The Modern Motorcycle 1915: How to Run, Ride and Repair it - Hardcover

Davies, B. H.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 190889010X ISBN 13: 9781908890108

Publisher: classicmotorcyclemanuals.com, 2014

Synopsis

The book with its delightfully illustrated cover contains 170 pages of text with over 90 excellent illustrations giving a clear and easily read summary of all aspects of motor cycling. Twenty chapters with titles ranging from 'Choosing a Motor Cycle' to the final one 'Insurance and Accidents'. Whilst practical in all its delivery, some solutions are to us probably not relevant now but never-the-less interesting as a reflection of the times. If given the task of producing such a book I cannot think of any additional chapter title which might be of use within the context of an introduction to motor cycling, this book is comprehensive. For those interested historians who wish to extend their studies, there are many fascinating details which would otherwise be lost in the mists of time. Under the heading 'The Motor Cyclist and the Law' we find 'we are allowed to store up to sixty gallons of petrol, must obey a speed limit maximum of 20mph imposed on all roads, and must not ride machines without either a bell, whistle, hooter or other alarm', and much more. Emergencies to avoid a collision it advises' if you can drive into the hedge at an acute angle, it is not at all likely you will be badly hurt,' or 'if you fail to stop your machine you can slip off the tail of the machine, fall on the road stomach downwards and let the machine take the collision without you'. Even at 20mph I think I might avoid this last remedy! I could go on relating many of the quotes, but the reader will enjoy discovering them for themselves, including chapters which cover engines, magnetos, carbs, lubrication and transmission with details of the mysteries which lie inside the contemporary hub clutch and gearbox. Added to all these gems are the many full page advertisements which in themselves are an education and delight from accessories to complete motor cycles.

About this title

About the Author

By 1915 Basil H Davies had been riding motor cycles for 16 years and had covered hundreds of thousand miles on various models. He had been writing prolifically on the subject for over 12 years and yet at the age of 36 the Rev B H Davies BA aka Ixion of 'The Motor Cycle' remained anonymous to his thousands of avid readers. Basil was not a trained mechanic and had learned his motor cycling skills the hard way, but he was a very eloquent writer, and this new reproduction is not a patronising introduction for new motor cyclists but gives a generous understanding and explanation of the joys and pitfalls which contemporary riders might experience.

Edition details

• Publisher: classicmotorcyclemanuals.com
• Publication date: 2014
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 190889010X
• ISBN 13: 9781908890108
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 192