The Art of the Racing Motorcycle - 100 Years of Designing for Speed

Phillip Tooth

ISBN 10: 0789322137 / ISBN 13: 9780789322135

Published by Universe, 2010

About this Item

Racing motorcycles are curious works of art. They are created with one singular purpose?to go faster than everything else?and yet in the relentless pursuit of speed they often become objects of extraordinary beauty. Every curve, every fairing, every polished alloy component and impossibly sculpted fuel tank exists because somebody, somewhere, believed it might shave a fraction of a second from a lap time. The result is a collection of machines that are as captivating in a gallery as they are on a starting grid. The Art of the Racing Motorcycle: 100 Years of Designing for Speed celebrates this remarkable marriage of engineering and aesthetics in spectacular fashion. Phillip Tooth guides readers through a century of motorcycle racing innovation, exploring the machines that have defined Grand Prix racing, endurance events, road racing and countless other forms of two-wheeled competition. From pioneering single-cylinder racers to sophisticated modern superbikes bristling with technology, the book charts the relentless evolution of speed, design and mechanical ingenuity. What makes this volume particularly special is its emphasis on the visual artistry of these extraordinary motorcycles. Beautifully photographed throughout, every page showcases machines that blur the boundary between industrial engineering and sculpture. Even readers with little technical knowledge will appreciate the elegance of polished aluminium frames, impossibly compact engines, graceful fairings and the sheer confidence of designs created with absolutely no interest whatsoever in cup holders, luggage space or the school run. Alongside the stunning photography, Tooth provides fascinating historical context, explaining how racing has continually driven technological progress. Disc brakes, advanced suspension, aerodynamic bodywork, lightweight materials and countless other innovations all owe much to the competitive world where engineers are forever attempting to persuade the laws of physics to become slightly more negotiable. The result is a history not only of motorcycles, but of human determination to travel ever faster while remaining balanced on what is, at heart, two wheels and a remarkably optimistic attitude. The book features legendary manufacturers, iconic riders and unforgettable racing machines from around the world, each representing a milestone in the development of motorcycle design. It serves as a reminder that today?s road bikes often carry the DNA of machines that once thundered around circuits with exhaust notes capable of rearranging nearby internal organs and enough horsepower to make self-preservation seem almost optional. Published by Universe, this is an exceptionally handsome large-format volume, lavishly printed on high-quality paper with photography that deserves to be lingered over. Whether displayed proudly on a coffee table or consulted regularly by dedicated motorcycle enthusiasts, it combines visual impact with thoughtful commentary to create a book that is every bit as satisfying as the machines it celebrates. This copy is in As New condition, with immaculate pages, crisp covers and a fresh appearance throughout. It has clearly been exceptionally well cared for and presents beautifully, making it an excellent choice for collectors, racing enthusiasts or anyone with an appreciation for the artistry of mechanical design. Offered by Crappy Old Books , where the company name continues to promise a dusty assortment of literary survivors while quietly producing magnificent volumes like this instead. We can?t provide the accompanying racing leathers, pit crew or the courage required to lean into a corner at 180 mph with your knee skimming the tarmac, but this remarkable book captures all the elegance, innovation and controlled insanity of motorcycle racing from the comfort of your favourite armchair?and with considerably lower insurance premiums.

Seller Inventory # 6788

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Art of the Racing Motorcycle - 100 Years of Designing for Speed
• Publisher: Universe
• Publication Date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0789322137
• ISBN 13: 9780789322135
• Binding: Hardback
• Condition: As New

About this title

Synopsis

A lavishly illustrated and definitive look at the design evolution of the racing motorcycle. The dynamic between competition and design has always fueled the evolution of racing motorcycles and inspired astonishing feats of design and engineering. This book traces the development of the sport bike, from the earliest French motorcycles to the dominance of British machinery in the 1930s, the exotic Italian motorcycles of the 1950s and 1960s, the influence of American racing in the 1970s and 1980s, and today’s Japanese superbikes. More than fifty classic motorcycles—from Harley-Davidsons to Peugeots, Velocettes, Moto Guzzis, BMWs, Kawasakis, and Ducatis—are presented chronologically illustrated with stunning studio photographs that present the machines as works of art and wonders of design in themselves, accompanied by rare and beautiful archival images that place the subjects in the contexts of classic races, rallies, and motorcycle shows, and accompanied by essays revealing the legends behind the machines. Some of the championship motorcycles featured include the 1902 Manon, the 1922 Harley Davidson 8-valve, the 1935 Terrot 500, the 1948 AJS Porcupine, the 1954 Moto Guzzi V8, the 1965 Honda GP 250, The 1976 Suzuki RK67, the 1986 Cagiva GP, and the 1990 Ducati Supermono.

About the Author

Phillip Tooth has been a journalist for over 20 years. For 10 years was editor of UK magazines Classic Bike, The Classic MotorCycle, and also Motorcyclenews.com before becoming a freelance writer so that he could spend more time with his motorcycles. He now writes for magazines throughout the world, including Klassic Motorrad (Germany), Moto Légende (France), BMW Bikes (Japan), Motorcycle Classics (US), and Motor (Netherlands). Jean-Pierre Pradères ran a studio in Paris where his clients included famous fashion house Hermès, and now devotes his time to photographing motorcycles and bicycles. A regular contributor to Moto Légende (France), his work has also featured in the Guggenheim's The Art of the Motorcycle, and Rizzoli's The Golden Age of the Hand-Built Bicycle.