How do I find an old book I don't know the name of?
Discussion
Hi all,
Firstly, I have put this in here, rather than in "Biker Banter" as hopefully more people will see it.
Back in the mid/late sixties, I used to borrow a book from Stalybridge library, (Near Manchester)
It was a motorcycle book, probably made in the 1950's or early sixties, on the cover showed a rider in wet weather gear and a haversack over his shoulder, leaning over, going round a bend or roundabout. He looked like he was off to work. I'm fairly sure the cover was green and the size was approx 9" x 7".
Inside were exploded diagrams of motorbike engines such as Ariel square fours and Matchless singles etc.
I called in at the Library last week, to see if they could check their old records, and they looked at me as if I'd walked in from outer space.
For the past twenty years, I have been looking through hundreds of Charity shops, Barter Books in Alnwick, The Old Pier Bookshop in Morecambe (140,000 books), put a request on classic bike forums, I have had several suggestions, but none have them have been this book.
I will pay good money for this.....at least £10
.
Cheers. WR.
Firstly, I have put this in here, rather than in "Biker Banter" as hopefully more people will see it.
Back in the mid/late sixties, I used to borrow a book from Stalybridge library, (Near Manchester)
It was a motorcycle book, probably made in the 1950's or early sixties, on the cover showed a rider in wet weather gear and a haversack over his shoulder, leaning over, going round a bend or roundabout. He looked like he was off to work. I'm fairly sure the cover was green and the size was approx 9" x 7".
Inside were exploded diagrams of motorbike engines such as Ariel square fours and Matchless singles etc.
I called in at the Library last week, to see if they could check their old records, and they looked at me as if I'd walked in from outer space.
For the past twenty years, I have been looking through hundreds of Charity shops, Barter Books in Alnwick, The Old Pier Bookshop in Morecambe (140,000 books), put a request on classic bike forums, I have had several suggestions, but none have them have been this book.
I will pay good money for this.....at least £10
.Cheers. WR.
The correct way is to contact a Reference Library (like Central Library in Manchester). Problem is, they may indeed have a list of every published book on motorcycles within say 1950-1960 but you'd then have to use their facilities to locate either an electronic version or a physical copy and check if it's the right one. Could be a long task.
The other way (which I'm sure you've tried) is random Google image searches, ebay and Amazon, Facebook Groups, maybe transpoirt / motorbike museums?
The other way (which I'm sure you've tried) is random Google image searches, ebay and Amazon, Facebook Groups, maybe transpoirt / motorbike museums?
bigpriest said:
The other way (which I'm sure you've tried) is random Google image searches, ebay and Amazon, Facebook Groups, maybe transpoirt / motorbike museums?
Thanks for the suggestions so far...appreciated.
Find a pic online which is similar to the one you describe, download it. Open a new tab in your browser and go to google images. Click on the camera icon in the search bar and navigate to the downloaded pic and upload it and search - the book cover might be in the results of similar items.
This is what I came up with from your description, more if you scroll down the side panel:
https://lens.google.com/search?ep=gisbubb&hl=e...
A Matchless result:
This is what I came up with from your description, more if you scroll down the side panel:
https://lens.google.com/search?ep=gisbubb&hl=e...
A Matchless result:
Edited by ReverendCounter on Wednesday 21st June 12:41
Here's some AI suggestions:
User: What books about motorcycles were published between 1950 and 1965?
ChatGPT: Here are some notable books about motorcycles that were published between 1950 and 1965:
"The Motorcycle Diaries" by Ernesto Che Guevara (1952)
"Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" by Robert M. Pirsig (1974) - Although published slightly after 1965, it became influential and gained popularity in the 1970s.
"Motorcycle Roadcraft: The Police Rider's Handbook" by The Police Foundation (1954)
"The Motor Cycle Manual: The Complete Guide to Motor Cycling" by J.B. Nicholas (1956)
"The Motorcycle: Design, Technology, and History" by Mick Walker (1956)
"A Twist of the Wrist: The Motorcycle Roadracers Handbook" by Keith Code (1963)
"Motorcycle Tuning: Two-Stroke" by John Robinson (1963)
"Motorcycle Tuning: Four-Stroke" by John Robinson (1964)
"Illustrated Motorcycle Legends" by David Wood (1965)
"The Complete Motorcycle Book" by John Bentley (1965)
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, but it provides a snapshot of some significant motorcycle-related books published during the specified time period.
User: Can you find me any more books about motorcycles in that timeframe?
ChatGPT: Certainly! Here are some more books about motorcycles published between 1950 and 1965:
"Motorcycle Engineering" by P.E. Irving (1950)
"Motorcycle Engineering" by J.B. Nicholson (1952)
"Motorcycle Sport" by Bob McIntyre (1953)
"Motorcycle Technicalities" by Vic Willoughby (1954)
"Motorcycle Sport" by Bob McIntyre (1955)
"Motorcycling: A Manual for Riders" by George H. Holmes (1955)
"Motorcycle Maintenance and Repair" by John Harvey (1955)
"Motorcycle Racing: A History of the Sport" by David Dixon (1956)
"Motorcycle Engines" by J.B. Nicholson (1957)
"Motorcycle Sport and Leisure" by Ivor Davies (1959)
"The Motorcycle Book" by Alan Seeley (1960)
"Motorcycle Racing" by Bob McIntyre (1961)
"The Complete Book of Motorcycles" by Henry Longhurst (1961)
"Motorcycle and Sidecar Construction" by A. Graham Bell (1962)
"Motorcycle Racing: The Fast Track" by Peter Carrick (1963)
"Motorcycle Repair Handbook" by Chilton (1964)
"Motorcycle Mechanics Handbook" by Allan Girdler (1964)
"Motorcycle Racing: The Man and the Machine" by Leslie F. Hunt (1965)
These books cover various aspects of motorcycles, including engineering, racing, maintenance, and technicalities, providing a diverse range of information for motorcycle enthusiasts during that period.
User: What books about motorcycles were published between 1950 and 1965?
ChatGPT: Here are some notable books about motorcycles that were published between 1950 and 1965:
"The Motorcycle Diaries" by Ernesto Che Guevara (1952)
"Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" by Robert M. Pirsig (1974) - Although published slightly after 1965, it became influential and gained popularity in the 1970s.
"Motorcycle Roadcraft: The Police Rider's Handbook" by The Police Foundation (1954)
"The Motor Cycle Manual: The Complete Guide to Motor Cycling" by J.B. Nicholas (1956)
"The Motorcycle: Design, Technology, and History" by Mick Walker (1956)
"A Twist of the Wrist: The Motorcycle Roadracers Handbook" by Keith Code (1963)
"Motorcycle Tuning: Two-Stroke" by John Robinson (1963)
"Motorcycle Tuning: Four-Stroke" by John Robinson (1964)
"Illustrated Motorcycle Legends" by David Wood (1965)
"The Complete Motorcycle Book" by John Bentley (1965)
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, but it provides a snapshot of some significant motorcycle-related books published during the specified time period.
User: Can you find me any more books about motorcycles in that timeframe?
ChatGPT: Certainly! Here are some more books about motorcycles published between 1950 and 1965:
"Motorcycle Engineering" by P.E. Irving (1950)
"Motorcycle Engineering" by J.B. Nicholson (1952)
"Motorcycle Sport" by Bob McIntyre (1953)
"Motorcycle Technicalities" by Vic Willoughby (1954)
"Motorcycle Sport" by Bob McIntyre (1955)
"Motorcycling: A Manual for Riders" by George H. Holmes (1955)
"Motorcycle Maintenance and Repair" by John Harvey (1955)
"Motorcycle Racing: A History of the Sport" by David Dixon (1956)
"Motorcycle Engines" by J.B. Nicholson (1957)
"Motorcycle Sport and Leisure" by Ivor Davies (1959)
"The Motorcycle Book" by Alan Seeley (1960)
"Motorcycle Racing" by Bob McIntyre (1961)
"The Complete Book of Motorcycles" by Henry Longhurst (1961)
"Motorcycle and Sidecar Construction" by A. Graham Bell (1962)
"Motorcycle Racing: The Fast Track" by Peter Carrick (1963)
"Motorcycle Repair Handbook" by Chilton (1964)
"Motorcycle Mechanics Handbook" by Allan Girdler (1964)
"Motorcycle Racing: The Man and the Machine" by Leslie F. Hunt (1965)
These books cover various aspects of motorcycles, including engineering, racing, maintenance, and technicalities, providing a diverse range of information for motorcycle enthusiasts during that period.
Byker28i said:
i am glad it wasn't just me thinking it 
simon_harris said:
Byker28i said:
i am glad it wasn't just me thinking it google bard says:
Based on your description, I think the book you are looking for is The Modern Motorcyclist by Harold Smethurst. It was published in 1956 and has a green cover with a photo of a motorcyclist in wet weather gear leaning over a roundabout. The book is about the history and culture of motorcycling, and it includes chapters on maintenance, safety, and touring. It is a fairly rare book, but you may be able to find it for sale online or at a library.
Based on your description, I think the book you are looking for is The Modern Motorcyclist by Harold Smethurst. It was published in 1956 and has a green cover with a photo of a motorcyclist in wet weather gear leaning over a roundabout. The book is about the history and culture of motorcycling, and it includes chapters on maintenance, safety, and touring. It is a fairly rare book, but you may be able to find it for sale online or at a library.
spants said:
google bard says:
Based on your description, I think the book you are looking for is The Modern Motorcyclist by Harold Smethurst. It was published in 1956 and has a green cover with a photo of a motorcyclist in wet weather gear leaning over a roundabout. The book is about the history and culture of motorcycling, and it includes chapters on maintenance, safety, and touring. It is a fairly rare book, but you may be able to find it for sale online or at a library.
I hope that's it, it sounds right. OP?Based on your description, I think the book you are looking for is The Modern Motorcyclist by Harold Smethurst. It was published in 1956 and has a green cover with a photo of a motorcyclist in wet weather gear leaning over a roundabout. The book is about the history and culture of motorcycling, and it includes chapters on maintenance, safety, and touring. It is a fairly rare book, but you may be able to find it for sale online or at a library.
I've never heard of Google Bard. Off for a Google....
spants said:
google bard says:
Based on your description, I think the book you are looking for is The Modern Motorcyclist by Harold Smethurst. It was published in 1956 and has a green cover with a photo of a motorcyclist in wet weather gear leaning over a roundabout. The book is about the history and culture of motorcycling, and it includes chapters on maintenance, safety, and touring. It is a fairly rare book, but you may be able to find it for sale online or at a library.
lol it made it upBased on your description, I think the book you are looking for is The Modern Motorcyclist by Harold Smethurst. It was published in 1956 and has a green cover with a photo of a motorcyclist in wet weather gear leaning over a roundabout. The book is about the history and culture of motorcycling, and it includes chapters on maintenance, safety, and touring. It is a fairly rare book, but you may be able to find it for sale online or at a library.
BrettMRC said:
Here's some AI suggestions:
User: What books about motorcycles were published between 1950 and 1965?
ChatGPT: Here are some notable books about motorcycles that were published between 1950 and 1965:
"The Motorcycle Diaries" by Ernesto Che Guevara (1952)
"Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" by Robert M. Pirsig (1974) - Although published slightly after 1965, it became influential and gained popularity in the 1970s.
"Motorcycle Roadcraft: The Police Rider's Handbook" by The Police Foundation (1954)
"The Motor Cycle Manual: The Complete Guide to Motor Cycling" by J.B. Nicholas (1956)
"The Motorcycle: Design, Technology, and History" by Mick Walker (1956)
"A Twist of the Wrist: The Motorcycle Roadracers Handbook" by Keith Code (1963)
"Motorcycle Tuning: Two-Stroke" by John Robinson (1963)
"Motorcycle Tuning: Four-Stroke" by John Robinson (1964)
"Illustrated Motorcycle Legends" by David Wood (1965)
"The Complete Motorcycle Book" by John Bentley (1965)
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, but it provides a snapshot of some significant motorcycle-related books published during the specified time period.
User: Can you find me any more books about motorcycles in that timeframe?
ChatGPT: Certainly! Here are some more books about motorcycles published between 1950 and 1965:
"Motorcycle Engineering" by P.E. Irving (1950)
"Motorcycle Engineering" by J.B. Nicholson (1952)
"Motorcycle Sport" by Bob McIntyre (1953)
"Motorcycle Technicalities" by Vic Willoughby (1954)
"Motorcycle Sport" by Bob McIntyre (1955)
"Motorcycling: A Manual for Riders" by George H. Holmes (1955)
"Motorcycle Maintenance and Repair" by John Harvey (1955)
"Motorcycle Racing: A History of the Sport" by David Dixon (1956)
"Motorcycle Engines" by J.B. Nicholson (1957)
"Motorcycle Sport and Leisure" by Ivor Davies (1959)
"The Motorcycle Book" by Alan Seeley (1960)
"Motorcycle Racing" by Bob McIntyre (1961)
"The Complete Book of Motorcycles" by Henry Longhurst (1961)
"Motorcycle and Sidecar Construction" by A. Graham Bell (1962)
"Motorcycle Racing: The Fast Track" by Peter Carrick (1963)
"Motorcycle Repair Handbook" by Chilton (1964)
"Motorcycle Mechanics Handbook" by Allan Girdler (1964)
"Motorcycle Racing: The Man and the Machine" by Leslie F. Hunt (1965)
These books cover various aspects of motorcycles, including engineering, racing, maintenance, and technicalities, providing a diverse range of information for motorcycle enthusiasts during that period.
ChatGPT?User: What books about motorcycles were published between 1950 and 1965?
ChatGPT: Here are some notable books about motorcycles that were published between 1950 and 1965:
"The Motorcycle Diaries" by Ernesto Che Guevara (1952)
"Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" by Robert M. Pirsig (1974) - Although published slightly after 1965, it became influential and gained popularity in the 1970s.
"Motorcycle Roadcraft: The Police Rider's Handbook" by The Police Foundation (1954)
"The Motor Cycle Manual: The Complete Guide to Motor Cycling" by J.B. Nicholas (1956)
"The Motorcycle: Design, Technology, and History" by Mick Walker (1956)
"A Twist of the Wrist: The Motorcycle Roadracers Handbook" by Keith Code (1963)
"Motorcycle Tuning: Two-Stroke" by John Robinson (1963)
"Motorcycle Tuning: Four-Stroke" by John Robinson (1964)
"Illustrated Motorcycle Legends" by David Wood (1965)
"The Complete Motorcycle Book" by John Bentley (1965)
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, but it provides a snapshot of some significant motorcycle-related books published during the specified time period.
User: Can you find me any more books about motorcycles in that timeframe?
ChatGPT: Certainly! Here are some more books about motorcycles published between 1950 and 1965:
"Motorcycle Engineering" by P.E. Irving (1950)
"Motorcycle Engineering" by J.B. Nicholson (1952)
"Motorcycle Sport" by Bob McIntyre (1953)
"Motorcycle Technicalities" by Vic Willoughby (1954)
"Motorcycle Sport" by Bob McIntyre (1955)
"Motorcycling: A Manual for Riders" by George H. Holmes (1955)
"Motorcycle Maintenance and Repair" by John Harvey (1955)
"Motorcycle Racing: A History of the Sport" by David Dixon (1956)
"Motorcycle Engines" by J.B. Nicholson (1957)
"Motorcycle Sport and Leisure" by Ivor Davies (1959)
"The Motorcycle Book" by Alan Seeley (1960)
"Motorcycle Racing" by Bob McIntyre (1961)
"The Complete Book of Motorcycles" by Henry Longhurst (1961)
"Motorcycle and Sidecar Construction" by A. Graham Bell (1962)
"Motorcycle Racing: The Fast Track" by Peter Carrick (1963)
"Motorcycle Repair Handbook" by Chilton (1964)
"Motorcycle Mechanics Handbook" by Allan Girdler (1964)
"Motorcycle Racing: The Man and the Machine" by Leslie F. Hunt (1965)
These books cover various aspects of motorcycles, including engineering, racing, maintenance, and technicalities, providing a diverse range of information for motorcycle enthusiasts during that period.
So how many of those are actually real books?
that ai just invents s
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