Jumat, 15 Mei 2009

Military Harley Davidson

Harley Davidson
There is no doubt Harley Davidson is a legend and is one of the most famous icons in the world. Countless books have been written about the Harley and the people that riding, most are grudgingly to acknowledged the military motorcycle, often featuring just a few contemporary pictures and some absurdly over restored examples with the mandatory hairy bikers and their babes. Most of these book is really for the coffee table and end up in most book stores remainders.

This latest book from Pat Ware’s keyboard is a welcome and much needed departure.

Well researched and presented as you would expect from this author, it covers in detail Harley Davidson’s enormous military contribution from the WW1 to the present day. When it comes to arguments between the true believers, over the minutiae of what’s right and what’s wrong on military vehicles, the Harley is second only to the jeep. Countless hours have been spent debating the aesthetics of round air cleaners and high mounted headlights. This book isn’t a restorers guide, but it certainly is as essential as the workshop manual.

Pat has a knack of subtly giving the reader in depth knowledge and making it hard to just skim though the pictures without reading the excellent text.

Even the true Harley aficionado will be unlikely to have seen more than a handful of the hundred plus original photos, that are balanced with some carefully chosen colour images of restored bikes. Many of the original pictures are from the USA before the bikes went overseas and also a selection in South African service - where many of the finest restoration projects are still to be found.

Harley Davidson’s more modern and less, in fact totally unglamorous, machines currently in use are also covered in more detail than any other book.

It certainly made me miss my WLA and WLC, both long gone to new owners. It also made me realize how little I really knew about the genre beyond the WW2 45 cubic inch models.

It is a delight to read and highly recommended for all levels of interest.

Tidak ada komentar:

Posting Komentar