Product Description

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #108689 in Books
• Published on: 1998
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

Customer Reviews

Inside looks into the British Motorcycle Industry
The book "Whatever happened to the British Motorcycle Industry?" by Bert Hopwood gives an insight in the fascinating field of motorcycle production from the pre-WW II years until the early 70s in Great Britain. It recalls the working life of its author, who was associated with the famous British names of Triumph, BSA and Norton. The book is unique in two ways: firstly, it does not concentrate of the technical side of the bikes. Instead, it is based on a broader perspective. It tells its readers why certain motorcycles were built and why others were scrapped. Secondly, it offers first-hand explanations of what went wrong with the British producers. One is reminded that the so-called 'Japanese onslaught', starting in the early 1960s, could have been prevented, had the British reacted in time with modern features that were already designed (multi-cylinder ohc-machines) or put their focus on smaller bikes being manufactured with economies-of-scale a.s.o.

It is a book that tells the sad history of the British motorcycle industry that once was on top of the world but virtually ceded to exist with the collapse of NVT in the early 1970s. It is seen through the eyes of a key figure, who worked for decades in the field of motorcycle design and production. Anyone, whose interest goes beyond the number of valves used in a certain engine, is recommended to read this book! I suppose it is the only one of its kind that gives that much detailed information on a non-scientific level.

Good combo of historical/technical/autobiographical lit.
Hopwood worked in turn for at least 4 British motorcycle manufacturers (Ariel, Triumph, BSA, Norton) during the best and other times of the business. While being quite critically-minded towards the management of his employers, the creator of the Norton Dominator and other classics acknowledges the work of other motorcycle manufacturers, in particular that of the Japanese. The sad demise of the British motorcycle industry is commented in a silently amusing way, as far as such is possible. Picture material is interesting also and gains from illuminating captions. To my opinion, a book which is interesting not only for owners and riders of British bikes, but also for people interested in the history of British industry. Easy to read and really good written.

Personal tale by an insider on the death of British cycles
This book really puts the reader in touch with the emotional demise of the British motorcyle industry and the self delusions which prevented this fine tradition from moving ahead and competing. Sad, but educational story. Good read, and Mr. Hopwood is an endearing character.