chopper Books

This book gives a glimpse into building a chopper and what is involved. A bit brief in places, it allows the prospective builder to see what they are about to take on.

Not the best book on the subject. Lots of nice photos though.

Very good book, so much so I plan to use the advice to build a bike similar to one in the book.
A good alternative to spending large sums on other types of bikes.

This book is great it has lots for full color photos on 5 builds. One thing that I didnt like is the fact that it is more of a basic how to do a basic chop. Dont think that you will get this book and have a $5000.00 chopper in a week. The guys in the book are all pros and get hooked up alot easier than I could ever do. I cant go in the shop and bang out a tank for the cost of the sheet metal. But it gives you a general idea of where to start. IF you have never done a project like this and just want to know where to get started, its is worth the money.

This book is filled with some good ideas, but rather limited on the space allowed (the flaw with all books). I would have liked to see a little more depth on the metrics with a little less of the kit bike ads, but section on the 'Redneck' choppers was worth the price. I was disappointed with the photos of the finished products (especially the metrics) but overall a good book for ideas.

I thought this was a pretty thorough book all things considered. Billy does a nice job covering some of the important tools you should have in your shop as well as the different aspects to consider when building a custom bike. He is an engineer and a master at his trade. I enjoyed it and felt it was informative.

You can judge this book by its cover. It's basically a glorified magazine with lots of color pictures of Billy building the Bobzilla bike. The captions are reasonably detailed, but lack enough information to be truly useful. Some of the text is thoughtfully written and fairly in-depth about Billy's personal preferences. However, DO NOT buy this book if you are looking for a step-by-step manual on how to put a bike together. On the other hand, if you like Billy Lane's bikes, and enjoy watching bike building on TV, you'll be glad to have this colorful (and sometimes funny) book in the bathroom. My legs have fallen asleep more than once while trying to finish a chapter.

Lots of pictures and easy to understand. Complete detail from end to end. It is however a little for the more skilled reader and builder. I enjoyed and learned form it.

This is not a "how to build a chopper" book. It is a "how Billy L builds this or that, and sometimes 'why'". I've been out of the chop scene since my youth, so the info contained I found very interesting in a general sense and quite inspiring too. Quite a good book, but not great. If you like Billy's style of bike, buy this book. I certainly don't regreat buying it.

There is way too much in the way of welding skills and sheet metal fabrication. Certainly not a "How To" book but more of a "How I do it" book.

I purchased this book and also the Bicycle Builder's Bonanza by the same author because I wanted ideas on how to build my own recumbent bike or trike. The plans and details are awesome, and Brad often explains why certain design decisions were made. I think the best thing about the book is that it inspires me to go out and build something. My mind is already cranking on how to modify the designs presented in the book. Now, my only problem is deciding between the Delta Wolf and the Street Fox!

I bought this book to send to my son in Iraq. He loves to watch their program on TV. My son really likes the book.

Great book read it cover to cover in one weekend. It was great to read that in the early years they choose morale views on how they wanted there company to be seen in public.

Hubby LOVED this book. We don't really watch the show - but for some reason, he wanted this book. He read it in about three days and then went back to re-read specific parts.

I found this book to be an enjoyable read, it just could have been so much better with a little effort put in by the publisher or who ever made the decisions on the content of the book.
I kept wondering why they didn't seem to bother with proofreaders, fact checkers and editors. I understand it was written by bike builders not professional writers but they could have at least asked a professional to help organize their thoughts.

Orange County Choppers - Tale of the Teutals
I purchased this book for my 13 year old nephew. He is an Orange County Chopper fan, he loves the Discovery series and has all the DVD'S.This book has been great in respect to encouraging him to read, as it has enough information on each character and pictures to keep him interested.
If you want the book for technical information and bike building detail, then it's not for you. This is a good light read for the person who enjoys the Teutal tantrums !!! If a book like this can get boys reading, then I'm all for it.This is also good for big boys who love the show, as my husband thought it was not bad !

This is a huge and heavy book, well printed in Indonesia on what seem to be top-notch materials. Except for a bit of excessive contrast in some of the old black & white illustrations, you really couldn't ask for higher production values. The work is a repackaging of two earlier works, "Harley Davidson, a Way of Life, a Hundred Year Old Myth" (2002) and "Harley Davidson, Evolution of the Myth" (1999), which in turn seem to be related to a number of similar titles published by the same authors in English, Spanish and French over the past ten years. But none of that detracts from the current title, at least for those who, like this reviewer, don't already own the earlier works. If this is an English translation, it is a fluent one.

The first third of the book goes over the history of the company and its products - even bicycles! - in good detail, with extensive photos of personalities, machines and even period literature. The photos are generally very good or better, and they alternate between close-ups, detail shots and typical advertising brochure-type product overviews to maintain your interest. There are many, many other Harley books that cover this same ground with equally good photography, but I am not aware of any which actually do a better job.

The accompanying narrative seems to be equally comprehensive and balanced, although I've not yet read it all carefully enough to say how accurate it all is with any certainty. It certainly seems to be well done, though, and I found the parts I read interesting as well as keyed in well with the nearby photos.

The remainder of the book, however, really makes the whole project for this reviewer: The authors have not only a love of beautiful restorations and classic, factory-stock Harleys, but also a passion for the infinite variety of "customs" that Harley owners and professional builders have churned out in great numbers over the past half-century or more. The illustrations chosen run a fantastic gamut from the bizarre to the beautiful... well illustrating the creativity and individualism which have come to be identified with this quintessentially American marque.

Does this review sound like something written by the stereotypical "outlaw biker" or Harley fanatic? Well, no, actually... I've ridden "most vroom for the buck" Japanese bikes and über-practical BMWs for most of my life! But unless you have no soul at all it's impossible not to appreciate the Harley as both a riding "experience" - pretty unique until quite recently, when the Japanese finally got their American-style V-Twin clones "right" - and as an art form and starting point for individual expression - for which H-D is still unmatched. This book, by two French admirers, very admirably conveys the feeling so many have for Harley-Davidsons of all sorts... and will encourage a lot of new purchases!

This book is perfect for an entry level artist as well as someone who has been drawing for some time. I've been sketching choppers for a long time, more seriously in the last few years, and I'm thrilled to see how much this has to offer me in the way of disciplining my process.

It also covers the basics such as perspective, bike construction, and other aspects that are of value to anyone interested in drawing bikes. This is true for the fine artist/painter, the cartoonist, or the enthusiast who wants to develop a hobby in drawing bikes.

Indian Larry has been a hero of sorts since I "met" him in Iron Horse years ago-when I got this book,I spent an hour just looking at the photos and reading captions.the actual reading however,was so disapointing that I would not recommend the book.the text consists of a few facts or at least items of interest surrounded by pages of referances to mythical times,kings,queens,etc-an introduction with that BS would have served it's purpose-to spread it throughout as filler is a shame.find a back issue of Iron Horse with an Indian Larry interview to learn about the man-buy this for pictures or if you want to read semi-coherant ramblings from someone who seems confused but grasping for an answer to life-

This man didn't have an average live, I think it's one thing on everybody will agree...
This was a good man, who just lived his life as he could, just like us, but with less compromise.
The book is really interresting (even for people like me who've been already reading about him), the pics go from "old Polaroid" to very high quality (especialy regarding the bikes).
The thing I really did not appreciate is the comparison between his life and a "hero tale". I think Larry himself wouldn't have appreciate this...
If you like choppers but don't know the guy, buy this book ! If you already know him a little, save your money for another one !
Laurent
http://www.laurent-roy.com

Larry was happy being who he was. He states as much in his interviews during his Biker Build Off episodes. I feel the author of this book forgets that and puts Larry high on this pedestal where Larry never wanted to be. His bikes was his art and he appreciated his fans that wanted to see it. What made him unique is that he was kind, caring and considerate. Traits that one hardly ever sees in a person, especially all at one time. This book does Larry justice when telling his story from boyhood to bikehood but loses its flavor when the author throws in his collegiate words to make his point on how great Larry was. Larry seemed, to me, like he was a simple man who wanted simple things and, to put it simply, wanted to share his art with those who would appreciate it. Long story short, this is a good book with a good read and some great photos.

Purchased as a gift, full of great yarns & photo's, for the right person this is a great buy! Enjoy!

This book could have had half the number of pages. The focus is on the spiritual (indian?) side of Larry. It does paint an interesting picture of what he was like, but I found the comments of other builders in Art of the Chopper II more relevant. The recurring theme of life's mysteries and how they influenced Larry went on and on. It became a bit much. Nearly ruined a reasonable read.

So many years back, I came across a movie called "Chopper". It's about a guy, in Austrailia, who goes around killing/beating up & shooting drug dealers because he believes that the police want him too. Messed up movie & more messed up book. Believe it or not Mark "Chopper" Read is a best selling author with a more than checkered past. Though this is the only book in the series that I've read, I can imagine that the others are entertaining too. The bopok basically gives you a glimps into his life, & whilke blended with humor it can be pretty graphic violent as well. If this sounds like your cup of tea, then give the book a shot you're sure to love it.

this is a great book by a very very hard aussie.a living legend down under.he is witty funny charming and totally crazy.the last guy youd want to cross.i really like chopper read.the book should be read in conjuction with the superb movie with eric bana playing chopper.

The autobiography of Mark Brandon Read `Chopper' gives us a unique and seldom told insight into the criminal underworld of Australia, particularly Melbourne. The story begins by an infatuation with guns, explosives and military history crossed-wired with a young child who spent a lot of time drugged up in a psychiatric rehabilitation prison. Mix two vital ingredients together and you're left with a dangerous man.

Probably the most sought-after criminal in Australia, Chopper acquired his enemies through his friends' enemies and from robbing the bank robbers and other similar criminals. He's killed plentiful, but protests "I'm no murderer...I'm a garbage disposal expert" and from a certain perspective, his tales hold a strong point of view. The only men he has claimed to kill are murderers themselves, drug dealers and rapists. Any other men he has killed may well have been innocent, but Chopper was acting purely in self-defence.

Spending most of his life behind bars, Chopper inevitably made friends with other inmates and also confronted his worst enemies. Cleverly thought out antics and plots to burn down prisons are just a range of things Chopper and friends would execute in an attempt to relieve boredom and pass time. Nevertheless he claims: - "It is a madhouse in prison - and twice as bad outside,"

Packed with hilarious non-chronological stories about imbecilic big shot gangsters; Close attempts to wipe out Chopper; And a world where criminals fear Chopper over the law; this book will keep you thoroughly entertained from start to finish.

In his own words; "You can fool some of the people all of the time, And you can even fool all of the people some of the time, but in the real world of blood and guts you don't fool Chopper Read any of the time."

If you like books about facial stabbings with needle nose pliers, blowtorches on the soles of bare feet and short anectdotes about having ones ears removed, this is the book for you. Mixed in with some graphic imagery, is the witty humor of an Australian Robin Hood. He's a confessed torturer, murderer, theif, thug, extortionist, etc. Mark "Chopper" Reed's claim to fame is that he has never hurt an innocent person. Everyone he's hurt, mamed, killed has been a "crim" of some sort. His favourite kind crim to deal with is the drug dealer. To Mark they are the lowest of the low, and in his experience, the most spineless.

Yes, the imagery is a little graphic but the humor is witty and greatly balances the violence in this novel. Since the publication of "Chopper", Mark Reed has become one of Australia's best selling authors and celebrity. Also check out the rest of the 8 books in the Chopper Series.

This man has a style of writing which can be compared to no other. He is witty, funny, illiterate, genuine and above all: psychotic.

The book starts off great but halfway lost its grip over me as it became a decoupled series of short stories where he tells of friends he has had in prison. Despite this, some of the stories are hilarious!

Having read the book, I eagerly ventured onto the Web in search of more stories and tales of the feared Chopper Read. This was far more rewarding than the book itself, but obviously something I would not have done had I not learned of his background via the book.

Chopper definately made an impression on me, that is, I even christened a boisterous new kitten after him: Mark Brandon 'Chopper' Read.

These 'chopper' bikes are anything but ordinary: indeed, they're a pick for those serious about biking. OLD SCHOOL CHOPPERS: NO-FRILLS BIKES FOR REAL BIKERS offers up old versions of Harley-Davidsons, Indians and others. Many were dreams that builders brought to life, customizing originals until they were nearly unrecognizable. Numerous color photos depicting all angles of the bikes are accompanied by technical specs in a book highly recommended for any library collection with motorcycle fans as patrons.