Burt Munro

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Herbert James 'Burt' Munro (25 March 1899 – 6 January 1978) was a New Zealand motorcycle racer, famous for setting an under-1000cc world record, at Bonneville, 26 August 1967.^[1] This record still stands today. Burt Munro was 68 and was riding a 47-year old machine when he set his last record.^[2]

Working from his home in Invercargill, he worked for 20 years to highly modify the 1920 Indian motorcycle which he had bought in 1920. Munro set his first New Zealand speed record in 1938 and later set seven more. He travelled to compete at the Bonneville Salt Flats, attempting to set world speed records. During his ten visits to the salt flats, he set three speed records, one of which still stands today. His efforts, and success, are the basis of the motion picture The World's Fastest Indian (2005), starring Anthony Hopkins, and an earlier 1971 short documentary film Burt Munro: Offerings to the God of Speed^[3] – both directed by Roger Donaldson.

[edit] Early life

Burt Munro's twin sister died at birth. He grew up on a farm in Edendale east of Invercargill. As Burt's family discouraged his endeavours outside of farm life, he became constantly bored with daily routine, and at the outbreak of World War I, he intended to go to war as soon as he was old enough, for a chance to see the world.

His interest in speed began at a young age, riding the family's fastest horse across the farm, despite the complaints of his father. Trips via train to the port at Invercargill were a rare source of excitement, and the arrival of cars, motorcycles and aircraft added to Burt's eagerness to join the world outside of his farm.

On his return from WW1, he became a professional speedway rider, but returned home to the family farm at the start of the Great Depression. Finding work as a motorcycles salesman and mechanic, he still raced motorcycles, and he rose to the top of the New Zealand motorcycle scene, racing on Oreti Beach and later in Melbourne, Australia.^[4]

Post World War II, Munro divorced his wife, and then gave up work to reside in a lock-up garage.^[5]

[edit] Challenges

The 1920 Indian (with half the exterior removed to show detail) that Burt Munro used to set his record in 1967

Burt Munro’s Indian Scout was very early off the production line, being only the 627th Scout to leave the American factory.^[6] The bike wasn't a very fast model and, in original condition, had a top speed of 55 mph (89 km/h).^[7] So in 1926, Munro decided to start modifying his beloved Indian.

The biggest two challenges for Munro to overcome while modifying his bike were his lack of money and the fact that he worked full time as a motorcycle salesman.^{[citation needed]} He would often work overnight on his bikes (he had a 1936 Velocette MSS as well), then in the morning, he would go to work, having had no sleep the night before.

Because Munro was a man of modest means, he would often make parts and tools himself instead of having them professionally built. For example, he would cast parts in old tins, make his own barrels, pistons, flywheels, etc. His micrometer (a precision measuring instrument) was an old spoke.^[8]

In its final stages, the Indian's displacement was 950cc (as built it was 600cc) and was driven by a triple chain drive system.^[9]

The "Munro Special," as Munro called his bike, is now owned by a motorcycle enthusiast on New Zealand's South Island, and is on display at E. Hayes & Sons, Invercargill.^[10]

[edit] Bonneville Salt Flats and Speed Week

The Bonneville Salt Flats in northwestern Utah, are known worldwide for their many miles of flat, compacted salt, perfect for testing speed machines. During Speed Week, usually in mid-late August, vehicle enthusiasts from around the world go to Bonneville for a week of racing, and to see how fast their machines will go.

Munro travelled to Bonneville 10 times, the first time for "sightseeing" purposes. In the nine times he raced at Bonneville^{[citation needed]}, Munro set three world records, in 1962, 1966 and 1967. He also once qualified at over 200 mph (320 km/h), but that was an unofficial run, and was not counted.

[edit] Personal life

He had four children — Jon, June, Margaret and Gwen — with his wife Florence Beryl Martyn, whom he married in 1927 and divorced in the mid 1940s.

Having suffered from angina since the late 1950s, Munro suffered a partial stroke in 1977. After getting out of hospital, Munro found he had a lack of co-ordination. Frustrated, but wanting his motorcycles to remain in Southland, he sold both machines to a local dealer.

Munro died on 6 January 1978, age 78, of natural causes.

[edit] Records

• In 1962 he set a world record of 288 km/h (178.97 mph) with his engine bored out to 850 cc (51 in³).
• In 1966 he set a world record of 270.476 km/h (168.066 mph).^[1]
• In 1967 his engine was bored out to 950 cc (58 in³) and he set a class record of 295.44 km/h (183.59 mph). To qualify he made a one-way run of 305.89 km/h (190.07 mph), the fastest-ever officially-recorded speed on an Indian.^[8] The unofficial speed record (officially timed) is 331 km/h (205.67 mph) for a flying mile.^[9]
• In 2006 he was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

[edit] Memorial

The 2005 cinematography awarded film The World's Fastest Indian.

[edit] References

• Burt Munro: Indian Legend of Speed, George Begg (2002)
• One Good Run: The Legend of Burt Munro, Tim Hanna (2006)

[edit] Notes

[edit] External links

• [1] Letters from the hand of Burt Munro
• Burt Munro: A New Zealand Legend
• E Hayes and Sons: The World's Fastest Indian Exhibition (original motorcyles), The World's Fastest Indian Legend
• A Tribute to H.J Munro, a.k.a "Burt" Munro
• Indian Motorcycle website
• The World's Fastest Indian at the Internet Movie Database
• Offerings to the God of Speed at the Internet Movie Database, a documentary
• Motorcycle Hall of Fame bio and photos
• Burt Munro Biography more detailed biography and photos
• “Hero!” article, courtesy of “Classic Bike” magazine to Granite State BMW Riders