Publisher Description

This is the inspiring story of how a young school-leaver with no academic qualifications and low expectations built a successful career based on an apprenticeship with Associated Motor Cycles Ltd, and eventually became Managing Director of his company.It describes the very personal story of the ups and downs of factory life in the 1950s and 1960s. In particular, it conveys the unique atmosphere and excitement that surrounds the manufacture of motorcycles, an atmosphere that for those who have experienced it is like no other. The excellence of the training that was provided by the company enabled the writer to achieve far more than he ever anticipated.The journey through the factory, starting with the lowliest of duties in the machine shops and ending as personal assistant to the top motorcycle designers of their time, is described in detail. It gives a rare insight into working practices within the different departments and the characters that were employed.Supported by a host of period photographs and rare documents, it provides a unique record of work within the British motorcycle industry in the final years of its decline into oblivion.

Author Biography

Born in London in 1941, Bill Cakebread's sole ambition was to work with motorcycles. This enthusiasm secured him an apprenticeship with Associated Motor Cycles Ltd. When the British motorcycle industry collapsed, he joined Peter Berthon, famous for his association with ERA and BRM racing cars. Adapting his vehicle engineering knowledge to mobile cranes, Bill then became one of this country's leading experts in crane safety, and, as Managing Director of his company, was a regular contributor of articles on the subject, as well as representing the UK at international standards meetings.

Table of Contents

1. The seed is sown2. First bike3. The interview4. Before my time5. Drilling shop initiation6. Heat treatment - a man's world7. An accident, setback and recovery8. College work and metallurgy9. Fun and games10. The machine shops11. The jaywalker12. Fire in the assembly shop13. Homework and theft14. The race shop15. The tool room16. The eternal optimist17. The drawing office18. Indentures and real work19. Design - a career begins20. Racing cars - a new hope21. AMC afterlife - cranes also have wheels22. Homecoming23. Just another plaque on the wall24. Vehicles - an appendix25. Management - a comment

Review

Every now and then, of the many motorcycling books that arrive at Old Bike Mart for review, a diamond-plated gem comes along; one written with such warmth and enthusiasm that no like-minded soul could possibly put it down until the back cover is reached; one with such sharply-focused memories that the reader finds himself almost living the life being described ... At a modest price of GBP19.99, this information-packed paperback book is a delight from beginning to end, and is thoroughly recommended. Old Bike Mart What a pleasant surprise this book turned out to be ... There are some wonderful photographs throughout the book, which is an easy and entertaining read - a tale of an industry that went from commercial pillar to oblivion. Old Bike Australasia This remarkable book affords insight into the life and times of the people who built those classic Matchless, AJS, and Norton motorcycles that now capture the imagination of vintage motorcycle enthusiasts, as well some rare technical background on the bikes themselves and how they were built. UltimateMotorcycling.com. Reprinted after a long absence, supported by a host of period photographs, early history and rare documents, this is a unique record of working life within the British motorcycle industry. – Jonathan Hill.

Long Description

This is the inspiring story of how a young dropout with no academic qualifications and low expectations built a successful career based on an apprenticeship with Associated Motor Cycles Ltd, and eventually became Managing Director of his company. It describes the very personal story of the ups and downs of factory life in the 1950s and 1960s. In particular, it conveys the unique atmosphere and excitement that surrounds the manufacture of motorcycles, an atmosphere that for those who have experienced it is like no other. The excellence of the training that was provided by the company enabled the writer to achieve far more than he ever anticipated. The journey through the factory, starting with the lowliest of duties in the machine shops and ending as personal assistant to the top motorcycle designers of their time, is described in detail. It gives a rare insight into working practices within the different departments and the characters that were employed. Supported by a host of period photographs and rare documents, it provides a unique record of work within the British motorcycle industry in the final years of its decline into oblivion.

Details