Books

BOOKS

GOLDEN AGE OF THE FOURS

by T.A. Hodgdon Bagnail Publishing Co.

81 Van Ripper Lane Orinda, Calif. 94563 $6.95, 169 pp.

This book has nothing whatsoever to do with a poker game but instead is a collection of shortish magazine-length articles about various four-cylinder motorcycles manufactured in the past. Fortunately for our sanity, the book doesn't go into the plethora of Japanese multis now available to the unwashed masses as most of the bikes described here were built when owning a Four made one a man of substance. Largely historical in tone and none the worse for it as a little history never hurt anyone. this large-format paperback will enable you to prove to your drinking buddies that Honda didn't invent the Four nor did Indian or even Henderson for that matter: back in the days of spray carburetors and belt drive a Belgian gentleman not only designed but built a four cyl shaft-driven bike for the Belgian factory FN in 1904. The fact that it didn't have a clutch was immaterial as it went into series production anyway and sold quite well. A little more research elicits even earlier models such as the late 1890s Holden, the Binks inline Four and the Clement V4 which was used for track racing (in 1903!) in a day when 2000cc Singles were running about but details of such specials may be a trifle rare.

Be that as it may, Mr. Hodgdon’s book is an obvious labor of love and quite a good read as it snakes its way through early record-breaking potted histories of the Pierce, Henderson, Ace, Ariel, Indian, Cleveland, Wooler, Brough Superior. Nimbus, etc., etc. including a potpourri of lesser known examples, a dissertation on light aircraft (with Henderson engines), and some remarks on antique hunting in general. None of this is complete enough, really, to be used for serious research but is well worth the price just to fill gaps in one’s historical knowledge.

Henry N. Manner 111