The Motorcycle Story Cyril Posthumus Dave Richmond HC DJ 1979 Harley Indian BSA good Kawasaki Honda Enfield

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Offering Today a Vintage 1979 The Motorcycle Story by Cyril Posthumus and Dave Richmond. Printed Great Britain. 128 pages. Hardcover with Dustjacket. Photo Illustrated.

Measures 12" tall x 9" wide.

The earliest designs for a motorcycle were steam-powered, and doomed to failure. With the coming of the internal combustion engine in 1885, the motorcycle became a practical reality. By the early 20th century the basic pattern was established.
Road racing encouraged the introduction of many features which are now taken for granted - the clutch and gearbox, overhead valve engines, chain drive, better brakes and the foot gearchange. The many contemporary photographs and specially commissioned colour illustrations show the development of these elements.
The book continues with Britain's introduction of the overhead valve vertical twin, a description of the stormy days before and after the Second World War, and explains how the urgent need to export combined with the worldwide demand to bring boom manufacturing and sales conditions for over a decade.
During the 1960s, however, intensive production by over half a dozen motorcycle manufacturing countries brought near-satiation, making buyers more and more discerning, and markets ever tougher to penetrate. The choice lay between tradition bound British machines, soundly built but mostly conservative in design, advanced European models, and sleek, sophisticated, computer designed motorcycles from the dynamic new Japanese industry. Inevitably, Japanese modernity, as emphasized by multi-cylinders, overhead camshafts, five-speed gearboxes and electric starters, won the day.

Good condition. Binding is intact. No torn or missing pages. No writing that I found. Cover shows minimal wear including fading, discoloration normal with age, use and storage. Please see photos.

This Vintage Book would make a welcome addition to your collection or gift for someone special. good