Donny's Unauthorized Technical Guide to Harley Davidson 1936 to Present: Volume II: Performancing the Twin Cam [Paperback]

Donny Petersen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 30, 2008

Donny Petersen offers the real deal in performancing your Harley-Davidson Twin Cam. Graphics, pictures, and charts guide the reader on a sure-footed journey to a thorough H-D Twin Cam performance understanding. Petersen's insight makes technical issues understandable even for the novice. Donny simply explains what unfailingly works in performancing the Twin Cam. This is the second volume of Petersen's long-awaited Donny's Unauthorized Technical Guide to Harley Davidson 1936 to Present. This twelve-volume series by the dean of motorcycle technology examines the theory, design, and practical aspects of Twin Cam performance. Donny studied privately with Harley-Davidson engineers, having worked on Harleys for over 35 years. He founded Toronto's Heavy Duty Cycles in 1974, North America's premier motorcycle shop. Donny has ridden hundreds of performanced Shovels, Evos, and Twin Cams across four continents doing all of his own roadside repairs. He has acquired his practical knowledge the hard way. Donny has the privilege of sharing his performance secrets the easy way. Donny will walk you through detailed performancing procedures like headwork, turbo-supercharging, nitrous, big-inch Harleys and completing simple hop-up procedures like air breathers, exhausts, and ignition modifications. Donny Petersen feels honored to share the wealth of his motorcycle knowledge and technical expertise.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Donny established and has operated Heavy Duty Cycles in Toronto, Canada, since 1974; his monthly column "Techline" has appeared in American Iron Magazine since 1992. Instructed privately by Harley-Davidson engineers, Donny has taught mechanics, designed tech-school curricula, and authored student-licensing examinations. A Toronto resident, Petersen now writes his 12-volume technical encyclopedia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 740 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse (December 30, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595527450
• ISBN-13: 978-0595527458
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #504,349 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Technical book, June 25, 2009

By 

Jan Trendowski (E. Haddam, CT, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Donny's Unauthorized Technical Guide to Harley Davidson 1936 to Present: Volume II: Performancing the Twin Cam (Paperback)

I genuinely enjoyed both volumes of his Harley Encyclopedia. I am an amateur HD mechanic and have read all of the books by Rook, Buzzelli and every other performance book I could find. Peterson has a deep understanding and interest in HD engines. His comments are all well taken and even Denish's books don't get to Peterson's tech depth, though Peterson doesn't restrict himself to only performance related topics. Many of his chapters are purely engineering analysis and excellent nonetheless. I'm sorry he Didn't begin the projected 12 volume series with Sportsters, but I bought a 2001 TC88 yesterday and his books are the bibles. His writing style is more or a series of comments by category, but very readable and good natured. From a purely objective viewpoint, his books would only appeal to the HD enthusiast who really wants to master the machine. For my part, I loved them. I also recommend Denish (out of print) and Bill Rook's "How to build a Harley Torque Monster" (very available). Bill Rook's book is mistitled as it is truly one of the best and simplest performance manuals out there. Denish goes into deeper depth and is also excellent, but the Peterson books are as detailed as one can get. Both Rook and Denish illustrate their various techniques and thoeries. Peterson has no pictures and is for the technician who already knows how things work.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Guide, November 20, 2009

By 

regnar88 (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Donny's Unauthorized Technical Guide to Harley Davidson 1936 to Present: Volume II: Performancing the Twin Cam (Paperback)

One of the best manuals for the Harley Twin Cam motor. Volume I: the Twin Cam was rather poorly written, but chock full of knowledge broken down into understandable pieces. Volume II is easier to read thanks to an improved editor. Donny is the Einstein of Harley engines. Can't wait to get my hands on Volume III!
I HIGHLY recommend this to anyone who wants to know exactly how and why the Twin Cam works and how to make it that much better of a motor.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Book Review, March 26, 2009

By 

Anthony H. Schaller (NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Donny's Unauthorized Technical Guide to Harley Davidson 1936 to Present: Volume II: Performancing the Twin Cam (Hardcover)

Awesome text loaded with information that appeals to all knowledge levels. Book contains nothing short of precise, objective, "tribal" knowledge. It's so impressive that if my HD dealership can't incorporate the fixes for my CVO 110, I'll haul my bikes to Toronto from NC to Donny's shop to do the work. Thanks Donny !