The story of how motorcycle speed and style came to be is explored and told by an expert…Motorcyclists’ quest for speed began shortly after the first motorcycles were built. From cut downs to bob jobs to race replicas, fast motorcycles and the associated gear evolved over the decades, culminating in the iconic café racer style of the 1960s. In Ton Up! A Century of Café Racer Speed and Style (Motorbooks, December 31, 2019) author and expert Paul d’Orleans traces this history from the late nineteenth century to today, telling the story of the machines, the riders, the builders, the style, and the culture of the café racer world. D’Orleans is the founder and publisher of the motorcycle history and culture website The Vintagent.
Ton Up! focuses on the story of the ton-up boys and their café racers. But it's much more than just that. Illustrated with historic and modern photos and featuring a text by one of the world’s motorcycle historians, it's really the story of motorcycle speed and style evolved from the early 1900s right through today. Today, ton-up culture is more popular than ever and recognized worldwide with a following of young and long-time riders alike. With Ton Up!, enjoy a scenic ride through the history of this vibrant scene.
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-Steve Roth
