Harley Davidson Reviews

Harley riders develope a passion for the bikes. Maybe it has something to do with a safe vent for midlife crisis. If you are looking for a Harley novel read "The Second Coming Of Age" by: C. Vedrine

While the title suggests a listing of parts you can buy for your Harley, the book actually covers "What you can do to your Harley". The sub-title says it better: "A Guide to Personalizing Your Bike". The book is loaded with fabulous photos (and diagrams, where needed, like where they tell you about the real meaning of dyno numbers). I read every single page with great care and attention, and I know I will do so again.

The table of contents clues you in right away about what awaits you inside: Paint, Seats, Handlebars and Foot Controls, Powertrain, Suspension, Wheels and brakes. The subtitles in each section go much further. Installing inspection covers, re-jetting the carb, how to lower your bike (and why you may not want to), practical advice on changing handlebars, choosing an exhaust system, and setting up your suspension are just a taste of what you'll be getting into in here.

If you're wondering what are the possibilities for modifying your Harley-Davidson, here's the place to start.

Knowledgeably written by Herbert Wagner (a recognized authority on Harley-Davidson motorcycles), At The Creation: Myth, Reality, And The Origin Of The Harley-Davidson Motorcycle, 1901-1909 is the meticulously researched history of this popular favorite two-wheeled motorized vehicle and the Milwaukee, Wisconsin company that made them. Black-and-white photographs (some of them vintage) wonderfully embellish the straightforward, factual recounting of the history of the Harley-Davidson motorcycle, including its first race, first dealer, the first customer, as well as the many myths concerning its creation that would later go on to become full fledged urban legends. At The Creation is an excellent and fascinating survey for motorcycle buffs in general, and Harley-Davidson fans in particular!

Herb Wagner has written a book that will become a classic. What
a good story. And his conclusions will amaze you. The pioneer days of motorcycling in America are brought to life with exquisite detail. Never seen before photgraphs. A must read for
any motorcycle enthusiast.

This is a well photographed calendar of some of the best the Harley-Davidson archives has to offer. If you have bad weather where you can't ride, or you just want to think of something else while you're at work, this is a great calendar to own.

Buy it for all your hog-loving friends:)

Rainy days when you can't ride make this calendar for days when you can. Don't miss the rare Harley Davidson novel "THE SECOND COMING OF AGE" by: Vedrine

Last winter I checked this book out from the local Library for my boyfriend who was very sick in the hospital. He and his friend loved it so much they asked if they could just buy it straight from the Library. I refused to do that and returned the book. Guess What? He will be getting this for Christmas! They like motorcycles and enjoyed this book. They give it a high rating!

As someone who is interested with the people racing the machines I was a little disappointed with the book. While it gives a very good, concise history of the two brands and the men that ran the companies it really does not focus that much on the racers who played out the rivalry on the boards, dirt tracks and hills. The book also seems to focus on the Indian Company more than the Harley company. Naturally one finds themselves rooting for the underdog Indian to find them loosing out in the end. I definately recommend this book for people interested in the history of these companies.

This color-history book explains the unique oiling system of Harleys' first (intake and exhaust) OverHead Valve motor. Greg Field is one of the few authors that has access to Harley-Davidsons' detailed black and white "studio" photographs. The Knucklehead motor with those oil-filled lower valve spring covers and the utilization of internal suction created by the breather gear, is the epitome of "last minute" American engineering, that was developed in several stages. This book reveals the process. The Knuckle motor was a "runner" back then, and a "runner" today. So, be taken on a journey through what it took to produce this highly respected machine. - Kirk Perry

If you want to know about knuckleheads, this book will tell you. It is full of great photo's as well. It was an EXCELLANT reading experience. Greg Field really did his homework when he wrote this!

If you own an original, or if you're building, a 1948-1965 Tedd Cycle (V-Twin) Replica Panhead, you will need every piece of written material you can get your hands on. This service manual covers areas that our manual does not (i.e., Linkert carburetors, transmissions, forks, brakes, "mousetraps" and 1965 Electra-Glides) and vise-versa. You will need the H-D (OEM) 1959-1969 service manual; our book (if you ever want to know how to change-out your clutch hub liner or change from hydraulic to solid lifters); and you will need this book. With these three books you can keep your machine running. On January 9, 2002, Tedd Cycle released an OEM-style set of Knuckle cylinder heads, and a complete Knuckle motor. Also released were three historical versions of the Pan cylinder heads: the OEM-style (Linkert carburetor-intake port) 1948-'54 "plumber" & 1955-'62 "O-Ring" manifold pattern and 1963-'65 external-oiler version.
Now, anyone can build an authenic replica of a Knucklehead or Panhead motorcycle, and everyone owes Tedd Cycle for taking the time to do it right. This Clymer book will show you what an over-milled set of Pan heads look like; so when we're out there looking through scrap heaps at swap meets, for a set of (useable) Linkert intake heads (if such a thing still exist), maybe we won't end up with a doorstop.© Kirk Perry 2002

This is a Clymer maintenace book for Harley Panheads. It is a very good book on care and feeding of panheads, but the Amazon description makes it look like the history of pans. One good good thing is that there is a section of the book which describes the proper paint and features for particular year pans. Useful for restores.

The pictures are in general too small. I would like them at least twice as large.

Bruce Palmer is already well known for his book: "How to restore your Harley-Davidson", that is considered world-wide as the bible on restoring older HD's. His new book is presented as a companion to that book. So it does not cover the restoration process itself but concentrates on describing the correct parts and finish. It gives detailed descriptions of the relation between engine-numbers, war department registration numbers and U.S.Army contract specifications. All military HD's built between 1932 and 1952 are presented. In total 38 types, including of course WLA (For the 42WLA alone 7 flavors are distinguished) and WLC, but also XA, the big twins and others. Very valuable for WLA restorers is the matrix describing all parts that differentiate the 17 types of WLA (40WLA - 52WLA).

Using both books it is possible to restore your military HD to factory-fresh specification. An exception is the rare experimental XA (the BMW R-71 clone) that is described to great detail in this book, but lacks support from the first book.

Restoring to 'motor pool' specification (bikes as seen in the field) is not treated in the book beyond the pointing to common pitfalls. For unit markings the reader is deferred to U.S.Army publication AR 850-5. There are about 250 pictures in the book. In general I would have liked more photo's of bikes in actual use to support the restoration to 'motor pool' instead of 'factory fresh'.

This is really a most wonderful book, that is bound to get again the label 'bible' attached to it. And rightly so! In my classic HD club there's always a lot of discussion on what is right and what is wrong for a certain WLA or WLC, and until now nobody was really convincing because the supporting material was lacking. From now on if anyone disagrees with this book, he (she) better provide proof! In short: recommended!

Well I had to rate it something, or Amazon's software wouldn't accept the note . . . I guess five stars will have to do.

As of October 9, 2001, this book is again immediately available directly from our stock, and usually ships in 24 hours.

I appreciate your patience in waiting for the reprint, but here it is, available right now, and at no price increase.

Thank You!

Mike Arman

Having taken the time to actually read the book and put it to good use on my Sportster. I definately give it a thumbs up attitude.

Having met one of the authors about 10 years ago was the icing on the cake. I used to have his addy, but I lost it. If anyone knows where his bio is, I'd like to see it.

Valkrie

I read a friend's grease smudged copy a few years back and decided this was one of the greatest bike books ever written. I have been trying to find my very own copy ever since. Thank you for re-releasing it.

As of January 1, 2001, this book is available again, and shipping from our stock within 24 hours of receipt of order.

I'd like to personally thank everyone for their patience, and the waiting is now over!

No price increase, either!

(And of course I rated it five stars, I had to rate it something or the server wouldn't take the message.)

Arlen Ness is a legendary Guru of motorcycle design. If you are looking for a novel about Harleys "THE SECOND COMING OF AGE" by: C. Vedrine