David Wittlinger

Dodging Bullets David Wittlinger

When author David Wittlinger decided to get an old motorcycle to fix up he didn't have any particular model in mind. The criteria were minimal: it had to be simple, inexpensive and look like a proper motorcycle. When he came across a broken down Royal Enfield Bullet 500 he found what he was looking for. A motorcycle with a unique history, his particular example had an endless list of maladies--most thanks to the dreaded 'previous owner'. As the list of repairs grew in concert with his credit card balance Wittlinger learned a lot about motorcycle mechanics and about a unique brand of machine he jokingly describes as "Designed by the British, built in India and broken by Americans". As the first attempt at starting the repaired bike nears, Wittlinger confesses to a growing affection for the design and engineering despite its shortcomings and dated technology. In this revised and expanded second edition Wittlinger is sent another Bullet from a friend to resurrect and sell. As with the first bike, little goes as planned. 'Dodging Bullets' is a book that can be enjoyed equally by marque enthusiasts and those who like following a journey of mechanical restoration that isn't taken too seriously.