Most accurate book on the earliest era - At the Creation by Herbert Wagner

Then get Wagner's Harley-Davidson 1930-1941

The first book exposes many of the myths that are taken as "gospel" today. The book is literally more accurate than the HD's own "official" history. Seems the marketing folks sorta spun some "facts" back in the early days to improve the company's history, market position, etc. Hard to believe those responsible for advertising didn't tell the truth, eh?

 

Yeh lots of them out there. My wife got me The Ultimate Harley Davidson last year for my b-day. Pretty neat book. Dunno how thorough or complete it is compared to others. If you wanna browse the HD books that are out just go to amazon.com and search Harley Davidson in books.

 

So far I got some very cheap deals off Ebay,: Alan Girdler's Buyers Guide, Mac Mc Diarmid Ultimate Harley Davidson, and a hardback of Jean Davidsons book Growing Up Harley Davidson. plus a small field guide, I bet the entire lot didnt cost 20 quid, and it'll take me weeks to read them!

 

I have many of the books previously mentioned. To them I would add The Illustrated Directory of Harley-Davidson Motorcycles. It was written by Tom Rafferty.

 

a woman went to a waldens book store and they were going out of business, months ago, and bought me a book on the history of HD and it was big and thick, maybe that's why she chose it. It was a $90 book that they sold for $12, and has lots of info in it. Maybe see if they have some books still, if you have a local waldens, and you could buy several for the price of one.