Motorcycles are mythic, far more than mere transportation, but some are in a class of their own, truly legendary machines. There are the Triumphs: James Deans, Marlon Brandos in The Wild Ones, the one Steve McQueen took over the fence in The Great Escape. There are Evel Knievels and Elviss Harleys, the Easy Rider Stars n Stripes bike, and T. E. Lawrences Brough Superior SS100; Von Dutchs Condor, Craig Vetters Mystery Ship, and Mike Hailwoods Honda RC162. These are just some of the machines that have made motorcycle history, and that make this book a feast for the eyes and a fact-filled odyssey for the motorcycle aficionado.
Illustrated with commissioned photographs and historical images, the book profiles the bikes--not just the models but the actual motorcycles--that have achieved legendary status in the last century. Their stories, told here in detail for the first time, make up the story of the motorcycle in American culture. See Motorbooks author Basem Wasef interviewed by Jay Leno on JayLenosGarage.com: http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/jays-book-club-basem-wasef/1168295/
About the Author :
Basem Wasef's fascination with all things automotive spans back to his childhood in London, where he was known to sing Happy Birthday to his extensive collection of Matchbox cars. Though his enthusiasm has taken him from the Arctic Circle to Modena in pursuit of extraordinary and exotic vehicles, he can't imagine living anywhere but car-crazed Los Angeles.
Review :
Detroit Free Press, Dec. 13, 2007
Detroitfreepress.com, Dec. 13, 2007
"LegendaryMotorcycles: The Stories and Bikes Made Famous by Elvis, Peter Fonda, Kenny Roberts, and Other Motorcycling Greats, by Basem Wasef. Available in bookstores or through www.motorbooks.com."
SPEEDtv.com, review by
"Legendary Motorcycles is a winner from Jay Leno's Foreword to the Timeline. Wasef's research reveals some interesting tidbits: James Dean stored his motorcycle at the Greenwich Village garage where Steve McQueen worked as a part-time motorcycle mechanic. The two would bond over their love of bikes. Legendary Motorcycles earns four out of five lug nuts. What a ride!"
RoadRunner Magazine, December 2007
"A good, nostalgic read that belongs in the collection of any enthusiast who knows why motorcycles are so much more than just machines."
Gregg Leary, September 2007
The Antique Motorcycle, December 2007
"Legendary Motorcycles is unique among motorcycling literature in its pursuit of the story behind the riders and their machines. The unforgettable stories are sure to please ... you won't be disappointed."
Rep-am.com, November 2007
"Legendary Motorcycles ... exquisite photography and concise storytelling ... offers something entertaining and worthwhile to longtime riders and to newbies."
Cmgonline.com, Nov. 21, 2007
"Good book. Buy it in time for Christmas and you'll have a happy motorcycling friend."
