Building Budget Brits by Mike Brown

This soft-bound book is written by American Mike Brown, a Texas high school teacher by day, motojournalist and avid Brit rebuilder by night. He has apparently been rebuilding Triumph/BSA unit twins for more than 20 years and has decided to put all the acquired knowledge, often learnt the hard way, into print for the benefit of others.

He has written numerous technical articles for Old Bike Journal, Walneck’s Cycle Trader, and other U.S. magazines and is well qualified to cover all aspects of rebuild s and restoration and writes well in an easy to read style.

The book is something of a cross between a workshop manual and general read to impart information on the subject. It is however not intended to be a substitute for a workshop manual, which he lists as one of the essential tools for your tool box.

The well illustrated book is organised just as you would a rebuilding project, starting with selecting a bike to work on and finishing with bringing all the pieces together to ride.
Where it scores is that it contains the practical, down-to-earth information you only get from those who have been down the same path before. Brown passes along the tips, shortcuts, and money-saving advice he has acquired over a span of 20 years working with British motorcycles.

As an amateur builder himself, he understands that you may not have the expensive tools and equipment found in professional restoration shops. Yet, Brown offers practical, clever ways to get the job done without spending a fortune.

Every aspect of refurbishing unit-construction British twins is covered: engine work, transmissions, frame repairs, shocks and forks, brakes, tanks, Amal carbs and Lucas electrical systems. The book also helps you choose a bike to buy, including how to spot bogus serial numbers and avoid buying stolen goods.

You must bear in mind though that this is a US based and written book and the prices quoted are way below what you would expect and have to pay in the UK. However, that aside the advice is sound.

No matter how many books you may have on the subject, there are some really useful hints and tips contained in its 175 pages. So whether you want to build a concours quality restoration, or simply put a good-looking, reliable British bike on the road, you may find the £16.95 (depending on exchange rate) cover price money well spent.
ISBN 978 1 884313 62 2
Available in the UK from all good motoring booksellers or directly from Gazelle Books www.gazellebooks.co.uk or telephone 01524 687665

  Review by Ian Kerr