Haynes Publishing Group has purchased Clymer and Intertec Manuals from Penton Business Media, the company announced yesterday.
If you’re the sort of rider who just drops the bike off at the shop when it’s time for maintenance, this probably isn’t earth-shattering news. However, if you like to wrench on your machines yourself, chances are you have a Clymer manual somewhere, or maybe even a whole shelf full of them. The company had published titles covering a wide variety of machines, and now the future of some of those books may be up in the air, as it’s hard to see Haynes publishing two different manuals for the same machine.
However, Eric Oakley, Group CEO of Haynes, said “Clymer is a business that we have been interested in for some time and we are delighted that we are now bringing such an iconic name, particularly among motorcycle owners and DIYers, into the Haynes Group.” So, it sounds as if they aren’t about to re-brand the company or eliminate it, but plan to focus on their core business.
Apparently, the deal cost Haynes $9.25 million, to be satisfied by cash and debt.
Clymer was founded by motorcycling pioneer Floyd Clymer, who died in 1970.
That’s interesting. I can’t help but think it will improve Clymer “manuals” immensely.
Back in 1980, I was assembling a Honda CB350 top end. Anyone who’s done that knows what a weird job that is: There’s more layers to the head and valve system than you’d believe if you’ve never done it.
At the last minute just before I started torquing the head bolts, I did one last check and there was a spare part: It was the cam chain guide that was the FIRST part that had to go in! I had to take it ALL apart and restart the whole job. I rechecked the Clymer “manual” and it was NOT in there, so I swore I would NEVER use another d*mned Clymer manual again.
ANYTHING that makes Clymer “manuals” better is a GOOD thing.
Some guys swear by Clymer, some by Haynes, and some prefer the OEM manual. I’m of the latter camp, but I always thought Haynes were decent too. The trouble with most of these manuals is that they tend to edit out some useful information to save space.
This move isn’t surprising; I’m sure the DIY manuals have taken a huge hit to business since the Internet’s come along. For the past five years, I’ve Googled 95% of my questions for DR650 maintenance. I only bought a shop guide this year, and I’ve used it once, and found it less useful than good ol’ Google …