5 comments about The Essential Guide to Motorcycle Maintenance.

1. If you're looking for your first book on Motorcycle Maintenance - grab this one. I've referred to mine often and it has definitly paid for itself within a few months.



2. I bought this book for my boyfriend who just bought a motorcycle. He said so far it has been very useful and it reads pretty easily and clearly, though he said the technical parts take some extra concentration. I'd guess you would have to be slightly familiar with automotive mechanics for this book to be the most useful. Still 5 stars though because it provides a lot of helpful information to a wide audience.



3. This book isn't going to turn you into a master motorcycle mechanic. You want that, go to school for it. That said, this book is a must have if you want to do your own maintenance work on your motorcycle thus saving you money from not having to pay labor to a repair shop. Pair this book with the maintenance manual for your specific motorcycle and you're in business. The only thing I was kinda comfortable doing was changing my oil. After reading this book I've gained confidence to do so much more. I realized my belt was too tight so I was able to remove the back wheel, adjust my belt put the back wheel back on, make sure it was level, change brake pads and brake fluid, replace my front pulley, change radiator fluid, take apart the front end to install risers and re-run all the wires to the handlebars, etc. There's not much I'm not comfortable doing. I credit this book to giving me the confidence to do the work myself and save cash. Now my motorcycle is customized by me and maintained by me making it truly "my ride."



4. clearly written, the author gives a great big-picture view of how different motorcycle systems work, which system your bike probably uses, and how to maintain or tweak them. i feel much more confident with my knowledge of how my bike works and how to work on my bike myself. he details work enough to let readers have an idea of what they may be getting into with any particular job so they know whether or not they're up to it or if it's something that should be taken in (to the shop) for. this book has already saved me lots of money and given me a better understanding of my bike -- i'd recommend it to anyone on two wheels.



5. I didn't know if it was going to be any good. i read the reviews and decided to get it. I'm very happy i did. There's a lot to take in but it's all good stuff to know when it comes to knowing more about your motorcycle.

5 comments about Engine Management: Advanced Tuning.

1. This book starts with the basics of computer controlled engines and continues into the finer details you need to be able to do an advanced tuning. Many and clear pictures and photos makes it a breeze to follow and understand. Highly recommended!



2. Book gives enough info about engine management, but don't think you will be a tuner after finishing it.
   Not only read but also take some notes while reading. Instead of loosing your way surfing the forums, put it on your desk and consult whenever you need. Thanx to the author.



3. This is the first of the 2 books by greg on the subject and this one provides the solid foundation for book 2. I cannot think of a better EFI intro than this book and if you buy both books you will not need any other books later.



4. This book is a very good overview of OEM fuel injection systems and mentions a number of aftermarket standalone systems. I wish that I had had this book prior to building my MegaSquirt system. For someone wanting to know more about electronic fuel injection, this book is recommended. What it will not do is tell anyone how to map a programmable FI system. So, it is of limited value to anyone who has already gotten past the basics fo EPFI.



5. Greg is very knowledgable. I've been tuning for a few years now and I still learned many things with this book. It is not for beginners, but great for those trying to expand knowledge.

5 comments about How Cars Work.

1. I was disappointed with this book - it was not very informative. Thankfully, I bought Mary Jackson's "Car Smarts" at the same time, so I ended up using this as a reference guide for that book.



2. This is a good book. Ignore all of the 1-2 star reviews for this book, those people simply lack the ability to read. This book is only a very basic introduction to the general mechanics of a car, this book does not try to sell itself to be a Chilton's guide. So those who bought it and were disappointed at that fact and gave it a bad review.....they simply lack the ability to read a book description, their bad not the book's. If you're looking for a book that will teach the basic mechanics of a car from combustion to the wheels turning, this is a good book. Reads at a young teenage level but still good for adults.



3. Great book. Received it in great condition, and I find it very simple and helpful. It explains the name of car parts and their functions. The picture alongside of the text helps to understand how the pieces go together, and then you can imagine how that corresponds to your individual car.



4. Easy to read and understand. Illustrations are easy to follow. Purchased for my 14 year old grandson and he loves it.



5. This book was bought after some significant research. I wanted a simplistic book that anyone who drives, especially their own vehicle would appreciate and understand about the basic workings of a car and its systems. The author presents the information accurately and in a manner which presents the reading as somewhat light, not as if one were reading a textbook.
   
   My wife took a flip through and told me that she would like to read it too! The book would have been made even better with a little colour to the pictures and diagrams.
   
   All in all, an excellent addition to my automotive library!

5 comments about OBD-II & ELECTRONIC ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS TECHBOOK (Haynes Techbook).

1. This book has additional informatin that is not in the OBD-II book that comes with the OBD-II Test unit.



2. The Haynes Computer Codes & Electronic Engine Management Systems Manual (Haynes Automotive Repair Manual Series)
   If you use a OBDII scan tool, I recommend buying this book.



3. THIS BOOK IS VERY BUT VERY FULL.
   I GOING TU BUY A ORDER ONE FOR THE ODER MACHINE I HAVE.
   THANKS



4. The product was delayed on delivery and the seller cooperated by cancelling it and refunding the charges satisfactorily.



5. My car had an error code that wasn't covered in the Bentley repair manual. This manual had it! Delivery was prompt and was delivered sooner than expected.

5 comments about Big Board First 100 Machines (Bright Baby).

1. This is my Grandson's favorite book. Great for 1year on up for those little ones that love to go BRRRRMMMM.



2. Excellent for a child learning about the world we live in.
   Sturdy book, clear, bright pictures.
   I saw this book at a friends home who used it for her 2 year old grandson to identify different machines. It was his favorite book.
   It is now my grandson's favorite book also.



3. I bought this for my 18 month old son who cannot put it down. He has us 'read' it to him at least three times a day. I like the fact it has pictures of every common machine as well as those that aren't so frequently seen. I highly recommend it.



4. My son is almost 2 years old; I got this for him for Christmas and he loves it.
   He loves to point at the machines and let us tell him what it is. Then we also reverse it; we ask him to locate the motorcycle, bus, etc.
   It has pictures of just about every machine you see.
   I think this says it's for ages 4-8; I'd say that's wrong and younger kids will like it. I would think older kids would want a story line, and there is no story.



5. I bought this for my 4 year old autistic son and he absolutely loves it. He loved it so much that I bought him a second one to keep in the car. He carries it around with him all around the house and he now knows every machine in the book without my help. I also recommend other Priddy books such as "First 100 Words" and "First 100 Animals". They really help with speech and expansion of vocabulary words.

1 comments about Maximum Control: Mastering Your Heavyweight Bike.

1. Greetings,
   
   I have found this book to be of great value to riders of all ages and skill levels.
   This is simply laid out with great illustrations. Some, more experiences riders may have to forage through the information to glean new ideas, but there is enough there for them as well, and it never hurts to practice old skills.
   
   New or returning riders will find lots to learn and practice. This is loaded with good illustrations and good step-by-step instructions on how to proceed.
   
   The chapters have a strong and common thread of safety, which is why we would want to learn more advanced survival skills on the road anyway.
   
   Add it to your collection, and loan it to (or recommend they add it to their library) your new rider friends.

5 comments about How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive 19 Ed: A Manual of Step-by-Step Procedures for the Compleat Idiot.

1. This is "THE" book in how to maintain and work on the classic air cooled VW's. It is not a mechanics manual, its written for ANYONE to understand. Check [...] for additional opinions. I love it and wouldn't be without mine. I am "tool friendly" but far from a mechanic by any means. The author tells you exactly what tools you need, how to substitute in a pinch if you break down, how to troubleshoot just about everything! All step by step.. If you want to step into the classic VW world, buy this book and also be prepared to do your own work. They are great machines but require frequent TLC to stay running well, but, most people that want to get into VW already know that and actually enjoy tinkering away. [...] in addition to human help has really good wiring diagrams as well. But don't just rely solely on forums, get the book.. you'll save more the first time you use it than it costs.



2. I bought an early edition in the early 70's and lost it after I sold my VWs. I just bought an old air cooled VW and I remember how useful the earlier book was. This is a revised an updated book that is now more useful than the first. Unless you are a certified mechanic, this is a must have book for the care of an air cooled VW. It will walk you through step by step proceedures without the use of pictures (trust me it's better that way, honest) in away that anyone can understand, hense the name of the book.
   
   HIGHLY RECOMENDED



3. This book is a real help when you're trying to repair an old air cooled VW Bug or Bus.



4. This is my 3rd copy of this book. The first one wasn't in color and was spiral bound. The car I use it for, however, is the same. From Chapter 22: "It (learning to work on my Volkswagen) was the beginning of my freedom. Something that had chained me before, I now had a relationship with. I had learned its language. I began to learn other languages; of photography and seeing; of carpentry and working with my hands; of music and listening. And there's no doubt in my mind that my experience with the Idiot manual was its start. Thank you, J.T. Judd IV"
   
   This has stated my experience better than I could.



5. Back in high school I fixed a friend's Beetle accelerator cable using this book. I was fascinated by the unconventional Beetle and this book. It was so different from my 60s Mustang and it's stuffy Chilton manual. My mother reminded me repeatedly that I was not going to be allowed to buy an unsafe car like the Beetle. A different friend drove a '67 Beetle and she had a copy of this book as well. Well if I couldn't have the car I was going to have the book! A few years later I received orders for a stay in Italy courtesy of the US Navy so gone went the Mustang. Once in Italy I bought a '72 Super Beetle (same as a USA spec '73). I explained to my worried parents that my Beetle was larger than many of the Italian microcars I shared the roads with!
   
   Suddenly I was on my own in a foreign country. Nobody around me both worked on aircooled Beetles and spoke English so I had to learn to be self-sufficient. The Beetle that I bought came with an identical (but ugly) parts car. It took me three weeks but I took two cars and made one very good car that I drove all over Italy for nearly three years. I replaced that car with a '65 Beetle that I still own today nearly twenty years later. I went all the way to Italy a bought a car originally sold only a few hours from here! We have also added a 1978 VW Westfalia van to the stable. What fun they are!
   
   If you have an aircooled VW there are a number of books you should own. John Muir's Idiot book and Bentley Publishers Volkswagen Beetle Service Manual and Tom Wilson's How to Rebuild Your VW Engine. There are a number of other books that are also valuable but these first three are the must-haves. I have purchased many books that explain all the different VW buses and campers as well.
   
   The Muir book remains the stand out for me though. The Muir manual puts VW aircooled engine care into layman's terms with simple pictures that make the point quickly. I LOVE the artwork. The Bentley manual provides the factory procedures and specifications. The Muir book is like a friend that summarizes a tough math concept for you. If only Muir had written a book about Calculus college would have been much easier!
   
   To me though these three books are even more important to me personally b/c they helped me start to understand how to make quality repairs on any gasoline engine and gave me the confidence to try even more projects. The books provided the reference and the course work, the car themselves provided the laboratory practice!!! I don't read the Muir book for repairs much anymore. I mostly read it for fun now.

5 comments about Crash Course: The American Automobile Industry's Road from Glory to Disaster.

1. I found Crash Course to be a quick and interesting read. For those of us that grew up in the 60s the history of the Big 3 leading to the first oil crisis really hit home. This is a story of corporate arrogance that could affect virtually any large organization.
   
   What also hit home was the disatereous effect strong willed and wrong headed individuals (both in the car companies and the unions) can have on such large organizations. Had as few as a 5 or 10 leaders taken a different tact the story would have been different.



2. Mr. Paul Ingrassia is an old, experienced hand at covering Detroit, having written about the Motor City for decades. His book is an excellent read and valuable addition to the library of everyone who studies the automobile industry.



3. Factual and involving without being a strict docuementary. Fascinating, hard-to-put-down book that is even sprinkled with a bit of humor, albeit still very factual and relevant humor. A very involving, informative and worthy read. You'll not be sorry that you committed yourself to this one.



4. The history of the American Auto Industry in all its glory. Ingrassia's examination of the Big Three and their recent bailout by the Government is well written and provides important lessons to all managers and business leaders. It is easy to look at the end result (as of 2008), and see the troubles of the Big Three, but "Crash Course" as its title implies, examines the history of the auto industry and at times the reader, like the passenger in an out of control Toyota, cannot help but sense the impending doom of the journey. Ford, GM, and Chrysler were once the blue chips of the American economy and mainstays of American culture. All the failures of the Big Three are so magnificent because of their contrast to great success the companies previously enjoyed. The means and methods that were so effective in the first half of the 20th century were not adapted to reflect the cultural and technological changes, as well as increasing competition of the second half of the century. The question is why, and Ingrassia answers the question.
   
   
   
   This is a great book for anyone intersted in the auto industry, American history, or business management and politics.



5. "Crash Course" is a great history of the Detroit automakers--history as in it is over. I also think it has a lot to say regarding whether people are inherently good or inherently bad.
   
   Interesting to realize as I was reading this book that generations of Americans lived and died never knowing that the arrogance, greed, incompetence and dishonesty of most of the men who ran the US auto industry killed it off.
   
   The unholy alliance between GM and the union is mind-boggling--even though I thought I knew about that, what I read in this book shocked me. Generations of auto workers enjoyed a "workers' paradise" of inflated pay, superb benefits and insane job protections such as the jobs bank. And management right up through the very top loved all of that too because though it was bad for the company, it did not hurt them personally and that's all that mattered.
   
   Though "Crash Course" is specifically about the auto industry, it's also a cautionary tale about investing in the stock of any American corporation. Corporate executives are immune from failure, they walk away with millions regardless of what happens to a company, so beware investors.

5 comments about The Yugo: The Rise and Fall of the Worst Car in History.

1. Read as an historical work or as a story of how things can go terribly wring,
   this history of the Yugo is a very enjoyable read.



2. In true historian fashion, Jason Vuic has taken more time to research the Yugo than the car manufacturer took to produce the Yugo for the American market. Vuic couples levity with fact to produce a witty literary piece that is fresh and easy to read. It's obvious that Vuic has a genuine interest in pop culture.



3. This is a thoroughly entertaining book and I learned a lot about history and automobiles in the process. Vuic has the ability to blend research and humor and I definitely recommend it.



4. 
   I loved this book! Jason Vuic weaves a tale that is so fascinating (and often hilarious) that I couldn't put this book down. I found myself laughing out loud at Vuic's stories of the Serbian autoworkers' booze-swilling on the assembly line floor and the cars rolling out of the factory with the rust marks already in place. I kept turning to my husband and saying, "You just won't believe this!" Not only is it a darn good story, it's also well-researched history. The footnotes are almost as interesting as the text itself. If you're a car enthusiast, a Cold War history buff, or simply lived through the 80s, you'll love this book.
   Kathy



5. As a former Yugo owner I had to read this book. But it's more than a book about the Yugo. It's about American excess, why communism failed, a business case study, and a brief history of Yugoslavia. All in just 213 pages. The pacing is brisk. The writing is impeccably clear and easy to read. It is well researched both through printed sources and interviews the author himself conducted. This book will probably stand as the authoritative history of the Yugo in America. Why would anyone write another? Very well done Professer Vuic.

5 comments about Country Driving: A Journey Through China from Farm to Factory.

1. I am enjoying the book. If you have lived in China, you will have a better understanding of the book.



2. How lucky we are to learn about China in a book so well written. Peter Hessler, an American who lived in China and speaks Chinese, gives lots of facts from his personal experience and his interviews with various Chinese people, all in a most enjoyable way. I can't wait for his next book.



3. More than just a collection of anecdotes, the book contextualizes every story and documents the fascinating changes in Chinese society from an economic, social, and political perspective. Country Driving is intellectually stimulating, full of insightful analysis, and fun to read.



4. My family and I lived in China for a year, back in the early '80s, so Country Driving is fascinating to me. The first part is episodic and more like a log than a full account of contemporary life in China, but with Part Two the book turns into a real story about real people and becomes quite gripping. My only real wish for it is that he had used full stops instead of semicolons. That seems rather petty, but it would make the reading easier.



5. I have just finished reading the first of the book's three parts. As someone who has traveled extensively in China and visited many of the places in the book, I find it rings true. I do appreciate the subtle humor and understatement. Having said that, I must say that I still find "River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze" to be more compelling than "Oracle Bones" or this book, at least so far. Perhaps it is because River Town captured the youthful excitement of a young man finding his way in a completely alien society. The later books seem a little cold and detached and I'm not sure why.
   
   At one point, Mr. Hessler is put in charge of a group of children in a remote town near the great wall, and he reflects that there are few places left on earth where people would be so trusting. This is a good moment. I only wish he could communicate the warmth and humor of the Chinese people that I experienced in my travels around China instead of always remaining an observer. Still, Mr. Hessler should not be criticized for writing the novel he wants to write rather than the novel I wish he had written. For those who want a taste of contemporary China from a Chinese writer of great skill and humor, I recommend the English translation of Yu Hua's "Brothers: a Novel".
   
   As I said, I have not finished the book, so I will add more to this review when I do.