Mick WalkerÆs Italian Racing Motorcycles Mick Walker. This much enlarged and heavily revised edition looks at both major and minor players throughout Italy who have produced racing motorcycles of significant interest. Among the legendary Italian motorcycles included in this volume are Aermacchi, FB Mondial, Bimota, Moto Guzzi, Ducati, Garelli, Bianchi,Laverda, Gilera, MV Agusta and Parilla. Well done! Sftbd., 8 1/4"x 11", 256 pgs., 683 b&w ill., 86 color.

Italian motorcycles have a place in history – and many enthusiasts' hearts – out of all proportion to the numbers that have been built. From Moto Guzzi becoming the first non-British marque to win a TT through to Ducati's achievements in MotoGP, they have also been at the forefront of motorsport despite being far smaller than, at first, the British and later the Japanese manufacturers. If the number of motorcycles built by Italian manufacturers is small, the sheer number of Italian motorcycle factories will surprise readers. Almost 600 marques were identified in researching this book, and there may have been thousands. This is partly because there were so many engines available off the shelf – many of them English – as well as a thriving accessory and component industry. A–Z of Italian Motorcycle Manufacturers only deals briefly with the grand marques Ducati and Moto Guzzi because there have been many dedicated books about them. Instead this is a definitive guide to the factories that have been less widely covered or, in most cases, never before in the English language. Some, such as Bianchi and Garelli, might be familiar: others, remembered for their racing achievements or uniqueness, such as Morbidelli, and many you may have never heard of. But if it was possible to establish when and where the factories were active, and at least a little about the motorcycles they built, then there is an entry for them. An appendix lists the other manufacturers that are lesser known, making this the most complete reference book of Italian motorcycles available today. This book is a complete guide to Italian motorcycle manufacturers, and an essential reference for anyone with an interest in these fascinating vehicles. Italian motorcycles have a place in history – and many enthusiasts' hearts – out of all proportion to the numbers that have been built. From Moto Guzzi becoming the first non-British marque to win a TT through to Ducati's achievements in MotoGP, they have also been at the forefront of motorsport despite being far smaller than, at first, the British and later the Japanese manufacturers. If the number of motorcycles built by Italian manufacturers is small, the sheer number of Italian motorcycle factories will surprise readers. Almost 600 marques were identified in researching this book, and there may have been thousands. This is partly because there were so many engines available off the shelf – many of them English – as well as a thriving accessory and component industry. A–Z of Italian Motorcycle Manufacturers only deals briefly with the grand marques Ducati and Moto Guzzi because there have been many dedicated books about them. Instead this is a definitive guide to the factories that have been less widely covered or, in most cases, never before in the English language. Some, such as Bianchi and Garelli, might be familiar: others, remembered for their racing achievements or uniqueness, such as Morbidelli, and many you may have never heard of. But if it was possible to establish when and where the factories were active, and at least a little about the motorcycles they built, then there is an entry for them. An appendix lists the other manufacturers that are lesser known, making this the most complete reference book of Italian motorcycles available today. This book is a complete guide to Italian motorcycle manufacturers, and an essential reference for anyone with an interest in these fascinating vehicles.

Nothing gets the heart of a two wheel enthusiast pounding faster than the sight of Casey Stoner pushing his fire breathing red rocket around the fastest race tracks throughout the world. The bike that has successfully supported his campaign is Ducati. This marque has risen over the last 20 years from virtual obscurity to enthusiast worship such as that of its four wheel cousin, Ferrari. In Ducati: A Photographic Tribute, photographer Phil Aynsley, a passionate devote of the Italian marque has captured the romance and excitement of these machines which includes rarely seen images of the Ducati factory plus intimate views from inside the pits of many MotoGP and World Superbike rounds. This is the ultimate must-have for all keen motorcycle enthusiasts.

While the history of European ompetition motorcycles has been largely dominated by Italian, British, and German marques, other builders around the continent have also played significant roles from the turn of the century to present. Arranged by nation, this book examines more than two dozen important marques, including Bultaco, CZ, Elf, Husqvarna, KTM, Ossa, Peugeot, and many others. A wealth of rare photography, including a special color section, includes candid shots of the top personalities and the bikes both at rest and at speed.

Under very different political regimes for a considerable period, East and West Germany produced some highly innovative & competitive racing machinery. German motorcycles were often in the vanguard of technical progress & were good enough to win world titles. In this respect, the top names in the solo categories were NSU and Kreidler, while BMW, Fath, Munch, & König did the business on three wheels. Like Japan, Germany was faced with rebuilding a shattered country following World War II. Like the Japanese, they overcame all the problems not only to create an economic miracle, but also to construct world-beating motorcycles. Germany's success contributed to the development of the sport in a wide variety of ways -- engineers, machines, riders, circuits, & even record-breakers.

A celebration of the spectacular cafe racers from around the globe created by individuals, and all based on Italian motorcycles.