Motorcycles and History

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.

This book, with great attention to detail, depicts a seamless portrayal of the history of Harley-Davidson from its very beginnings to modern times. A clear sequence of the chapters in chronological order, starting with the "Early Days" via "Panhead Era" to "Harley Davidson in the 21st Century" offers a fantastic overview of the company's history with all its technical milestones and of course, all the nominee representatives such as Flathead, Knucklehead, Panhead, Sportster, Shovelhead, Evolution and Twin Cam. Particularly the beginnings of the company, as well as the first motorcycles, are treated much shorter in other books, while "The Complete History" lighs this era on 32 pages. The reader is given detailed historical and technical knowledge by means of high-quality photographs and the lover of the "Early Days" receives a deep insight into the subject matter. Last but not least, the racing sport gets special attention in a seperate chapter. Here as well, the reader is finds well-founded historical knowledge from beginning to end. Thus, also for race aficionados a book, which has honestly earned its place on the bookshelf.

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.

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).

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.

The myth and story of a larger than life individual. A college graduate with degrees, a photografic memory, a wizard with tools, metal or electronics. A Free Spirit who traveled the country to ride and create motorcycles. Read all about his bikes, his travels, what the bikes are like and his tragic ending.

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!

The Knucklehead model has an enormous importance for the motorcycling sport in general and for the Motor Company in particular. It is an outstanding example of American engineering. In 1936, in times of an economy suffering from the Great Depression, the four founders had the courage to come out with an OHV motorcycle that soon should become a milestone in the history of Harley-Davidson. Model year after model year this book describes the detailed technical development of the Knuckleheads. Excellent picture material complete the information provided and make this book a most useful source for both restorers and enthusiasts.

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.

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.