Bible (David & Charles)

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 without World War II. The prewar DKW RT125 was offered to the Allies as reparations, taken up and produced in the USA, USSR, even Japan! In East Germany it was revived as the MZ, and in Britain it surfaced publicly in 1948 as the BSA Bantam, a very simple little 123cc two-stroke, with rudimentary electrics, no rear suspension and a lot of charm. The little bike became part of Britain's social history. Thousands of people learnt to ride on a Bantam, or had their first pillion experience on one, or rode one delivering telegrams for what was the GPO. Although many of those learners progressed to bigger, faster bikes, then gave up two wheels for family life, they won't have forgotten the Bantam, which explains why there's such a thriving Bantam community to this day - the club, the racing club, the spares specialists, and restorers, owners and riders all over the country. This might not be Britain's most glamorous motorcycle, its fastest or most flamboyant, but the Bantam is probably the most loved.

Now part of the Aprilia - Moto Guzzi - Laverda group, Laverda has acquired a following of almost fanatical proportions. The large capacity twins and triples were some of the most charismatic and exciting motorcycles produced in a golden era. With a successful endurance racing program publicizing them, Laverda's twins soon earned a reputation for durability that wasn't usually associated with Italian machinery. Originally built for the British market, the 1000cc Jota was the fastest Superbike available in its day. While the twins faded before the end of the 1970s, the triples continued for almost another decade before dying with a whimper. By this time the company was in serious difficulty and went into receivership. Despite a resurrection in the 1990s, it is the classic twins and triples of the late 1960s through until the mid-1980s that Laverda is now famous for.

The full history of the popular Triumph Club motorcycle. This ultimate reference source book covers every aspect of these machines, including 22 detailed model profiles, delivery details, technical design specifications, military, police and competition bikes, plus the full story behind the model's production run.

When Ducati unleashed Galluzzi's Monster at the Cologne Show at the end of 1992, few expected it to become Ducati's most successful model. Dramatically styled, minimalist in stature, yet bristling with innovative engineering, the 900 Monster created a new niche market. A multi-faceted machine, the Monster bridged the gap between racetrack oriented sports bikes and cruisers. Here was a naked motorcycle that was as much a performance machine as a cruiser. The Monster's radical styling has also been the inspiration for a large after-market industry, providing cosmetic and performance accessories, and with engine capacities ranging from 400 to 1100cc there really is a Monster for everyone. This book provides a guide through the maze of Monsters produced over the past 18 years.

An in-depth look at the world's finest scooter, from the Model A to the GP 200. The Lambretta story doesn't end there though, with the focus moving onto machines prepared and built by Lambretta Concessionaires. The book ends with a look at the main British dealer specials of the 1960s.

Here is the definitive history of Triumph's hugely popular Speed Twin and Thunderbird models. Much more than simply a history, this book is the ultimate single source of detailed information for owners and would-be owners of these classic Triumph twins: in fact, it is the Speed Twin and Thunderbird Bible. Between these covers will be found the year-on-year development history from 1938 to 1966, engine and frame numbers, model type identification, colour schemes, complete technical specifications of every model, and details of international sporting achievements. Additionally, factory photographs show each model in authentic original detail. Ideally qualified to research and write this work, Harry Woolridge spent 30 years at Triumph's famous Meriden factory, and has owned almost every Triumph from Teriier 150cc to Trident 750cc as well as a few pre-war models. Also the author of a highly regarded work in the Trophy models, Harry Woolridge knows Triumph motorcycles inside out.

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.

The bevel-drive 860 and 900 was one of the most significant motorcycles of the late 1970s, providing a unique combination of power and handling that was unequalled by other motorcycles at the time. When Italian car stylist Giorgetto Giugiaro penned the 860GT in 1973, few would have believed it would evolve into one of the greatest Ducati line-ups of all time. The square-case 860 became the legendary 900 Super Sport, the Darmah, and eventually the Mike Hailwood Replica, built to honour Hailwood's spectacular comeback victory at the Isle of Man in 1978. The square-case Ducati engine design continued for more than a decade, sustaining the company through a downturn in the early 1980s. This book covers every incarnation of this great model, from the first 860 through to the final Mille. Illustrated with 200 pictures, and including complete appendices of technical specifications, this book is a must-have for any lover of fine motorcycles.

This is a meticulously detailed history of the Triumph Bonneville: its antecedents, how it came about, and year-by-year production changes, with detailed technical specifications and contemporary road test reports showing how the Bonneville compared with its rivals. However, the history of the bike cannot be separated from the turbulent story of the company that built it. Triumph went from huge successes in the 1960s, when the Bonneville conquered North America, to troubled times in the early 1970s, leading to the formation of the workers co-operative that heroically kept the Bonneville alive for a further nine years. All this is covered here, plus details on how Triumph spares producer Les Harris took over production into the late '80s. Unlike other Bonneville books, this one also tells you how to buy one of these iconic bikes secondhand - all the pitfalls, what to look for, and what they are really like to live with. Whichever one you choose, it should be fast, agile and good looking ... on a twisty country road, there's nothing like a Bonnie, and with information on clubs, websites, spares, and the latest modifications and upgrades, this book will help you get the one you deserve. Featuring comprehensive appendices of facts, figures, contacts, technical specifiations (including correct colours for each year), engine/frame numbers, and road test performance figures, this is the definitive book of a bike that truly deserves the term 'practical classic.'

Named after the Spanish ranch famed for its ferocious bulls, the Lamborghini Miura's flamboyance and engineering wowed the public when it was unveiled in the mid-sixties. Yet despite its devoted following, there has been no authoritative publication on the car for over a quarter of a century ... until now. Written by a world-renowned authority on the subject - who has himself owned, maintained and restored five Miuras - this unique book features everything the enthusiast would want, from a specially commissioned studio shoot capturing the historic homologation prototype USA Miura SV, to production statistics, specification information, paint charts, and much more. With over 400 photographs and illustrations, this is the definitive guide to an iconic supercar.

Complete year-by-year history of the Trophy (and unit construction Tiger) twins from 1949 to 1983. Includes original factory model photos, technical specifications, colour schemes, engine & frame numbers, model type identification and details of Trophy & Tiger achievements. The complete source book.