Books by Donny PetersenDonny Petersen’s anecdotal and knowledgeable interpretations will make complicated subject matter seem simple. Donny makes mechanical understanding come alive.
This definitive bible for the Harley enthusiast will be comprised of the twelve volumes listed below.
“Volume I: The Twin Cam” is now available. This 430-page book has 50 pictures and many one-of-a-kind easy to understand charts designed by Donny as he explores the Harley Davidson Twin Cam like only he can.
Soft cover $27.95 Hard cover $37.95
“Volume II: Performancing the Twin Cam”
will be released April 2008
A brief synopsis follows for the reader’s perusal.
Each volume will describe, discuss, and analyze a different technical subject within the world of Harley-Davidson except Living the Dream, which will be about Donny’s riding exotic locales and the Rode-Mode survival tips he learned the hard way.
Volume I: The Twin Cam is the comprehensive first book that will lay the groundwork for all that follows in Donny’s Unauthorized Technical Guide to Harley- Davidson 1936-2008.
Volume II: Performancing the Twin Cam will be a dynamic introduction to the quest for speed.
The Twin Cam is the best platform for performancing in the world of Harley.
Carburetors, fuel injection, cams, headwork, strokers, big-bore, supercharging, turbo charging, and nitrous oxide are all hot topics for discussion.
Donny will take the reader through building a very reliable 124-cubic-inch engine using stock Twin Cam engine cases, a feat no previous H-D engine has managed to perform.
Volume III: How It All Works will be a techie dream. Donny will explain the component parts of the engine and subsequent Powertrain from valve springs to sprockets, examining their individual functions and interrelationships.
A total understanding of the V-Twin engine will evolve in the reader’s mind. With this understanding, analysis will follow and thus the ability to diagnose.
Volume IV: The Sportster 1952-2009 will begin with Flathead K models and lead into the birth of the modern Milwaukee Vibrator, the 1957 overhead-valve Sportster. The Sportster lost its “vibrator” status in 2004, entering a new era of touring capability. Donny will chronicle the Sportster’s many mechanical changes over the years.
The historically ignorant and sexist derisively relegate the Sportster to “girl’s bike” status. Originally, a man’s bike, the Sportster dominated racing as well as the hardcore outlaw lifestyle that all modern riding clubs like HOG are based on!
Consequently, it is the most customized Harley of all time. Performancing this ground pounder will be a hot section of the book.
Donny will then explain the future and all the changes that will occur to meet the 2010 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emissions restraints. There will be big changes in the Sportster to meet compliance, beginning with electronic fuel injection for all models in 2007.
Volume V: The Evo 1984-99 is the bike that many credit with saving Harley- Davidson from bankruptcy. Why did it become the chosen one? After all, there was a more progressive and practical bike in the works. However, Harley-Davidson is not about practicality.
How did H-D become the darling of American capitalism?
Donny will explore the Evolution from different perspectives, explaining why it’s so much faster and more reliable than its Shovelhead predecessor is. However, there is a lot wrong with the Evo that loyal riders love to overlook. Donny will get his hands dirty demonstrating the many foibles of the Evo.
Volume VI: Performancing the Evo will describe the hop-ups available for the fastest of the Harley Big Twins up until 1999.
It’s easy to make the Evo faster within the limitations of the engine and retain reliability. Donny will explain how and show you what to do, and perhaps more importantly, what not to do.
Volume VII: Shovelheads 1966-84 will discuss their development from the Panhead.
The Shovel lost our affection with the advent of its more reliable successor, the Evolution.
The Shovelhead is back with a vengeance feeding the “bobber” boom the custom industry is currently enjoying. The Shovel has become one cool bike.
Volume VIII: Lubrication is the all-time favorite subject of those that discuss their bikes and mechanics.
Which brand oil is the best? The half-truths, marketing claims, and mythology surrounding oil are a maze that few penetrate. Donny will remove the hype and give the real deal.
Which oil will win? The combatants will be “out of the ground” fossil oil versus manmade synthetics.
Myth will separate from fact, perhaps giving the reader his first unbiased look at his intriguing subject.
Donny will then go in depth with Harleys “marking their spot.”
Why do traditional oil leaks occur? How do we fix them? Why does your Harley puke oil out the breather? I will explain what is wrong and why and then explain the fixes.
Volume IX: General Harley Tech will be a how-to handbook, discussing such topics as taking everyday practical engine formulas like calculating compression ratios, explaining the math, and then applying the results to bump an engine’s compression.
Donny will also discuss a myriad of interesting topics like calculating cubic-inch displacements, transmission gear ratios, and final drive ratios.
The reader will learn how…just like the experts…to modify his particular bike’s specifications, altering them to tailor his specific needs and wants.
Volume X: Panheads, Knucks, and Flatheads will chronicle the development of the Flatheads from 1936 to the demise of the pie-wagon trike in 1973.
Next, Donny will discuss the first hemi-head Harley, the legendary cast-iron Knucklehead built from 1936 to 1947.
This intriguing volume will round out with exploring the beloved 1948-65 Panhead.
To quote the sexist vernacular of the day, “It takes a man to ride a Pan”
Volume XI: Tech Tips will offer hundreds of practical tips on Harley-Davidson mechanics, short cuts, roadside repairs, and general information that will be intriguing for gear heads and casual readers alike.
One of yesteryears tips concerns a roadside fix using Comet cleanser to prevent engines from smoking oil out the exhaust.
Blowing this fine abrasive into the carburetor throat reseats worn-out piston rings. This treatment stops smoke emanating from the exhaust pipes and, more importantly, prevents the spark plug from oil-fouling, leaving the rider at the side of the road.
This volume will read like Confucius’s sayings.
Volume XII: Living the Dream will contain roadside technical advice interspersed with Donny’s biking adventures. Sprinkled throughout will be Rode-Mode practical guidance that every high-miler learns the hard way, such as surviving impacts at speed with dogs as well as bears, cows, deer, moose, and a flock of Canadian geese. Donny and his riding friends and have encountered them all.
Living the Dream will chronicle his rides around the world from crisscrossing Europe and North America to Central America and Brazil.
The riveting circular ride around South Africa to God’s Window is in a most beautiful and friendly place.
However, there are ten different ways to die each day.
The whole encyclopedia of twelve volumes will be progressively finished over the next six years with a new volume being released approximately every six months.
Please enjoy…………..