Author(s): Colin Jackson
In the modern era, mass-produced motorcycles tend to be Japanese or Italian, with the ‘big four’ oriental manufacturers dominating the market. However, this wasn’t always the case. Until the 1950s, and even into the ’60s, British makers such as Scott, Rudge, BSA, Norton and Vincent ruled the roost. These legendary companies sold their bikes around the world, winning racing championships and setting speed records as they went. They, and many smaller British firms like them, are motorcycling’s founding companies.
This is the story of those pioneering firms, whose engineers – many self-taught – were fired by racing ambition, commercial rivalry, patriotic duty and, above all, a passion for innovation. Superbly illustrated with over 150 colour pictures, many previously unpublished, Classic British Motorcycles is a captivating and highly informative account of the men, machines, race meetings and world events that shaped the development of the motorcycle from its bicycle origins.
BOOK ISBN | 9781781550861 |
FORMAT | 248 x 172 mm |
BINDING | hardback |
PAGES | 160 pages |
PUBLICATION DATE | 15 June 2013 |
TERRITORY | World |
ILLUSTRATIONS | colour photographs throughout |
Colin Jackson has been a motorcycling enthusiast for over 40 years and has owned and ridden an array of Classic British bikes. He is an active member of the Isle of Man TT Marshals Association and has trained as a CBT instructor. He is the author of Slot Car Racing (IAP, 2009) and is the editor of Slot Car Racing News.