Customer Reviews

How to Build a Bonneville Salt Flats Motorcycle (Custom Builder)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you are looking to build a motorcycle for land speed racing, this book is NOT for you. It is clearly a whole different subject than the title implies. It is a story about how a bunch of people all had a hand in planning and building a 120" panhead in a custom frame, and the trials along the way. It was kind of like watching an episode of biker build off. It was interesting, but did not help IN ANY WAY as far as how to build a motorcycle for Bonneville...unless you are building a bike exactly like the one they did. You would do much better to get a rulebook from the SCTA or the AMA and go from there

This is more a story of a group effort on how *not* to proceed, ie, "Learn from my mistakes" been-there-done-that 1st hand account. A very entertaining read, it helps to demonstrate that LSR [land speed record] racing is NOT for the light of pocket; the "budget" effort detailed in this story would have been impossible without the considerable sponsorship noted and emphasized (& rightly so) throughout.

This story is about the wrenching leading up to the LSR event, & very short on the "rider's experience" as the author/builder chose to have a professional drag racer ride his machine during the actual record attempt.

Like I said, this is more about "How I bungled things, watch & see what can go wrong" than some formulaic "this is what you need to do" and manifestly more enjoyable reading because of it!

While this book does tell the reader how to build a salt flats motorcycle, which is why I bought the book, I discovered it also told an extremely entertaining story. Mr. Ball's salt-flat experience became a family affair, and the author managed to make all of the characters involved interesting and engaging. Perhaps this is because of his background as a fiction writer (check out his fiction--if you love motorcycles, you're in for a treat). I recommend this book even to people who don't have dreams of running on the salt flats themselves. Good job, Mr. Ball.

I enjoyed reading this book, but I feel that it's description wasn't accurate. When I orginally bought it, I thought it was going to be a more comprehensive guide on how to build a motorcycle for Bonneville, however it turned out to be more of a story about the people that built it and the problems they encountered along the way. Also, much of the book is e-mails or phone conversations between the Bikernet team and the engine builder, race officials, exhaust experts, ect... In the begining of the book the author also states that this isn't really a How-To book and more of a story. That being said, this book is still very informative if you can read between the lines and pay attention, I have learned some new things and have been shown how much work it takes to accomlish what these people do. I would've still bought this book even if I knew how it was written from before hand and I recommend it to anyone who has an interest in Land Speed Racing and motorcycles.

Salt Flat Motorcycle is a well written enjoyable read. The build section of the book reminds me of watching an episode of "American Chopper" without the drama. The major components are purchased while the speced frame is fitted out in house.

My favorite part is the account of the runs at Bonneville. It shows that you may show up, but you never beat the salt. It allows you to run.

A good read, especially enjoyable for Harley fans.