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Pictured within these pages are more than 150 motorcycles spanning over 100 years of production, along with period ads and photographs that help bring the excitement of wind-in-your-hair motoring to life. Enjoy the ride.

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Motorcycles are mythic, far more than mere transportation, but some are in a class of their own, truly legendary machines. There are the Triumphs: James Dean's, Marlon Brando's in The Wild Ones, the one Steve McQueen took over the fence in The Great Escape. There are Evel Knievel's and Elvis' Harleys, the Easy Rider Stars 'n' Stripes bike, and T. E. Lawrence's Brough Superior SS100; Von Dutch's Condor, Craig Vetter's Mystery Ship, and Mike Hailwood's Honda RC162.

These are just some of the machines that have made motorcycle history, and that make this book a feast for the eyes and a fact-filled odyssey for the motorcycle aficionado. Illustrated with commissioned photographs and historical images, the book profiles the bikes — not just the models but the actual motorcycles — that have achieved legendary status in the last century. Their stories, told here in detail for the first time, make up the story of the motorcycle in American culture.

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From vintage models like the Flying Merkel and Excelsior motorcycles to the tried and true Indian motorcycles and evolutionary Harley-Davidsons, this guide captures the technical details and history of American motorcycles like nothing else.

Whether you're a collector, historian and/or motorcycle enthusiast you will find the technical specifications including horsepower, weight and more in this book inspiring and informative. A collection of 1,200 crisp detailed photos also assists with identification.

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Japan's "Big 4" motorcycle makers and their models take center stage in this one-of-a-kind bike book. Contains aftermarket pricing, technical data and horsepower specifications.

Pay homage to Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha and Suzuki, the bikes that are fast, fun, affordable and ultra-popular. These bikes have owned the roadways and racetracks from 1960 all the way through present day, with no sign of slowing down.

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By tradition, the motorcycle is a naked beast. Differing from other vehicles by the fact that its mechanical structure is also part of its aesthetic appearance. In The Fine Art of the Motorcycle Engine, photographer Daniel Peirce examines the graphic nature of historic engines with stunning and dramatic photography. Since the beginning of the motorbike, engine designers knew they had to design power plants that performed well and looked good doing it. Peirce presents 64 stunning pictures from his popular Up-N-Smoke Engine Project. In addition to his engine photography the book also tells the story of the project and the years it took to bring it from an inspired idea to a tangible reality. The story of the Up-N-Smoke Engine Project journals how what started as an artistic outlet became an obsession and eventually a business. This is the project that Cycle World magazine called ‘Pornography for Gearheads.’ A special chapter is included showing the process that each picture needed to go through in order to create the finished product.

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This is the inspiring story of how a young Londoner with no academic qualifications and low expectations built a successful career based on an apprenticeship with Associated Motor Cycles Ltd, and eventually became Managing Director of his company.

It describes the very personal story of the ups and downs of factory life in the 1950s and 1960s. In particular, it conveys the unique atmosphere and excitement that surrounds the manufacture of motorcycles; an atmosphere that for those who have experienced it is like no other. The excellence of the training that was provided by the company enabled the writer to achieve far more than he ever anticipated.

The journey through the factory, starting with the lowliest of duties in the machine shops and ending as personal assistant to the top motorcycle designers of their time, is described in detail. It gives a rare insight into working practices within the different departments and the characters that were employed. It provides a unique record of work within the British motorcycle industry in the final years of its decline into oblivion.

About the author:

Born in London in 1941, Bill Cakebread's sole ambition was to work with motorcycles. This enthusiasm secured him an apprenticenship with Associated Motor Cycles Ltd.
When the British motorcycle industry collapsed, he joined Peter Berthon, famous for his assiciation with ERA and BRM racing cars. Adapting his vehicle engineering knowledge to mobile cranes, Bill then became one of the country's leading experts in crane safety. As Managing Director of his company, he ws a regular contributor of articles on the subject and represented the UK at international stardards meetings.