Superbikes of the Seventies [Hardcover]

Roland Brown (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2002

Some of the most charismatic motorcycles ever produced were built during the 1970s. The decade ushered in shattering performance, evocative styling, and distinctive personalities among the European, Japanese, and American manufacturers. Renowned motorcycling author Roland Brown rides the best of the decade and offers a contemporary perspective on the machines that created the superbike category. This is a must-have book for vintage bike buyers and enthusiasts who want to know more about the strengths-and the weaknesses-of these exciting motorcycles.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Roland Brown has been a motorcycle journalist for two decades. During that time he has ridden and written about everything from a 1928 Douglas to Valentino Rossi's 2001 world championship-winning Honda NSR500. Previously deputy editor of England's Bike, he is now a freelancer whose work is published regularly by motorcycle magazines in 20 countries. This is his seventh book about motorcycles.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: David Bull Publishing (September 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 189361817X
• ISBN-13: 978-1893618176
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #412,569 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #64 in Books > Professional & Technical > Automotive > Motorcycles > History

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb Book, October 3, 2003

By 

J. Edwards "i_am_milo" (Someplace in America) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Superbikes of the Seventies (Hardcover)

Roland Brown has put together a great book showcasing the beginnings of the sport of superbikes. It's nice to see a serious account of an ever more popular past time. We in America area bit slow and backwards (As evidenced by the caveman wanderings of one of the "reviews" of this book...Just how many times can the word "atrociteurs" be included in one inane tirade anyway?), so it's unfortunate to see a reluctance to change be marketed as the embracement of heritage and tradition. It's sad to see so many people act as lemmings and purchase a chrome illusion of brotherhood rather than be truly passionate riders. Labels and stereotypes aside, riding a motorcycle goes beyond such simple-minded definitions originating from ape men that no longer connect with the sport, but instead place a death grip on a now transparent illusion of legacy. It would seem that it's more important to appear as though you have a love for motorcycling by decorating yourself with all of the expected ornamentation that goes along with the ridiculous ideal. True motorcyclist are not imprisoned by false badges of store-bought honor. True motorcyclist do not cast judgment on others for the machine they choose to operate.

Mr. Brown does an outstanding job of showcasing the bikes that were able to go beyond the idea that a motorcycle can only be one thing. He offers a display of machines that stretch and twist away from such foolish expectations. Rather than cling to a long dead icon, he shows us how our future has been paved. In doing so, he creates a vision of what may come next. It's quite clear from his lively description of these now historic superbikes that he is a genuine motorcyclist that has a passion for the sport rather than a delusional outlook on what once was.

The call me...The Realist (aka: Milo)

12 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Save Us, December 31, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Superbikes of the Seventies (Hardcover)

How would you like to go to all the trouble of writing a book, only to have some [one]write a quasi-fundamentalist rant about the most ridiculous motorcycles still manufactured, and then post it as a "review" of your book? ...

0 of 75 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Righteous and the Damned, October 28, 2002

By 

The Highwayman (parts unknown) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Superbikes of the Seventies (Hardcover)

Motorcyclists are known by the machines they ride. And men are known by the company they keep.

These veritable truths account for why Harley men keep to their own kind on the open road. Whether on reconnaissance in local territories, carrying the flag from coast to coast in a well-regulated convoy or striking a daring posse deep into the uncharted badlands, Harley men place their trust and confidence in other men of robust character and proven substance. Men who can be counted on through good times and bad. Men who never surrender, and don't take prisoners. Stout and hearty men who sit proud and righteous in the saddle. Men who make up the Harley-Davidson brethren.

There's no place here for anyone looking for a false way in and an easy way out. There's no place for men or bikes that by artifice are here today but by expediency will be gone tomorrow. There's no place for those who pledge allegiance to far-eastern feudalism by riding Asian atrocity cycles slammed together in some godforsaken land. There's no place for the sniveling lisp and depraved cowardice of atrociteurs who would make a slobbering mockery of real American motorcycling.

That leaves the atrociteurs off on their own, with a facade of pose and pretense, and a despair of resentment and bitterness. Taking the badges of vulgarity off their throwaway contraptions out of shame, but leaving a space as blank as their empty souls. Carrying on with a sham travesty of brotherhood that's nothing but a hollow charade. Pretending to be the real deal but fooling nobody.

Not ordinary American folk, who are comforted that all is well on the home front only when they see genuine Harleys lead their Fourth of July parades down the Main Streets of America. Not womenfolk, who by intuition know the deep rumble of the mighty Big Twin as the unmistakable confirmation that real men are in command of the nation's destiny. Not even youngsters, who have a keen sense of authentic role models and clearly know the difference between a real American motorcycle and some knock-off in tin and plastic.

There's a fork early on in the road for every motorcyclist in America, with paths going off in opposite directions. A life membership in the brotherhood of righteousness is part of the authentic Harley-Davidson experience. A life sentence among the damned is reserved for the atrociteurs.

Choose carefully, `cause there's no turnin' back.

_______________________________

They call me . . . The Highwayman
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