Writing a book?

[cyclingday]

As to what I would like to know more about- is the old bicycle industry.
The evolution, and ultimate demise of many of the various companies we all collect.
There were any number of small wholesale vendors around the country.
They had many brands of bicycles they distributed, and many distributed
Schwinn branded stuff as well.

Same here.
A friend told me about, No Hands-The Rise and Fall of the Schwinn Bicycle Company, by Judith Crown and Glenn Coleman.
He said that it was pretty dry reading, but I gave it a shot, and found it to be really interesting.
We've all been waiting for Barry's book to come out, with anticipation.
My hope, is that it's not just a book with pictures of Barry's badge collection, but an in depth read into the various Jobbers and Retailers, and the graphic symbolism of the badges themselves.
I'm sure, Barry got a chuckle when he saw this thread.
What's that old saying?
"You say you want to write a book?"
"Well slam your unit in the car door, and if that feels good to you, then write a book."
I appreciate the ones that do, and I enjoy reading them, but I don't doubt, the daunting task it is, to write a comprehensive book on any subject.

 

[Sevenhills1952]

Whoever wants could write one chapter and submit it for review to be accepted in the book. That seems doable ? I can write a chapter and so could others and get many different viewpoints on the hobby.

That's exactly what I was thinking.

Sent from my SM-S320VL using Tapatalk

 

[the tinker]

Everyone has knowledge that they accept as gospel. Folks will argue their point with you until you are blue in the face.The problem is much of what we know [ or what we think we know] is hearsay. There are older publications on antique bicycles that I have read that contain misinformation. New publications come out and information, right or wrong, is merely recycled from these older publications. The authors have to do their own research. Too many books are quickly written without doing this and it is a disservice to the hobby. Writing an accurate and factual book is not easy. I'm sure that with the combined help of the CABE membership, it could be done within a year. I have a book coming out in February. It's 530 pages and it's fiction.

 

[cyclingday]

Just as an example of what a comprehensive book looks like, this is the best book on the subject of Schwinns motorcycle manufacturing era.
It barely scratches the surface of their bicycle manufacturing enterprise.
Which, as we all know, was extensive.

The authors have an addendum to this one, that is about half this size, just to cover the material gathered that they couldn't fit into this one.

 

[Jesse McCauley]

Everyone has knowledge that they accept as gospel. Folks will argue their point with you until you are blue in the face.The problem is much of what we know [ or what we think we know] is hearsay. There are older publications on antique bicycles that I have read that contain misinformation. New publications come out and information, right or wrong, is merely recycled from these older publications. The authors have to do their own research. Too many books are quickly written without doing this and it is a disservice to the hobby. Writing an accurate and factual book is not easy. I'm sure that with the combined help of the CABE membership, it could be done within a year. I have a book coming out in February. It's 530 pages and it's fiction.

I couldn't agree more.
I have multiple books and drafts in my collection that were written by very intelligent bicycle folks but due to their lack of primary source insight they made a lot of mistakes.
It would take infinite qualifying statements like "only known" or "earliest known" or "to the best of our knowledge" etc.

Not to say it isn't worth trying, but unless you can show a catalog image supporting your argument it is really just that, an argument.

 

[bricycle]

Well... we have a topic called "Bicycle restoration tips" and it's free to view. 'Cept you might not be able to take into the john with you...

 

[A.S.BOLTNUT]

Go to shows , swapmeets , hang out here on The C.A.B.E, talk too some ole boys who have been around the game for many years , after 25 year I'm still learning all the time , that's part of the fun , with so many different makers , models and so on it would be a tremendous task to undergo , no matter what hobby or interest thers always going to someone to counter point a statement , I see it here all the time , arguments on what is and what should be .

 

[Rusty Ol' Rogue]

Whoever wants could write one chapter and submit it for review to be accepted in the book. That seems doable ? I can write a chapter and so could others and get many different viewpoints on the hobby.

Put vincev and me and down for a collaborative effort on one o' them chapters.

 

[Sevenhills1952]

One chapter I'd love to see is (no...not the little lost screw[emoji3]) when...if...how...why to restore a bike.
That seems like a deep albeit a confusing subject because it gets into how that affects resale value, on the other hand reliability if one is going to ride it, as well as say paying $500 for a bike missing a part which may cost $700.
Where does one draw the line in cleaning an old bike? If it's completely disassembled, then everything re-chromed (that was originally), then reassembled with original frame condition (scratches, faded, some rust), is it now worth more or less?
Tires may be another chapter!
Seats.
Maybe the idea is a simple assessment of it as-is. Then make a determination.


Sent from my SM-S320VL using Tapatalk

 

[vincev]

Put vincev and me and down for a collaborative effort on one o' them chapters.

Not many know that a dummy book was written already by a dummy......................................................