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Italian manufacturer Beta Motorcycles, active in the two-wheeled world for over 100 years, presenting previously unpublished material.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 Essential Buyer's Guide includes everything the potential Velocette buyer needs to know: assessment of engine, transmission, frame, paintwork and chrome, tinwork, wheels and tyres, brakes, electrics, an explanation of engine and frame numbers. With a detailed run down of the various models, and an assessment of which offers the best investment potential, there's also plenty of advice on buying at auctions, essential paperwork, problems caused by lack of use, and details of useful contacts.

"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.

When it comes to collector motorcycles, none hold the allure of the classic Harley-Davidson Big Twins built from 1936 to 1964. But owning and maintaining these tempermental machines provides endless challenges. Even the most pristine, restored example needs a tremendous amount of care, maintenance, and repair. The rebuilding and restoring of these machines is not so much a defined task as a never-ending process. This book serves to guide owners through that process.

Beginning with a practical section on understanding, choosing, and purchasing a classic Harley, this book focuses on the nuts and bolts of classic Harley ownership. Through step-by-step photography and thoughtful, informative instruction, the reader will learn how to disassemble a chassis, rebuild a fork, lace a wheel, and paint the major parts for any restoration. It also provides thorough instruction on repairing, overhauling, and restoring all major components, such as the engine, transmission, and electrical system.

This book traces the progress of the fabulous Italian Bimota range of high performance motorcycles during the 1990s. It reports on the Tesi 1D & ES, Dieci, DB2 & 4, 500 V-Twin, Furano, SB6 & 7, SB8R & K, YB9 & SR, BB500, Mantra, Drako 900 the V-Due Trofeo and YB11. Included are road & comparison tests, new model reports, riding impressions plus full performance data and specifications.

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.

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.

Haynes offers the best coverage for cars, trucks, vans, SUVs and motorcycles on the market today. Each manual contains easy to follow step-by-step instructions linked to hundreds of photographs and illustrations. Included in every manual: troubleshooting section to help identify specific problems; tips that give valuable short cuts to make the job easier and eliminate the need for special tools; notes, cautions and warnings for the home mechanic; color spark plug diagnosis and an easy to use index.

Honda's Valkyrie/F6C burst onto the motorcycle scene in the mid-1990s, completely changing the way Cruisers looked and performed. Honda's history with horizontally opposed engines in motorcycles dates back to the mid-1970s and the Valkyrie's fully chromed flat-six-cylinder engine continued this trend with a 'Hot-Rod' version. Its 'Classic American' styling and aggressive sounding clean-flow through exhaust system made the Valkyrie/F6C an instant hit with both motorcycle press and public. Offering three different models of the original GL1500 Valkyrie, Honda dominated the Cruiser market, winning numerous awards along the way. In this book, Peter Rakestrow looks at the development and detailed history of the GL1500 Valkyrie/F6C from 1991, including the NRX1800 Valkyrie Rune of 2004, a concept motorcycle that became reality, to the 2014 GL1800 Gold Wing Valkyrie/F6C. Covering detailed changes of year by model, including specification sheets, this is the first book to cover the full story of a motorcycle that has become a legend in its own lifetime.

The Vincent Black Shadow is a name that resounds whenever classic bikes are discussed. The Vincent company were already advertising their existing Rapide machine as 'The world's fastest production motorcycle' when, in February 1948, the Black Shadow was announced with a then unbelievable top speed of 125 mph on pool petrol. It's no wonder that the bike has been a constant source of fascination since that announcement. Few, however, have defined exactly what comprised a Black Shadow and how today you can spot a genuine one. The Vincent Black Shadow explains how the model was originally conceived in secrecy, its development and subsequent production, discussing in depth those features it shares in common with the other Vincent models and those that differentiate it. Charting the details of the changes introduced in its production life and the modifications in the interests of speed or improved road performance that may have been done to it by generations of owners over the sixty-odd years since production ceased, Tim Kingham offers a lavishly illustrated and essential read for any fan of this iconic bike.