Colin Seeley


Book Description

This is the first volume of the two-volume autobiography of Colin Seeley, a famed British motorcycle racer and builder. The book is full of anecdotes, escapades, personalities and memorable descriptions on and off the track which give a fantastic insight into the racing and technical achievements over three great decades in motorcycling history.




Colin Seeley


Book Description

There are some people who've done little. There are some people who've done a lot. There are others who've done more than that. Then there was Colin Seeley. He'd done more than pretty much everyone. Colin passed away just after his 84th birthday. He packed so much into his life, which began on January 2, 1936, when he was born in Kent, the only child of Percy and Hilda. By 20 Colin was running his own business, soon after he was racing, and just two years into his career, was a podium finisher at the IoM TT. Aged 30, he was a motorcycle manufacturer, then going on to all manner of other disciplines, including running car racing Formula One teams. Post that, he was a successful ace team manager and mentor to young riders, before going on to work for auctioneers Bonhams becoming one of the company's foremost and most trusted consultants. During recent years, Colin had been a popular figure at classic events far and wide, often demonstrating period machines, eyes twinkling and lips smiling, enduringly positive, endearingly modest, and always full of enthusiasm. He pretty much did it all.




The Manx Norton


Book Description

The most famous of all British racing motorcycles, with an ancestry dating back to the very dawn of the internal combustion engine, the 'cammy' Norton is inseparable from the era of British domination in motorcycle racing. It is linked with the legendary heroes of the sport, Jimmie Guthrie, Harold Daniell, Geoff Duke, John Surtees, Mike Hailwood and the age when Britain had the world's finest motorcycle industry. This revised edition of the definitive history contains additional material and traces the design, development, the leading riders and tuners. It presents a superb collection of photographs, many previously unpublished. The Manx Norton covers not only the Manx itself, but also features boardroom battles, Norton's early history, record breaking, sidecars, Formula 3 cars, scrambling (motocross); the Domiracer; racing at Daytona and today's classic scene.




Bernie Ecclestone - King of Sport


Book Description

For nearly forty years he has ruthlessly exploited and dominated Formula One motor racing, and now he is setting his sights further afield...This is the true story of Bernie Ecclestone, the street-smart, working-class kid who masterminded the transformation of Formula One from an amateur sport of the fifties into a global billion dollar industry of the 21st century. Now, with his GBP2.5bn fortune, influence and power, Bernie has moved into the world of football with Renault F1 boss Flavio Briatore to turn Queen's Park Rangers, a struggling west London club, into a serious rival to the capital's glamour club, Chelsea. To many he was the saviour of Formula One, but there are also those who came into conflict with his methods. They have a different story to tell. Bernie Ecclesone, King of Sport reveals the unbridled avarice, callousness and corruption behind the hype of Formula One - and the warts-and-all character of the man who is now making his mark on the beautiful game. This is the true, astonishing story of the single most powerful man in thew world of sport today.




Motorcycle Road & Racing Chassis


Book Description

Any kind of competition breeds a desire to gain a performance advantage over the opposition, and motorcycle racing is no exception. Cutting-edge chassis design is a major factor in motorcycle performance, including that of fast road machines. This book charts the history of fifteen of the most innovative companies, with full specifications for many chassis and extensively illustrated throughout. It is a must for any motorcycle enthusiast and a valuable reference for the trade.




Classic British Motorcycles


Book Description

In the modern era, mass-produced motorcycles tend to be Japanese or Italian, with the ‘big four’ oriental manufacturers dominating the market. However, this wasn’t always the case. Until the 1950s, and even into the ’60s, British makers such as Scott, Rudge, BSA, Norton and Vincent ruled the roost. These legendary companies sold their bikes around the world, winning racing championships and setting speed records as they went. They, and many smaller British firms like them, are motorcycling’s founding companies. This is the story of those pioneering firms, whose engineers – many self-taught ­­– were fired by racing ambition, commercial rivalry, patriotic duty and, above all, a passion for innovation. Superbly illustrated with over 150 colour pictures, many previously unpublished, Classic British Motorcycles is a captivating and highly informative account of the men, machines, race meetings and world events that shaped the development of the motorcycle from its bicycle origins. Illustrtations: colour photographs throughout




British Motorcycles of the 1960s and ’70s


Book Description

For the first half of the twentieth century, Great Britain led the world in motorcycle design and production, exporting its products to countries all over the globe. However, by 1960 this once-great industry had fallen into what was to be a terminal decline. During the 1960s and '70s Britain still manufactured a wide range of machines, but a combination of poor management, lack of investment, foreign competition (notably from Japan), and the arrival of the small, affordable car conspired to sound the death knell for most British motorcycles by the end of the 1970s. Mick Walker uses a host of colourful illustrations to explore the models produced by British companies and their foreign competitors, and explains what the industry did to fight its ultimate demise.




The Café Racer Phenomenon


Book Description

The Café Racer is one of the most enduring styles of motorcycle ever created, capturing the rebellious spirit of the 50s. From original Triton-building Rockers to modern-day Sunday riders on Thruxton 900s, there are thousands of enthusiasts across the world who aspire to own an old school road burner. A look back at the glory days of the Café Racer, from Friday night dices on the North Circular, through the street specials craze of the Seventies, to the modern day revival. Interviews with some of the old school regulars at the Ace Café, and an in-depth look at the great British bike builders like Norman Hyde, Steve and Lester Harris, the Rickman brothers and Paul Dunstall. Featuring a huge, global Café Racer directory – listing specialist builders, spares suppliers, websites etc – alongside a unique mix of personal memories, unseen photos, iconic machines and chassis builders in profile, this book is a must for any ton-up rider.




Cycle World Magazine


Book Description




Racing Line


Book Description

Racing Line is the story of big-bike racing in Britain during the 1960s - when the British racing single reached its peak; when exciting racing unfolded at circuits across the land every summer; and when Britain took its last great generation of riding talent and engineering skill to the world.