Harley-Davidson In the 1960s
Harley-Davidson in the 1960s
BE WARNED! BY THIS TIME NEXT YEAR, WE'LL ALL HAVE had it up to here with books about Harley-freakin'-Davidson. The Motor Company's centenary is hard upon us, see, and every hunt’n’peck hack in search of a royalty check will be retelling the tale of the four founders, the little wooden shack in Milwaukee, the Silent Gray Fellow, yadda, yadda, yadda...
Before the floodgates open, here’s a little gem of a Harley book, words by longtime CW staffer/contributor Allan Girdler, photos by lensman Jeff Hackett. At 95 pages, Harley-Davidson in the 1960s, part of Motorbooks International’s “Enthusiast Color Series,” is a quick, lively read, taking us from the days of simple family ownership to the company’s takeover by corporate conglomerate AMF. All of this is accomplished in Girdler’s trademark homespun, stream-of-consciousness style with insights that you just won’t get in traditional (not to mention officially licensed) regurgitations of Harley history.
Hackett’s accompanying photos-82, all in color-generally keep pace with the text, though a few merely good shots might have been made great had the man simply waited for
the light to get soft and golden, thereby avoiding harsh shadows across gas tanks. And next time, Jeff, use something a little more elegant than a section of 2x4 under the kickstand to prop bikes up at a better angle. Having said that, some photos are truly poster-quality, in particular a dirt-track KR snapped in situ and a glorious 1963 roadrace KRTT.
In a book world about to be overrun with redundant histories of the marque, this isn’t one of ’em. David Edwards
Harley-Davidson in the 1960s, Allan Girdler & Jeff Hackett, 95 pages, $15; MBI Publishing, Galtier Plaza #200, 380 Jackson St., St. Paul,MN 55101; 800/8266600; www. motorbooks. com
