Motorcycles and History

Unprecedented access to the archives of the Harley-Davidson Museum allowed author Aaron Frank to use artifacts and their stories to illustrate the founding and subsequent growth of Harley-Davidson in an entirely new way. Photographs, illustrations and explanations of rare artifacts, business documents, notes, clay models, racing trophies, apparel, motorcycle prototypes and much more serve as illustrative material. This book provides a fresh new insight into the history of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company and will forever change the perception of one of the world's most recognized and resilient brands.

For good reason the origin period of the Harley-Davidson motorcycle has been called an ”era of mystery”. Not only were Harley-Davidson’s origins poorly recorded, but the company’s beginnings were further obscured by later confused and contradictory claims that developed into myths. In this work author Herbert Wagner examines several long-standing puzzles and unanswered questions, and then, through the use of period documents and original photographs, recreated the actual events of Harley-Davidson’s first years as they most plausibly occured. At the Creation is the definitve account of the beginnings of the only surviving American motorcycle brand, and it is also a first-rate detective story.

The purchase of a vintage H-D motorcycle is often followed by questions about paint colors, equipment, and accessories - just how that particular model looked as it rolled out of the factory. This book answers many question because it provides specific information on each model year starting in 1903 until 1969, and with few exceptions each model is displayed with an illustration or an actual photograph. Besides, the book shows each model year’s order blank, giving informations about standard equipment and options. In the book’s last section detailed charts show precise production figures and specific year and model descriptions.
»The Legend Begins« is a must for everybody who wants to restore a vintage Harley and for those who wish to deepen their knowledge.

In this book, motorcycle enthusiast Mitch Bergeron explores the most iconic and important models that Harley-Davidson has ever built. In encyclopedic maner excellent information is given about the technical history, production specifications and data of the most legendary models, starting off with the first prototype single to the Silent Grey Fellow and the legendary Big Twins up to CVO Electra Glides and Softails. Knucklehead, Panhead, Sportster, Shovelhead up to Evolution, TwinCam and Milwaukee-Eight are illustrated with vivid photographs and images of historical advertising and marketing material. This book is the ultimate encyclopedia when it comes to the evolution of the world's most recognized motorcycles.

Written by the British author and renowed Vintage and Classic harley Davidson specialist, Steve Slocombe, this is the first book about these models, starting with the three speed machines introduced in 1915 and finishing with the Two Cam race machines in 1928/29 which ended the line. The book is in three parts: first the business enviroment in which co-founder William S. Harley worked as Chief Engineer. Then full page pictures of stunning restored and unrestored machines for each year, followed by detailed treatment of each assembly such as forks, gearboxes, tanks and frames so that you can see what you are buying on-line or at the swap meet. The book benefits from numerous, expert contributions by members of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America (AMCA).

Written by British author and renowned vintage and classic Harley-Davidson specialist Steve Slocombe, this is the first book to cover the Sport models from 1919-1923, based on the British Douglas motorcycles where the cylinders were positioned in line with the frame. The engine was the first side-valve produced by Harley-Davidson, and the clutch and transmission were integrated in the engine case, giving the bike a cleaner appearance and fewer places for oil to leak. Despite good sales figures in Europe, the great success in the United States failed to materialize due to competition from Indian, and Harley-Davidson discontinued production after 5 years.
This book provides information on the early days of the Douglas Flat Twins, the business environment at the time, detailed technical descriptions of each assembly, and full-page pictures of stunning restored and unrestored machines for each year. The book benefits from numerous in-depth contributions from members of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America (AMCA).

The ultimate collection of factory literature and model information for all VL aficionados.
Author Steve Slocombe has compiled this series of four volumes with a total of 1464 pages, covering the Harley-Davidson sidevalve models produced for the 1930-36 model years. The emphasis is on period documentation, photographs and reporting, rather than a technical restoration guide. The volumes are organized by calendar year, which will not always match model year.
Each volume starts with a brief factory production overview, followed by a summary list of technical changes by model year. Then comes the dealer publication announcing the forthcoming new models, followed by new model brochures and then copies of all (!) Enthusiast magazines published during the calendar years. A summary at the end of each volume gives production numbers and principal references.

The ultimate collection of factory literature and model information for all Knucklehead aficionados.
Author Steve Slocombe has compiled this series of four volumes with a total of 1900 pages, covering the Harley-Davidson overhead valve models produced for the 1936-47 model years. The emphasis is on period documentation, photographs and reporting, rather than a technical restoration guide. The volumes are organized by calendar year, which will not always match model year.
Each volume starts with a brief factory production overview, followed by a summary list of technical changes by model year. Then comes the dealer publication announcing the forthcoming new models, followed by new model brochures and then copies of all (!) Enthusiast magazines published during the calendar years. A summary at the end of each volume gives production numbers and principal references.

The ultimate collection of factory literature and model information for all Panhead aficionados.
Author Steve Slocombe has compiled this series of five volumes with a total of 2237 pages, covering the Harley-Davidson overhead valve models produced for the 1947-1965 model years. The emphasis is on period documentation, photographs and reporting, rather than a technical restoration guide. The volumes are organized by calendar year, which will not always match model year.
Each volume starts with a brief factory production overview, followed by a summary list of technical changes by model year. Then comes the dealer publication announcing the forthcoming new models, followed by new model brochures and then copies of all (!) Enthusiast magazines published during the calendar years. A summary at the end of each volume gives production numbers and principal references.

If you own or plan to buy and restore a classic Harley-Davidson you simply can´t live without this book. It is a complete guide to correctly restoring H-D motorcycles to original and authentic factory specifications; it took the author five years of research to end up with this encyclopedia that stands alone on the motorcycle book market. The Harley models covered are the 45“ models including Servi-Cars from 1937 to 1965 and all Big Twins from 1936-1965.
Revised and again extended issue of the third edition. All chapters have been revised and supplemented with a lot of new information, including the 1936 OHV, 1965 Electra-Glide and 1964–1965 Servi-Car with electric start. With an index in both volumes.

The Harley-Davidson museum opened in 2008, and this magnificent book is the official museum catalogue, showing hundreds of vintage and modern Harley-Davidsons in stunning color. The history of the world's best-known motorcycle is shown here in page after page of gleaming machines, from the first serial numbers built in 1903, from racing bikes and prototypes, to today's, low-slung Softail, high-revving VRSC, and touring models. Full history of each model, technical details and specs, accompany each model shown, capturing the excitement of the magnificent machines. Foreword by Bill Davidson.

A long and strong tradition of Harley-Davidson followers can be found in Austria where as early as 1923 the first official dealership opened its doors in Vienna, two years before that happened in Germany.
This book depicts the highly interesting history of the marque and its riders in the Alpine republic, from the Golden Twenties to the post-war era. With numerous, previously unseen photographs, some of them plain brillant, the authors show where and how bikers of both sexes used their machines in the respective period. The beautiful and impressive landscapes of Austria, of course, make for a perfect and spectacular scenery. All this combined with a multitude of illustrations of contemporary brochures and advertisements. A must for the true enthusiast.

Thomas Bund, scene-renowned Excelsior enthusiast from Germany has collected the complete history of the 1907 founded American motorcycle brand Excelsior in his book. With pictures and informative texts he takes you on a journey through the long-gone past of this motorcycle brand. Technical developments, racing endeavors and company politics, plus excerpts from contemporary articles make this book an interesting library addition not only for marque enthusiasts.

Harley-Davidson launched its own magazine "The Enthusiast" in 1916 to broadcast the Motor Company’s latest and greatest exploits. Once a year, usually in late summer, there was a special issue in which the new models were announced. The quality reprints offered here are duplicates of these particular publications. They depict each new model in detail, which makes them a valuable source for restorers and collectors. In addition, they are also fascinating period magazines with articles, readers writes and pictures from all over the world, technical hints, race reports, travelogues, etc.

"The Man with a Million Kilometers on Motorcycle"
He was a true Harley-Davidson legend throughout Latin America: Enrique Pontolillo hailed from the Peruvian capital Lima and for more than half of a century he ranked among the most famous personalities in the Harley-Davidson business worldwide and made history as the undisputed pioneer of far distance motorcycle travelling in South America. His distinctive passion for the Harley-Davidson marque, his successful work as an authorized dealer, his race victories, his spectacular journeys and last but not least his patriotism made him immortal. This book is a thrilling two wheeled time travel, starting at the beginning of the last century and ending in the 1970s. On 656 pages, illustrated with approx. 700 sensational photographies, illustrations, letters and period advertisments (partially in Spanish language) it represents the documentation of a remarkable man who lived an even more remarkable life.
Limited edition!

Immerse into a time when riding a motorcycle still was an adventure, roads were more like tracks and service stations were almost non-existent. The red bikes from Springfield were highly popular in Europe before WWII, which author Egbert F. Eschenbacher impressively proves with contemporary illustrative material such as photos, brochures, newspaper clippings and advertising material. In particular Indian’s bestseller, the model Scout found many enthusiasstic followers in the Old World. Many previously unreleased pictures show the machines and owners in contemporary environments and thus form an impressive and highly interesting view into motorcycle history.

For vintage and classic bike enthusiasts few things are more exciting than the term "board track". The name alone evokes pictures of fearless men on skinny bikes at full speed in dangerous races and this is exactly what this book delivers in an unprecedented way. Open it wide and immerse into the long gone world of board tracks and concrete tracks. Meet the Wrecking Crews and their infamous machines and read about the herioc fights which the various factory racers fought on the wooden or conctete ovals, all illustrated with awesome original photos.
What few know, it all started in France and Germany around 1900 when the first motorcycles wrere raced on ovals which had been nuilt for bicycle races years before that. At the turn of the century bicycle competitions were extremely pupular and ovals were built in all major cities. When the motorccyle races proved even more exciting it didn’t take long an the sport jumped over the Atlantic to the U. S. around 1908.
The men who raced the machines were heroes in those days, capable to tame the iron steeds and to withstand the strain of the high speed competitions. They closely passed the fascinated spectators and death was their constant companion, which was largely used by red-tops to inflame people to watch the events. It didn’t take long for the first severe accidents to happen and after various catastrophic crashs in America, in which both riders and spectators were killed or seriously wounded, the boardtracks were named „Murderdrome“ – which gave the title to this book.
It covers the racing endeavors before WWI and until WWII in France, England, USA and Germany. It also reviews the Vintage board track reenactment scene in Germany on a few pages. Author Thomas Bund relied as much as possible on contemporary sources in producing his work. You can feel that his efforts were not about how much money could be made, but to create the best possible work. This book is a labor of love, and a little obsession.
From the enthusiast for the enthusiast.

This two-volume work by Ric Bolduc covers the history and restoration of Harley-Davidson sidecars from 1914-1935 and 1936-1967 in 968 pages, providing a valuable resource for motorcycle enthusiasts and anyone interested in the subject of Harley-Davidson sidecars. The book covers one- and two-passenger sidecars, highlighting the history, technical innovations and the various models and their assemblies with detailed descriptions, tables, illustrations and historical images. With almost 600 Harley-Davidson factory photos and period photos, as well as 700 photos of original parts, assembly plans and restoration techniques, this book offers a wealth of information on all aspects of the Harley Davidson Sidecar.
Additionally Bolduc provides a supplement as a quick reference guide to the first Volume „Harley Davidson Sidecars – History and Restoration 1914-1935“ to give more information about original part numbers, finishes and descriptions that are discussed in the chapters of the book.