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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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motorcycles
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A product in which British manufacturers suffered a catastrophic collapse from the 1960s, having previously been world leaders with makes such as *BSA, *Norton and *Triumph. The industry decided to concentrate in the 1960s on the most powerful bikes, just when the public was becoming interested in cheaper and lighter machines. The Japanese filled the gap, starting with the Honda Super Cub of 1959. After becoming established at the bottom end of the market the Japanese then challenged the home manufacturers with the more powerful 750cc-and-above 'superbikes', notably the Honda CB750 in 1968. By 1980 Japan had 75% of the British market and domestic producers had just 1%. Ten years later there were tentative signs of a comeback, and in 1992 the Isle of Man *TT was won for the first time in many years by the make which once dominated the event, a Norton.
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