Vespa and Lambretta remain the two most iconic motor scooter brands, even four decades after the latter's demise. But what made them such a European sensation in the postwar era? And why were they particularly popular in Britain in the 1950s and '60s? Motor scooter expert Stuart Owen explains the rise of Innocenti's Lambretta and Piaggio's Vespa, from the wartime ruins of Italy, through years of plenty as the two manufacturers exploited a ready market for affordable, economic transport, and then their decline into more uncertain times as motor cars trespassed on their success. He also explores the rich history of accessorising and customising the scooters, their essential role in the mod movement, and the revival in Vespa's fortunes following the release of the cult film Quadrophenia.

Book Description:

First to Last is the true story of a soldier's life through the motorcycles he has owned and the most prominent action events that have occurred on those bikes and during his lifetime. It is a factual, first-hand account of the tale of a biker, a warrior and an incurable romantic. The story has an international tone, is action oriented during peace and war, and spans the generations in its common appeal to motorcyclists, military enthusiasts, world travelers, hobbyists, adventurers and romanticists of all ages.

The book includes maps and photographs with captions that follow portions of the storyline. Its theme combines historical nostalgia with adventure romance to yield an avant-garde, neo-classic novella of the two-wheeled conveyance - the motorcycle. The weave of motorcycle, man, places and events is nothing less than a lifelong search for the Holy Grail that culminates in answering the question of where one's treasure lies.

About the Author:

Dennis W. Lid served in the U.S. Army Infantry, Airborne and Special Forces worldwide during peace and war for over 20 years. Major Lid retired from the army in 1980. He then worked abroad for the U.S. Department of Defense as a Department of the Army Civilian for 19 years. Freelance writing, reading and motorcycling have been the favorite passions of his life. Now retired, his interest in motorcycles continues unabated, although he no longer rides. Fond memories of past motorcycling days feed his trend of thought and keep his life as a biker alive and well. He bids Godspeed to all his fellow soldiers and motorcyclists.

This book tells the untold story of Australia's veteran bikers. Like other motorcycle clubs, the Australian War Fighters (pseudonym) are a fringe-dwelling subculture that provokes strong opinions. Newspaper editors have been salivating over motorcycle club imagery since the subculture emerged in California in the middle of the twentieth century. Motorcycle clubs remain the subject of persisting 'moral panics' in Australia and have been the subject of successive crackdowns, police operations, and hard-hitting legislation aimed at driving them out of existence. The War Fighters operate on the periphery of the hard-core one percent element of the subculture. While they enjoy the notoriety of looking mean, the War Fighters do significant charity work, and the seemingly bizarre combination of outlaw biker subculture aesthetic with raising money for local hospitals means these men enjoy the paradox of looking bad while doing good. Drawing on sociological research Edward Scarr tells the true story of how and why the veteran motorcycle club subculture came to be. What follows is an ultimately hopeful story of redemption from despair and the salvation of lives that had been all but given up on.

Originally published in 1925, this book is a fascinating history of the early motorcycle. This book is a detailed guide, packed with photos and diagrams, and of much interest to any motorcycle enthusiast. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Hesperides Press are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork. Contents Include Historical and Introductory: Early Aspirations: Engine Position, Pedalling Gear, Quads. The Choice of a Mount: Speed, Weight, Price, New or Second Hand, Single or Twin. The Prime Mover: The Four-Stroke Engine, The Four Stroke Valve and Ignition etc. Carburetion and Ignition Engine Suction, Automatic or Two Lever Carburettors, Reliability of Magnetos. Frame-Design and Cycle Parts: Diamond and Loop Frames, Spring Frames and Forks etc. Variable Gears and Transmission: Two, Three or Four Speeds, Gear Boxes etc. Passenger Machines: Trailer, Four Car, Tri Car, Side Car etc. Accessories, Spares and Tools: Lamps, Dynamo, Lighting Outfits, Speedometers etc. Driving and Up Keep: Starting the Engine, Gear Changing etc Troubles on the Road: Refusal to Start, Choked Petrol Pipe or Jet etc. Touring and Reliability Trials: Motor Cycling Club Trials, Stock Machine Trial, Scottish Six Days, Ascent of Snowdon. Motor Cycle Racing Notable Motor Cycles Motor Cycle Records.

Bill Snelling reflects on his lifetime passion for two-wheeling in this entertaining, motorcycle-themed autobiography. He recalls the decades of motorcycling mayhem, mud and madness that have characterised his 70-odd years iliving the dream, from the early days at Arthur Lavington's Velo shop to pounding the long-distance trials and the many race circuits he has ridden. Bill admits he was better off-road than on tarmac, but, he did win one race! He went on to work for Motorcycle Sport magazine, and as a despatch rider, before moving permanently to the Isle of Man. A great read for anyone interested in British motorcycle sports.

Complete coverage for your Honda VT1300 Series built from 2010-19. Routine maintenance and servicing Tune-up procedures Engine, clutch and transmission repair Cooling system Fuel and exhaust Ignition and electrical systems Brakes, wheels and tires Steering, suspension and final drive Frame and bodywork Wiring diagrams Reference Section With a Clymer manual, you can do it yourself...from simple maintenance to basic repairs. Clymer writes every book based on a complete teardown of the motorcycle. We learn the best ways to do a job and that makes it quicker, easier and cheaper for you. Our books have clear instructions and hundreds of photographs that show each step. Whether you're a beginner or a pro, you can save big with Clymer! Step-by-step procedures Easy-to-follow photos Complete troubleshooting section Valuable short cuts Model history and pre-ride checks in color Color spark plug diagnosis and wiring diagrams Tools and workshop tips section in color

This is a humorous investigation into the unlikely, yet very real connections between the likes of Marx and Foucault and one of the legendary symbols of outlaw individualism. Harley-Davidson Riders Club Great Britain is the oldest in the world, it was formed in 1948 and has a membership of 1,500 nationwide. In "Harley-Davidson and Philosophy" words like Sturgis, Hollister, and panhead share the page with philosophical giants such as Marx, Hobbes and Socrates. Fourteen philosopher/bikers set out their thoughts in a series of essays, combining humour and philosophical introspection. This book offers a celebrator appreciation of the aesthetics of Harleys, the Zen journey of the endless highway and the direct approach that bikers confront situations, with slogans such as F*** The World. Melding bikers recollections with philosophical speculation, this book is a perfect gift for the bike enthusiast, the philosophically inquisitive and anyone with a brain and a sense of humour.

When the Vespa debuted in 1946, it was received with an air of skepticism. It was not a motorcycle but rather a vehicle born from the union between a car and an airplane. But it soon became a success. It was the first two-wheeled version of the "compact" and responded perfectly to the post-war need for mobility. It has also become famous for its unique design that many have tried to imitate; it truly is an icon. The Vespa is not just any scooter, it is THE scooter, known and loved all over the world. It is a rare example of a motor vehicle that has survived trends and crises while at the same time staying faithful to its original concept; a concept based on a sheet metal body that still distinguishes it from other scooters whose bodies are made of plastic. It is so much more than a mode of transportation; it is a time machine that lets us re-live some of the world's most exclusive moments of the last 72 years. From history to sports and from cinema to travel, this book's anecdotes and images, some of which have never been published before, narrate the never-ending evolution of a piece of Italy that has conquered all five continents and sold over 18 million vehicles.

This is the most beautiful book of its kind: celebrating the art and design of the luxury motorcycle by presenting forty of the best-designed and most enduringly iconic motorcycles ever made, spanning half a century. The book showcases forty rare and exceptional motorcycles, from 1905 to 1956, presented in chronological order, illustrated with stunning studio photographs that present the machines as works of art and wonders of design in themselves. An international roster is featured: a 1905 Peugeot Factory Racer, a 1916 Indian Power Plus, a 1929 Majestic, a 1936 Excelsior Manxman, a 1951 Harley Davidson 750CC WR, a 1951 Vincent 1000CC Black Shadow, and a 1955 Triumph Tiger Cub, among others. Written by a motorcycle collector and expert, the book presents the history of the motorcycle through the most significant makes of all time. Each is accompanied by detailed images and texts covering the bike s background, legends behind the machines, feats of design and engineering, and tales of classic races, rallies, and motorcycle shows. The book is enhanced with reproductions of period ads and historic photos, evoking a sense of time and place.

First published in 1979 as the "Moto-X Fox Guide to Preparing the Yamaha YZ and IT for Competition," this 64-page book was written and photographed by famed 1970's Cycle News editor, racer and motocross journalist Jim "Jimmy the Greek" Gianatsis. It covers the development and racing history of the Yamaha 2-stroke and 4-stroke motocross and enduro bikes from the DT models raced by the Don Jones family in the early 1970s, through to to the exotic YZ, OW and TT-500 machines raced by Hakan Andersson, Pierre Karsmakers and Bob "Hurricane" Hannah up to 1979. Included is race bike preparation information from famed Yamaha factory rider Bob Hannah, his mechanic Keith McCarty, the top privateer Moto-X Fox Racing Team, as well as privateer mechanic Bevo Forte. There is also a section on IT model enduro bike preparation by Yamaha motocross and ISDT rider Chris Carter. Included is "Riding with the Hurricane" an eight chapter racing instruction guide with photos that Jim produced with Bob Hannah that was originally printed in Cycle News as a weekly series in 1978. Preparing the Yamaha YZ and IT for Competition is a classic dirt bike technical, tuning and riding manual that has been out of print and unavailable for 30 years. It serves as very interesting reading and a great historical reference guide for dirt bike fans both young and old. Many of the bike preparation and riding tips are still relevant today. A must have for any dirt bike enthusiast or collector.

What is it about bikes that leaves so many of us powerless to resist? This entertaining guide charts the history of the bike from its origin as a cheap means of transport to its modern incarnations: a symbol of rebellion, a high-tech racing machine and the rich kid's plaything. Richard Hammond, passionate biker and collector of bikes, looks at the machines that have propelled people across the world to work, to school - and occasionally to their doom. With his trademark expertise and wit, Hammond examines bikers of every type, from the happy farmer trundling through fields on his Honda Cub to the Hells Angel terrorising towns on their hog.

Injury. Adrenaline. Addiction. These are the things that fuelled one man's race to international stardom as he pushed boundaries and took life on and off the bike to the limits. Starting out as a talented youth riding the desert tracks of California, his reckless nature and incredible talent earned him a position in the rarefied world of professional motorcycle racing. Despite the success in his professional life, his personal life was crumbling around him - John was battling with depression and temptation, which began to threaten his career, health and marriage, ultimately bringing him to a life of alcoholism, addiction and even smuggling. In his remarkable memoir, one of the world's most renowned riders takes us on a raw and unique journey to the extremes of fast living. John 'Hopper' Hopkins is an icon for motorsport fans worldwide. He won't let anything hold him back. He has broken almost every bone in his body (twice), suffered a bleed on the brain, and had a finger amputated... yet he continued to race. Finally, at the age of 35 - with his latest crash at Brands Hatch in 2017 putting him in rehab for two years - he decided to hang up his helmet. Leathered tells the incredible story of an unparalleled career. From bone-crunching injuries and alcohol-fuelled antics to the breakdown of his marriage, it unveils the true stories behind the lurid headlines.

The building of a vintage Indian Chief motorcycle is more than the restoration of a bike-it's the resurrection of a dream. Rebuilding the Indian chronicles one man's journey through the fearful expanse of midlife in a quest for peace, parts, and a happy second fatherhood. Fred Haefele was a writer who couldn't get his book published, an arborist whose precarious livelihood might just kill him, and an expectant father for the first time in over twenty years. He was in a rut, until he purchased a box of parts not so euphemistically referred to as a "basket case" and tackled the restoration of an Indian Chief motorcycle. With limited mechanical skills, one foot in the money pit, and a colorful cast of local experts, Haefele takes us down the rocky road of restoration to the headlong, heart-thrilling rush of open highway on his gleaming midnight-blue Millennium Flyer.

Set your pulse racing with this stunning visual guide to over 1000 pin-up machines - iconic symbols of wanderlust, speed, and the open road. From Gottlieb Daimler's gas-powered "engine on a bicycle" which set fire to the seat on its first outing, to superbikes such as the Ducati 916, The Motorbike Book takes you on an enthralling tour of the bike's history. It shows you bikes that appeal to the head - practical forms of transport - and to the heart - a parade of classic pin-ups including cult machines such as the Honda RC30, the Triumph Bonneville and the Harley-Davidson XR750. The Motorbike Book shows the brilliance and impracticality of different designs and features detailed cross-sections of engines such as the air-cooled two-stroke. It explains how the great marques such as the Royal Enfield, the "legendary" Indian Scout, Vespa, and Norton all became household names. Whether you are a hardcore enthusiast, or looking forward to your first machine, this is one title you cannot be without.