Motorcycles - Japan: Books - History, Types and Construction

Japanese Production Racing Motorcycles

As "Grand Prix Racing Motorcycles" explains, the Japanese did not suddenly become proficient in the design and development of motorcycles when they first appeared in Europe at the end of the 1950s.
Japan had been interested, involved even, with motorcycles since the beginning of the 20th century. True, early Japanese motorcycles copied Western design, a trend that continued for several years after the end of the Second World War.

The Japanese were very much their own men, designing a succession of highly innovative machines, and not just for the Grand Prix world's benefit. Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, Bridgestone and Tohatsu have all built racing motorcycles which were also available for purchase by the ordinary motorcyclist.

Contents:
- Bridgestone
- Honda - the classic years
- Honda - the modern years
- Kawasaki - the classic years
- Suzuki - the classic years
- Suzuki - the modern years
- Tohatsu
- Yamaha - the classic years
- Yamaha - the modern years.

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Japanese Grand Prix Racing Motorcycles

In the 1960s Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha battled for domination in motorcycle racing, providing a shot in the arm for a struggling sport since the withdrawal of British and Italian factories in the 1950s.
The Japanese contribution to GP racing was paramount in the 1960s and 1970s with many famous riders. This book sets out to provide a retrospective of GP racing as we await future developments.

Contents:
- Early days
- Bridgestone
- Honda - the classic era
- Honda - the modern era,
-Kawasaki
- Suzuki - the classic era
- Suzuki - the modern era
- Tohatsu
- Yamaha - the classic era
- Yamaha - the modern era.

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Memorable Japanese Motorcycles 1959-1996

This beautifully photographed volume surveys the Japanese motorcycles which have helped steer the American cycling habit since the late 1950s.
Examples of first models, last models, and the most unusual Japanese machines to hit American shores are covered in detail with over 450 color photos and accompanying text. Almost every cycle shown is 100 percent original or has been painstakingly returned to its original form.

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Japanische Zweitakt-Motorräder - Die Straßenmodelle ab 250 cm³ Hubraum (Typenkompass)

The Japanese motorcycle industry started out very small and modest - this applied to the displacement as well as to the technology used. While the Western European motorcycle industry soon abandoned this in the larger classes, the "Japanese" were just getting started: two-, three- and four-cylinder engines, from 50 to 750 cc - there was practically nothing that was not offered.

The liter performance was so enormous that it overwhelmed tires, chassis and drivers. As this book shows, the legend is unforgettable: Suzuki's incredible water buffalo, Kawasaki's infernally screaming three-cylinder engines, Yamaha's highly cultivated RDs with water cooling - the choice was gigantic.

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