Complete Harley-Davidson: A Model-by-Model History

Tod Rafferty has been riding and racing motorcycles for 35 years. ("But I got a late start," he adds.) His previous book Harley-Davidson: The Ultimate Machine (CLB Publishing) was published in 1994 and appeared in English, Italian, French and German editions. Though primarily a dirt rider, the author keeps a sport bike for the road and hopes to add a touring motorcycle "if this book does well." His other works in progress include Harley Memorabilia, a historical compilation of H-D collectibles, and The Harley-Davidson Racing History covering "ninety years of speed, skill and daring." A book on Indian motorcycles is also under consideration. As a sideline the author is proprietor of the American Garage, purveyor of vintage cars, motorcycles and related artifacts. The garage is also headquarters for his motorsports media production team, currently developing a feature film titled "Sunday Kind'a Love," a motorcycle racing adventure. Rafferty dismisses the notion of spare time, comparing the concept to "other misnomers such as stadium motocross, extra money and rigid suspension." He nonetheless manages several skiing trips a year and plays some tennis. He also manages Team Geezer, an unorganized vintage racing group, and directs the activities of the Motor Jones Society, an association for recovering velocity addicts. The group's motto is "Make no haste to go slow." The official beverage is Guinness. He continues to campaign for recognition of motorcycling as the world's most peaceful form of transportation. "Riding motorcycles develops a higher level of consciousness. The result puts our minds and souls into their natural rhythms, which match the tempos of the planet. And the universe. It's cosmic stuff." Rafferty and his family live on the central coast of California.Rafferty, Tod is the author of 'Complete Harley-Davidson: A Model-by-Model History', published 2004 under ISBN 9780681165779 and ISBN 0681165774.