The leather motorcycle jacket is more than a coat; it's a mentality. Beginning in the early twentieth century, airplanes, automobiles, and motorcycles redefined freedom, idealized speed, and captured the hearts of men and women alike. The leather jackets developed to protect pilots, racers, and motorists from the elements came to symbolize a romantic sense of rugged adventure. In particular, motorcycle jackets maintained this ideal for decades to come. The first of its kind, this beautiful classic book traces the evolution of the motorcycle jacket over the past century. Hundreds of jackets and accessories from dozens of leather companies past and present are featured in over 1,000 rich color photos--with careful attention to details, original catalog pages, and full pricing information. Surrounding the jackets is a fascinating array of historical photos that capture the motorcycle culture and will make any enthusiast swoon.

Motorcycle jackets have become the symbol of freedom for young people around the world. In this completely new book, with over 1100 color photographs, the jackets are explored in detail and highlighted them with historical photographs. Included are the earliest jackets, racing uniforms, fashions of the Rockers in the United Kingdom, Harley Davidson jackets, and motorcycle jacket art. A guide for valuing jackets is also included.

Fashion.

The Racer Within is a global compilation of the custom motorcycle industry's most influential builders, photographers, events and riders, featuring some beautiful stories and quotes of their inspiring journeys. Compiled with bold and striking photography that showcases the lifestyle and culture of the custom cafe racer community of today, The Racer Within is more than just a motorcycle coffee table book, it's a celebration of the pieces of art we build, ride and love.

Provides An Up-Close Look At The Gear Used For Racing, Touring, And Off-Road Riding.

Nostalgic black-and-white and period color photos depict the legendary Army Air Corps and Air Force jacket as worn by airmen in World War II and the Korean War. Anecdotes and a history of the jacket's service are accompanied by marvelous images of the hand-painted art that more often than not adorned the backs of these garments. *This is a paperback re-issue of Hell Bent for Leather.*

"I gained a great deal this book and expect every other reader will gain likewise" -- Hugh Anderson, MBE, World Champion 1963,'64 and '65 writing in the Foreword. A different and fascinating new look at classic motorcycling with an international flavour -- sure to appeal to all owners (and intending owners) of classic bikes. "Classic Motorcycling" is about buying, riding and maintaining classic motorcycles. It comes complete with sections on survival rates of classics and their price appreciation over recent years with future predictions, and is literally packed full of advice for both aspiring and experienced owners. From choosing the right bike, training for today's traffic, clothing, safety, maintenance, how and where to buy those all important spares, equipping a workshop, projects to improve most classics to simply experiencing the joy of ownership -- its all here.