No comments about The Motorcycle Industry in New York State : A Concise Encyclopedia of Inventors, Builders, and Manufacturers (New York State Museum Memoir #27) (New York ... (New York State Museum Memoir, Number 27).

5 comments about Hog Fever.

1. A disease either goes away or kills the subject. An addiction is limitless, like La Plante's interest in Harleys.

   This is not a book about motorcyles, or even about Harley-Davidson motorcycles. It's about an image, one created by magazines like Easy Riders and In the Wind. La Plante carefully studied that image for years before actually getting a motorcycle. He measures the riders and mechanics he meets by how well they match that image.

   By chance, La Plante got his first Harley just before they became popular in the UK, so he looked like a pioneer instead of a follower. He bought it on his wife's credit without her knowledge and rode without a license for years.

   Despite spending hours polishing his machine, La Plante nevers bothers to learn how to fix it. Given the number of time it breaks down, this might have been a good idea.

   I read this book after Melissa Holbrook Pierson's "The Perfect Vehicle," and this book suffers by comparison. Pierson's book is about discovery, about learning new things about herself and the world, through motorcycling. La Plante's book is about stepping into a pre-existing role, and acquiring all of the accessories to go with it.

   I freely admit that Harleys are magnificent-looking machines. I'm also probably one of those people who just don't get it.

   La Plante's prose is a smooth, quick read. However, the book never goes very deep into motorcycling or La Plante's own mind.




2. As a recent convert to the world of Harley Davidson I could really relate to Richards experience. I'm a life long biker but new to Harleys. His book captures the Harley "bug" so well and makes for a terrific read for fellow addicts and the uninitiated alike. I was hooked from page one and followed the onset of Hog fever from Richard's first exposure to the legendary Fred Warr right through to his nirvana, the ultimate HOG. The book had even more "feel" for me as I know many of the characters mentioned. Real people in a real HD world all with various degrees of Hog Fever watching bemused as a newcomer starts to show the first systoms.

   If you have ever turned your head as a Harley Davidson motorcycle cruised by on the street then you need to read this book. But beware you too could catch Hog Fever, I hope you do, it could be one of the best things ever to happen to you. Remember though, there is no cure, thank the Lord

   Scottie




3. I devoured this book over a couple of days. It was a great read about another man's love for riding Harley's. It was easy to see myself in some of LaPlante's expressions of "Hog Fever". If you live where it is too cold to ride,this is a great temporary substitute. If you lay awake at night planning your next chrome purchase, you will "get" this book.



4. Five Stars and cheers to one of the best.

   This was one of the best reads I have had in a long time. I found my self laughing out loud and annoying my wife several times. I have recently seen the fever in full blossom in two of my friends that resently joined me and my riding friends. The funniest part of all this is that as the fever hit each one I had them read this book and they both reported back on how funny it was to read what they felt was happening to them.




5. A wonderful book from a refreshing standpoint, giving the reader the feeling of the 'brotherhood' of the love of the Harley -Davidson (and motorcycles in general) which spands the ocean. This book not only gives you the 'present' it goes through the history of the Harley in such a way that anyone who reads it can enjoy and understand it, as well as translating the emotions of the rider on his roadtrips. FABULOUS .

   This book is only one of the many fine works of this author. . .

No comments about 100 Years of Harley-Davidson Advertising.

1 comments about Living on Two Wheels.

1. The author has gone on worldwide bicycle tours and used a bike exclusively for 4 1/2 years for transportation. He tells you how to prepare for every possible scenario on the road and in the city, bike maintenance, styles, safety, etc. He has experienced all the pitfalls and shares with you all the solutions. The only thing that's not perfect is that it was written in 1983, so it's not as up-to-date as it could be. But otherwise EXCELLENT!

No comments about Illustrator Motorcycle Legends: Suzuki (Illustrated Motorcycle Legends).

3 comments about Hear Me Roar: Women, Motorcycles, and the Rapture of the Road.

1. When we see a woman on a motorcycle, we can't help but wonder who she is, what her life must be like, and what makes her ride. Author Ann Ferrar traveled across the country on her own motorcycle to answer those questions for us. And the answer vibrates as resolutely as an American V-Twin, crosses boundaries in dual-sport fashion, and powers motorcross style over life's bumps and potholes. Ms. Ferrar has documented the history, heritage, and heart of women motorcyclists from California to New York. Not content for this to be merely a lesson of the past, she has captured the essence of current female motorcyclists. Her final reference chapters regarding choosing motorcycles, gear, training, and camraderie, light a high-powered halogen headlight for our future women riders.



2. This is the first book of which I am aware that identifies and follows--literally "on the road"--a group of women who have found a sport that is at once an exhilarating physical activity, a mode of transportation, and a recreation that makes its own political statement: I can do it myself! I don't need to cling to the back of a man while he guides the machine through the traffic of the world. I love the way the author, Ann Ferrar, has shown the multi-class, multi-cultural, multi-spirit of the women described here. I love her spirited prose and the photographs she (mostly) made herself. I love the fact that she--a tiny, curly-haired intellectual woman--committed herself to this idea and this project to show the rest of us what we are missing. Read this book, women, then try your wings!



3. Hear Me Roar is a fascinating chronicle of the lives of past and present female motorcycle riders. The inspiring riders date from the early 1900's to the present, street and race drivers, young and old. Any female motorcycle rider who reads this book will feel proud to be a part of this ongoing history.

   The practical sections in Hear Me Roar regard safety and risk management, rally information, clubs, and advice on choosing a first bike. This is a great addition for a person's personal library as well as for a club lending library. The information in the practical sections is "must reading" for new riders.

   "Why do I really love this book? Not only because I respect the hard work and sacrifice required to produce it, but because I want a copy for my grandchildren. I want them to know that I was a participant in the middle years of the struggle to gain acceptance for women in motorcycling. I want them to be proud to know that their grandmother cared about motorcycling and women and that she joined not a group of scuzbags, but a group of interesting, exciting, energetic, on-the-edge women who ventured into a man's world and made it a world for all. What a concept!"

No comments about Matchless: The Complete Story.

3 comments about Motorcycle Tuning: Chassis (Motorcycle Tuning).

1. This book is intended primarily for motorcyclist but almost any enthusiast who likes cars and bikes will enjoy reading it. The book covers chassis, tyres, suspension, brakes and development. Most of the information here is theoretical but beginners would probably find it very useful. There are lots of useful formulas, (e.g. how to drill brake discs properly). It ends with some useful programs written in BASIC which is quite dated since everyone is using C++ these days. I refer to this book and its companion book on 4 stroke engine tuning regularly for information and would feel lost without them. Don't expect a lot of nuts-and-bolts info, however, it's mostly theoretical, but VERY useful.



2. This is a well thought out book! It is a valuable tool for anyone who wants to understand the dynamics of suspensions and how to design modifications that may improve handling.
   The relevance of the information is from the 1980's to the present. The author has included important formulas and diagrams that will help you think through your modifications and calculate the consequences of any changes to your Motorcycle.
   Some chapters were very enjoyable to read,(braking systems),because I am familiar with those concepts. Others, (Caster,Camber,wheelbase), require a lot of thought and calculation and require a lot of re-reading to absorb.
   This book is not for the novice and is not a "how to do it" manual. It requires real effort to put this information to work in improving your motorcycle's handling.
   John Robinson gives the layman enough information to understand why and how much a change in suspension will effect handling. It's up to us to evaluate the result and incorporate it into our tuning..
   C.J.



3. The author knows a lot about the subject, but lacks ability in getting the information across in a easy to follow manner. It is more like a rambling on of good thoughts. It would be great if each chapter was dedicated to one subject. There are lots of formula in the book that seem to go nowhere. The Racing Motorcycle, a technical guide for constructors by John Bradley, is excellent. After reading several other books on the subject, this is a nice fill in and would buy it again but I would get Bradley first.

No comments about Twist of the Wrist - Interactive Vol. 1: The Motorcycle Roadracer's Handbook.

2 comments about BSA A7 and A10 Twins Owners Workshop Manual, No. 121: '47-'62 (Owners Workshop Manual).

1. This was Haynes' 1st repair manual and it is the best single-source manual for pre-unit twin BSAs. As in all subsequent Haynes manuals, their staff actually dismantles and rebuilds a BSA, presenting readers with photos of the whole operation. This book and a copy of the spares manual are all you need to keep your Golden Flash, etc. in fine trim.- Bill Litant, president emeritus, BSA OWners Club of New England



2. As all the Haynes Workshop Manuals I've bought, it was exactlly what I was looking for.I consider this manual is the first step of a proffessional restoration of a classic bike.