Subjects wanted for New Zealand motorcycle book

[Steve Holmes]

Hi folks, my name is Steve Holmes. I've written a few car related books in the past couple of years for HarperCollins, mostly on various enthusiast cars and car collections etc. I've recently been asked by HC to write a book on the Motorcycle culture in New Zealand, and was hoping to find some people who want to be included, or can suggest people who could be included in the book.

Basically, the book is whats known as a 'Kiwiana' book, ie, all about what makes us unique as Kiwis. I guess you could call it a coffee table book, lots of nice big photos etc, and something anyone with even a passing interest would enjoy. It'll be approx 200 pages.

For this new motorcycle book, what I'm after is people who have bikes of interest, or people who are bike riders and are themselves of interest, ie, they use their bike as their daily transport, or they've ridden bikes all around the world, or they use a motorcycle for their job etc. Just something that makes an interesting story. The bikes of interest would be anything rare, old, customised etc.

I'm also wanting people with motorcycle collections. I already have a few interesting collections that are confirmed, including the Craw collection in Whangarei, and the Hayes collection in Invercargill.

I know security is important, I'll only be using peoples first names in the book, unless they specifically request their full name be used. I won't be giving away locations etc. Just in case you'd like to know what other books I've written, so far there have been three: The Kiwi Hot Rodders Guide To Life, Kiwi Ute Drivers Guide To Life, Petrolheads In Sheds.

Thanks heaps for your help guys. I can be contacted by email on: theroaringseason@gmail.com or just reply to this thread.

Thanks again

Cheers
Steve Holmes

[Steve Holmes]

I'd just like to say a big thanks to everyone who has responded so far. This is fantastic! For anyone who thinks they'd like to be included, if they have a bike of interest, custom, rare, old, high mileage, weird, etc, I'd love to hear from you. Don't be shy! Also, I'd love to hear from older riders, and young ones too. Anyone who would make for interesting reading.

Thanks again everyone.

[Hitcher]

Ahh. THOSE sorts of subjects. Here was me about to rattle off a list:


Where do I get insurance?
What sort of bike should I buy?
Does anybody other than Pirelli make tyres?
Why isn't there a standard biker wave?
Are there any randy young women who ride bikes near me?


But now I realise how unhelpful such a list may be.

[AllanB]

Ohhhhh what about a section on KB!!!!!!

[cheshirecat]

Ohhhhh what about a section on KB!!!!!!
Nobody would believe it. Would have to be in fiction, like a bus timetable

[rustic101]

Maybe a section on; 'to wave or not to wave' but not nodding...:wavey::wavey:

[Laava]

Ohhhhh what about a section on KB!!!!!!

A let's put a face to the name section.
So we can see if Akzxle is really a somalian refugee
Or whether ducatilover is really a bald ginga
Or if Cook my sock is still stuck in tree
Etc etc?

[ducatilover]

I should be back down in the Wairarapa at the end of this month or beginning of July, I am happy to have a chat (but it'll probably make your book turn to shit...):niceone:

[Kornholio]

I've got a beaten up GSXR750 that can tell some stories if you want to throw that in there.... second thoughts may be incriminating.... (parking on footpaths and stuff...) :sweatdrop

[kiwifruit]

I have 3 expresses

[Kornholio]

I have 3 expresses

You have way much more than that Mr Fruit ;)

[sidecar bob]

Id like to nominate my Mrs, Tracey Bryan & her pink formula 2 sidecar #28.
Both have very interesting stories to tell.
I am also the custodian of the last competitive british race bike to be campaigned by a kiwi in the open class, the owner & former rider of this bike whom I am in regular contact with, currently resides in Australia & he is a paticularly interesting subject too.
Maybe you ae only interested in road riders ?? That could end up being a bit of a yawnfest to be fair.

[Akzle]

were you one of the guys responsible fop the thinly veiled advertising that is 'nz huntin WORLD'?

[FJRider]

A let's put a face to the name section.
So we can see if Akzxle is really a somalian refugee
Or whether ducatilover is really a bald ginga
Or if Cook my sock is still stuck in tree
Etc etc?

Some things that are seen ... can not be unseen ... :eek:

Be careful what you wish for .... <_<

[98tls]

Got "The Kiwi ute drivers guide to life" on the coffee table,great read.Look forward to this one.

[Banditbandit]

I got this book for my birthday this week (no, it was unexpected, I didn't ask for it).

Nice ...

[jasonu]

No NZ bike book would be complete without a section on Buckets.

[Banditbandit]

How the hell would you know??? You're not here ..

[husaberg]

How the hell would you know??? You're not here ..

he virtually is....

[Crasherfromwayback]

I got this book for my birthday this week (no, it was unexpected, I didn't ask for it).

Nice ...

Which book?

[jellywrestler]

Which book?

Kiwi Bike Culture $34 bucks at whitcoulls Octane books in AK stock em, you're a bit slow I seen a copy a few weeks back, hope the author is going to do the decent thing and going to give all the people he included in the book a complimentary copy.........

[nodrog]

Am I in it?

[jellywrestler]

Am I in it?

dunno haven't got a copy sorry, what section would you most likely be in?

[nodrog]

dunno haven't got a copy sorry, what section would you most likely be in?

Ladies lingere.

[Hitcher]

Kiwi Bike Culture $34 bucks at whitcoulls

Or $31.19 at Wheelers http://www.wheelers.co.nz/books/9781775540298-kiwi-bike-culture/

[Crasherfromwayback]

hope the author is going to do the decent thing and going to give all the people he included in the book a complimentary copy.........

Dunno if he's included the bit he did on my SR...but I haven't heard from him so doubt even if he did I'll be sent a free copy!

[mossy1200]

Be aware. This could be another ACC infiltrator trying to get information in order to increase levies. Switch to silent mode everyone.:spanking:

[paturoa]

If you're after interesting stuff then get in touch with buckets and side cars. They are liberally sprinkled with nut jobs.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Ladies lingere.

Are the pics in colour?

[Katman]

Are the pics in colour?

Only his pink bits.

[5150]

Onearmbandit is in it

[Crasherfromwayback]

Onearmbandit is in it

He's a good choice!

[nodrog]

Are the pics in colour?


Only his pink bits.

so who wants a root?

[husaberg]

so who wants a root?

i am picking the "Katman" plays the chick:sick:

[Katman]

i am picking the "Katman" plays the chick:sick:

Are you keen?

[husaberg]

Are you kean?

Deepends..............:no:

[Katman]

Deepends..............:no:

Deep???

Wow, you might be a keeper.

[husaberg]

Deep???

Wow, you might be a keeper.

Butt I like a chick that plays harder to get than you:msn-wink:

[Katman]

Butt I like a chick that plays harder to get than you:msn-wink:

Dude, The Man in the Mirror is not just a song by a black man.

[husaberg]

Dude, The Man in the Mirror is not just a song by a black man.

but he liked little boys toys............:nya:
interesting that you chose to quote him?

[Crasherfromwayback]

so who wants a root?

Had one not 1/2 hour ago!

[husaberg]

Had one not 1/2 hour ago!
You sound "pleased" with yourself does that still count as a root.......:nono:

[Tony.OK]

Had one not 1/2 hour ago!

Root beer doesn't count :crazy:

[Crasherfromwayback]

Root beer doesn't count :crazy:

Lol. Who says?!

[5150]

Had one not 1/2 hour ago!

Yeah, I have heard that you sales people screw people out of their money...:lol:

[Crasherfromwayback]

Yeah, I have heard that you sales people screw people out of their money...:lol:

It's a tough job mate...but someone's gotta do it.

[Paul in NZ]

Had a quick look through - more than one KB 'face' in that book... Will be on my xmas wish list ;-)

[Paul in NZ]

It's a tough job mate...but someone's gotta do it.

You don't need to enjoy it so much though....

[Crasherfromwayback]

Had a quick look through - more than one KB 'face' in that book... Will be on my xmas wish list ;-)


Where'd you see it Paul...may go get a copy seeing as a free ain't ain't coming anytime soon!



You don't need to enjoy it so much though....

Sheesh. Some people are hard to *please*.

[Banditbandit]

It's a tough job mate...but someone's gotta do it.

Tough job ??? Fuck me .. I was in your shop two weeks ago - no-one even tried to sell me a bike - let alone a root or even a cup of coffee ... !!!! Y'all sat around nattering ....

(Well, except for the mechanic who helped me adjust my loose chain ... )

[Crasherfromwayback]

Tough job ??? Fuck me .. I was in your shop two weeks ago - no-one even tried to sell me a bike - let alone a root or even a cup of coffee ... !!!! Y'all sat around nattering ....

(Well, except for the mechanic who helped me adjust my loose chain ... )

Lol. What day were you in? Very rare I don't go in for the kill mate. And normally I get told to fuck off with my coffee. Bet it was on Monday yeah?

[Paul in NZ]

Where'd you see it Paul...may go get a copy seeing as a free ain't ain't coming anytime soon!



Whitcoulls Reading... I wouldnt bother though - some really ugly buggers in it including one loon that keeps an old MX bike in his lounge... A crazy ChCh bike cop and some hairy electrician that has a bunch of old race bikes ... And thats just for starters....

(nah its pretty good)

[jellywrestler]

Where'd you see it Paul...may go get a copy seeing as a free ain't ain't coming anytime soon!
.
dont be a quitter, get hold of the author and remind him how he makes his money, I spent quite some time helping him including giving him several good leads of which he hadn't heard of the people and used THREE at least for the book, haven't read the book; except in the shop where i skimmed through it, as i'm fucked if i'll buy one on principal, thought you had principles too Pete?????

[Crasherfromwayback]

dont be a quitter, get hold of the author and remind him how he makes his money, I spent quite some time helping him including giving him several good leads of which he hadn't heard of the people and used THREE at least for the book, haven't read the book; except in the shop where i skimmed through it, as i'm fucked if i'll buy one on principal, thought you had principles too Pete?????

Yeah I do. Have been thinking about it since Paul's reply too...and am starting to think "fuck him!"

[Katman]

Yeah I do. Have been thinking about it since Paul's reply too...and am starting to think "fuck him!"

Yeah, I know the feeling.

Apparently the latest KiwiRider has an article on Katanas and they never paid me a visit.

Fuck 'em.

[jellywrestler]

Yeah, I know the feeling.

Apparently the latest KiwiRider has an article on Katanas and they never paid me a visit.

Fuck 'em.

that's cause kiwirider doesnt go anywhere unless there's sausage rolls and asparagus sammies, and shandies.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Yeah, I know the feeling.

Apparently the latest KiwiRider has an article on Katanas and they never paid me a visit.

Fuck 'em.

On ya birthday too Old Man!:bleh:

[cheshirecat]

Tough job ??? Fuck me .. I was in your shop two weeks ago - no-one even tried to sell me a bike - let alone a root or even a cup of coffee ... !!!!

You actually wanted the coffee. They were probably too stunned by the concept to think about selling.

[Banditbandit]

Lol. What day were you in? Very rare I don't go in for the kill mate. And normally I get told to fuck off with my coffee. Bet it was on Monday yeah?

Naa .. it was a Saturday. I got to Wellington with a very rattly chain - I couldn't loosen the wheel nut with the tools on the bike so I got a BIG wrench from one of your mechanics ... did the job ...


You actually wanted the coffee. They were probably too stunned by the concept to think about selling.

No, not seriously - I did stop there a while ago after a long ride and they offered me coffee - I made the mistake of accepting ... this time I wasn't even offered one ..

[Crasherfromwayback]

Naa .. it was a Saturday. I got to Wellington with a very rattly chain - I couldn't loosen the wheel nut with the tools on the bike so I got a BIG wrench from one of your mechanics ... did the job ...



No, not seriously - I did stop there a while ago after a long ride and they offered me coffee - I made the mistake of accepting ... this time I wasn't even offered one ..

Stink one. Sorry to hear you weren't seen to properly.

[Banditbandit]

Stink one. Sorry to hear you weren't seen to properly.

Hey no worries - all I wanted was a wheel nut loosened - and your mechabnic was extremely helpful - I got what I went for ...

[Crasherfromwayback]

Hey no worries - all I wanted was a wheel nut loosened - and your mechabnic was extremely helpful - I got what I went for ...

It's the part where you said everyone was sitting round nattering rather than greating you that bothers me.

[tbs]

Hey guys. I just bought the book from Octane Books in Newmarket. I've read the chapters about Crasher and OAB over lunch. It's pretty well done. The guy at Octane reckoned that NZ publishing being what it is, there won't be any gratis copies sent out to subjects, so if you want a copy you'll probably have to stump up the $40. Still, I'd recommend it. It's a pretty fair price for a nicely presented read with lots of pics.

[Grumph]

Make the system work for you....request the book from your local library.

Most have a very proactive policy on purchasing NZ published work.

[jellywrestler]

Hey guys. I just bought the book from Octane Books in Newmarket. I've read the chapters about Crasher and OAB over lunch. It's pretty well done. The guy at Octane reckoned that NZ publishing being what it is, there won't be any gratis copies sent out to subjects, so if you want a copy you'll probably have to stump up the $40. Still, I'd recommend it. It's a pretty fair price for a nicely presented read with lots of pics.

i bet the writer got paid for his efforts in writing it and researching it, i personally spent some time with him, during my working day when i could've been earning money; and pointed out at least three subjects that he hadn't heard of and followed this up when i'd found contact details and provided them to him. i preferred to sort my own photography and went down that path where me and my partner spent a bit of time sorting it via dropbox a system he had trouble working which took extra time.
i dont care about the publisher, he's the one i dealt with spent the time with and i don't think it's unreasonable to receive a copy
till this happens there wont be a copy on my bookshelf and you won't hear me promoting it either.

[imdying]

<img src="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTWsmBu1DaALHk-7BGC26t-VsF0RYEehCq39Cw7D3CrGN57I7qfaA" />

[jellywrestler]

This explains a lot and that's fine by me, people are fighting for their jobs so that takes first spot.


Spyda, I can promise you they’re not bludgers who use people. HarperCollins in Australia recently made the decision to drastically down-scale the NZ branch of the company. They cut the staff count by about 80%, leaving most people in the NZ branch of HarperCollins without a job right before Xmas. There is now just a small team left trying to keep the distribution running smoothly in the busiest period of the year right before Xmas. They usually send me a small number of copies to give to family and friends but I’ve not received these yet, because of all the shit they’re having to deal with.



If you need a copy urgently I’ll just go down to Paper Plus or Whitcoulls and buy you a copy. Give me a few days to get it sorted, I’m stuck here until Wednesday, but should be able to get one out later in the week.



Cheers

Steve Holmes

[Crasherfromwayback]

This explains a lot and that's fine by me, people are fighting for their jobs so that takes first spot.


Spyda, I can promise you they’re not bludgers who use people. HarperCollins in Australia recently made the decision to drastically down-scale the NZ branch of the company. They cut the staff count by about 80%, leaving most people in the NZ branch of HarperCollins without a job right before Xmas. There is now just a small team left trying to keep the distribution running smoothly in the busiest period of the year right before Xmas. They usually send me a small number of copies to give to family and friends but I’ve not received these yet, because of all the shit they’re having to deal with.



If you need a copy urgently I’ll just go down to Paper Plus or Whitcoulls and buy you a copy. Give me a few days to get it sorted, I’m stuck here until Wednesday, but should be able to get one out later in the week.



Cheers

Steve Holmes

Seems fair to me!

[Murray]

Woo hoo mothers got it right this chrissie, book arrived in the mail today and looks a good read - would be nice to put some of the names to the KB handle - whose this Bonnie, brett, doug, Finn (fin), fraser, garry, gary etc etc - I can guess rastuscat (nice picture of him holding the donuts in)

[jellywrestler]

Woo hoo mothers got it right this chrissie, book arrived in the mail today and looks a good read - would be nice to put some of the names to the KB handle - whose this Bonnie, brett, doug, Finn (fin), fraser, garry, gary etc etc - I can guess rastuscat (nice picture of him holding the donuts in)

brett doug and finn aren't on kb, i'm spyda near the back of the book

[Grubber]

Just picked this up online at Whittcoulls for $29.70.:woohoo:
Sweet!

[Kendoll]

Id like to nominate my Mrs, Tracey Bryan & her pink formula 2 sidecar #28.
Both have very interesting stories to tell.

Stirts, get in there chick! :msn-wink:

[Kornholio]

Just picked this up online at Whittcoulls for $29.70.:woohoo:
Sweet!

Mint... was going to get it a while ago but wasn't going to pay 40 bucks for it (only cos Fraser in it and he lowered the tone :p)... 29.70 I will do! :D

[onearmedbandit]

Woo hoo mothers got it right this chrissie, book arrived in the mail today and looks a good read - would be nice to put some of the names to the KB handle - whose this Bonnie, brett, doug, Finn (fin), fraser, garry, gary etc etc - I can guess rastuscat (nice picture of him holding the donuts in)

I'm Fraser. Unless you're a debt collector.


Mint... was going to get it a while ago but wasn't going to pay 40 bucks for it (only cos Fraser in it and he lowered the tone :p)... 29.70 I will do! :D

Should be $129.70 'cos I'm in it. And I got my favourite bar in there too (Smash Palace).

[MIXONE]

I'm Fraser. Unless you're a debt collector.



Should be $129.70 'cos I'm in it. And I got my favourite bar in there too (Smash Palace).

I'm coming to Chchur on the 27th and have added Smash Palace as a "must do" while I'm there.

[Murray]

I'm Fraser. Unless you're a debt collector.

(Smash Palace).

Nope not a debt collector - good story though and you have my utmost respect!!

[Crasherfromwayback]

Nope not a debt collector - good story though and you have my utmost respect!!

Fuck yeah! Hard enough to ride the cunting things with two arms.

[onearmedbandit]

I'm coming to Chchur on the 27th and have added Smash Palace as a "must do" while I'm there.

Pity you won't be there for a Thursday night, that's Bike Night.

[Kornholio]

. And I got my favourite bar in there too (Smash Palace).

Yeah that place looks pretty mean :)

[onearmedbandit]

Yeah that place looks pretty mean :)

Johnny only wished he'd provided some photos of Thursday night or that Steve could've been there himself on the night.

[onearmedbandit]

Fuck yeah! Hard enough to ride the cunting things with two arms.

I reckon, heck even I can't do that.

[Crasherfromwayback]

I reckon, heck even I can't do that.

Useless mate!

[Bannockbiker]

Hi Steve - great book - eneded up with two copies as saw Matthew (son of John) buying one in Cromwell Paper Plus, so had to get one, then I'm getting one as a present in a few days I think. Anyway, any time you are in Central Otago, look us up at Central Otago Motorcycle Hire or come along to Bike Week at the beginning of Feb www.bikeweeknz.com and push your book. Cheers, Dave

[Grashopper]

Picked up a copy yesterday. Great book.

Very well written and great stories. And it is fun trying to guess who is who here on kb :D