Burt Munro
Encyclopedia
Herbert James "Burt" Munro (Bert in his youth) (25 March 18996 January 1978) was a New Zealand motorcycle racer, famous for setting an under-1,000 cc world record, at Bonneville, 26 August 1967. This record still stands today. Munro was 68 and was riding a 47-year-old machine when he set his last record.
Working from his home in Invercargill
, he worked for 20 years to highly modify the 1920 Indian motorcycle
that he had bought that same year. 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, both directed by Roger Donaldson
.
. His twin sister died at birth and Munro grew up on a farm in Edendale
, east of Invercargill.
Munro's 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. As Munro'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.
Munro remained on the family farm until the end of the First World War, when his father sold the farm while Munro worked on the Otira Tunnel
construction until recalled to work with his father on a newly purchased farm. After this 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 rose to the top of the New Zealand motorcycle scene, racing on Oreti Beach
and later in Melbourne
, Australia.
After World War II
, Munro and his wife divorced, after which he gave up work to reside in a lock-up garage.
Munro's Indian Scout
was very early off the production line, being only the 627th Scout to leave the American factory. The bike had an original top speed of 55 mi/h. But this did not satisfy Munro, so in 1926 he 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. He would often work overnight on his bikes (he had a 1936 Velocette MSS
as well), then he would go to work in the morning, 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.
In its final stages, the Indian's displacement was 950 cc (as built it was 600 cc) and was driven by a triple chain drive system.
The "Munro Special", as Munro called his bike, is now owned by a motorcycle enthusiast in New Zealand's South Island and is on display at E Hayes & Sons
, Invercargill
. There is also a second motorcycle purported to be the original "Munro Special" in America.
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 gather at Bonneville.
Munro travelled to Bonneville ten times, the first time for "sightseeing" purposes. In the nine times he raced at Bonneville, Munro set three world records, in 1962, 1966 and 1967. He also once qualified at over 200 mph (321.9 km/h), but that was an unofficial run and was not counted.
Following the mis-spelling of his name in an American motorcycling magazine in 1957, Bert Munro changed his name to Burt.
Having suffered from angina
since the late 1950s, Munro suffered a partial stroke
in 1977, and was admitted to hospital. He found his co-ordination had diminished. Frustrated, but wanting his motorcycles to remain in Southland, he sold both machines to a local dealer.
Munro died of natural causes on 6 January 1978, aged 78 years.
, based on a composite of his Bonneville speed runs. UK heavy metal band Blaze Bayley
wrote a song about Burt Munro on their second studio album Promise and Terror
, entitled "God of Speed", as did American Roots Rock
singer-songwriter C.J. Benoit.
Working from his home in Invercargill
Invercargill
Invercargill is the southernmost and westernmost city in New Zealand, and one of the southernmost cities in the world. It is the commercial centre of the Southland region. It lies in the heart of the wide expanse of the Southland Plains on the Oreti or New River some 18 km north of Bluff,...
, he worked for 20 years to highly modify the 1920 Indian motorcycle
Indian (motorcycle)
Indian is an American brand of motorcycles. Indian motorcycles were manufactured from 1901 to 1953 by a company in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA, initially known as the Hendee Manufacturing Company but which was renamed the Indian Manufacturing Company in 1928. The Indian factory team took the...
that he had bought that same year. Munro set his first New Zealand speed record
Land speed record
The land speed record is the highest speed achieved by a wheeled vehicle on land. There is no single body for validation and regulation; in practice the Category C flying start regulations are used, officiated by regional or national organizations under the auspices of the Fédération...
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
The World's Fastest Indian
The World's Fastest Indian is a 2005 New Zealand biographical film based on the Invercargill, New Zealand speed bike racer Burt Munro and his highly modified Indian Scout motorcycle...
(2005), starring Anthony Hopkins
Anthony Hopkins
Sir Philip Anthony Hopkins, KBE , best known as Anthony Hopkins, is a Welsh actor of film, stage and television...
, and an earlier 1971 short documentary film Burt Munro: Offerings to the God of Speed, both directed by Roger Donaldson
Roger Donaldson
Roger Donaldson is an Australian-born New Zealand film producer, director and writer who has made numerous successful movies. He was a co-founder of the New Zealand Film Commission.-Life and career:...
.
Early life
Munro was born in 1899 in InvercargillInvercargill
Invercargill is the southernmost and westernmost city in New Zealand, and one of the southernmost cities in the world. It is the commercial centre of the Southland region. It lies in the heart of the wide expanse of the Southland Plains on the Oreti or New River some 18 km north of Bluff,...
. His twin sister died at birth and Munro grew up on a farm in Edendale
Edendale, New Zealand
Edendale is a town in the Southland region of New Zealand's South Island. According to the 2001 New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings, it has a population of 570 , representing a rise of 0.5% or 3 people since the 1996 census.State Highway 1 passes through Edendale as it runs between...
, east of Invercargill.
Munro's 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. As Munro's family discouraged his endeavours outside of farm life, he became constantly bored with daily routine, and at the outbreak of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
he intended to go to war as soon as he was old enough, for a chance to see the world.
Munro remained on the family farm until the end of the First World War, when his father sold the farm while Munro worked on the Otira Tunnel
Otira Tunnel
The Otira Tunnel is a railway tunnel on the Midland Line in the South Island of New Zealand between Otira and Arthur's Pass. It runs under the Southern Alps from Arthur's Pass to Otira - a length of over . The gradient is mainly 1 in 33, and the Otira end of the tunnel is over lower than the...
construction until recalled to work with his father on a newly purchased farm. After this he became a professional speedway
Dirt track racing in New Zealand
Speedway is a popular type of motorsport that takes place on oval tracks in New Zealand. A number of tracks throughout the country provide regular racing programs and sanctioned racing series...
rider, but returned home to the family farm at the start of the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
. Finding work as a motorcycles salesman and mechanic, he still raced motorcycles and rose to the top of the New Zealand motorcycle scene, racing on Oreti Beach
Oreti Beach
Oreti Beach is the central bay of three lying on the Foveaux Strait coast of Southland, New Zealand, the others being Te Waewae Bay and Toetoes Bay...
and later in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Australia.
After World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Munro and his wife divorced, after which he gave up work to reside in a lock-up garage.
Challenges
Indian Scout (motorcycle)
The Indian Scout was a motorcycle built by the Indian Company from 1920 to 1949. It rivaled the Chief as Indian's most important model.-The first Scouts :The Scout was introduced in October 1919 as a 1920 model, with a engine...
was very early off the production line, being only the 627th Scout to leave the American factory. The bike had an original top speed of 55 mi/h. But this did not satisfy Munro, so in 1926 he 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. He would often work overnight on his bikes (he had a 1936 Velocette MSS
Velocette MSS
The MSS was a motorcycle made by Velocette. It was fast, reliable and economical but could not compete against a new range of British twin cylinder motorcycles. Production ended in 1968.-Development:...
as well), then he would go to work in the morning, 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
Micrometer
A micrometer , sometimes known as a micrometer screw gauge, is a device incorporating a calibrated screw used widely for precise measurement of small distances in mechanical engineering and machining as well as most mechanical trades, along with other metrological instruments such as dial, vernier,...
(a precision measuring instrument) was an old spoke.
In its final stages, the Indian's displacement was 950 cc (as built it was 600 cc) and was driven by a triple chain drive system.
The "Munro Special", as Munro called his bike, is now owned by a motorcycle enthusiast in New Zealand's South Island and is on display at E Hayes & Sons
Eben Ernest Hayes
Eben Ernest Hayes , was a New Zealand engineer and inventor who founded the Hayes Engineering works in Oturehua, Central Otago...
, Invercargill
Invercargill
Invercargill is the southernmost and westernmost city in New Zealand, and one of the southernmost cities in the world. It is the commercial centre of the Southland region. It lies in the heart of the wide expanse of the Southland Plains on the Oreti or New River some 18 km north of Bluff,...
. There is also a second motorcycle purported to be the original "Munro Special" in America.
Bonneville Salt Flats and Speed Week
The Bonneville Salt Flats in northwestern UtahUtah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
are known worldwide for their many miles of flat, compacted salt, perfect for testing speed machines. During Speed Week
Bonneville Speedway
Bonneville Speedway is an area of the Bonneville Salt Flats near Wendover, Utah, that is marked out for motor sports. It is particularly noted as the venue for numerous land speed records....
, usually in mid-late August, vehicle enthusiasts from around the world gather at Bonneville.
Munro travelled to Bonneville ten times, the first time for "sightseeing" purposes. In the nine times he raced at Bonneville, Munro set three world records, in 1962, 1966 and 1967. He also once qualified at over 200 mph (321.9 km/h), but that was an unofficial run and was not counted.
Following the mis-spelling of his name in an American motorcycling magazine in 1957, Bert Munro changed his name to Burt.
Personal life
Munro had four children—John, June, Margaret and Gwen—with his wife Florence Beryl Martyn, whom he married in 1927. They were divorced in 1947.Having suffered from angina
Angina
Angina pectoris, commonly known as angina, is chest pain due to ischemia of the heart muscle, generally due to obstruction or spasm of the coronary arteries . Coronary artery disease, the main cause of angina, is due to atherosclerosis of the cardiac arteries...
since the late 1950s, Munro suffered a partial stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
in 1977, and was admitted to hospital. He found his co-ordination had diminished. Frustrated, but wanting his motorcycles to remain in Southland, he sold both machines to a local dealer.
Munro died of natural causes on 6 January 1978, aged 78 years.
Records
- In 1962, he set a world record of 288 km/h (178.95 mph) with his engine bored out to 850 cc
- In 1966, he set a world record of 270.476 km/h (168.066 mph)
- In 1967, his engine was bored out to 950 cc and he set a class record of 295.453 km/h (183.586 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. The unofficial speed record (officially timed) is 331 km/h (205.67 mph) for a flying mile.
- In 2006, he was inducted into the AMAAmerican Motorcyclist AssociationThe American Motorcyclist Association is an American not-for-profit organization of more than 300,000 motorcyclists that organizes numerous motorcycling activities and campaigns for motorcyclists' legal rights...
Motorcycle Hall of FameMotorcycle Hall of FameThe Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum is an offshoot of the American Motorcyclist Association that recognizes individuals who have contributed to motorcycle sport, motorcycle construction and motorcycling in general. It displays motorcycles and riding gear and memoribilia. The museum is located in...
.
Popular Culture
Burt Munro has been featured in various aspects of popular culture. He was the subject of a 2005 film, The World's Fastest IndianThe World's Fastest Indian
The World's Fastest Indian is a 2005 New Zealand biographical film based on the Invercargill, New Zealand speed bike racer Burt Munro and his highly modified Indian Scout motorcycle...
, based on a composite of his Bonneville speed runs. UK heavy metal band Blaze Bayley
Blaze Bayley
Blaze Bayley is an English singer and songwriter. He has been the lead singer of Wolfsbane from 1984 to 1994, and nowadays since their recent reunion. Blaze is however world-known for having been the lead singer of British metal band Iron Maiden from 1994 to 1999...
wrote a song about Burt Munro on their second studio album Promise and Terror
Promise and Terror
Promise and Terror is the fifth and last studio album by English heavy metal band Blaze Bayley, released in 2010. It is the second studio album released by the band since they changed their name from Blaze...
, entitled "God of Speed", as did American Roots Rock
Roots rock
Roots rock is a term now used to describe rock music that looks back to rock's origins in folk, blues and country music. It is particularly associated with the creation of hybrid sub-genres from the later 1960s including country rock and Southern rock, which have been seen as responses to the...
singer-songwriter C.J. Benoit.
Sources
- Burt Munro: Indian Legend of Speed, George Begg (2002)
- One Good Run: The Legend of Burt Munro, Tim Hanna (2006)
External links
- E Hayes and Sons: The World's Fastest Indian Exhibition (original motorcyles), The World's Fastest Indian Legend, 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