Motorcycling in the '50s (Veloce Classic Reprint) - Softcover

Clew, Jeff

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1787110990 ISBN 13: 9781787110991

Publisher: Veloce, 2017

Synopsis

Reprinted after many years of absence! For many, a motorcycle bought at the beginning of the 1950s was a first taste of the freedom offered by personal transport. Although British postwar austerity was fading, money was still tight and new machines virtually unobtainable, but there were plenty of cheap prewar machines around and an ex-War Department motorcycle could be bought from one of the big city dealers on the never-never; better still it would be sent to your local railway station. Ex-army dispatch riders coats and boots would serve to keep the weather at bay as the new motorcyclists explored and enjoyed the quiet roads in a pre-motorway era. The decade would become a Golden Era of motorcycling as manufacturers brought new and excitingly advanced machines to an appreciative audience which had never even heard of a Japanese motorcycle. Motorcycle sport mushroomed in popularity at a time when you actually had to go to the race to see it and helped to reinforce the public s ever-growing enthusiasm for the motorcycle. the era would also see the arrival of the moped, scooter and bubblecar. For those that were there, Jeff Clew s insight to motorcycling of the 50s will provide a delightful nostalgic journey into the past, while those younger riders who cherish 1950s motorcycles today will discover a whole new dimension to their enjoyment of the machines.

About this title

Review

In the book's 13 chapters, Clew recalls a lot of details that might have been lost to history altogether. the little things that riders of today probably would not have guessed could be challenges, such as getting decent riding gear, evolving rules of the road and regulation, societal attitudes toward motorcyclists and the motorcycling culture itself. He also recalls important details about a range of motorcycle marques of the day - most of which are long gone. For fans of the Isle of Man TT, Clew has a chapter devoted to the event, which provide insights you probably can't get anywhere else. Details that you probably never considered are covered in detail, such as what an enormous hassle it was to get a motorcycle to and from the island back in the days before drive-on ferry service. Peppered with images that include racing, trials, and the TT, illustrations and advertising art from the period, Motorcycling in the 50s is a treasure for those interested in the bikes and the times that were the fifties. --Ultimate Motorcycling

This reviewer loved the black and white, almost 'scrapbook' design of this large-format classic reprint by Jeff Clew from Veloce Publishing. All the spontaneity, simplicity and promise of things to come that defined the 1950s come to life on every one of its 144 pages - and who needs colour anyway? Liberally laced with old photos and period adverts, it takes the reader on a fulfilling trip back through time. A colourful BSA advert featuring a Golden Flash and a Bantam makes the perfect front cover. --Old Bike Mart

I found the whole book extremely interesting and brought back many happy memories, and it has a special place on my bookshelf. --On The Level

About the Author

Jeff Clew was an active motorcyclist from 1946 in both road and competition events. Retired in 1991 as Editorial Director of the Haynes Publishing Group. He was a regular contributor to Old Bike Mart, and on irregular occasions to most other motorcycling magazines. He was a member of the Vintage MCC and founder of one of its Sections, also a member of the Le Velo Club and of the London Douglas MCC and the Kickstart Club of Torbay. He has also had experience of broadcasting on radio and TV.

About this edition

• Publisher: Veloce
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 1787110990
• ISBN 13: 9781787110991
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 144