian motorcycles have a place in history - and many enthusiast's hearts - out of all proportion to the numbers that been built. If the number of motorcycles built by Italian manufacturers is small, the sheer number of Italian motorcycle factories will surprise readers. A-Z of Italian Motorcycle Manufacturers is the most complete directory of Italian motorcycles available today. In addition to covering the most famous Italian factories, this is a definitive guide to the marques that have had little or no coverage. Some might be familiar, while others are remembered for their racing achievements, and many will never had been heard of by most readers. This new book includes: entries for every marque where it was possible to establish when and where the factories were active; details of the most important motorcycles each manufacturer built, and the marques' greatest achievements; the history of the once great factories and finally, an appendix lists the other, less well-known manufacturers.

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Italian manufacturer Beta Motorcycles, active in the two-wheeled world for over 100 years, presenting previously unpublished material.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.

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.

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.

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.

"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.

February 16, 2016: motorcycle adventurer Charley Boorman suffers a major road traffic accident in Portugal, breaking his hand and ankle and shattering his left leg. It's unclear if he'll ever walk properly again, let alone ride a motorbike. Bed-bound in a foreign hospital far from home, a lengthy recovery period awaits. For the son of a touring film director, used to being on the road in one way or another since childhood, it's an unwelcome change. Charley's life has always been all about the challenge: but now he's facing a challenge of a different sort. Told in his own words, Long Way Back is a story of a recovery. More than that, however, it's a story of a life lived without fear; from child actor to painter-and-decorator to television presenter and professional biker, always on the lookout for the next adventure. It's the story of how an unconventional upbringing led to an unconventional adulthood - with all its highs and lows, epic journeys and broken bones. Mostly, though, it's the story of one man and his motorbikes.

How to Build a Motorcycle leads you through all the key stages - from initially finding the right project for your skill level, to sourcing a base bike and safely taking on some full-on bike-building tasks. With clear, easy-to-follow instructions, proper advice and specially commissioned step-by-step illustrations throughout it is an ideal aid to getting your hands oily. Written by Gary Inman, the co-founder of independent motorcycle magazine Sideburn, and illustrated by Adi Gilbert who is best known for his bicycle and motorcycle drawings whose clients include Harley-Davidson, Guy Martin, Wired magazine, Sideburn magazine and Nike, this is a must-have for all motorcycle lovers. Read this book, even dip in and out where relevant. If it makes sense, schedule some time, clear your mind, pull on some old clothes, grab your toolbox and get going. The chapters in How to Build a Motorcycle will tell you how to complete a huge variety of tasks that will allow even the greenest of novices to get their hands dirty and start modifying with purpose. If you belong to this camp, start with some of the low-input, high-reward jobs, such as fitting bars, swapping the rear shocks or wiring in a new tail light. Even though these require relatively little work, they'll transform the look of your bike, and completing them will fill you with confidence to undertake the more difficult jobs, such as fitting more modern front forks or even making your own frame. The book comes with a glossy 32-page section on finished bikes and is a reference and the perfect gift for all fans, from those who merely like to tinker, to riders taking on a full build.

'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)

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.

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.

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

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)

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.

The Kawasaki Triples Bible covers the entire production of three cylinder two-strokes from 1968 to 1980, featuring a year-by-year breakdown of bike specs, including the KH250, 350 S2, KH400, H1 500 and H2 750 models.Illustrated with hundreds of archive photographs and period adverts, plus personal memories from some of the racers and tuners who got the best from the fearsome H1R 500 and H2R machines in Europe and the USA, as well as road riders who owned the triples back in the 70s. There are technical tips and advice from experienced Kawasaki triple enthusiasts and club members worldwide, plus information from some early dealers in the Kawasaki marque. The book also contains useful advice on spares availability, tuning, future market values etc. and tries to capture the essence of what made the Kawasaki triples the most rebellious, kick-ass two-strokes of their time.This unique book is an invaluable resource for any collector, restorer, or just a fan of these fabulous two-stroke motorcycles.

Written by an enthusiast with many years' experience of working on classic British motorcycles but with little experience of working on these iconic machines this book covers the complete dismantling, refurbishment, and rebuilding of two Tridents: a 1973 Triumph T150V and a 1975 Triumph T160. This immensely helpful book covers all parts of the rebuild in great detail; parts that other manuals gloss over, leaving the restorer confused and frustrated. From the simplest of jobs, such as removing the fuel tank, through to detailed explanations of rebuilding the engine and carburettors, this manual is an absolute must for any enthusiast contemplating working on their Triumph or BSA triple. Over 650 colour photographs and detailed text descriptions clarify every stage ... engine, gearbox, clutch, electrics, frame, wheels, forks, swinging arm, brakes, instruments ... the whole bike! Highly readable and entertaining, the author readily admits to the various pitfalls and mistakes he makes in order for others to avoid them. Designed to sit alongside existing workshop manuals, this book is intended to help the owner complete a full restoration of their beloved triple. Essential garage literature!

In June 1978, 11 years after he quit Grand Prix motorcycle racing, Mike Hailwood returned to the Isle of Man TT races, probably the most prestigious, and certainly the most demanding, road race in the world. On a privately entered V-twin Ducati he won the Formula One race, beating the works Hondas of Phil Read and the late John Williams, and breaking the lap and race records. It may have seemed a fluke; it was certainly a fairy tale that continued into 1979, when he was fifth in the Formula One race, despite losing top gear and his battery, first in the Senior, and second by only 3.4 seconds in the Classic - probably the finest and closest-fought race the Island has ever seen, Hailwood proved, if anyone doubted, that he was still the greatest motorcycle racer of all time. This book, written by his manager and friend, Ted Macauley, is the account of his dramatic comeback, from the original wild idea to his final race. More than this, though, it is a study of a remarkable man in a remarkable world, and of the races, the machines, and the men who ride them.

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.