Topic: Who has the oldest shop manual?

[SteveD CB500F]

...or the one with the most interesting history?

In the 70's I had a Chilton Repair and Tune-Up Guide which was brilliant, so a few years ago I bought one on eBay from the US.

In the back it says
"Sayreville Free Public Library
1050 Washington Rod
Parlin
NJ 08859

Anybody know it?

Also has the price: $4.50

And a "loss of date card fine" of 15c

[gregk]

Ive got the same manual ( Chilton's Motorcycle Repair Manual) and it covers about 13 different makes.  I also got mine from the Library, but at a book sale.  Great reference. 

I have a hard cover motorcycle repair manual from the Nicholson Brothers which dates to before WW2.  The book is titled " Motorcycle Mechanics and Speed Tuning"  It covers all the british makes as well as HD and Indian.  A great piece of history and I can read it about every second year. 

The Nicolson Brothers had a bike shop in Saskatoon Saskatchewan and were responsible for importing and maintaining british bikes for western Canada.  They were in business until the early 70's but by that time they were very old men. 
The Nicolson Bros. were employed by the Canadian Government during the war to teach soldiers to ride bikes. 

Greg

[Raul CB750K1]

I have "motor Cycles, a practical handbook on their building, care and management" printed January 1916, "The motorcyclist's workshop" printed 1954, "Motorcycles and how to manage them" printed 1948, several editions of "Motorcycling Manual", "The modern diesel" printed 1935, "Two strokes motorcycles and autocycles" printed in the late 30's.

Then, I have many Chilton's from the seventies, "Troubleshooting guide", "Motorcycle maintenance", also that thousand-or-so big Chilton motorcycle manual, and many more....



Did I say I'm much better now from my eBay addiction? 

[johnny-from-bel]

I have an original CB750K1-K6 honda workshop manual (1977).
The oldesd shop manual is "How to run a lathe" 1942

[mark]

I have a very interesting text on all manner of engines copyrighted 1907 . I have no clue as to why, how, or where my Great-Grandma got it, but it was on the shelf and she gave it to me when I was a kid. It's around here somewhere, along with a book on auto cam timing and magneto stuff from 1916 .
 'Automobile Ignition, Starting, Lighting' c1919 .
 Dyke's Automobile and Gasoline Engine Encyclopedia 15th ed. 1927 .
 Pratt & Whitney Wasp and Hornet Series Overhaul Manual 1941 .
 Thompson's Truck & Tractor manual 1940 . Motor's auto 10th ed. 1947 . Motor's 6th truck 1953 . Glenn's Foreign Car 1966 . Chilton's Foreign Car 1971 .
 Williams Pinball Parts Catalog 1956 .
 USN Handbook of Damage Control 1945 .
That's Gramps at the bottom right.

No, he wasn't driving.


Happy trails.

[Sam Green Racing]

I have a genuine Honda workshop manual dated June 1960, covering the 125 and 150 Benlys.
It's in English but Hondas didn't come into the UK until 1961.
Saying it's in English is a bit of a exaggeration, it's understandable but very poor for a company about to take on the motorcycle manufacturers of the world.

Sam.

[Jonesy]

SteveD: According to Yahoo Yellowpages, the Sayreville Library is still there and in operation.

Here's mine- 1966 Edition of Chilton's Honda repair manual, by Ocee Ritch:

[mark]

Hmmm..
Another box dug through, but still not what I was looking for.
For your viewing pleasure, I offer this tidbit from Dyke's Encyclopedia, 9th ed. ..

Imagine that.. Starting the bike without jacking up the rear wheel.. What will they think of next?

also found..

'Valve Setting' c1908 (steam engines)

'Naval Engines and Machinery' U.S. Naval Institute 1906.

Happy trails.

[bill440cars]

      Okay, I may not have the oldest, but I think you all might be interested in what I DO have. How about:

       Tuning For Speed 1956 3rd Edition

     Operation & Maintenance Manual  Indian Motorcycle Model 741-B
            (It is actually an Army Manual- TM 10-1485 Feb 20, 1942)           

       Parts List Indian Military Motorcycle Model 741
  (Also an Army Manual TM 10-1484)  Both are in PERFECT condition) 

       Service Parts Catalog For Motorcycle, 74 cu. in. chain driven, W/ Left Hand S/C. (sidecar) Model 34
             (Also an Army Manual TM 10-1332 Dec 15, 1943)

       Service Manuals for the 1955,56 & 57  Indian (Royal Enfield)
            Apache, Trailblazer, Tomahawk, Woodsman, Westerner,
            Hounds Arrow, Fire Arrow & Lancer
 
       Parts Manuals for the Same as listed above.

      Indian Brave Manual that covers: Repair, Overhaul & Parts
      Listing (can't find a year on it, have to be late 40's though)
      has a price printed on it for $2.00  Like I'd sell it for that!

      Indian Sales Corporation Book (lists New Models, policies Low
       Prices & Profit Possibilities for 1950.
   (for example, a new Indian Chief Roadmaster listed for $ 1,025.00)                             
   (A Vincent Black Shadow, Also sold through the Indian Dealers,
    listed for $1,330.00.)
    AJS, Excelsior, Douglas, Indian, Norton, Matchless, Royal Enfield &
    Vincent were (at that time) available through the Indian dealers.

    I've got some more stuff, but I thought that would do for now. Don't want to tie up the thread for too long at any one time, you know. Others might want to participate too.

                                 Later on, Bill

 

[SteveD CB500F]

Right.

I can see that I obviously wasn't specific enough in the title:

Who has the oldest SOHC4 shop manual?

Clear enough?

[bill440cars]

       Well, that leaves ME completely out! I'll just sit on the sidelines and enjoy. Got a manual on the CB77 Super Hawk, It is a SOHC but only a 2 cylinder.   Bring on the oldies!

                              Later on, Bill

[gerhed]

Picked this one up at Pierce Indian in L.A. right after
I bought my '48 in March of '68.
They offered to give me a brand new Indian motor if I'd give them mine plus $350.
Since I'd just paid $250 for my '48 Indian--I respectfully declined the offer.

[mark]

Right.

I can see that I obviously wasn't specific enough in the title:

Who has the oldest SOHC4 shop manual?

Clear enough?

Rats.. Foiled again..

I guess that means I don't win any prizes for 'Practical Blacksmithing' 1889

Oh well.

{edit: I am beginning to sense some sort of ulterior motive here.. Congratulations, you win the prize for having the oldest SOHC4 manual - this well used but still quite serviceable SCANNER!(and a small request) BTW.. Shouldn't such a request belong in the SOHC4 Bike area? .. I'm still looking for that 1907 text. There was a diagram of a really neat marine engine - an SOHC6 with a shaft driven cam.. shades of Ducati. }

[TwoTired]

I have:
Chilton's Honda Fours  Repairs and Tune up Guide. Second edition
All four cylinder Models through 1974.
Copyright 1974  First published 1972.  (So, I know there is an older one out there.)

And:

Clymer Publications
Honda Service * Repair Handbook
350-550cc Fours * 1972-1974
Copyright 1972, 1974
First printing November, 1972
...
Sixth printing November, 1975
 (So, I know there is are older ones out there.  But, without the corrections  )

Ha!

Cheers,

[SteveD CB500F]

TT - mine's the '72

Covers CB500 and CB750 up to K2

[TwoTired]

TT - mine's the '72

Covers CB500 and CB750 up to K2

Ahhh so that's why mine says "Expanded Edition".  Cb350F, Cb500, Cb550, Cb550K1, Cb750, Cb750K1-K5.  Says $7.95 on the back.

Do you suppose mine's bigger? 
(Snicker)

165 pages!

Cheers,

[SteveD CB500F]

161 pages so must either use a larger font or have much more info on a more restricted range...

Sounds like you need one for your collection!