Apologies for being near-absent a few weeks on TheVintagent, but I’ve been finishing my contribution to the BikeExif book, ‘The Ride: New Custom Motorcycles and their Builders‘, published by Gestalten in Berlin, which I co-wrote with Chris Hunter, David Edwards (Bike Craft, Cycle World), and Gary Inman (Sideburn).  Gestalten publishes big, beautiful art books; this is their first motorcycle book, but as ‘The Ride’ is already #1 on Amazon’s ‘motorcycle’ search results, they’ll likely publish another!  I met with Robert Klanten (publisher at Gestalten), in both Biarritz (for Wheels and Waves) and in his offices in Berlin; as a lifelong rider, he’s the perfect guy to pursue the subject.

‘The Ride’ is a survey of contemporary Custom motorcycle-building culture via the BikeExif slant – ie, what’s cool and new-school, and the current trends in various ‘styles’ – Cafe Racer, Bobber, Board Tracker, Street Tracker, Chopper, etc.  And finally, of course, it’s possible to hold a book in your hands to look at these machines, rather than pixellated images limited to 250kb/32dpi….
The Ride: New Custom Motorcycles and their Builders is available here!  And of course, I’m in the middle of writing a second book!  Based on the ‘Ton Up!’ exhibit which I’m installing -right now- in Sturgis, for Bike Week, all about Cafe Racer culture from the 50s to today – bikes, art, photography, writing.  It will be published by Motorbooks, and I’ll keep you posted on developments!
Books Reviews