This is the definitive guide to identifying, buying and riding Japanese bikes from the 1960s to the early 1990s, concentrating on mainstream, affordable models from the `big four': Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha. Fully illustrated in color throughout, the book provides a brief history of the Japanese motorcycle industry, its post-war rise and displacement of traditional British, European and American marques. Specific bikes are then grouped and discussed in detail, providing an essential reference for buyers and enthusiasts alike.

Everything you need to know to restore or customize your classic Japanese motorcycle. Whether you want to correctly restore a classic Japanese motorcycle or create a modified, custom build, you need the right information about how to perform the mechanical and cosmetic tasks required to get an old, frequently neglected, and often long-unridden machine back in working order. How to Rebuild and Restore Classic Japanese Motorcycles is your thorough, hands-on manual, covering all the mechanical subsystems that make up a motorcycle. From finding a bike to planning your project to dealing with each mechanical system, How to Rebuild and Restore Classic Japanese Motorcycles includes everything you need to know to get your classic back on the road. Japanese motorcycles have been the best-selling bikes in the world since the mid-1960s, driven by the "big four": Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and Kawasaki. Of course certain bikes have always had a following - Honda CB750, 305 Hawk, CB400-4, Benly; Suzuki GT750, Katana, GS1000S; Yamaha XS650, RD400 Daytona, TZ; Kawaski H1, H2, Z1R - and these have now become the blue-chip Japanese bikes leading collectors to seek out more common (and now more affordable) alternatives. This is the perfect book for anyone interested in classic Japanese motorcycles, as well as prepping a bike to build a cafe racer, street tracker, or other custom build.

Even the most hands-on of classic bike enthusiasts will often shy away from working on their bike's electrical system, believing they have neither the skill nor the knowledge for such work. Dr James Smith explains in Classic Motorcycle Electrics Manual that this need not be the case. Starting with basic electrical theory, the book demonstrates a wealth of electrical tips and techniques, providing a progressive and detailed guide to tasks ranging from simple repairs and upgrades, through to completely rewiring a classic motorcycle. Illustrated profusely with full-colour photographs and easy-to-follow wiring diagrams, this book will be an invaluable resource for all classic bike owners and restorers. The book covers: basic electrical theory; correct usage of a multimeter; comprehensive fault-finding techniques; making good electrical connections; fuses and circuit protection; dynamo and alternator charging systems; correct battery selection and maintenance; improving lighting and installing LEDs; selecting the right spark plug, and much more. Fully illustrated with 420 colour photographs and 167 CAD easy-to-follow wiring diagrams, this is an essential reference work for all classic bike owners.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Motorcycles, Fourth Edition, is the most complete book on motorcycles, covering everything from how to choose and maintain a motorcycle and how to buy appropriate gear, to how to ride safely, and how to make the most out of trips on the open road.

Classic Honda Motorcycles presents an overview of Honda motorcycles produced from 1958 through 1990, including iconic models such as the CB77 Super Hawk, CB92 Benly, Dream, CB750 and many others. Enthusiasts will find a bounty of useful and interesting information about which bikes are likely to suit an individual rider's needs, which models are most collectible and how to find parts for rare Honda motorcycles.

As the costs associated with buying and owning collectible American and European motorcycles continue to rise, enthusiasts are turning in greater numbers to motorcycles produced by Japanese manufacturers from the 1960s to the early 1980s. The prolific production of Japanese motorcycles during this period today translates to consumer-friendly market values for collectors. This buyer's guide divides the world of classic Japanese motorcycles by the four major manufacturers -- Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, and Suzuki -- while emphasizing such landmark models as the Kawasaki Z-1 and Honda CB750, and featuring a chapter of less common models from secondary marques like Bridgestone. Photographs of the motorcycles are accompanied by complete descriptions of specification, components, paint codes, and serial numbers. A five-star rating system grades the bikes on collectibility, parts availability, two-up touring, reliability, and power, while the author highlights common repair and restoration needs, and suggests sources for collectible models.