"The Racing Motorcycle"
Comments from people who have purchased the book

(The first shipment of books was received in the U.S. on December 20, 1996)

Dec 30, 1996

Just bought a copy of "The Racing Motorcycle:..." by John Bradley. It's everything you said it was Michael and well worth it.

As a first comment, I'd have to say what makes this work so valuable is the access you get from Bradley. Formulae, methods, tips and data all in one place; boiled down to the extract and user friendly.

I hope he includes the software he mentioned in Vol. II - and please save me a copy of that when it's available also.

Thanks Michael.

Chris

January 03, 1997

Michael!

I just received my copy of Bradley's book and MAN am I impressed. The book is worth every penny.

Thanks,

Robert

January 05, 1997

Hey Michael,

I love the book ! Definitely worth the money. Full of useful information presented in an understandable way. And Bradley style of writing is far from boring (unlike Code).

While the book covers many things that I already 'knew', it helped me understand better. As well as building my confidence by reaffirming my knowledge, and helping to organize my thoughts.

Shorty

January 06, 1997

From: John Brennan

Subject: John Bradley and his Book

I meant to include this in the last missive, but I bought John Bradley's book over the hols, I rang the publisher in York ( From Michael Moore's web page) and asked to have one mailed to me. I was going to the 'TOON' (Newcastle for the uncultured) for Christmas and wanted to have a look at the book over the hols. Anyway, the publisher asked me where abouts in Newcastle I was going, and offered to meet me halfway as he was going to Hexham. I thought this was unusually good service for a publisher, but declined his offer and drove out to meet him. I was very surprised to meet John Bradley himself - I didn't realise that the publishing company is his wifes firm, and effectively he has published the book himself.

He was a very nice fellow - full of practical bike building advice and a firm believer in getting stuck in with brazing rods and bending metal.The book is a practical guide to designing a bike, and looks very useful. I have barely skimmed the surface but it looks very good.

The only downside is that the next volume which contains the pracical fabrication elements is not going to be ready until next year.I shall have my name down pretty soon for vol II.

07 July 1997

/( In terms of topics covered, the nearest equivalent would be John Robinson's three small volumes of the late 1980s. However,...)/

While I have only read one of the Robinson books, I would suggest that Bradley is easier to read, and (for me at least) also comparable to Phil Irving's "Tuning for Speed".

[snip]... /(The only flaw, if one can call it a flaw, is the title--the information in this book will be useful and interesting to far more people than just the relatively few who are thinking of building their own racing motorcycles. )/

I would certainly agree. I an not going to be building a race bike (I can't afford the race bike, much less the divorce that would ensue) but this book is useful in many other areas, as well as being just plain interesting.

/([snip] (Whether you are deeply involved with the technicalities of constructing a road racer, or simply curious about some of the engineering details that make motorcycles the fascinating vehicles that they are, I highly recommend this book to you.)/

/(Charles Falco)/

I would just add the following: This is a great book. Don't be put off by the seemingly high price. This book will be useful for years to come. It costs about the same as a year's worth of classic magazines (at the newstand), but will be far more valuable in the long run. I am already looking forward to volume two.

David James

09 January 1997

From: Bruce Graham /P>

Michael,

I received the book earlier this week (it arrived just fine, good job of packing). I have been browsing through it every nite after work, and am just amazed at the amount of technical information it provides. I couldnt hope to ever know (or perhaps ever use) all the data available, but now I have it all in one place. To me, thats the major benefit of the book.

The content is awesome, I can hardly wait for volume 2 when theory get put into practice...

thanks again,

brg

15 January 1997

From: Robert Allen

I got the book today, thanks. Thanks also for the wiring diagram, it looks handy.

The book is very, very impressive. Although it includes formula for figuring the physics of various things, none of them are complex enough that an average person with a pocket calculator couldn't use them if they wished. However there is plenty in the book even if you don't use the formulae. Like the explanation of the difference between offroad and roadrace engines, and why you should be careful swapping engines between the two types of uses. The tables which list front-end geometry and wheelbase for various bikes allows you to guesstimate what kind of numbers you should be looking for on your bike depending on what you want to do with it. How to measure center of gravity, and how CG relates to your choice of tires and suspension setup is also in there. Lot of just plain comments based on experience are also present, and it could save a racer the hassle of pursuing magic numbers that they just aren't likely to attain. Finally, the issues of reducing drag yet still getting enough air to the carburators and to cool the engine is great. I'll be reading that section with an eye towards working on my Cagiva. That's all well and good of course, but the overall print and construction of the book is excellent too. I can hardly wait for the next book. This book is to motorcycles what the Carol Smith books are to cars, but better, because it's all in one volume and it's clearly presented for easy absorption.

Regards,

Robert

23 January 1997

Hi Michael!

A quick review of the Bradley book:

A very good book, which covers the technical aspects of motorcycle setup and performance very well. The book puts motorcycle setup into an engineering perspective, giving many formulas which allow the reader to determine the effects of various changes on the overall performance. Being an engineer and an aerodynamicist, the book is a very useful tool for me in my quest for the ultimate Clubman machine :).

Highly recommended for those who are interested in why things work (and, more importantly, why they don't). It's on my shelf next to Foale and Willoughby's motorcycle chassis design book.

Ray Hixon

From: Iain Cameron

Date sent: Fri, 7 Feb 1997

Hi Michael,

Having had time to look at the book, I can say that I am thoroughly delighted with it. John's writing style and presentation make it extremely readable. I particularly like the way that subjects are dealt with in a practical manner, something that is often overlooked in books of theory. The section about geartooth shapes took me right back to my teenage years when I did that for a living, making gearboxes for scientific instruments, petrol pumps and fruit machines!

As I've been ill recently, I have been reading the book in bed, which would normally send me to sleep, but John's book has been keeping me awake instead. The only criticism I have is that it's not even bigger. Tell John to get on with it and write part two.

Iain

Date sent: Sat, 22 Mar 1997

First impression is overwhelming in the text's density and forthrightness.

It will be a long and very pleasurable read.

Thanks for your reply and enterprise in making this book available to us here in the USA.

Regards, Matthew.

From: cliff

Date: Tue, 29 Apr 1997 07:36:45 -0500

BRADLEY'S BOOK IS EXCELLENT. WHAT A GREAT RESOURCE OF INFORMATION. THE BOOK IS A MASTERS COURSE IN ITSELF.

CHEERS TO YOU,

CLIFF

From: "Psycle Components Inc."

Date sent: Mon, 19 May 1997 09:33:13 -0500

Hi Michael,

I received the 2 books on Saturday. I was in Michigan this past weekend doing some racing so I opened them on Sunday night. I really think The Racing Motorcycle: a technical guide for constructors, is an excellent book. I was impressed with the technical details, and the use of good formula's for explaining in detail.

I would really recommend this book to others. It may be overkill for most, but for techno's like myself it's a must have..

Best regards,

And thanks for the singles advice.

Joe Skala

(Lifted from the Ducati list)

From:  (Eric Biles)
Subject: Re: Basic maintenance question

>Hello - I just got a '96 900 Monster & LOVE IT!!  I've been riding for a
>year but want to learn more about doing my own basic maintenance on my new
>bike. Question:
>- What books, mannuals etc. would you all recommend reading to learn more
>about taking care of my baby. Is there a Ducati Dr. Spock?
>- Are there any training courses I could take?
>
>Help!
>Karen

Karen, this months issue of Cycle World has a review of a book
called "The Racing Motorcycle: A Technical Guide for Constructors"
Like the review states don't let the title throw you off it IS for everyone
(MC owners that is).

The price is heavy.  But the book outweighs a handfull of $20 books
by a long margin, based on the amount of info.  400pages at that!

I have looked at a copy a friend has, and even though I can borrow
it at anytime I will be buying my own copy.

You can get it through Euro Spares, from our very own Michael Moore.


Eric Biles  Wichita,KS
91' 851  Superb Bike

Monday, 28 July 1997

By the way Michael, the John Bradley book was excellent!

,-------------------------------,
|    Dave "Teflon" Thompson     
|  AHRMA#941,VRRA#194,RACE#94   
| http://www.golden.net/~teflon 
`-------------------------------`

Date sent:        Sat, 16 Aug 1997 21:40:48 -0400 (EDT)
From:              (Tom Owen)

The Bradley book is EXCELLENT! I am a rank amateur in many respects,
and I find it fascinating and accessible. I look forward to Vol.2.

From:                (MR JMICHAEL   MCTIGUE)
Date sent:        Tue, 10 Feb 1998 07:58:44, -0500
Subject:          "The Book"

Michael,

I received the Bradley book yesterday.  Thanks for getting it out so 
quickly.  It has aleady cost me several hours of missed sleep, yet I 
feel curiously refreshed.  This book promises to save me many many 
hours (days?..weeks??) in the long run.  I'll keep you posted on how 
the project is progressing.

Many Thanks,
Michael McTigue

From:             "Mike Fletcher" 
Subject:          John B's Book
Date sent:        Sat, 5 Sep 1998 15:34:59 -0400

I got the John Bradley book yesterday and Tony Foale's book today.  I am
impressed with simple and clear approach John Bradley uses.  This book is
answering many of the questions and gives me a much greater comfort level
with both my street and drag bike. The technical and mathamatical
explanations remove all of the gray areas and guess work of building and
maintaining motorcycles. I got the picture you e-mailed me, very cool
machine.

Thanks
Mike Fletcher

Date sent:        Fri, 13 Nov 1998 06:33:38 -0500
From:             Rich Lee

I am thoroughly enjoying Volume I and can't say enough positive things
about it.


Rich Lee