SPEEDtv.com Reviewed: “Legendary Motorcycles: The Stories and Bikes Made Famous by Elvis, Peter Fonda, Kenny Roberts, and Other Motorcycling Greats”
Written by: Gregg Leary Charlotte, NC – 10/18/2007

By Basem Wasef
Book Review by Gregg Leary

Sometimes the most simple concept creates the most intriguing result. The question, “What are the most historically significant bikes ever?” was answered in 26 chapters of “Legendary Motorcycles,” chock full of interesting anecdotes and remarkable photographs. They’re all here...from James Dean to Steve McQueen…from “Hogslayer” to “Turnip Eater” to “Captain America”…from Burt Munro’s “The World’s Fastest Indian” to “The King of Cool’s” 1947 Indian Chief Chopper, nicknamed “The Blob.” Talk about an eclectic mix! It’s a “Who’s Who” and the bikes they rode.

1. James Dean’s First and Last Bikes: From his 1947 CZ 125cc to his 1955 Triumph TR5 Trophy.

2. Kenny Roberts’ Yamaha TZ750 Dirt Tracker: “They don’t pay me enough to ride that thing.”

3. T.C. Christensen’s “Hogslayer”: The Norton with an insatiable appetite for Harleys.

4. Rollie Free’s John Edgar Lightning: The Bathing Suit Bike.

5. Mert Lawwill’s No. 1 1969 Harley-Davidson KR 750: Final Victory for a Battle-Ax.

6. Easy Rider’s “Captain America”: A Star-Spangled American Icon.

7. Dick Mann’s BSA Gold Star and Matchless G50 TT: The Tools of the Trade

8. Freddie Spencer’s 1985 Double Championship Honda GP Bikes: Living the Impossible Dream.

9. Craig Vetter’s Mystery Ship: The Childhood Fantasy Bike.

10. Cal Rayborn’s No. 3 Harley-Davidson XR750: A Transatlantic Sensation.

11. Wayne Rainey’s 1983 Kawasaki Superbike: The Air-Cooled Underdog.

12. Colin Edwards’ Yamaha TZ250D: The Bike that Launched a Career.

13. Leo Payne’s “Turnip Eater”: The 200 MPH Hog.

14. T.E. Lawrence’s Brough Superior SS 100: Lawrence of Arabia’s Last Ride.

15. Elvis Presley’s Harley-Davidson Electra-Glide: A Ride Fit for The King.

16. John Britten’s Britten V-1000: The Modern Masterpiece.

17. Evel Knievel’s Harley-Davidsons: The Original Daredevil’s Chariots of Choice.

18. Von Dutch’s Originals: Customizing as an Art Form.

19. Michael Jordan’s AMA Racing Contenders: A Basketball Legend’s Passion for Racing.

20. Mike Hailwood’s Ducati Comeback Bikes: A Hero’s Return to the Isle of Man.

21. Marty Dickerson’s Blue Bike: Bonneville’s Irresistible Allure.

22. Burt Munro’s “Munro Special”: The World’s Fastest Indian.

23. Renzo Pasolini’s Harley-Davidson XR750: Italo-American Chemistry.

24. Phil Read’s MV Agusta GP Bikes: MV’s Last Hurrah.

25. Robert Pirsig’s Honda CB77 Superhawk: Inspiring “Zen and the art of Motorcycle Maintenance.”

26. Steve McQueen’s Great Escapes: Riding with the King of Cool.

“Legendary Motorcycles” is a winner from Jay Leno’s Foreword to the Timeline. Wasef’s research reveals some interesting tidbits: James Dean stored his motorcycle at the Greenwich Village garage where Steve McQueen worked as a part-time motorcycle mechanic. The two would bond over their love of bikes.

Kenny Roberts said, of his TZ750 Yamaha …”What a piece of s*** this thing is. It’s the worst handling bike I ever rode. It won’t steer. It won’t turn. I can’t ride it.” and he went on to run “the most sensational final lap in motorcycle racing” where he won by half a bike length over Corky Keener and Jay Springsteen at Indianapolis.

Why Rollie Free wore bathing trunks on his 150 MPH run at Bonneville…and how he influenced the riding style of a young James Dean in Fairmount, Indiana.

What happened to the two Billy bikes and one Captain America chopper from “Easy Rider?”

How did a goldfish inspire the “Munro Special” streamliner?

Who said, “I’m not sure whether I’m an actor who races or a racer who acts.”

“Legendary Motorcycles” earns four out of five lug nuts. What a ride!

“Legendary Motorcycles: The Stories and Bikes Made Famous by Elvis, Peter Fonda, Kenny Roberts, and Other Motorcycling Greats” from the SPEED TV Bookstore, click here now!

Gregg Leary is a Researcher/Writer for “Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain” and Book Reviewer for SpeedTV.com.

Leary was track announcer for Hooter’s IHRA Drag Racing at National Events in the USA and Canada and entertained event crowds during “down time” by conducting “crowd participation” and product giveaways with the Hooter’s Girls. He was Marketing and PR Director and track announcer at Lake Erie Speedway.

As Photo Editor, feature writer, columnist and swimsuit calendar chief photographer for “Sports Jam Magazine,” Leary covered Auto Racing, Major League Baseball, the National Football League, and the National Basketball Association. He has photographed dozens of celebrities from A-Z…including Mario Andretti, Jim Brown, AJ Foyt, Ken Griffey Jr., Michael Jordan, Jay Leno, David Letterman, Mark McGwire, Paul Newman, Walter Payton, Alex Zanardi and Presidents Gerald Ford, George Bush and Bill Clinton. Gregg’s wife, Lynn and daughter, Caitlynn live in Jefferson, Ohio and his son, Sean is a student at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC.

Leary has conducted motivational seminars and performed stand up comedy around the country. He is a graduate of Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio and Exeter University in England. Gregg has hitchhiked 40,000 miles through 36 states and 10 European countries and is a licensed pilot and skydiver. Leary is available for motorsports consulting on a limited basis. Contact him via email at gleary@speedtv.com .