Italian Custom Motorcycles

Many books have been published about Italian motorcycles, but none has focused exclusively on the Italian motorcycle-based chopper, bobber, trike, and quad custom bike scene – until now. Even though customising is not normally associated with Italian brands, there are some fantastic individually-built Italian custom bikes out there, old and new. In recognition of the trend, Ducati entered into a new market segment when it launched its power cruiser Diavel in November 2010, while Moto Guzzi has its Aquila Nero range ... these and many other custom-style bikes have been well-received in the customs scene. This book looks at some of the fascinating custom projects around the world, accompanied by stunning photography of the finished bikes. A great book for Italian bike fans, and fans of the custom bike scene in general.

There have been plenty of books published about Italian motorcycles, and a few covering the café racer genre, but none has covered the evolution of the Italian sportsbike into the Italian café racer – until now. Coming from a nation with a great motorcycle racing heritage, Italian motorcycles have, unsurprisingly, always had a sporting flair. This book lifts the lid on the growing trend of custom Italian café conversions, illustrated in detail with stunning images of select sporting, racing, and caféd Italian motorcycles. Italian Café Racers celebrates stunning Italian bikes from all over the globe. From the old to the modern, from horizontal-singles to inline sixes, this book reveals these stylish machines in all their innovative glory. Whether you’re a entusiasta, a follower of the café racer culture, or simply appreciate beautiful bikes, this book is guaranteed to interest and inspire … see the ‘caféd’ side of Italian bikes.

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.

Author: Mick Walker. Italy has a reputation for style in all things, not least in motorcycles. The first pure-bred Italian motorcycles made their appearance at the beginning of the 20th century and included Bianchi, Borgo, Prinetti & Stucchi and Ferrera. By the 1920s these companies had been joined or replaced by a number of newer concerns. Then came the period of the pentarchia, comprising Benelli, Bianchi, Garelli, Gilera and Guzzi, who fought tooth and nail for a share of the market. The golden age of Italian motorcycling lasted until 1957 when the three largest and most successful teams, FB Mondial, Gilera and Guzzi announced their retirement from the sport. This improved the chances of marques such as MV Agusta, Bianchi, Benelli, Morini and Ducati who continued to fly the red, white and green flag of Italy with considerable success. Italy not only produced a host of world-beating machinery, but also a number of top riders including Carlo Ubbiali, Umberto Masetti, Tarquinio Provini, Libero Liberati and most notably Giacomo Agostini. Contents: Aermacchi, Aprilia, Benelli, Bianchi, Bimota, Cagiva, Ducati, Garelli, Gilera, Laverda, FB Mondial, Morbidelli, Moto Guzzi, Moto Morini, MV Agusta, Parilla, Paton & Rumi. A total of 256 fully illustrated pages.

This book takes a look at some of the fantastic British-based custom bikes around the globe. A celebration of all things ‘custom Brit,’ it is the only book devoted entirely to the British custom motorcycle, revealing the innovative, fresh approach to British motorcycle-based custom bike building.

Japanese Custom Motorcycles is the first book to show the evolution of the Japanese cruiser in the ‘metric’ custom scene. The growing trend of customising metric bikes into choppers, bobbers, et al – be they high-end bikes, garage-built beauties, or more recent Japanese cruisers – is superbly illustrated with examples from all over the world. Featuring owner’s stories and technical descriptions, Japanese Custom Motorcycles is guaranteed to interest metric bike fans and members of the custom scene alike. From singles, twins, triples, fours, and sixes – see the custom side of Japanese motorcycles.

Following his dismissal from a job he never should have had, the author packs a tent, some snacks, and a suit, and sets out on a two-wheeled adventure across Europe. Includes maps and illustrations, hints and tips, places to stay, plus valuable first-hand guidance on what to do when things go wrong.