The Strange Death of the British Motor Cycle Industry

The Strange Death of the British Motor Cycle Industry

Author: Steve Koerner

Publisher: Carnegie Pub.

Published: 2012

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781905472031

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At long last, Steve Koerner presents an original and in-depth analysis, based on hitherto unused sources, of what really happened. Fascinating, detailed and totally convincing, this book provides the first thorough explanation of the strange death of the British motor cycle industry.


Shooting Star

Shooting Star

Author: Abe Aamidor

Publisher: ReadHowYouWant

Published: 2012-11

Total Pages: 314

ISBN-13: 9781459652330

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For many years the British motorcycle industry was the largest in the world, not counting low - powered mopeds and scooters and the like. After World War II the motorcycle industry was the third largest source of foreign exchange for the United Kingdom after motor cars and Scotch whiskey. Yet by 1975 the industry was essentially dead. What led to the fall of the motorcycle industry in Britain, after virtually defining the country for so long? Shooting Star: The Rise and Fall of the British Motorcycle Industry is the first comprehensive look at the motorcycle industry with a critical look at business and trade practices that led to its demise. The full romance, beauty and excitement of the machines and especially the top racers who rode them is captured here, but it's all blended for the first time with information about the lesser known businessmen who built the companies and then ran them into the ground, as well as a critical look at some of the engineers and designers who were brilliant and badly flawed at once. The failures of the British motorcycle industry are a painful object lesson for the badly strapped American automobile industry at the present time.


British Motorcycles of the 1960s and ’70s

British Motorcycles of the 1960s and ’70s

Author: Mick Walker

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2013-01-20

Total Pages: 113

ISBN-13: 0747813159

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For the first half of the 20th century Great Britain led the world in motorcycle design and production, exporting its products to countries in every section of the globe. However, as the second half of the century began in 1960 this once great industry commenced what was to be a terminal decline. During the 1960s and '70s Britain still manufactured a wide range of machines, but a combination of poor management, lack of investment, foreign competition (notably from Japan), and the arrival of the small, affordable car transpired to effectively sound the death knell of the British motorcycle by the end of the 1970s.


BSA

BSA

Author: Greg Pullen

Publisher: The Crowood Press

Published: 2020-09-01

Total Pages: 496

ISBN-13: 1785007408

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BSA was once the world's most successful motorcycle company, manufacturing more machines than any other in the world by the mid-1950s. And yet, after winning the Queens Award to Industry for exports in 1967 and 1968, it collapsed into bankruptcy in 1973. This is an epic story of rise and fall, even by the precarious standards of the British motorcycle industry. With over 170 illustrations, this book recalls the founding of the company and its foray into bicycle and then motorcycle production. It describes the evolution of the various models of motorcycles including specification tables and discusses the diversification into cars, commercial vehicles and guns for Spitfires. It recounts the successes - two Maudes Trophies and numerous racing victories, and documents the fall from grace to bankruptcy and beyond.


Classic Motorcycle Restoration and Maintenance

Classic Motorcycle Restoration and Maintenance

Author: Nigel Clark

Publisher: Crowood

Published: 2015-02-23

Total Pages: 792

ISBN-13: 1847978827

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A complete workshop guide to restoring and maintaining your classic British motorcycle. Covering the principles of restoration and maintenance, and therefore applicable across all post-war classic British marques such as BSA, Matchless, Triumph, Norton, AJS and Royal Enfield, Classic Motorcycle Restoration and Maintenance covers everything from general maintenance procedures to full engine strips and rebuilds. With step-by-step instructions and over 800 images, the book covers, amongst other things, buying guides, legislation, essential tools, workshop advice, safety, stripping and rebuilding the key components for both singles and twins. The common parts manufacturers, such as Amal, Smiths and Lucas are covered too. With general maintenance, advice, recommended sources and additions included, this new book is an essential resource for the classic motorcycle restorer. The book also covers: a brief history of the rise of the classic motorcycle movement; wiring, fitting and testing the electrical system; cycle parts - restoring the tin-ware, painting and refinishing. Superbly illustrated with 735 colour images and 80 CAD diagrams along with step-by-step instructions.


Honda: The Golden Age

Honda: The Golden Age

Author: Matthew Richardson

Publisher: Pen and Sword Transport

Published: 2024-05-30

Total Pages: 186

ISBN-13: 1399051512

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When the fledgeling Honda Motor Company wanted to break into Europe, they knew their machines had to prove themselves at the greatest motorcycle race in the world, the Isle of Man TT. At that time part of the World Championship series, the TT attracted the biggest names in the racing world. It was also the toughest and most challenging event of its kind. In 1959, the first Japanese riders to reach the Island experienced a culture shock when they encountered western lifestyles for the first time, and this was only a few years after the Second World War. Yet they won over young hearts and minds, and helped rebuild bridges. Not only that, Honda machines proved themselves reliable – and fast. They were soon picking up race victory after race victory and the likes of Jim Redman, Luigi Taveri and Mike Hailwood were queueing up to ride them. When they walked away from Grand Prix motorcycle racing in 1967, Honda had won everything there was to win on two wheels at the Isle of Man TT. A legend was born, and the Honda name would go from strength to strength. Yet founder Soichiro Honda never forgot how it all started, and the Isle of Man retains a special place in Honda company history.