4 comments about How to Custom Paint Your Motorcycle (Motorbooks Workshop).

1. I picked up the book over the weekend, as well, and it is really good. Some of the best photos, really showing the details that you only see when you are actually trying to do this stuff. Too many books will show you a few 'in-progress' shots, and the end results, without giving you all of the in between details that make all the difference in understanding how it is really done. Joann explains that she was trying to include things that other books on the subject really don't cover, and I for one think she has done an outstanding job on this book. It's the bikes that we all have seen in the magazines, and it is really neat to see the paint as it was being done - how it was being done! Great work. Great read, too. Interesting stories, details, photos... I'm going to pick this book up often, and use it as inspiration. The chapter on the pin-up mural makes me want to give it a try, rather than make it all seem very intimidating and impossible for the person who might not have the experience, like me!



2. I really love your "down to earth approach" and attention to "small detail" which really helps to fill in the voids for me. Other airbrush books tend to have big steps that seem to skip alot of the process, where this book, goes over each step in great detail that makes it easy to follow along. I like the way she really explains how to mix the colors and the tools she uses. I have just started painting and doing airbrush work last year. The info in this book meets me at where I am in addition to explaining some of the "goofs" and "boo boos" I have already made. I especially find the chapters on doing artwork, flames and graphics to be extremely helpful. As a novice, I feel you can never be too detailed when you explain "how to do's". Love the way she describes the processes, progress and tips for "what colors to use", etc. I am really looking forward to her next books.



3. is really good book very complete and very easy to learn, exelent for beginers in the paintjob world



4. This is a really good box for someone who already has some painting experience and wants to try custom graphics. I am really happy with how my bike turned out with the help of this book!

5 comments about VW Beetle Performance Handbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Upgrading Engine, Transmission, Suspension and Brakes (Motorbooks Workshop).

1. I found VW Beetle Performance Handbook a very informative book especially for a beginner. It had musch usefull information that I will surely apply to my car. Yet I feel this book lacks in description. It lays out the preliminary knowledge but in no way talks about wether larger carbs or cams will affect driveability. It's engine enhancements advice are definetly dangerous for example it tells you for the ultimate motor an 84x94, 48 Weber IDA, 44x37.5 heads, large cam, MSD 6al ignition, and merger header with a turbo. He left out such important things such as the valvetrain geometry and the connecting rods. With this combination an engine could easily make 3 times its original output yet with no modifications to increase the valvetrain strength the most likely recourse would be for your engine to suck a valve and shoot a piston through the case effectively wrecking the piston, rods, head, and maybe even the case. So in summation good information yet a little vague I would suggest this book to gain a preliminary knowledge but consult something a little descriptive like the VW Interchange Manual.



2. I found Vw Beetle Performance Handbook by Keith Seume the perfect book for a beginner. It has valuable information on all aspects of building a car Suspension, Brakes, Transmission, and Engine. I will definetly use much of the upgrades he described. Yet I find many of his engine modifications dangerous. What I mean by this is he says for the ultimate motor. Get an 84x94 engine, 44x37.5 heads, MSD 6AL, merged header with turbo muffler, and Weber 48 IDA's. This is all in all good advice yet he completely neglects valvetrain geometry and connecting rods. Without strengthening the valvetrain you will most likely suck a valve putting a piston through the case and wrecking the rod. Without stengthening the rod the most likely reaction to this would be a snapped connecting-rod effectivley wrecking you crank, head, and case. His vague descriptions could ultimately wreck YOUR case, connecting rods, piston, heads, and your bone-stock valvetrain geometry. In summation a good beginner book but his vague descriptions could paint you into a corner. I would definetly recomend you read a more specified book like VW Interchange Manual before attempting any major modifications.



3. Let me congratulate the author for the thoughtful and simple layout of the book first. It covers the beetle's mechanical history in a concise manner as well as instructs the "will be modifier" of the pitfalls and of all that is involved in undertaking a modification. Chapters on suspension, transmission and brakes are extremely well written and aided by lot of useful pictures. I'd very much recommend this book to any body who wants to undertake any modification to his/her beetle as well as to anybody who owns one.



4. This is a good book for a green v dubber. There isnt enough info in this book to build your own hot vw with out buying other books also. You could with a little talent put an engine together as described here but it probably wont run or run well as there is no mention of how to set up carburetors here only a heavy emphasis on weber and dellorto carbs. If you are on a budget then this book is not for you as it has no mention of how to modify solex carbs or how to adapt them for a little more power etc. Somethings in this book directly contradict things the author mentions in his other book VW aircooled engine intercgange manual so which is correct? confusing



5. The VW Beetle Performance Handbook was for someone more technical than me.

2 comments about Ford Mustang: 2005 through 2007 (Chilton's Total Car Care Repair Manual).

1. For my previous car chrysler neon i got the haynes and the chilton and sometimes it helps one has a better explanation then the other. So this time i took also both books but now the are nearly the same. My advice take the chilton.



2. A good book for the person concerned about the proper care and maintenance
   of the 2005-2007 Ford Mustang. So many repair shops (including Dealerships)have poor quality service. This book provides a valuable
   reference even if one does not do the work personally.

5 comments about Carroll Smith's Nuts, Bolts, Fasteners and Plumbing Handbook (Motorbooks Workshop).

1. Admittedly this is a dry subject, but this book should be considered required reading for anyone who is serious about building a safe race car. There's more to fastener technology than most of us realize and a right and wrong way to do things. Mr. Smith gets the information out in an easy to understand format with splashes of well-timed humor. While we have all blamed a poor performance at an event on a broken fastener, Mr. Smith explains how to eliminate these problems, plus your vehicle will be safer. You won't even think about using grade 8 bolts from the discount hardware store on that flywheel after reading this book. The section on plumbing was particularly helpful to me.



2. ...This book is indispensible. It's written for the race car driver who does at least a little bit of their own fabrication. And that's almost any club driver, and many entry-level pro drivers. Making sure additions to the car stay put, supsension bits adequately bear their loads and stresses, and repairing these things in a pinch, is no small part of winning races.

   This book doesn't explain everything ther is to know about fasteners. And it isn't dripping with technical detail; ...

   But this book does provide something more valuable: explanations. It looks at a couple dozen of the most popular fasteners in each category and explains why a fabricator or mechanic would or would not want to use them. Carroll uses his incredible experience and approachable, conversational writing type to discusses their strengths and weaknesses, applications, and design.

   I think the book isn't limited to racing applications; it's useful for anyone who works metal, and will offer something of value to anyone who's ever tried to replace a fastener in an emergency. Were you overwhelmed when you went through the fastener aisles in your local hardware store or home supply center? This book can help.

   The book is a little weak in two areas. First, there's few pages devoted to plumbing. Of course, this is about real plumbing: laying lines and connecting them with pressure-tight fasteners. It explains Army-Navy fasteners and their applications, and discusses all the subtleties of pipe flange fitting. The book isn't about stopping a leak behind your toilet.

   Next, the book is showinng its age. It doesn't treat some of the materials that were not exactly commonplace ten or more years ago, but are quite common now. For instance, I can buy titanium lug bolts for my car. (Well, I could, if I had a spare $500 lying around.) Carroll doesn't make much mention of the more interesting alloys being used more commonly in fasteners these days. He also doesn't spend much time discussing the material to be fastened: holding down a carbon fiber body panel is different than getting the same bit fabricated from fiberglass to hold. Some of the illustrations look like they were drawn by a plotter 20 years ago: terrible resolution, confusing lines, poor perspective. Freshening some of the illustrations would be a real shot in the arm for the book.

   Those shortcomings withstanding, I can't give this book less than five stars. Mr. Smith's incredible reputation and outstanding experience hold up a dry subject, and give the reader more background than a broader (or deeper) technical reference ever could.




3. You have to question a guy who claims to be an engineer, and glorifies the title to no end, and then goes on to say how he refuses to buy anything from China, France, Mexico, Italy, etc. Aside from that BS, this is a good book to read if you're like me and don't actually have the ability to learn what works out at race weekends.



4. Book contains poor photography and what appears to be over-reproduced images of hardware. Prospective buyer should look at some of the aviation publications that offer the same or better information to Experimental Aircraft builders. Some of the same principles apply.



5. This book is VERY good, it's informative, comprehensive, fun to read and goes a long way to improving your understanding of the "whys" rather than just the "hows". It's an excelent resource for someone looking to build their own race car. Anyone looking to attach something to something else or move a fluid from one place to another will get something out of this book. As an added bonus in the years since it was first written most of the fasteners that the author found hard to find have become available easily online.

4 comments about Turbocharging Performance Handbook (Motorbooks Workshop).

1. This is a good book but compared to the excellent work Mr.Hartman did in his previous EFI tuning book, this book is merely "good". I now own all the available turbo books sold here on amazon and this book ranks third on my list of useful turbo books. Second place goes to mark warners book and well well into the lead in 1st place is A. Graham Bell which so far as pretty pictures goes is terrible but the information in the book is SO comprehensive it includes everything from all the other books and then some. Hartmans book fails to address the million and one details that bells book covers and that is why it gets a 3rd place.



2. This is an excellent source for Turbocharger information, It covers all aspects from history and manufacturing through modern OEM applications. It is written in an almost texbook like manner. The book also extensively covers custom applications and performance gains. It is fairly numbers heavy, and it helps to have a good base knowledge of engine dynamics. Some of the early chapters may seem confusing, however the author builds onto explanations as the book progresses.



3. I recently read Jeff Hartman's book on Turbo charging titled "Turbocharging performance handbook", and I recommend this book to anyone wanting to build, own, or enjoy a boosted vehicle. As an individual working in the automotive area and using boosting devices I have found Jeff's detail and thoroughness informative and helpful in my development efforts. I have read most every book available and found this latest effort to be superior in readability, basic science, history, technology, and theory of engine boosting. The overall presentation is better then any I've seen and the science is top notch with useful and practical insight and "how to". A liberal assortment of project cars grounds Jeff's effort in reality.
   This is a great book, I'd recommend to anyone with interest in vehicle performance beyond the mundane.



4. I have followed the turbo field beginning with the Turbo Buick in 1979 (hands on experience modifying it) and the original, as well as best book on turbo's -- Hugh MacInnes' book.
   
   I bought this book on the strength of the author's last -- the one on fuel injection systems. While that was a fascinating and informative book, this one measures up only as fair.
   
   I'm trying to be nice here, but the writing style is forced, at least for me, and requires major concentration to follow (and not due to the technical nature of the material). I found my mind repeatedly wandering while reading about a subject that typically finds me fascinated and unable to put a book down.
   
   Maybe my experience is unique. At the very least, though, I'd advise you look the book over in person before committing cash.

1 comments about Virgil Exner: Visioneer: The official biography of Virgil M. Exner, designer extraordinaire.

1. The midfifties were a watershed in auto design. Who can forget the first sight of the dazzling fifties Chevies and Fords but most of all the very dramatic and elegant Chrysler products from 1955 on. The Chrysler products were produced under the inspiration and leadership of Virgil Exner. This book is a dream for all of us interested in automobiles, their design, and the process that brings them into being.
   
   As is so important to those of us who delight in the visual aspects of the automobile, pictures are important. This volume documents the genesis, development and implementation of the great Chrysler designs of the fifties and sixties. As few other books have done so succesfully, these pictures allow my mind's eye to explore the dynamic forms and lucious, subtle lines of both the development and design study cars and the production cars. I was especially taken with the gold and white 1956 D500, it logically flows from Exners show car explorations of the automotive form.
   
   This book also allows us to see the relationship of his early years to his later work, and Exner's relationship to his work at Chrysler. Also covered are his subsequent efforts in other design projects.
   
   If you like cars, admire the geat designs of the fifties and sixtiesVirgil Exner: Visioneer: The official biography of Virgil M. Exner, designer extraordinaire, or are fascinated by the creative process you will like this book.

3 comments about Jesse James & His Beautiful Machines.

1. This is a large book with page after page of stunning black & white photography. As much as I love great shots of cool bikes and thier builders, I was a bit dissapointed with this book. This is proabably my own mistake for not reading the book summary close enough. I was expecting something more like 'Jesse James, the Man and His Machines'; a book with tons of great photos but also some writing on the man, his builds, and his process. I thought a new book would have more updated writing from everything that has changed in the last few years since that other book was published. Not so... little verbage other than introduction, photo index in the back, and 4 page blurb by Steve Appleford. Those 4 pages offer some interesting insights, but dosen't quite save the book.
   So if you're looking for something to 'read' abot Jesse James, try the afore-mentioned book. This photo book will end up with beer bottle rings on the cover as it sits on my coffee table.
   Oh, by the way, for one last kick in the pants; "Printed and Bound in CHINA" is slapped on the back cover. Go figure.



2. This book with the black & white photos and Jesse and his crew could not be better. The photos are so clear you can learn from this. I highly recommend this to anyone into motorcycles or welding/fabricating.



3. Loved the bikes but I wish it was in colour!
   I understand it's ART & they are worthy of a museum. But to me the black & white sucks. If I wasn't such an enthusiest, I'd have my new door stop.

1 comments about American Woodys.

1. i bought this book hoping for lots of pictures and descriptions of the woodys built in the past 100 years. it does cover the making of woodys and several models of woodys. the problem is it seems as though the writer couldnt find enough stock examples so he included customs, woody toys, and several pages of manufacturing. too many customs, too many woody toys, and too many pages of manufacturing for what i was looking for. worth buying but only at a discount.

4 comments about Car Talk: Why You Should Never Listen to Your Father When It Comes to Cars.

1. Car Talk's been on the air for a long time, and they must have plenty of great material for compilations like this. Unfortunately, what went on this edition, while funny enough, just isn't worth the high price. Save your money for blank cassettes and just record the regular show is my advice.



2. If you have either a car, a Dad or a family, then you will love this show! "Click & Clack" are always great on NPR, and this tape/CD compiles some of their best calls & rants loosely arranged around the themse of cars, Dad's & families. It's wonderful way to spend 90 minutes, especially if you're driving with your family (yes, Dad... you did that too... ;-). Enjoy!



3. I guess you either love these guys or you hate them. My wife finds them incredibly annoying when she hears them on the radio.
   
   Myself, I love them. Their accents are not off-putting to me, and I love how they laugh together.
   
   What I've learned over time, though, is that the 'straight' answers they provide are actually pretty authoritative. They actually know what they're talking about, based not only on their extensive formal education but also based on their hands-on work with many, many cars.
   
   If I personally found anything annoying, it's only their constant self-referencing which gets old. However, it's a part of their "shtick" which we would not want to do without...



4. These guys are something else. Yeah I know a lot of it is planned in advance, but it is none-the-less good for a good laugh. They are the only two I can think of who can laugh at their own jokes and have it all come out as real. Really a pleasure to listen to.

1 comments about Saturn Coupes/Sedans/Wagons, 1991-2002 (Chilton's Total Car Care Repair Manual).

1. A decent book for the motivated do-it-yourselfer. I am definitely glad I bought this book, as there were several key things I hadn't considered - like disabling the airbags before working on the electrical system in the console. Pretty easy to read and follow for a non-auto-mechanic.
   
   I accidentally bought the 1991-1998 version of this same manual, although I have a 1999 Saturn. Even though the 1991-2002 version of this book covers more model years, it is thinner and has less detail. There are several points where I find myself referring back to the previous book (1991-1998) for pictures or a more detailed description of something.