Bøker av Greg Pullen

BSA was once the world's most successful motorcycle company, manufacturing more machines than any other in the world by the mid-1950s. And yet, after winning the Queens Award to Industry for exports in 1967 and 1968, it collapsed into bankruptcy in 1973.  This is an epic story of rise and fall, even by the precarious standards of the British motorcycle industry. With more than 170 illustrations, this book recalls the founding of the company and its foray into bicycle and then motorcycle production and describes the evolution of the various models of motorcycles including specification tables. It discusses the diversification into cars, commercial vehicles and guns for Spitfires and recounts the successes - two Maudes Trophies and numerous racing victories. Finally, it documents the fall from grace to bankruptcy and beyond.

Greg Pullen charts the rise, fall and rise again of Royal Enfield, from the company’s pre-motorcycle beginnings in Redditch, through the impact of the two World Wars, the importance of exports to India and subsequent establishment of factories there, to changes in ownership, recently launched models and new concept bikes for the future. With 190 photographs, this book includes the V-twins, from the 1930s K and KX range to a glimpse of the concept V-twin shown in 2018; the singles, from 2-strokes to side-valve 4-strokes, and the ohv versions that first used the Bullet name, through to the new singles built in India. The British Bullet: its arrival in 1948 and production in UK, the original orders from India and subsequent setting up of production there are discussed. The 250s (1958–68), including the Turbo Twins, and the big twins, from the 1948 500 are covered along with the Twin to the final Interceptor in 1970, including the 800cc prototype and the Clymer Indians. The new twins: the 650cc Royal Enfield Interceptor and Continental GT twins and the Bobber concept bike are featured as well as competition success, with notable ISDT achievements, star rider Johnny Brittain and racing the big twins, and Geoff Duke in the GP5. The British factories and new opportunities with the Indian factories are remembered.

Classic TT Racers: The Grand Prix Years 1949-1976 is a history and tribute to some of the most important and successful motorcycles that raced during the TT's years as host of the British round of the motorcycle world championship. Topics include the events and personalities that led to the creation of the race and its challenging course. The early success of the British motorcycle manufacturers -Norton, Velocette, AJS and Matchless - and their riders are covered as are the origins of the Italian Fours - Gilera and MV Agusta Quattro.  The influence and reign of the Japanese manufacturers - Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki and Suzuki - are discussed.  Finally, details are included of the technical developments that enabled the bikes to conquer the  mountain course with world-record beating times.

Italian motorcycles have a place in history - and many enthusiast's hearts - out of all proportion to the numbers that been built. If the number of motorcycles built by Italian manufacturers is small, the sheer number of Italian motorcycle factories will surprise readers. A-Z of Italian Motorcycle Manufacturers is the most complete directory of Italian motorcycles available today. In addition to covering the most famous Italian factories, this is a definitive guide to the marques that have had little or no coverage. Some might be familiar, while others are remembered for their racing achievements, and many will never had been heard of by most readers. Topics covered include the history of the once great factories; marques that build motorcycles exclusively for racing; details of the most important motorcycles each manufacturer built, and each marques' greatest achievement.