Overview

The author was a young Londoner with only one ambition in life - to work with motorcycles. That simple wish lead to an apprenticeship that was to change his lief forever, as the training that Associated Motorcycles Limited provided enabled him to achievements he never dreamed possible.This book gives a unique insight into the atmosphere and excitement of working in a motorcycle factory. It is an inspiring story, supported by a host of period photographs and rare documents which provide a fascinating record of work within the British motorcycle industry in the final years of its decline into oblivion.

Full Product Details

9781845841799

Table of Contents

Reviews

"Jampot magazine, November 2008 AJS & Matchless Owners Club Limited UK For anyone who has a fascination with the marques of AJS and Matchless, those fabled yarns from the days when the factory was in full swing serve to remind us of how our present day pride and joy was once created. Bill Cakebread served an engineering apprenticeship after coming out of a grammar school education. It was often hard work in grubby surroundings, but he loved it, and it led him to far greater things in later life. Bill's account of his apprenticeship is a wonderful story of a man who lived his dream. The illustrations (many that I've never seen before) are a priceless record of the day, right up to the 2007 AMC revisited event at the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich. Recommended. ""A really good read and a story long overdue in telling"" - interbike.co.uk ""Insightful, educational, entertaining. The author deserves a cake for serving up this literary dish."" - Classic Bike ""Well illustrated with photos, drawings of the factory layout and other memorabilia, anyone with an interest in Associated Motor Cycles, engineering and life in working class post-war Britain should enjoy this book."" - Brough Superior Club ""A very interesting and easy read that I recommend to anyone with a sense of history and a passion for the British Motorcycle Industry."" - VintageBike.co.uk ""It's quite an uplifting story, which initially at least, emanates happiness in one man's proud working life in an environment he clearly loved. He tells of the characters, the politics, the factory layout, the production methods and much more, plus there are many humorous anecdotes from both his working and his private life."" - Classic Bike Guide Jampot magazine, November 2008 AJS & Matchless Owners Club Limited UK For anyone who has a fascination with the marques of AJS and Matchless, those fabled yarns from the days when the factory was in full swing serve to remind us of how our present day pride and joy was once created. Bill Cakebread served an engineering apprenticeship after coming out of a grammar school education. It was often hard work in grubby surroundings, but he loved it, and it led him to far greater things in later life. Bill's account of his apprenticeship is a wonderful story of a man who lived his dream. The illustrations (many that I've never seen before) are a priceless record of the day, right up to the 2007 AMC revisited event at the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich. Recommended."

It's quite an uplifting story, which initially at least, emanates happiness in one man's proud working life in an environment he clearly loved. He tells of the characters, the politics, the factory layout, the production methods and much more, plus there are many humorous anecdotes from both his working and his private life. - Classic Bike Guide<br>

Jampot magazine, November 2008<br> AJS & Matchless Owners Club Limited<br> UK <br> For anyone who has a fascination with the marques of AJS and Matchless, those fabled yarns from the days when the factory was in full swing serve to remind us of how our present day pride and joy was once created. Bill Cakebread served an engineering apprenticeship after coming out of a grammar school education. It was often hard work in grubby surroundings, but he loved it, and it led him to far greater things in later life. Bill's account of his apprenticeship is a wonderful story of a man who lived his dream. The illustrations (many that I've never seen before) are a priceless record of the day, right up to the 2007 AMC revisited event at the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich. Recommended.<br>

Author Information

Born in London in 1941, Bill Cakebread's sole ambition was to work with motorcycles. This enthusiasm secured him an apprenticeship with Associated Motor Cycles Ltd. When the British motorcycle industry collapsed, he joined Peter Berthon, famous for his association with ERA and BRM racing cars. Adapting his vehicle engineering knowledge to mobile cranes, Bill then became one of this country's leading experts in crane safety, and, as Managing Director of his company, was a regular contributor of articles on the subject, as well as representing the UK at international standards meetings.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available