Ducati Single Restoration by Mick Walker - ebook

[gregwils]

I wanted to buy a copy of Mick Walker's book Ducati Singles Restoration as I get started on my first duc project, so I did a quick search and ....YIKES! $375 for a used book? I don't want to read it that bad. Fortunately, I discovered that it's listed on Google eBooks for $14. I would rather have hard-copy, but not willing to pay the premium. I will read it on the computer.

http://books.google.com/ebooks?as_brr=5&q=ducati+singles+restoration&as_sub=

[JimF]

Hi Greg,

There was a long while during which that book was out-of-print and that made the prices go up for the used hardover book on eBay.

When the book was re-printed in softcover it could be had for tens of dollars I think.

I am not sure why the prices are so high now.

It's not that great of a book, not hundreds of $$$$ great. Get the $14 eBook.

Jim

[Jon Pegler]

Mick Walkers has written both Ducati Singles and Ducati Singles Restoration amongst his many other books.
The earlier book was the one Jim is referring to. First published in hardback and later with a soft cover.
The later book, Ducati Singles Restoration, was only ever available in soft cover form.
In my opinion, the restoration book is of very little use if you plan on using it to help you restore an old Ducati.
So many of Mick Walkers words seem to re-appear in endless books and magazine articles of his, often re-written almost word for word, paragraph for paragraph.(Has anyone else noticed that chapter 11 of both his Ducati Singles Restoration and chapter 11 of his Ducati twins restoration start with the same words. Paragraph two of the same chapter in each book is identical.)
There is very little information on engine building or re-wiring, the two most useful areas of Ducati restoration.
Save your money, read it on-line.Don't take it all as the gospel truth either.

Jon

[gregwils]

Thanks. You're right, I am finding that Mick is a better business man than author - how many books did he write? However, some really great older photos, may alone be with the $14. Plus, I am still so new to the Ducati scene that I am in sponge mode and haven't found too many other sources for information. I am reading Tom Bailey's book which is pretty entertaining and informative.