Improving Classic Motorcycles

>>> Order direct from the author and save at least £1.94 on UK P&P. See foot of page for details <<<

Read sample pages by clicking on either book's title or front cover photo and then click on "Preview"

Magnetic Speedometer Repair £12.95

The definitive guide to the repair and calibration of Smiths magnetic SSM speedometers and RSM tachometers

Fix it yourself and never have to pay or wait for repairs again. Instruments can be calibrated on bike or on an easy to build rig. Full instructions given every step of the way. No specialist tools required, just a cycle computer.

Also covers fault diagnosis, cable and drive gearbox maintenance and repair.

Unless a repair specialist asks you for the circumference of the rear tyre and ratio of the drive gearbox you are using, you are missing out on potentially greater accuracy that you can get by calibrating a speedometer yourself. Standard calibration gives an error of up to 5% with 1600 revs per mile instruments and sometimes more with 1000 revs per mile. This book shows you how to tailor the calibration for the machine the speedometer is used on and in most cases accuracy to within 2% can be achieved.

Watch the promotional video for this book on YouTube. The video shows some of the dismantling and calibration stages.

Many instruments will only need cleaning but this book also shows how to repair a shattered magnet, replace the upper bearing and fix an aluminium disc turning on its spindle. All repairs can be made at zero cost with the usual hand tools. Repair rather than replace with a part taken from a donor instrument and help all of us by preserving the stock of these instruments.

Colour covers, B&W interior. 6.5x10 inches. 80 pages. 15,500 words. 50 illustrations. First published July 2009

Improving Classic Motorcycles £13.95

A collection of modifications developed over 30 years of riding BSA singles and Triumph twins

Improving Classic Motorcycles is not a marque history, workshop manual or restoration guide. It is a collection of modifications, tips, tricks and sound advice gained through 30 years of year round riding. The modifications featured in this book were developed for the author's bikes (shown left) but most are applicable to many other makes and models and all can be carried out in the home workshop. Design flaws, some never before made public are discussed and solutions given. Possibly even the motorcycle factories themselves were unaware of them. The results are real improvements in performance, reliability and safety.

How to make single leading shoe drum brakes provide real stopping power. Whether Triumph Bonneville or Tiger Cub, BSA Goldstar or C15 you need good brakes. Almost all sls brakes were designed without an understanding of an inbuilt design flaw. This is described for the first time in print and solutions given. The simplest modification costs nothing and can be completed inside an hour.

How to very simply greatly improve the reliability and performance of your bike's electrical system using the existing rectifier and zener diode. Have a headlamp as bright as a modern car, extend your battery life and make blown bulbs a thing of the past.

How to get the best from your ignition system whether electronic (Lucas RITA or Boyer) or contact breaker.

A detailed look at Amal Concentric mark 1 carburettors to help ensure you are using the right components.

Is your bike being held back by a bad silencer? Baffle design is key to good performance. See the preview for an example of a good one, buy the book to find out what works, what doesn't and why. Two more full-page, dimensioned silencers are included in the book with descriptions and performance test results of these and several others.

Modifications to cylinder heads and rockerboxes to improve longevity and stop oil leaks.

Plus mods and advice on clutches, gearboxes, tyres, steering head bearings and many other topics.

Everyone who rides a vintage or classic motorcycle will find this an interesting and thought provoking read. Almost all will be able to use at least one of the modifications and enjoy happier riding as a result.

See the review at the RealClassic website. Note this review refers to the original first edition, this revised first edition no longer contains speedometer repair.

Also now reviewed and given the thumbs up by the BSA owners (The Star) and Triumph owners club (Nacelle) magazines, BMF Rider magazine and Old Bike Mart.

More feedback from those who've bought this book can be seen on this ebay About Me page.

If you bought the original (A4 size) first edition of Improving Classic Motorcycles then thank you for your custom. 95% of the revised first edition is what you already have so please save your money for the second edition when it is ready or Magnetic Speedometer Repair which is available now. To bring you up to date with the revised first edition, the revisions are available to view online. The revisions also act as an extended preview for new readers interested in the revised first edition.

Colour covers, B&W interior. 6.5x10 inches. 104 pages. 30,000 words, 34 diagrams. Original first edition published 2008, revised first edition published July 2009

About the Author

Intending to follow a career in engineering, I graduated with a BSc in Mechanical Engineering in 1983. But I was bitten by the computer bug while working for IBM. I went on to spend many years writing computer games across all formats ranging from 8 bit home computers up to Playstation 2, creating a chart topper along the way. My interest in engineering and motorcycles in particular was never forgotten as I constantly strove to improve my bikes and make them as usable as their modern counterparts. I have been a member of the British Motorcyclists Federation for 25 years and the VMCC for 5 years.

UK customers can order direct from the author. Prices including P&P are £14 for Magnetic Speedometer Repair and £15 for Improving Classic Motorcycles - £28 if both are ordered at the same time.

Send your name, address and cheque or postal order payable to Graham Blighe to

Improving Classic Motorcycles
PO Box 381
SOUTHAMPTON
SO32 2YF

Include your e-mail address if you wish to be notified of dispatch and expected delivery date. Note only available to the UK. If outside the UK please order from lulu.com by clicking on the front cover photos above and then on "Add Print to Cart". When ordering direct from the author please address all enquiries through the above PO Box or by e-mail to ICMotorcycles@talktalk.net. Do not send enquiries to lulu.com unless your order is made via lulu. You can also pay by Paypal - e-mail ICMotorcycles@talktalk.net for details.

Unfortunately two reviews have (hopefully temporarily) gone missing during lulu.com's recent migration of reviews to WeRead. They are

"Improving Classic Motorcycles [ No Rating ] 4 Mar 2008 by

This book is thought through, layed out and written well. It contains good solid information on making classic motorcycles easier to ride and guides the owner through fixes for some of their design flaws. I am always looking for good, unique reference material to have on hand and Grahams book certainly is a great addition to my personal library."

"Magnetic Speedometer Repair [ No Rating ] 28 Sep 2009 by Karl Blumenthal

A TOP-NOTCH source of much needed technical information including precise calibration short-cuts. Well written with easy to understand photos and procedures that will definitely save you money keeping these instruments working at their best.

Don't be dependent on 'shop repairs' any longer with their rediculously expensive price tags. The first repair/calibration you undertake using this manual will more than cover the cost of this comprehensive and informative compilation by Mr. Blighe.

As a Triumph owner/rider/enthusiast of 4 decades I have to give this book a 10-out-of-10 rating. I only wish it had been availabe before the corporate money-grubbers got their clutches on me. Better late than never and I'll not be subject to their like ever again!! Thank you Mr. Blighe!!! "

Improving Classic Motorcycles
1970 BSA Starfire B25 1973 Triumph Daytona T100R 1969 BSA Bantam B175 1966 Triumph 3TA	>>> Order direct from the author and save at least £1.94 on UK P&P. See foot of page for details <<< Read sample pages by clicking on either book's title or front cover photo and then click on "Preview" Magnetic Speedometer Repair £12.95 The definitive guide to the repair and calibration of Smiths magnetic SSM speedometers and RSM tachometers Fix it yourself and never have to pay or wait for repairs again. Instruments can be calibrated on bike or on an easy to build rig. Full instructions given every step of the way. No specialist tools required, just a cycle computer. Also covers fault diagnosis, cable and drive gearbox maintenance and repair. Unless a repair specialist asks you for the circumference of the rear tyre and ratio of the drive gearbox you are using, you are missing out on potentially greater accuracy that you can get by calibrating a speedometer yourself. Standard calibration gives an error of up to 5% with 1600 revs per mile instruments and sometimes more with 1000 revs per mile. This book shows you how to tailor the calibration for the machine the speedometer is used on and in most cases accuracy to within 2% can be achieved. Watch the promotional video for this book on YouTube. The video shows some of the dismantling and calibration stages. Many instruments will only need cleaning but this book also shows how to repair a shattered magnet, replace the upper bearing and fix an aluminium disc turning on its spindle. All repairs can be made at zero cost with the usual hand tools. Repair rather than replace with a part taken from a donor instrument and help all of us by preserving the stock of these instruments. Colour covers, B&W interior. 6.5x10 inches. 80 pages. 15,500 words. 50 illustrations. First published July 2009 Improving Classic Motorcycles £13.95 A collection of modifications developed over 30 years of riding BSA singles and Triumph twins *Improving Classic Motorcycles* is not a marque history, workshop manual or restoration guide. It is a collection of modifications, tips, tricks and sound advice gained through 30 years of year round riding. The modifications featured in this book were developed for the author's bikes (shown left) but most are applicable to many other makes and models and all can be carried out in the home workshop. Design flaws, some never before made public are discussed and solutions given. Possibly even the motorcycle factories themselves were unaware of them. The results are real improvements in performance, reliability and safety. How to make single leading shoe drum brakes provide real stopping power. Whether Triumph Bonneville or Tiger Cub, BSA Goldstar or C15 you need good brakes. Almost all sls brakes were designed without an understanding of an inbuilt design flaw. This is described for the first time in print and solutions given. The simplest modification costs nothing and can be completed inside an hour. How to very simply greatly improve the reliability and performance of your bike's electrical system using the existing rectifier and zener diode. Have a headlamp as bright as a modern car, extend your battery life and make blown bulbs a thing of the past. How to get the best from your ignition system whether electronic (Lucas RITA or Boyer) or contact breaker. A detailed look at Amal Concentric mark 1 carburettors to help ensure you are using the right components. Is your bike being held back by a bad silencer? Baffle design is key to good performance. See the preview for an example of a good one, buy the book to find out what works, what doesn't and why. Two more full-page, dimensioned silencers are included in the book with descriptions and performance test results of these and several others. Modifications to cylinder heads and rockerboxes to improve longevity and stop oil leaks. Plus mods and advice on clutches, gearboxes, tyres, steering head bearings and many other topics. Everyone who rides a vintage or classic motorcycle will find this an interesting and thought provoking read. Almost all will be able to use at least one of the modifications and enjoy happier riding as a result. See the review at the RealClassic website. Note this review refers to the original first edition, this revised first edition no longer contains speedometer repair. Also now reviewed and given the thumbs up by the BSA owners (The Star) and Triumph owners club (Nacelle) magazines, BMF Rider magazine and Old Bike Mart. More feedback from those who've bought this book can be seen on this ebay About Me page. If you bought the original (A4 size) first edition of Improving Classic Motorcycles then thank you for your custom. 95% of the revised first edition is what you already have so please save your money for the second edition when it is ready or Magnetic Speedometer Repair which is available now. To bring you up to date with the revised first edition, the revisions are available to view online. The revisions also act as an extended preview for new readers interested in the revised first edition. Colour covers, B&W interior. 6.5x10 inches. 104 pages. 30,000 words, 34 diagrams. Original first edition published 2008, revised first edition published July 2009 About the Author Intending to follow a career in engineering, I graduated with a BSc in Mechanical Engineering in 1983. But I was bitten by the computer bug while working for IBM. I went on to spend many years writing computer games across all formats ranging from 8 bit home computers up to Playstation 2, creating a chart topper along the way. My interest in engineering and motorcycles in particular was never forgotten as I constantly strove to improve my bikes and make them as usable as their modern counterparts. I have been a member of the British Motorcyclists Federation for 25 years and the VMCC for 5 years. UK customers can order direct from the author. Prices including P&P are £14 for Magnetic Speedometer Repair and £15 for Improving Classic Motorcycles - £28 if both are ordered at the same time. Send your name, address and cheque or postal order payable to Graham Blighe to Improving Classic Motorcycles PO Box 381 SOUTHAMPTON SO32 2YF Include your e-mail address if you wish to be notified of dispatch and expected delivery date. Note only available to the UK. If outside the UK please order from lulu.com by clicking on the front cover photos above and then on "Add Print to Cart". When ordering direct from the author please address all enquiries through the above PO Box or by e-mail to ICMotorcycles@talktalk.net. Do not send enquiries to lulu.com unless your order is made via lulu. You can also pay by Paypal - e-mail ICMotorcycles@talktalk.net for details. Unfortunately two reviews have (hopefully temporarily) gone missing during lulu.com's recent migration of reviews to WeRead. They are "Improving Classic Motorcycles [ No Rating ] 4 Mar 2008 by This book is thought through, layed out and written well. It contains good solid information on making classic motorcycles easier to ride and guides the owner through fixes for some of their design flaws. I am always looking for good, unique reference material to have on hand and Grahams book certainly is a great addition to my personal library." "Magnetic Speedometer Repair [ No Rating ] 28 Sep 2009 by Karl Blumenthal A TOP-NOTCH source of much needed technical information including precise calibration short-cuts. Well written with easy to understand photos and procedures that will definitely save you money keeping these instruments working at their best. Don't be dependent on 'shop repairs' any longer with their rediculously expensive price tags. The first repair/calibration you undertake using this manual will more than cover the cost of this comprehensive and informative compilation by Mr. Blighe. As a Triumph owner/rider/enthusiast of 4 decades I have to give this book a 10-out-of-10 rating. I only wish it had been availabe before the corporate money-grubbers got their clutches on me. Better late than never and I'll not be subject to their like ever again!! Thank you Mr. Blighe!!! "
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