A beautiful and comprehensive celebration of the art and design of classic motorcycles, from the early twentieth century through the 1950s.

This is the most beautiful book of its kind: celebrating the art and design of the luxury motorcycle by presenting forty of the best-designed and most enduringly iconic motorcycles ever made, spanning half a century. The book showcases forty rare and exceptional motorcycles, from 1905 to 1956, presented in chronological order, illustrated with stunning studio photographs that present the machines as works of art and wonders of design in themselves. An international roster is featured: a 1905 Peugeot Factory Racer, a 1916 Indian Power Plus, a 1929 Majestic, a 1936 Excelsior Manxman, a 1951 Harley Davidson 750CC WR, a 1951 Vincent 1000CC Black Shadow, and a 1955 Triumph Tiger Cub, among others. Written by a motorcycle collector and expert, the book presents the history of the motorcycle through the most significant makes of all time. Each is accompanied by detailed images and texts covering the bike s background, legends behind the machines, feats of design and engineering, and tales of classic races, rallies, and motorcycle shows. The book is enhanced with reproductions of period ads and historic photos, evoking a sense of time and place.