1 comments about Anatomy of the Chopper.

1. Doug Mitchel has already photographed and chronicled other books on the topic of motorcycles and bicycles - and if his name sounds familiar, it's because it also appears on articles he's contributed to Hot Rod Bikes, Harley Women, and others. Here full-page color photos of selected choppers supplement discussions of design choices, specs, and features, including reviews of specialty makers who prefer unusual clients. Descriptions are as exact as tank making methods for unique designs, unusual powerful cycle systems by custom makers, and survey of companies on the cutting edge of chopper production. It's a chopper fan's dream guide.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch

1 comments about The Great Book of Harley Davidson.

1. This is a huge and heavy book, well printed in Indonesia on what seem to be top-notch materials. Except for a bit of excessive contrast in some of the old black & white illustrations, you really couldn't ask for higher production values. The work is a repackaging of two earlier works, "Harley Davidson, a Way of Life, a Hundred Year Old Myth" (2002) and "Harley Davidson, Evolution of the Myth" (1999), which in turn seem to be related to a number of similar titles published by the same authors in English, Spanish and French over the past ten years. But none of that detracts from the current title, at least for those who, like this reviewer, don't already own the earlier works. If this is an English translation, it is a fluent one.
   
   The first third of the book goes over the history of the company and its products - even bicycles! - in good detail, with extensive photos of personalities, machines and even period literature. The photos are generally very good or better, and they alternate between close-ups, detail shots and typical advertising brochure-type product overviews to maintain your interest. There are many, many other Harley books that cover this same ground with equally good photography, but I am not aware of any which actually do a better job.
   
   The accompanying narrative seems to be equally comprehensive and balanced, although I've not yet read it all carefully enough to say how accurate it all is with any certainty. It certainly seems to be well done, though, and I found the parts I read interesting as well as keyed in well with the nearby photos.
   
   The remainder of the book, however, really makes the whole project for this reviewer: The authors have not only a love of beautiful restorations and classic, factory-stock Harleys, but also a passion for the infinite variety of "customs" that Harley owners and professional builders have churned out in great numbers over the past half-century or more. The illustrations chosen run a fantastic gamut from the bizarre to the beautiful... well illustrating the creativity and individualism which have come to be identified with this quintessentially American marque.
   
   Does this review sound like something written by the stereotypical "outlaw biker" or Harley fanatic? Well, no, actually... I've ridden "most vroom for the buck" Japanese bikes and über-practical BMWs for most of my life! But unless you have no soul at all it's impossible not to appreciate the Harley as both a riding "experience" - pretty unique until quite recently, when the Japanese finally got their American-style V-Twin clones "right" - and as an art form and starting point for individual expression - for which H-D is still unmatched. This book, by two French admirers, very admirably conveys the feeling so many have for Harley-Davidsons of all sorts... and will encourage a lot of new purchases!

5 comments about Billy Lane: Chop Fiction: It's Not A Motorcycle Baby, It's A Chopper.

1. I do not read many autobiographies. Those I have read seemed way too polished to be true and accurate. Chop Fiction, thankfully, comes across as a sincere and honest account. I truly enjoyed reading it and looking at the photos and parking tickets.
   I would recommend it to anyone just starting out or at a crossroad in life.



2. Kinda disapointed with this book. His views, a few short stories and alot of pics. Nothing really deep.



3. The first thing that struck me about Billy Lane when I saw him on TV the first time was that he looked like a normal bloke, doing what he loved to do...party and build choppers. Billy's book confirms my initial impression.
   
   It's a fascinating read, learning how he arrived at the place he's in today; learning about his family, friends, his business and his choppers. The style is very laid back and honest, it's not like some other biographies where you struggle to `get into' the book and find yourself just reading it to pass time. When I started reading this book, I didn't have huge expectations, but was pleasantly surprised by how well the book was structured and written. After finishing the book, you are still left with a few questions, but at the end of the day, if you're thinking about a book after you've read it then it must have been a pretty good book to read in the first place.
   
   Aside from what's been written, the photography is also excellent, and captures all the small details of Billy's bikes that set them apart from all the other builders at the moment. I've made space for this book - which I like to get out fairly often and look at the pictures and read a chapter here and there -next to `Art of the Chopper' which is also an excellent book on a similar topic.
   
   If you enjoy watching choppers take shape on TV and learning more about one of the more distinctive builders then this honest, well written biography is definitely worth purchasing.



4. Who's this longhair, you ask? Well, this is an alternative to Jesse James, who's currently riding the wave as being the most recognised chopper builder in the world, taking over where Arlen Ness and the rest left off. Billy Lane's autobiography is an interesting read, an insight into a guy who loves what he does, and builds interesting, artistic bikes.
   
   The hubless rear wheel he pioneered is probably his greatest achievements, and it appears that he allowed Jesse James to use his six-gun design too. I guess behind the scenes certain ideas are shared freely between friends.
   
   Overall a nice book to have if you're into Choppers. Nice to read and with all full colour photos on high quality paper.



5. Billy Lane is an ICON in the world of Choppers. His bikes have been featured in Motorcycle publications around the world. This book gives us an inside look at the man behind those custom built Choppers; his friends, his family, his work ethic, and his party till you drop attitude. You'll like the photo's, and His idea of the perfect ride is one I agree with; 500 lbs of good Milwaukee steel, me, and a hundred pounder on the back.
   Good job Billy

5 comments about Indian Larry: Chopper Shaman.

1. Purchased as a gift, full of great yarns & photo's, for the right person this is a great buy! Enjoy!



2. This book could have had half the number of pages. The focus is on the spiritual (indian?) side of Larry. It does paint an interesting picture of what he was like, but I found the comments of other builders in Art of the Chopper II more relevant. The recurring theme of life's mysteries and how they influenced Larry went on and on. It became a bit much. Nearly ruined a reasonable read.



3. Larry was happy being who he was. He states as much in his interviews during his Biker Build Off episodes. I feel the author of this book forgets that and puts Larry high on this pedestal where Larry never wanted to be. His bikes was his art and he appreciated his fans that wanted to see it. What made him unique is that he was kind, caring and considerate. Traits that one hardly ever sees in a person, especially all at one time. This book does Larry justice when telling his story from boyhood to bikehood but loses its flavor when the author throws in his collegiate words to make his point on how great Larry was. Larry seemed, to me, like he was a simple man who wanted simple things and, to put it simply, wanted to share his art with those who would appreciate it. Long story short, this is a good book with a good read and some great photos.



4. This man didn't have an average live, I think it's one thing on everybody will agree...
   This was a good man, who just lived his life as he could, just like us, but with less compromise.
   The book is really interresting (even for people like me who've been already reading about him), the pics go from "old Polaroid" to very high quality (especialy regarding the bikes).
   The thing I really did not appreciate is the comparison between his life and a "hero tale". I think Larry himself wouldn't have appreciate this...
   If you like choppers but don't know the guy, buy this book ! If you already know him a little, save your money for another one !
   Laurent
   http://www.laurent-roy.com



5. Indian Larry has been a hero of sorts since I "met" him in Iron Horse years ago-when I got this book,I spent an hour just looking at the photos and reading captions.the actual reading however,was so disapointing that I would not recommend the book.the text consists of a few facts or at least items of interest surrounded by pages of referances to mythical times,kings,queens,etc-an introduction with that BS would have served it's purpose-to spread it throughout as filler is a shame.find a back issue of Iron Horse with an Indian Larry interview to learn about the man-buy this for pictures or if you want to read semi-coherant ramblings from someone who seems confused but grasping for an answer to life-

1 comments about Old School Choppers.

1. These 'chopper' bikes are anything but ordinary: indeed, they're a pick for those serious about biking. OLD SCHOOL CHOPPERS: NO-FRILLS BIKES FOR REAL BIKERS offers up old versions of Harley-Davidsons, Indians and others. Many were dreams that builders brought to life, customizing originals until they were nearly unrecognizable. Numerous color photos depicting all angles of the bikes are accompanied by technical specs in a book highly recommended for any library collection with motorcycle fans as patrons.

5 comments about How to Build a Chopper.

1. If youre planning to BUILD a chopper from scratch, this is a pretty useless book. But if you are planning to buy all the parts over the counter and assemble a kitbike by yourself this book will probably be helpfull. It contains some good information (for the novice) about rake and trail, but that information is availible from almost all choppershops on the net today. This is only MY opinion, im sure there are some people out there that find this book helpfull!



2. If your looking for a book to teach you how to assemble a kit bike...this is it. It doesn't offer much help for someone looking to build their own bike from the ground up.



3. This book has very little to do with building choppers other than assembling a motorcycle on a purchased prefab frame. What a waste of money. Remus should write a book describing how to turn an existing bike into a chopper. This book is little more than a list of suppliers. All of this info can be found in a $... magazine without spending $... for the book.

   My advice... Keep on Looking!!




4. Against the advice of the other reviewers, I bought this book anyway. I'm square in the middle of the intended audience: I want to build a custom bike from the ground up, and I have extensive mechanical skills. In fact, I learned more from the most recent issue of "Hot Bike" than from this amateurish piece.
   It's shallow, disorganized, and frustrating because it could have been so much more. In addition, it badly needed someone to proofread and edit it. Remus has to be the king of the run-on sentence. Don't waste your money.



5. This book, like other titles I purchased from the same author at the same time, provides little useful information. Pretty pictures, but no in-depth information that would allow someone to make intelligent choices on their project. No competitive analysis of products, no guidance, no meat!
   
   Don't buy it.

5 comments about Orange County Choppers (TM): The Tale of the Teutuls.

1. Orange County Choppers - Tale of the Teutals
   I purchased this book for my 13 year old nephew. He is an Orange County Chopper fan, he loves the Discovery series and has all the DVD'S.This book has been great in respect to encouraging him to read, as it has enough information on each character and pictures to keep him interested.
   If you want the book for technical information and bike building detail, then it's not for you. This is a good light read for the person who enjoys the Teutal tantrums !!! If a book like this can get boys reading, then I'm all for it.This is also good for big boys who love the show, as my husband thought it was not bad !



2. I found this book to be an enjoyable read, it just could have been so much better with a little effort put in by the publisher or who ever made the decisions on the content of the book.
   I kept wondering why they didn't seem to bother with proofreaders, fact checkers and editors. I understand it was written by bike builders not professional writers but they could have at least asked a professional to help organize their thoughts.



3. Hubby LOVED this book. We don't really watch the show - but for some reason, he wanted this book. He read it in about three days and then went back to re-read specific parts.



4. Great book read it cover to cover in one weekend. It was great to read that in the early years they choose morale views on how they wanted there company to be seen in public.



5. I bought this book to send to my son in Iraq. He loves to watch their program on TV. My son really likes the book.

5 comments about Billy Lane's How to Build Old School Choppers, Bobbers, and Customs (Motorbooks Workshop).

1. This is not a "how to build a chopper" book. It is a "how Billy L builds this or that, and sometimes 'why'". I've been out of the chop scene since my youth, so the info contained I found very interesting in a general sense and quite inspiring too. Quite a good book, but not great. If you like Billy's style of bike, buy this book. I certainly don't regreat buying it.



2. There is way too much in the way of welding skills and sheet metal fabrication. Certainly not a "How To" book but more of a "How I do it" book.



3. Lots of pictures and easy to understand. Complete detail from end to end. It is however a little for the more skilled reader and builder. I enjoyed and learned form it.



4. You can judge this book by its cover. It's basically a glorified magazine with lots of color pictures of Billy building the Bobzilla bike. The captions are reasonably detailed, but lack enough information to be truly useful. Some of the text is thoughtfully written and fairly in-depth about Billy's personal preferences. However, DO NOT buy this book if you are looking for a step-by-step manual on how to put a bike together. On the other hand, if you like Billy Lane's bikes, and enjoy watching bike building on TV, you'll be glad to have this colorful (and sometimes funny) book in the bathroom. My legs have fallen asleep more than once while trying to finish a chapter.



5. I thought this was a pretty thorough book all things considered. Billy does a nice job covering some of the important tools you should have in your shop as well as the different aspects to consider when building a custom bike. He is an engineer and a master at his trade. I enjoyed it and felt it was informative.

5 comments about How to Build a Cheap Chopper.

1. This book describes the technicalities of a chopper bike in laymen's terms such as angles, engines, etc. The difference between buying frames and making up your own frames, and what is good and bad as a rule of thumb. Book is great if you just want to know about choppers or actually thinking of building your own from parts or from scratch. I now understand what questions to ask about kit parts and handling/power considerations.



2. This book is great it has lots for full color photos on 5 builds. One thing that I didnt like is the fact that it is more of a basic how to do a basic chop. Dont think that you will get this book and have a $5000.00 chopper in a week. The guys in the book are all pros and get hooked up alot easier than I could ever do. I cant go in the shop and bang out a tank for the cost of the sheet metal. But it gives you a general idea of where to start. IF you have never done a project like this and just want to know where to get started, its is worth the money.



3. This book is filled with some good ideas, but rather limited on the space allowed (the flaw with all books). I would have liked to see a little more depth on the metrics with a little less of the kit bike ads, but section on the 'Redneck' choppers was worth the price. I was disappointed with the photos of the finished products (especially the metrics) but overall a good book for ideas.



4. Very good book, so much so I plan to use the advice to build a bike similar to one in the book.
   A good alternative to spending large sums on other types of bikes.



5. Not the best book on the subject. Lots of nice photos though.

1 comments about Bike, Scooter, and Chopper Projects for the Evil Genius.

1. I purchased this book and also the Bicycle Builder's Bonanza by the same author because I wanted ideas on how to build my own recumbent bike or trike. The plans and details are awesome, and Brad often explains why certain design decisions were made. I think the best thing about the book is that it inspires me to go out and build something. My mind is already cranking on how to modify the designs presented in the book. Now, my only problem is deciding between the Delta Wolf and the Street Fox!