Since the days of Von Dutch, hot rod and motorcycle enthusiasts have used pinstripes both as artwork in its own right, and as a compliment to a flame or graphic paint job. Interest in pinstriping, both how-to and as an art form, continues to grow. The best way to learn something is from the person who does it all day long. Advanced Pinstripe Art presents the work of 12 well-known pinstripe artists. Each chapter presents a start-to-finish project done by one artist. These photo sequences take the viewer from the initial sketch to the finished design. Text explains the why of good pinstriping. Why use a particular brush, a certain paint, an unusual method. Quotes from the artists are plentiful. Advanced Pinstripe Art is designed to duplicate, as much as possible, the experience of spending a day learning first hand how to pinstripe from some of the best artists in the business.

The Royal Enfield Big Twins introduced the world to high speed sportsters and training bikes prior to the superbike era. This new book contains 35 articles drawn from the leading motor cycling magazines of the day, covering road and comparison tests, new model introductions, racing, performance data, specifications and engine analysis. Models featured: Meteor and Super Meteor, Minor de Luxe & Standard, Constellation, Interceptor, Stage II, TT, Specials.

..".I know the risks, and moderate them when I can, but still I press on, even into adversity. There are very few things I fear, and even this situation was not one of them.

But still...every now and then...just once and a while...

I wonder...I question...I seek to understand why...

Beaten to the edge of rationality, stunned beyond the capability of comprehension, between racking sobs and painful gasps for breath I screamed into the chaos,

'What in the bloody hell am I doing out here?'

I was not really expecting an answer..."

Through a series of adventures told with humor and passion, "Life is a Road, Get on it and Ride" captures the essence of the motorcycling experience and carries the reader where few have ventured before. Take a wild ride into the magical worlds along the highways of America and a passionate tour through the mysterious soul of an avid motorcycle rider. Experience what one reader calls, "A little bit of Jung, a little bit of Freud, and a little bit of rock and roll." (Doc D)

Road, track & comparison tests, model introductions and updates, performance data, history, super service, long-term reports, CX500, CX650, Sport, L, TC, Custom, Turbo, Silver Wing. 136 pages,

The first generation of K-bikes offered unique qualities and decent performance although there was excessive engine vibration, underdamped suspension and a hyperactive final-drive. These problems were addressed in 1991 with the updated K100RS which had a 16-valve cylinder head, upgraded brakes and reworked frame and suspension. The RS had serious horsepower conferred by the hot-rodded engine that went into the K1100LT. 1992 saw another revolution with the K1100RS. This is a book of contemporary road and comparison tests, specification & technical data, long term reports, new model introductions. Models include: K100, K100RS, K100RT, K100LT, K100RS ABS, K1100RT, K1100LT, K1100RS,

The GSX-R750 weighed in at 20% less than the GS750. An uncompromising street-legal racer, the oil-cooled lightweight engine is mated to a hydraulic clutch and six-speed gearbox. The 1988 J-model retained the essence of the original whilst being more efficient. The bore was increased to 73 mm and it has larger inlet valves. The smaller crank gives a stronger bottom end. Aerodynamics improved the high-speed road holding. 1992 saw the introduction of the watercooled DOHC 16-valve 750 in addition to a newly designed frame. Performance was not noticeably higher. Small refinements were made over the years, some good, some not so good, but overall in the right direction. Weight was gained, but in 1996 it was reduced by 44 lbs. The new short stroke engine was compact & surrounded by a big-beam perimeter frame. This is a book of contemporary road and comparison tests, specifications and technical data, rider's impressions, long-term reports, new model introductions, design. Models covered include: GSX-R750, XG, F, G, H, J, K, L, M, WN, WP, WR, T.

This book is the bible for improving the performance of Evo Sportsters (4 and 5 speed models) and Buells of that era. Whether your intent is to improve the existing factory parts or install something from the aftermarket, author Kip Woodring explains not just which parts to buy, but why. Fourteen chapters cover: History, Planning, Exhaust, Induction, Ignition, Charging and Starting, Gearing, Valvetrain, Cams, Heads, Cylinders and Pistons, Flywheels, Oil, Transmissions and Clutches. Not just another hop-up manual, the Sportster/Buell Engine Hop Up Guide includes an in-depth analysis of important topics left out of other books. Issues like oil and oil friction, combustion-chamber design, camshaft trade-offs, valve gear weight and much more.

The story of the Norton Rotaries is traced from its announcement in the early '80's. Included are road, comparison and prototype tests, racing and riding impressions and full performance data. All models are covered including the Classic, Commander, F1 and F1 Sport.

In 1948 Norton's new twin appeared as a 500cc and soon became known as the Dominator'. The new bike was well received. Although not particularly impressive, this changed with the introduction of the Featherbed frame in 1952. These Dominators all looked good, sounded good, ran well and steered with precision. Bigger engines were introduced and production continued even after the Company was taken over in 1966. The final Dominator, the 650cc Mercury, rolled down the line in 1970. This book contains 42 articles covering road and combination tests, specifications, model intros, performance data. Models: Domiracer, Featherbed Twins, 750 Metisse, 7, 77, 88, 99, 650SS, 750 Atlas, Scrambler, Dunstall.

Jota 1200, 1200 and Anniversary Special. Reprinted articles from major magazines Modern Cycle, Cycle World, Motorcyclist and others deal specifically with these popular Laverda models - Formula Mirage, TS, America, 1000-20, RGA, RGS 1000 and Corsa, SFC 750 and 1000, and Motodd. Filled with road and comparison tests, specs, model introductions, and performance data.

The legendary story of Harley-Davidson's rise to power--not only as an international industry leader but as an American cultural icon.

How did the Harley-Davidson motorcycle, originally a machine for casual riders, evolve into a symbol of defiance and liberation? An embellished 1947 Life magazine article about a California town terrorized by gangs of motorcycle punks changed the world's perception of motorcycles from sporty machines to menaces-to-society, and as the loudest and heaviest bikes on the market, Harley-Davidsons were considered the baddest of them all.

Outlaw Machine chronicles the fascinating social history that built Harley-Davidson's reputation--including the rise of Hell's Angels and the counterculture classic Easy Rider--and, more entrancing still, the bike's and its company's storybook rise to international fame and popularity. Written by renowned automotive journalist Brock Yates, Outlaw Machine is the definitive book on the Harley-Davidson and its place in American culture.

Living on Two Wheels is the only bike book the average person will ever need. Dennis Coello begins by explaining why bikes are designed differently for different uses. Slowly, he takes you from how to choose one to how to maintain it, on through how to tour and travel by bike. Before he's done he gives you the names of the catalogue, manufacturers and distributors offering the best equipment. With clear but detailed drawings, he unravels the mysteries of deraillerurs, hub assemblies and gear ratios. Step-by-step, he simplifies the intricacies of striping, cleaning and reassembling your bike and along the way, he introduces you to the value and potential of the bicycle as transportation This is not a giddy account of biking through the woods, Nor is it a dry, complex shop manual. Rather, it is a handbook containing facts, lessons and experiences that make it THE valuable reference for anyone interested in biking. About the Author: Dennis Coello is the author of numerous bike books and videos. He writes for major bike magazines, conducts bike clinics across the USA and has traveled around the world on nothing but a bicycle. Dennis owns no car and lives his life entirely on a bike.

GS850G (1979-1981), GS850GL (1979-1983), GS1000G (1980-1983), GS1000GL (1981), GS1100G (1982-1983), GS1100GL (1982-1983), GS1100GK (1982-1984)

'A fool couldn't ride the Vincent Black Shadow more than once, but a fool can ride a Ducati 900 many times, and it will always be a bloodcurdling kind of fun. That is the Curse of Speed which has plagued me all my life. I am a slave to it. On my tombstone they will carve, IT NEVER GOT FAST ENOUGH FOR ME.' - Hunter S. Thompson Sons of Thunder, Neil Bradford's exhilaratingly high-octane collection of motorcycle writing, makes a persuasive case for the unique excitement and emotional experience offered by one of mankind's greatest inventions. Featuring full-throttle tales by T.E. Lawrence, Roald Dahl, Melissa Holbrook Pierson, Robert Hughes and many others, and ranging from Hunter S. Thompson's rip-roaring prose to lyrical contributions from Ted Hughes, Thom Gunn and Robert Pirsig, the groundbreaking Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance author, Sons of Thunder is a thrilling tribute to the pleasures and perils of riding this awesome machine.

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.

Remember the smell of Castrol R at a 1960s scramble? Or riding a 1970s trials bike through every type of natural obstacle possible? If you want to revisit those memories, or relive the competition of earlier times, this book is for you. Buying, restoring, and riding classic off-road competition bikes is now something that you can do!This book gives enthusiasts of classic off-road competition motorcycles a step-by-step guide to a full restoration. Covering dismantling the motorcycle and its components, restoring and sourcing parts, paint spraying, decals and polishing. With chapters covering engine, frame, forks, fuel, exhaust, seat, brakes and tyres, you'll see how to take a bike from scratch to a full rebuild; then on to safe set-up and general maintenance. Includes chapters focussing specifically on pre-65 and twin shock models.

Before the /5 series, BMW had a reputation for producing expensive and idiosyncratic touring motorcycles. But the /5 changed that. Although still expensive, the market was opened to a new world of riders, and during the 1970s the air-cooled boxer evolved into the ground-breaking R90S and R100RS. These were amongst the first motorcycles with factory-fitted fairings and they also offered class-leading performance. Even when BMW decided to discontinue the twins in favour of the new four-cylinder K-series in 1984, demand for the older boxers forced BMW to reconsider. The boxer was resurrected and continued for more than a decade.

Triumph Twins first burst onto the scene in 1938, and continued to improve up to their demise in the 1980's. This book covers the restoration of these classic and beloved machines, and is the only one to do so. In full-colour format, it includes two start-to-finish assemblies, with sidebars to explain how to correctly lace a wheel, which metal coatings are correct for which year, and other valuable information. Written by Triumph restoration expert Gary Chitwood and well-known how-to author Timothy Remus, all the projects are practical, clearly explained, and fully illustrated - including the disassembly and restoration of both a Bonneville 1963 and a Bonneville 1969, in complete step-by-step stages with full illustrations, plus the overhaul and assembly of an engine for the 1969 model. It may be good to have a book that explains how to install a wheel in a frame, but how much better is it when this is shown as well in full colour - the wheel being slipped up between the fork legs and the axle sliding through the fork and into the hub. With over 400 colour photos, this book offers 144 pages of hard-core how-to help for anyone who wants to repair or restore their own Triumph twin.

This best-selling book is also "#1 book in motorcycle safety" (Nielsen BookScan) and essential reading for all motorcyclists regardless of their years of experience. Author David L. Hough, a revered motorcycle author, columnist, and riding-safety consultant, lays out a clear course for all riders who want to sharpen their handling skills and improve their rides. This second edition, expanded and now in full color, offers new riders and road warriors the exact kind of advice they need to be prepared for anything when on the road, how to avoid accidents, and how to handle the unexpected. Hough, who began motorcycling in the 1960s, tackles every imaginable topic--from the mechanics of the bike, selection of the right-sized bike, and basic riding skills to night riding, group outings, and advanced survival tactics. In the chapter called "Motorcycle Dynamics," Hough spells out the equipment needed and basic skills required to control a bike, and specifically keeping the rider's safety and ability to avoid potentially injurious or fatal crashes. The author is outspoken and direct when it comes to safety, and he emphasizes the importance of the rider's braking abilities and spells out how to improve them. The chapter offers six tried-and-true techniques for quick-stop tactics, critical for every rider to understand and master. He also addresses other vital skills that riders need to evaluate and improve, such as turning, maintaining balance and stability, and steering. He defines, compares, and analyzes the ins and outs of steering and control: direct steering, countersteering, push steering, out-tracking, coning, u-turns, and directional control. The chapter called "Cornering Habits" is a virtual master class in acceleration, deceleration, use of weight, throttle, leaning, and handling challenging terrain. Hough's skill as a photographer and illustrator adds a graphic element to his books that leads to immediate understanding of the concepts he explains. The detail offered in each section of the book can only come from decades on the road, and the author is the consummate instructor, assigning homework to the readers in the form of exercises to practice and improve specific techniques that he outlines and illustrates in the text. Any rider who would venture out on the road without David Hough's voice in his head takes an unnecessary risk with his own life.
Proficient Motorcycling takes riders from long, snaking country roads right into the traffic of the big city, and Hough offers the best advice for riders dealing with the most challenging conditions, whether it's road construction, snap-jawed intersections, skateboarders, or suddenly slippery road surfaces. A critical section of the book offers riders advice on how to deal with automobiles, including aggressive car drivers, oblivious SUV drivers, or "blind" truck drivers. The book offers the kind of first-hand experience that can literally save riders' lives, as illustrated in the chapters "Booby Traps" and "Special Situations," which offer evasive tactics and advice to avoid and handle everything from slick surfaces, curbs, and construction plates to ferocious dogs, hazardous wildlife, and difficult weather conditions. The final chapter of the book, "Sharing the Ride," is geared toward experienced riders who travel together in groups or who travel with a second passenger on the bike. Topics covered are formation, packing for trips, communication between riders, sidecars, trikes, and more.
The book concludes with a resources section of organizations, training schools, educational tools, and websites; a glossary of 80+ terms; and a complete 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.