4 comments about Mechanics & Owners Guide to 1941-1959 Harley-Davidson O.H.V. Big Twins.

1. It has taken me close to a year to write this,cause the proof is in the pudding.I know I have done everything short of capital crimes, to get the information this fellow is GIVING you for a mere fifty dollars.From A to Z Kirk gives you ALL. I have restored pans for 20 years,Kirk my hats off to you an all who helped AAAAA+++. This is the book. I have had my nose in an out of it since it arrived.I have found everything to be right on the money. I know that`s the stuff that makes it best. The Truth. this is what it`s all about.Kirt THANK-YOU



2. I am looking into buying a Pan, and searching for more than anecdotal information. This book is the best source of Pan info I have read so far. It helped me realize that a Pan wasn't the best choice, and that I would need to spend a lot of time wrenching, instead of riding.

   I wish they'd write one for Shovelheads!!




3. This book is lacking in some important areas. No carburetors, no transmissions, no brakes. Need to know how to adjust your mousetrap, change springs on a springer, or fix a leak on your hydraulic front end? You won't find it in this book. The topics it does cover are great, easy to understand, and well detailed. The bottom line is I do use this book and it has become a permanent part of my shop library.



4. I'll keep this short and to the point. As the title says, this is the best "tool" I have in my tool chest. The information in this book has helped me more times then I can recollect. The book is written from a practical perspective and isn't full of theoretical "how to". It even includes descriptions of how to make some of the special tools you'll need from items you probably have laying around your shop. I can't wait for Vol. 2!

1 comments about 101 Harley-Davidson Evolution Performance Projects (Motorbooks Workshop).

1. While very informative it is not the book for a beginner. The projects are not detailed enough. Just about every project is only 2 pages. The color pictures are a plus but this book would at best be a good supplement to your library ,not a staple.

3 comments about Jean Davidson's Harley-Davidson Family Album.

1. This is a wonderful scrapbook of the history of the Harley
   Davidson Company on its 100th birthday. It is written by the
   grand daughter of Walter Davidson.There are a series of action
   pictures depicting the family in the early 1900s including
   a 1918 outing. The book explains the dynamics of testing
   each motorcycle directly from the assembly line. This rendition
   would make a perfect gift for a motorcycle enthusiast.



2. Jean Davidson's Harley-Davidson Family Album is a great gift for anyone who wants to know more about Harley-Davidsons. While most books about these wonderful motorcycles focus on the bikes and their impact on the culture, the Family Album describes the effect of the motorcycle on the founders and their families . . . and vice versa. It's a dimension of Harley-Davidson that I knew nothing about . . . and found to be fascinating.

   Jean Davidson is the granddaughter of Walter Davidson, the first president of the company, and her father was Gordon Davidson, a company vice president. She is a former dealer. She teams up with Sara Ann Harley-O'Hearn to add comments about both families. About half of the photographs were new to me, and the captions were priceless.

   The book opens with family trees of Davidsons and Harleys who are in the book so you can keep track of who's who.

   Then the book turns to how the families emigrated from Europe to Wisconsin in the late 1800s. Within five pages of photographs, you begin to see motorcycle images. The first classic is of Arthur Davidson with a friend holding up the fish they caught while sitting on a motorcycle and in a sidecar. The original idea behind the motorcycle was to help make it easier to go fishing. Go figure!

   The text is also interesting . . . including an explanation of why the company is called Harley-Davidson rather than Davidson-Harley.

   The family connections are interesting. The model called "Silent Grey Fellow" in 1914 employed the nickname for William Sylvester Harley. There's also a nice page on the first motorcycle and what happened to it through 1912.

   It wasn't all easy. In 1904 a household maid raided the company's cash jar, and left the company broke. The Davidson brothers' uncle, James McLay, came to the rescue. His photograph is included.

   Interspaced with the family materials are examples of motorcycles, advertisements and motion picture stills featuring motorcycles.

   One of my favorite family photographs shows the chauffeur who was used to drive the founder's wives around in a sidecar. Even though the family was prospering, they preferred their bikes!

   There are also photographs of the male founders working on bikes and even testing them.

   The book also describes the company's attitude toward having women work at the company (single women only in the early days).

   Just after I finished this book, I happened to see an advertisement for S.C. Johnson where the fourth generation and fifth generation members talked about how the company is the family and vice versa. I couldn't help but think that this observation is equally true of Harley-Davidson after enjoying this fine album.

   Photography fans should be warned, however, that like most family albums, these images are often not professional grade. They are often just like the snaps that your grandparents and parents took when they were young. To me, that aspect just added to the charm of the book.

   I was encouraged to take out our family album after looking at this one. I hope you will do the same.




3. But mine was very connected to motorcycles. I want to thank the authors of this book for having shared their very personal family information and pictures. This book and especially these families have had a profound effect on our ever shrinking planet and it's peoples. If you read for fun you will find great pleasure in this book and "THE SECOND COMING OF AGE" by: Vedrine; a must for every Harley Davidson enthusiast.

2 comments about MILITARY HARLEY-DAVIDSON.

1. It is obvious that Mr. Ware has no knowledge of military machines and is gleaning his information from previously published information. His production figures of 90,000 WWII machines is a complete fabrication. His assertions that all WLA Harley-Davidson's had frame numbers is ludicrous. It would seem that his source of information was obtained from listening to old wives tales and faulty factory information. I would be willing to bet money he never did any research on this subject at The National Archives.
   The bottom line is that there is a great book on the Military Harley-Davidson's, but this is not it.



2. I was disappointed after waiting a long time to get this book. A good portion of the data is incorrect and a number of the pictures are mis-identifed or just plane wrong. Many of the photos look to have been digitized and have a zig zig quality on the details. I would like to see better in a $40 book. The author used a lot of photos of civilian machines for some reason and they fail to represent the military application and for the most part offers nothing much new on this subject.
   
   All is not lost however...on the plus side there are some good quality photos and a good number I have never seen anywhere before like a very rare version of the XA model with a Vard Hydraulic front end...perhaps only one of one. Also some interesting photos from WWI and some other that could be of some value to the restorer
   
   Over all I don't think it's worth the cover price, but if it hits the bargan rack for less than $10 you might want to pick one up.
   
   Jim Hansen

5 comments about Harley-Davidson Century.

1. Wow ! That is the first thing that comes to mind when going through this book. Although I have quite some books about HD I'm very impressed by this huge book.
   Written by the best authors around, with stunning photographs that you haven't seen in other books and printed on thick high quality paper this book is great value for money.

   The book describes all the different parts of HD history by going through all the models that have been produced the last 100 years. Not so much the technical descriptions are to be found but more the stories behind the models. The TC-88 story as an example is like a fairy tale if you're a HD-lover. How did they come up with the idea, what did they do and what problems they encountered, how they solved it and why certain things are the way they are is all in this story.

   If youre looking for a book that describes all the different colours, serialnumbers and options for each modelyear than this is NOT your book, but if you like the story of HD, beautifull pictures of almost every model and good stories and tales by the best writers that don't hesitate and order this heavy book.

   I would still buy it if it was twice the price! It's absolutely fantastic!




2. Outside the bedroom. Boys prefer the pictures but there are wonderful marvy words for the girls, even the children can play with this. and for rainy days when your home alone or stuck at the work place read "THE SECOND COMING OF AGE" by: Vedrine, the greatest Harley semi-fiction ever written.



3. This book is worth every penny just for the photography alone. The fascinating and informative text is like a bonus. This is the real Harley story, not the corporate propoganda garbage the Motor Company puts out. The Hunter Thompson essay is hilarious. Buy it.



4. I have yet to recieve this item and am very disappointed in this fact and would still like to get this book.



5. This book offers the most in-depth detailed information I have read about HD in a long time. Factual research with great pictures makes this book a winner. If you are a fan of Harley-Davidson or any motorcycle for that matter, I highly reccomend this book!

3 comments about How to Hop-Up and Customize Your Harley-Davidson Bagger.

1. This is THE book to have if you are serious about making any changes to your Harley Davidson Touring bike. Lots of ideas and referances, lots of photos to show how the job is done in details. Absolutely recommandable.



2. Good Basic Book on bagger upgrades. I've done a few of the customiztions and plan on doing more. A good buy to get ideas of where and how to customize your ride.



3. I bought this for my husband expecting a more detailed book. Instead, it covers the very basics, and as to the hopping up, anyone who is familiar with their bike already knows all the tricks.
   
   Would be good for someone just learning the "tricks" on Harleys.

3 comments about Clymer Harley-Davidson: FLS/FXS Evolution 1984-1999.

1. Great manual for someone who wants to get to know the inner workings of their bike. Good information on completing your own maintenence.



2. A very specific manual for the bike I own. It is not like others that pretend to explain everything on too wide ranges, like saying a single manual explaining H-D 1903-2003 models.
   Very detailed and comprehensive. A must to own for those H-D bike owners.



3. The Clymer HD manual was a huge disapointment the photos are not clear and the information and service directions are both unclear and incomplete. I would not purchase this manual as an HD repair manual again.

2 comments about Harley-Davidson 100 Years: Celebration of a Legend (Purple Book).

1. One of the most prolific Harley Davidson writers, don't miss this book and the rare Harley Davidson Novel "THE SECOND COMING OF AGE" by: Vedrine



2. This is a beautiful book full of great photos and stories through out. I purchased it for a true Harley guy as a birthday gift. He has everything else, and this was a great gift without being "for the bike".

3 comments about How to Customize Your Harley Davidson (Motorbooks Workshop).

1. In all, this is a good book for anyone looking to customize a Harley. Numerous pictures and tips make the customizing process just a little bit easier as you see the finished product before you spend the big dollars on parts. This book is certainly worth the price for anyone not happy with just a "stock" bike.



2. Boring, Data out dated and he doesn't do anything not covered in a cheap how to do body work manual.
   Frankly if you want to do body work your better off buying a 5 dollar book from the used bookstore.
   Really disapointing



3. It wasn't boring to me! I've been around Harleys and other brands of cycles for over 25 years. Great book for the biker that wants basic info for custom work. It's a good book for young and old riders alike who dream about their "HOG". Good book for detailes and backyard Custom builders!

2 comments about Harley-Davidson Softail: How To Hop-Up & Customize.

1. f you're a Harley bike owner with a Softail to customize, look no further for instruction than HOW TO HOP-UP AND CUSTOMIZE YOUR HARLEY-DAVIDSON SOFTAIL: it teaches how to install budget kits, add tires, lower the bike, and more advanced ideas as well, including interviews with pros and step-by-step color photos and charts throughout. Add sources for all specialty and listed items and you have an extraordinary guide to fine-tuning and customizing your Softail model.



2. The book is full of great color pictures. The projects are more for an experienced mechanic with access to more tools than the average Joe. For ideas its' great. Not recommended as a how to manual.