Books of interest to motorcycle travellers:

How to Restore Your BMW Motorcycle Twins 1950 -1969

by Roland Slabon

Paperback. 224 pages, November '94, over 220 B&W ill.

At last, an accurate, in-depth and fully illustrated guide that focuses on BMW twin restoration. Specs, data, and all the changes are shown so you can restore every detail to like-new condition. Contains current, historical and factory photographs to guide you through every step. Provides BMW history, plus technical tips, service guidelines, show prep, and proper component set-up. Covers all aspects of correct restoration of the R51/2 through R69US model range. Included are detailed chapters on authentic factory and aftermarket accessories and sidecars. It also includes specifications, special tools list, wiring diagrams and a listing of parts/restoration resources and reference material.

Amazon.com reviews

Reviewer: oelaineo@aol.com from Sturgis, MS USA

This isn't a how-to manual because it doesn't go into repair and restoration enough to get your hands greasy. What this book IS, is a wonderful guide of what accessory/part is appropriate for each year BMW motorcycle. The photos are extensive and very educational in leading you to a complete vintage BMW with accessories appropriate for the year of your bike. The author, Roland Slabon, is president of the Vintage BMW Owners, Ltd club world-wide and editor of the club newsletter.

Amazon.com: "Availability. This title is currently out of stock. However, you can order it used now."

Illustrated BMW Motorcycle Buyer's Guide

by Stefan Knittel and Roland Slabon

Synopsis

Your favorite buyer's guide has just been updated and expanded to include an all-new chapter on the Boxer designs from 1993 on, including the R1100RS, R1100GS, R1100R, R850R, and F650. This complete and updated guide covers every model from the R32 to the R1100 with the authors' ratings, reviews, and road tests. Includes detailed technical specifications and a reference section.

Amazon.com Reviews

Reviewer: A reader from Wisconsin (Packer-land), January 26, 2000

"A Must Read! The book detailed the models, chronologically, showing how one cycle evolved into the the next model. It would detail the new models improvements. Numerous photo also aided in the descriptions of the improvements made year to year, model to model. Easy reading and a MUST read for all you BMW lovers."

Paperback, Jan 1996, 176 pages, 175 B&W ill.

BMW Motorcycles: The Complete Story

by Bruce

A complete BMW history from the 1920s to the current K1100 and R850/1100 series, with detailed technical analysis of the machines.

Amazon.com Reviews

Reviewer: g.j. Meeuwissen, July 3, 2000

"A general history. A very nice book about the general history of BMW. Most types are described, without being to technical. There is a tabel with specifications for every model since 1923."

Hdbd. 192 pages, 130 B&W ill. and 8 color pages.

BMW Motorcycles: The Postwar Range with 1, 2, 3 or 4 Cylinders.

by Roy Bacon

The early days are covered to set the scene and the background that governed the way the firm worked and built their machines; the story then focuses on the postwar scene with descriptions of the twins, the singles, and the introduction of the fours. Filled with fascinating detail, competition history.

Hardcover, October 1997, 7 1/2 x 8 1/2", 224 pp., 160 B&W ill.

The Illustrated Motorcycle Legends: BMW

by Roy Bacon

A wonderfully illustrated photo chronicle of BMW motorcycles and racing models from the R32 to the R1100RS.

Hdbd. 96 pages, over 200 color and B&W ill.

Amazon.com: "Availability: This title is out of print. Although it is no longer available from the publisher, we'll query our network of used bookstores for you and send an update within one to two weeks."

BMW Postwar Models: Twins and Singles 1949 -1969

by Roy Bacon

An interesting and well illustrated overview of BMW's development in the critical post-war period.

Sftbd. 55 pages, 1991, 62 B&W ill.

Amazon.co.uk: "Availability: We expect to be able to find this title for you within 4-6 weeks. However, please note that titles occasionally go out of print or publishers run out of stock."

Barnstormer: The Story of BMW Motorcycles

by L.J.K. Setright

A complete and scholarly history from the early 1920s to the R100RS of 1977.

Hdbd. 190 pages, over 100 B&W ill.

Classic Motorcycles: BMW

by Don Morley and Mick Woollet

A richly illustrated overview of BMW's history from the R32 to the K1100 series. Also covers BMW's racing history.

Sftbd. 128 pages, over 100 B&W and color ill.

The Story of BMW Motorcycles

by Robert Croucher

Out of Print

A historical summary of the development of BMW motorcycles.

Hdbd. 135 pages.

Amazon.com: "Availability: This title is currently out of print. However, you can order it used now."

BMW Motorcycles: The New Generation

(BMW M/C New Gen)

Udo Riegel,Peter L. Albrecht (Translator)

Udo Riegel, a major contributor to leading motorcycle magazines in Germany for many years, explains the technical development of BMW motorcycles from 1984 and the new Boxer to the more radical offerings of the R1100S and the K1200RS.

Full-color portraits of the machinery and key BMW personnel such as designer Wolfgang Seehaus, plus some revealing early design sketches from the company's own records and full specifications, make this a must for all fans of motorcycle design and technology. Sftbd., 8 1/4" x 9", 128 pgs., 120 color ill.

Amazon.com Reviews

Reviewer: Robert Danley from New Jersey, June 5, 2000

"Must have for BMW motorcycle enthusiasts, deceptive title. Offers an interesting glimpse into the BMW motorcycle division's development process. Most of the book is devoted to the R1100 series with much smaller chapters describing F650 and K series development. The title is deceptive because the R1100S gets only a paragraph and the C1 is given a single photograph and no text. It gets a bit thick when the author describes riding the motorcycles and sounds suspiciously like advertising copy. For instance the transmission of the R1100RS is described as 'buttery'. Anyone who has ridden an R1100RS knows how far from the truth that is. As an R1100RS owner with over 76000 miles and having ridden numerous other R11 models I can attest to that. Overall, I recommend the book, particularly for the many interesting photographs of the R1100RS development."

Fascination BMW

by BMW AG

The book is available through your local BMW dealership or from Penta Press.

BMW Profiles 1: Motorcycles from Munich, 1923 -1969

by BMW Mobile Tradition

Covers the history and development of all model ranges up to 1969 in individual chapters, and has a very complete model - by - model specifications list at the end of the book. Includes a period reproduction BMW poster.

Hardcover. 107 pages, 111 B&W ill.

BMW Profiles 4: Motorcycles from Berlin, 1969-1998

by BMW Mobile Tradition

As in Volume 1, this is a record in words and pictures of all the BMW motorcycles produced at the Berlin-Spandau plant, with an extensive data list. Includes a period reproduction BMW poster. Available through your local BMW dealership. Hardcover. 107 pages, 110 B&W ill.

BMW Motorcycles Gold Portfolio 1950 -71

by R.M. Clarke

Contains 48 articles on BMW technical features, record breaking, R27, R67/2, R69S, R50, R60/5, R75/5 and US models. Including road test reports from such popular magazines as Cycle World, Motorcycle and Motorcycle Mechanics. Plus articles on new model reports, performance data, history, service notes, engine analysis, specs and tuning. Sftbd., 8 x 10 3/4", 172 pp., over 250 B&W ill.

BMW Motorcycles 1971 -76 Gold portfolio

by R.M. Clarke

Contains 48 articles on BMW touring, R50/5, R60/5, R60/6, R75/6, R90/6 and R90S models. Including road test reports from such popular magazines as Cycle World, Motorcycle and Motorcycle Mechanics. Plus articles on new model reports, performance data, history, service notes, engine analysis, specs and tuning. Sftbd., 8 x 10 3/4", 172 pp., over 250 B&W ill.

Cycle World on BMW Motorcycles 1981-1986

Cycle World Reprints

This book contains reprinted articles from the pages of Cycle World magazine, including new model reports, road tests, racing models, history, technical analysis, and much more. Sftbd. 80 pages, over 100 B&W ill.

Cycle World on BMW Motorcycles 1974 -1980

Cycle World Reprints

This book contains reprinted articles from the pages of Cycle World magazine, including new model reports, road tests, racing models, history, technical analysis, and much more. Sftbd. 80 pages, over 100 B&W ill.

BMW - Motorräder - Typen und Technik
by Heinz Härtel

A model-by-model history of BMW road and racing motorcycles from 1923 to 1980, including technical details and tables. Text in German/French/English.

Hdbd. 350 pages, 310 B&W and color ill.

BMW: Freiheit auf zwei Rädern; Charakter einer Motorrad - marke

by Gerold Lingnau

A photographic history of BMW motorcycles from the R32 through the 1976 R100RS to the 1981 R65LS. Text in German.

Hdbd. 160 pages, 286 B&W and color ill.

Faszination BMW GS

by Verlag Schneider Textsystems

A thoroughly concise book on the history (1930s to Present), development and popular modifications of the BMW enduro motorcycles, including the G/S and GS series. Competition history includes the ISDT, ISDE and Paris-Dakar. Text in German. Available from WÜDO.

Hdbd., 8 1/2 x10 1/2", 140 pp., 264 color and B&W ill.

BMW SportBOXER / BoxerSPORT 1969 -1997

by Wölf Tons

This fascinating history of BMW sport and competition bikes includes coverage of the R75/5, R 90S, Fallert FM 1000, R 65 LS, Krauser MKM 1000, Magni MB1/MB2, VV OASII, R 1100 RS, plus coverage of the Isle of Man TT, endurance racing, the AMA Superbike competition, tuning highlights and more. German text. Available from Classic Motorbooks.

Hdbd., 9 x12 1/2", 175 pp., 205 color and B&W ill.

(Note: The link does not take you directly to the book since Motorbooks.com is using frames. You must search on the title).

BMW Motorräder: Zweizylinder R51/2-R75/5, 1950 -73

by Stefan Knittel

A fascinating look at the development of post-war BMW motorcycles and how they were advertised, road tested and promoted. Includes many photos not reproduced in other books. Text in German. Currently available from Blue Moon Cycle.

Hdbd. 93 pages, 85 B&W and color ill.

BMW Motorräder: 1923 -1939

Schrader - Motor - Chronik Series US$25

Reprints of factory ads, literature, and road tests of the early BMW motorcycles. Text in German. Currently available from Blue Moon Cycle.

Hdbd. 95 pages, over 100 B&W and color ill.

BMW Motorräder: Einzylinder 1949 - 67

Schrader - Motor - Chronik Series US$25

Reprints of factory ads, literature, and road tests of the BMW single cylinder models. Text in German. Currently available from Blue Moon Cycle. (Not easy to find on the site! From the home page, click on Accessories & Apparel, then on Blue Moon Cycle apparel and BMW books).

Hdbd. 94 pages, over 100 B&W and color ill.

70 Jahre BMW - Motorräder

by Stefan Knittel US$125

A complete 70-year history of BMW motorcycles up to the introduction of the R850/1100. Includes comprehensive model details and technical specifications, and an extensive section on BMW racing history. Text in German. Was available from Classic Motorbooks. Hdbd. with slipcase. 303 pages, 1,652 B&W and color ill.

(Note: The link does not take you directly to the book since Motorbooks.com is using frames. You must search on the title).

BMW - Motorräder - Entwicklung, Typen, Technik

by Härtel/Elbers

An extensive and comprehensive model-by-model history with complete technical specifications, and data on BMW racing machines. Text in German.

German Military Motorcycles in the Reichswehr and Wehrmacht 1934 -1945
by Horst Hinrichsen

Comprehensive photographic documentation of German cycles and their riders, including those manufactured by Terrot, Rene Gillet and Gnome et Rhone. Also includes motorcycles captured from the Allies, along with solo and sidecar machines of FN, Indian, Harley-Davidson, BSA and Norton, plus Flying Flea, Welbike and Cushman. Discusses heating systems in heavy BMW and Zundapp machines, and protective overcoats made for riders and passengers.

Hardcover, February 1997, 200 pages, over 300 B&W ill.

Amazon.com: "Availability: This title usually ships within 4-6 weeks. Please note that titles occasionally go out of print or publishers run out of stock. We will notify you within 2-3 weeks if we have trouble obtaining this title."

BMW Motorcycles in WWII R12/R75

by Janusz Piepalkiewicz

Hardcover, July 1991, 189 pages, over 240 ill.

Features mostly-unpublished photographs of the German "war elephant", the R75 with its powered sidecar, as well as the R4 and R12 in action. Most of the photographs are dramatic, some are breathtaking. Also includes exact technical drawings and specifications.

Amazon.com Review

Reviewer: Bert Duursma from Steensel, Netherlands, July 8, 1998

Very nice book with hundreds of wartime action-photographs. The book contains hundreds of photograhps of mainly the BMW R12 and some of the R75. All photographs are taken in Worldwar II and represent valuable historic information on how these bikes were used in combat. It also reveals the strategies being used by motorcycle companies and shows some of the human suffering of this era. Furthermore it contains valuable technical information, drawings and exploded views of the BMW R75. Highly recommended to anyone interested in this part of the history or for those who are involved in BMW R12 or R75 restoration.

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