There are lots of books about Harleys, about their history, performance, lineage and the minutae of their specification, but none of them will tell you what to look for when buying one second-hand. That's what this book is about - it aims to be a straightforward, practical guide to buying a used Harley-Davidson. It won't list all the correct colour combinations for each year, or analyse the bike's design philosophy, or consider its background as a cultural icon - there are excellent books ...

There are many books about Triumph, but most of them concentrate on the glamorous twin-carburettor Bonneville and three-cylinder Trident. Alongside these headline grabbing bikes, Triumph built a whole series of single-carb machines that had all the style of their twin-carb cousins, but were not much slower, delivered better fuel consumption, and were easier to live with. Unlike the many books about Triumph's history, this one is a straightforward, practical guide to buying a Trophy or Tige...

Many words have been written about the Honda FireBlade, about its history, performance, lineage and specification, but few tell you what to look for when buying one second-hand. That's what this book is about - it aims to be a straightforward, practical guide to buying a used Fireblade. It won't list all the correct colour combinations for each year, or analyse the bike's design philosophy, or consider its background as a standard-setting sports bike - there are excellent books listed at t...

There are very few books about the Hinckley-built Triumphs, and none will tell you what to look for when buying one secondhand. That's what this book is about - it is a straightforward, practical guide to buying a used modern Triumph. It doesn't list all the correct colour combinations for each year, or analyse the bike's design philosophy, or consider its background as part of a reborn industry, but it will help you avoid buying a dud. Point by point, it takes the reader through everythin...

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 onw...

This step-by-step guide is packed full of information and tells you all you need to know about caring for your bicycle. It covers everything from the basics of why maintenance matters and which tools you should use, to vital safety checks and more advanced maintenance tasks, even the fitting of accessories. Advice on how to adjust your bike to fit you, how to clean it efficiently, and how to keep it running in top condition, lets you get more enjoyment from your bicycle for longer, more sa...

An electric bicycle is, quite simply, a normal bicycle with an added battery and electric motor that just about doubles your pedal power - able to waft up hills and into headwinds, they take the sweat out of cycling, and give you supercharged legs!How long does the battery last? Are they expensive to run? Do you need a licence and insurance?This book is a complete buyer's guide to electric bicycles, and it answers all of these questions and more. Outlining the advantages (and...

There are lots of books about the BSA Bantam, about its history, performance, lineage and the minutae of its specification, but none of them will tell you what to look for when buying one secondhand. That's what this book is about - it aims at being a straightforward, practical guide to buying a used Bantam. It won't list all the correct colour combinations for each year, or analyse the bike's design philosophy, or consider its background as part of a troubled industry - there are excellen...

The 3-cylinder Triumph Trident and BSA Rocket 3 were developed to compete with Honda's forthcoming 750cc motorcycle. Initially they did not compare well – although very fast, they lacked sophistication and their quirky styling was offputting – and the decision was made to suspend production. This was not the most auspicious start, but a fightback was initiated and in 1971 the factory race team had a triumphant year including placing 1st, 2nd and 3rd at the Daytona 200. With over 250 photog...

The BSA unit singles - 250, 350, 441 and finally 500cc - may not have been the most glamorous product of the British motorcycle industry, but they were the 'first bikes' for thousands of learner riders and had a great track record in scrambling and motocross.Today, they offer a simple and affordable entry into the world of British classic machines, with a whole range of sizes. Spares are still available, as is friendly and knowledgeable fellow owners.Following the tried-and-t...

Buying your first motorcycle can be a daunting and complicated process - from passing the theory and practical tests, to choosing a bike and keeping it (and yourself) safe. This book has the answers you need, taking the first-time biker through the whole experience, from deciding to ride, to how to get the most out of your bike. Through friendly, clear, and jargon-free text, it explains every step of this journey: the pros and cons of biking; what type of bike might suit you best; what you...

The BSA Bantam is one of the definitive postwar British bikes, perhaps THE definitive British lightweight built after World War II. It was certainly the most popular, with over 400,000 built over a 23-year production run - in the first four years, production broke all records. Yet it would die a lingering death, production fizzling out in the early 1970s as a neglected model of a manufacturer more concerned with building big, fast road-burning bikes. The Bantam might never have happened wi...