Great British bikes - Laurie Caddell

For decades the British motorbike reigned supreme. Many of the pioneers of motorbike design and engineering were British, and up until the end of the 1950s 'Made in Britain' was stamped on most of the world's classics.

Great British Bikes is a celebration of these glorious machines, from the Excelsior of 1896 to the last bikes from Triumph in 1983. Over 300 colour illustrations portray a range of marques whose names read as a roll-call of the famous - Ariel, Vincent, Brough, BSA, Matchless, Norton, Velocette, Rex-Acme, and many more. The history is given of each of these manufacturers, highlighting all the outstanding and influential models.

Great British Bikes not only gives the story of the British motorbike industry, but also recaptures the excitement and thrill that the machines have given generations of owners.