P.E. Irving

This was the standard early bible for all amateur tuners and racers. Originally from 1948 but later updated to include Two-strokes and Supercharging. There are lots of 'rules of thumb' (which is to be expected as calculators hadn't been invented, and adding machines took a lifetime to operate) with data on carb sizes and gas flow around poppet valves. Good discussion on pistons and rings, crankshaft balancing, and valve train mechanisms. Most discussions relate to the large single cylinder engines such as the Manx Norton and the AJS 7R. The appendix contains some fuel analysis tables and many formulae. In short, it is a good summary of tuning knowledge that would be useful to anyone getting into Historic or Classic racing.

The picture above is not really the front cover, since I do not have a paper jacket for mine, and the hard cover is just plain blue.
So I took a representative picture from inside.
The picture is of the Manx Norton engine

Two Stroke Power Units
280 pages, hardback, Temple Press, 1967

Discusses all types of two-stroke power units, from chainsaws to lawnmowers, from marine to motorcycle. Although some 1960's Yamahas and Susukis are included, the discussion on porting is from the 1940's and 1950's. There are some interesting titbits but generally quite a dull book enlightened only by some historical details on Adler, DKW, EMC and MZ.

The picture is not really the front cover, since I do not have a paper jacket for mine, and the hard cover is just plain blue.
So I took a representative picture from inside.
The picture is of the Arial Arrow engine