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An Inventor's Life: The Story of a Teenage Inventor Who Changed Motorcycle

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Arrives Sunday, May 18
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Format: Paperback


Description

AN INVENTOR'S LIFE...The true story of an 1970s American teenager who invented the game-changing rear suspension system that shook up the motorcycle industry and all the years of litigation that followed in his success.Don Richardson is a self-educated mechanical prodigy who grew up tinkering in the 60s muscle car era. His main focus in high school was making sure he had the fastest car around; to fuel those ambitious, he worked as a Ferrari mechanic and then as a chief race car mechanic by his late teen years. While not the best at motocross, he sought out the best ways to improve his odds. It lead to him creating the first linkage suspension for the rear wheel of a motorcycle at the age of nineteen.Called the "Full Floater" by the company who used it, Don's invention eventually rose to becoming a near necessity in motocross and off road racing. It spurred many other patents.Without credit to him, Don had no choice but to fight tooth and nail to retain what he could on it. Read more


Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published (April 20, 2019)


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Paperback ‏ : ‎ 173 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1093187069


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 69


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.2 ounces


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.44 x 8.5 inches


Best Sellers Rank: #525,719 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #1,340 in Business Professional's Biographies #2,931 in Entrepreneurship (Books)


#1,340 in Business Professional's Biographies:


#2,931 in Entrepreneurship (Books):


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If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is: Sunday, May 18

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Top Amazon Reviews

    • Interesting Tale
An interesting tale about a young man who revolutionized motorcycle suspension systems and his battle to retain his patent protection.
Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2023 by Mike Simmons
    • Great Motocross read
I thought it was a great book about how corporate America steals ideas that are patented by individuals and how it is hard to win. China has nothing on America in stealing intellectual property.
Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2023 by Greg L.
    • The truth is finally told. I would give this Book 10 Stars if I could!
Review Image by Alfonzo Martelli Alfonzo Martelli
Having grown up racing Motocross in So-Cal during the 70's & 80's suspension revolution, I was lucky enough to be privy to a lot of inside information from the Japanese mfg's that were all located here. The 1981 Full Floaters were complete game changers for anyone who rode them. They were that good! Normally, my friends at the factories (Suzuki) had plenty to say about new suspension technology, but were suspiciously quiet when I pointed out the shocking similarities to the Richardson design that many of us in So-Cal had seen during it's development. When rumors stated floating around that Suzuki had actually stolen Don Richardson's designs, I wasn't really surprised. An Inventors Life fills in the gaps and answers countless questions about how this revolutionary rear suspension design came to be, why it went away after only four years of production and the Goliath egos and corporate greed that killed it. Mr. Richards foray into Shock Absorber design for other Motorsports applications and the consequent back stabbing and theft of said designs, is again, an eye opener! Through it all, although sometimes a little worse for wear, Mr. Richardson has amazingly persevered! If you're a Racer, read this Book! If you're a budding engineer or inventor, read this Book! If you're an aspiring businessman or lawyer, read this book....On how NOT to become a soulless, greedy, life crushing sub-human being! I will be purchasing more copies to give away as gifts! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2019 by Alfonzo Martelli Alfonzo Martelli
    • Outstanding
An incredible roller coaster journey through the life of an incredibly resourceful, brilliant, resilient, and determined man. It is written well enough that I could smell the hot tires from burnouts, I could taste the dirt in my mouth from the off-road chases. I could feel the vibrations of a racing motor and the exhilaration of eluding arrest. The injustices he endured enraged me. This is an exceptional book by an exceptional man. Don, it was inspirational to meet you. Thank you for your work and innovation. Where the rubber meets the road/dirt, your inventions have positively affected my life. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2020 by Wilbur
    • Awesome little book
I sat down the evening I received this book to read a few chapters before going to sleep. I ended up reading it straight through! Some of the stories in the beginning were unnecessary I think, but read on. The rest is totally worth it.
Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2021 by Reviewer #3
    • Great book for a young future innovator
Interesting life story of an innovative young engineer- and the good bad and ugly when his invention is so good it shifts the market and how he faces unscrupulous businessman along the way. Recommend this read for those young brilliant minds out there- it’s an inspiring and cautionary life story.
Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2021 by MG
    • Great book
Great story with just enough legal details to keep the story interesting
Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2021 by Dan Cortright
    • Absolutely fascinating
I am a budding inventor and entrepreneur, and this is the most useful, interesting, and pertinent book that I have ever read. The cautionary messages are invaluable. Thank you Don Richardson for writing this book and telling your story.
Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2019 by Cedric Eveleigh

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