That was a good day. I had gathered a group of mates together up in Auckland and we had ridden our British bikes all the way to Invercargill. We paid our respects to Burt with a visit and after hearing I was a Toolmaker, invited us inside. He proudly showed us all his handmade tools used to produce his many engine components. We talked him into starting his engine and man, the noise was unbelievable. The neighbours were soon yelling, "Burt! That's enough mate!"
Wondering if they made that "insulation rule" change, to stop him. Like in the O'Bree case, where they tried to ban him for seat lengths aso, bcz he wasn't "one of them"? The establishment almost always conspire....
True story; I had entered a Race meet at Outram - a small place just South of Dunedin for a Standing and Flying Quarter Mile. I think the year was 1972. I had a Honda CB 750/4 K2 which I had been using for Production racing and wanted a bit of fun on a Saturday. The guy in front of me in the line was Burt Munro. He had a Velocette [don't know the cc rating] but I reckon Bert must have been a moth in some previous life because the bike was riddled with holes, score of them! If he found somewhere to drill a hole - it got a hole. I understand the intention was weight reduction. Anyway, we chatted in line on the way to the start as we listened to others take off on their run. No idea now what we talked about. Anyway, Burt's turn came up and he got a bump start, put his tyre on the line and gunned the engine. There was a huge, loud bang, everything went earie quiet as a large pool of oil formed under Burt's bike from a hole in the crankcase. Burt turned back toward me and as he pushed his Velocette back said "Oh well, back to the shed". That night there was the usual beers all round and there was one particularly attractive young woman many of us were eyeing up. However, she was last seen walking off into the darkness with Burt! What a bloody legend. As for me, I couldn't match the Kwaka 900's in the standing quarter, I struggled to get under 12 seconds but it was a different story in the Flying Quarter where I pulled a 7.28. Damn, brings back many old memories.
very nice memory to have buddy, thanks for sharing it. I doubt there will ever be another Burt. There's another motorcycle doco on the channel called AGAINST ALL ODDS covering a few other outstanding riders it's quite interesting!
I had the fastest moped (illegal o c) as a kid in my area in Denmark in 1978.. Could out run all others (as far as I know) in 3. and still pull through in 4. A Minarelli in a ladies bike frame with no brakes, lights, a bicycle banana seat and a 1 liter plastic oil can as gas tank.. A shame (for me) that there were no competions, never got a top speed or anything. But it could do 55 kmt in 1, over 70 in 2. and that's all I know.. Goood memories, but damn I wish I had had a clue, and had got any data - just for the memories.. It's "nothing" compared to big bikes and world records, but I don't think, the feelings are much different - being the best of what you know of, is "everything" for a wannabe teenman...
@@CONEHEADDK it doesn't matter 'at least to' me how big a bike is, all bikes are awesome. I have just as much fun riding my 125cc scooter around as I do my Ducati.
@@motorcyclecafe I agree. I've gone "as small as possible", as long as it can do the job. But a 2-stroke MX 250 is NOT good for small roads all day.. At lest not without a toe-heel gear pedal, to avoid a sore left foot from gearing up 1000 times a day.. But I loooved when the young guys on their Kawaziksaks came from behind, over took me, and started to look in the mirrors aaall the time, bcz they could shake me off (sitting straight up and with leather bags) on the winding roads. I had the knowledge, that I they stayed on the road, I didn't have to fear sand (I always bought top tyres for safety) and with low wieght, I was fine. But as soon as there was a long straight piece or road, they hammered away.. That said - I couldn't get more than 17 km l out of those pewny 22 hp - the same as my opel kadet.. I don't want 2-strokes any more. Hope to get my 1 cyl 650 Suki running "soon"..
My Uncle George Phillips was a natural mechanical genius just like Burt . He made a motorized push lawn mower and a riding mower way before anyone else did , built and flew his own small plane and an inboard boat . He had a shed full of hand-built small motorized planes and kept his Triumph , BSA and Cushman 400 in his living room . He gave us tips on our bikes when we raced motocross and he was always right . He and Burt had a lot in common . Maybe they got to know each other in the afterlife . Miss you George . PK
Thanks for your efforts in researching Burt's life. I was an engine reconditioner and I am astounded at his inventiveness. Having said that, my Grandad Tom Gardner also made all his own stuff for cars back in the 40's.
Burt was a truly amazing man with practically zero formal training proving intelligence is born into someone not learned in a school. What a great man he was! Thank you for your positive feedback, it truly means a lot to me.
On a motorcycle trip touring the South Island of NZ, a group of us stopped for coffee in Invercargill. We were told by the waiter that there is a motorcycle display at the local hardware store! So we all went to see what this was all about. True to her words, the hardware store had a range of classic motorcycles displayed amongst the wheelbarrows, ladders and general goods found in a shop like this. Pride of place was the Burt Munro Indian motorcycle in a glass display case along with replicas of the aerodynamic outer shell. Having seen the movie many years before seeing this display, it was one of those amazing off-chances that you get once in a lifetime. I wish that my photos of the display could be included here as they are actually unique inasmuch as they were taken in a downtown hardware store and not in a museum.
Hi Birdman, Yes Hayes do have a very nice display indeed. Lots of Burt memorabilia, the bike they have does in fact have Burt's original record breaking engine in it, however the frame is not the the frame he broke the record with. That frame has been fully restored and is in the USA along with his streamliner. This is explained in full in the Burt Doco Part1 on the channel. Thanks for watching mate!
Regretfully Norman Hayes resprayed frame red destroying original rusty pantina as at the time I guess who would have thought of world's reaction to movie 🎬
thanks again mate. There is a first part to this on the channel. Old Burt was something special for sure. Stay tuned for the new doco I'm currently working on, it should be a beauty. I hope!
This was a very well researched documentary. Nicely done! Thanks for this. My dear friend Craig Breedlove , who was a fixture at Bonneville in the 60’s , told me about the movie “The Worlds Fastest Indian”, when it came out. Craig had met Burt Munro back in the day and had great admiration for him. I have read that the Jim Moffett character in the movie was very loosely based on Craig. Again, we’ll done!
You are most welcome and thank you for taking the time to give me some positive feedback. Old Burt was worth the huge amount of time it took to make these two docos. Cheers
You're welcome Phil, I'm very glad you liked it. I'm currently working on another doco (not on Burt) which I hope every bike fan will enjoy. Once I sort out the facts from fiction. It should be a ripper! Thanks for your positive feedback buddy!
Thank you for this 2 part series. The effort and research must have been significant and the devotion to the material shows through. Finding something near to definitive has been a great find. Thanks again...
Thank you for your kind words mate! I am glad you enjoyed it. I admire Burt so much but I just wanted to set the record straight as there is so much incorrect information out there about him. The day I found that footage of his bike in the USA 1 year after his death was one of the happiest days of my life. I finally had proof that his bike remained in the USA, NZ have his record breaking engine but the frame is his test frame. If you actually look at that frame in NZ you will notice that it is too short for Burt's streamliner plus the front suspension is a girder type. The record breaking bike had leaf spring front suspension. Watch the channels doco 'Amazing Motorcycle Feats' I am sure you will enjoy that every bit as much! Thanks for watching!
almost stroked out watching this,, the 1920 -30 views reminded me of a engine we had in the attic in the 60,s and I used to play with as a young kid, spinning the crank and watching the valves move, you could watch the piston thru the top plugs, he sold it to someone for a cheap price i am sure, he received if i remember right for a ten dollar price from a friend, had the crank modified to mount a propeller for a small kit plane . wish i still had it now !!! 50 year ago ! still remember it .
Amazing video mate. I really enjoyed the level of research you have obviously put into this. Now, imagine the outcome if Burt could of only teamed up with Allen Millyard and his Hacksaw. 🤯 By the way, that thing sounded pharking demonic.
Thanks for the positive feedback buddy. Im glad you liked it. And I couldnt really say how much time I spent researching, the hardest thing is sifting through all the contradicting information.
Both pt 1 and 2 were very well put together, awesome job mate and was a great watch after only watching the movie again 2 nights ago. Ps: That bike needs to be reunited with its engine back in NZ
Yes I agree, it would be worth an extreme amount of money but sometimes people need to do the right thing. I have bugger all money but if I owned it that is what I would do, its just the right thing.
Really enjoyed the video -- lots of great info. Bert was a genius as far as I'm concerned. That kind of dedication, ingenuity, creativity, and drive seems unheard of nowadays.
Ive always loved this story, and the movie is one of my favorites. Im a Suzi GSX-R lover and at the end when you compared a R600 to 948 was the icing on the cake :)
Thanks again for all your research making this vid and upoading, enjoyed it very much. As to The worlds fastest Indian, Personaly I found the movie a bit dissapointing in that Sir Anthony had obviously not recieved scooling on how to handle a motorcycle or even to ride. Ha actually looked a bit stupid at times.
Well done. No flowery prose or unnecessary music. A man and his life long love affair with his Motorcycle. That's not just an Indian. That's Bert's Indian. The Fastest in the world. Subscribed.
you're welcome buddy, I'm glad you enjoyed it and yes he was an amazing man. But he's not the only one watch the doco on the channel 'Against All Odds'
Aquí desde este lejana tierra que es Argentina les escribe un Fanático de este gran Genio!! Soy Tornero y Metalúrgico desde los 12 años y sigo la historia de Munro desde hace muchísimos Años !!!! Les mando un Gran Abrazo desde Argentina!!!!
Thank you, sir ! Your thorough research and knowledge has certainly increased my understanding of this unique Kiwi. So he WAS using box-section aluminium in his frames from way-back ? All told, you have to give credit to the original manufacturer for producing a set of crank cases that were up to Burt's 'needs'. Don't get me started on compression ratios - I'm guessing Munro was running pistons 12:1 or above. Great video.
Thanks for the nice feedback Dave all the time spent researching over the years for these two docos was worth it. His frame was steel as far as I am aware 99.9% sure. Its the gearbox that blew me away it was all original.
I'm really glad you enjoyed it mate. Feedback like yours make all the research worthwhile. Check out the motorcycle doco on the channel Against All Odds I am sure you will enjoy that every bit as much. Its a bit of an eye opener.
@@motorcyclecafe Í be going to the Burt rally in a few weeks also, I'll do a video on my channel of the racing etc at Oreti beach and the Sunday street races.
Great video I was a young boy when I saw his bike on display at the Invercargill show after his first world record. That year he became a Invercargill household name. Was his garage ,home, on Bainfield Rd?
The MAN was a KING! HIs bike should return to it's home however I would love to see it make a tour of all the major museums like Barber etc....I would love to see it.
The movie could only show so much and its been stated by a man who was around Burt his entire life that the movie was quite accurate and Anthony Hopkins portrayed Burt to a t
Burt exemplified the indomitable spirit… on steroids. They broke the mold when Don arrived to this world.. never shall this kind of persistence pass again..
Being a biker myself I had never heard of Bert Munro until the movie of his life came out with Anthony Hopkins. He sounded like a great bloke. I laughed at Hopkins attempt at a New Zealand accent . Sometimes it sounded a bit Cornish. Not easy for a Welsh man. Great video. 👍
It was a similar experience for me. When the movie came out I had heard of the name Burt Munro but didn't really know much about him. After the movie I thought WOW. Read every book, started doing research to find out as much as I could. Hence these docos because I found so many things about Burt which had been reported wrong. Most of my facts come from Burt himself, his notes, his letters, after that his friends and competitors & lastly his son. I say lastly because who tells their son everything.
Two excellent and well documented pieces - a definitive piece on an exceptional man. In the some league as John Brittan in my personal opinion. How about those 2 as dinner party guests and through in Donald Campbell for good measure.
Thank you for that positive feedback John. It took many hundreds of hours of research to produce those 2 docos. Its comments like yours that make it worthwhile!
@@motorcyclecafe Haha. Some might say 'obsessed'. But it's that 'obsession' that powers progress. We could use a few more 'positively obsessed' individuals today. We certainly have enough 'negatively obsessed' ones. I'm a bit of an 'obsessive' myself - and an 'old school hot rodder'. If we don't pursue our goals with vigour and determination, what value is there to life?
Hi when i left school in the 60s my first job was at tapper bike and motor bike shop in Invercargill and Burt would come in to the work shop as well as other work shops around town to use some of the machines to make some of his parts for his bikes. Them good old days.Try doing that to day .
The specific classification his record is held in no longer exists but it does has a new classification. I did try to contact the AMA about it but they never got back to me.
Wow I had an army Indian 500 cc in New Zealand. There was someone I think in Auckland who had parts and sold them at the original price. I fully restored it and drove it around Auckland and sold it. Silly me. I met Burt in at a race meeting. Saw his creation. In 1970 I had a Suzuki 500 and rode it to Dunedin to see friends from Wellington and then raced it on Invercargill beach.
@@motorcyclecafe Yes I met him in at a Christchurch race meeting. I still remember to this day Burt and the amazing Norton Manx riders. How they ever bump started those bikes is beyond me. 500cc of genius. Bert was not racing that day but we all hung around and chatted to him. I think it was just before he passed away. I will never forget that bike and am amazed what he did. My suzuki 500 was modified and would do 122 mph. I raced it on Berts beach and did all sort of acrobatics with my mates as well. I met a girl in Queenstown and that drew me to Invercargill. At the time I was living in Dunedin. My mate has a pre unit Bonneville and the other one a Norton Commando 750. Still remember coming down the hill to Invercargill. Ah the 70's sure do miss those free times.
@@johnmchardy1229 i do know what you mean very much so. Things are so over legislated these days. There's a few more vids on the channel which im sure you would enjoy with bikes & feats from that era.
About 15 years ago, I circled Australia on an old beat-up Ducati 250 then went to NZ. I visited the house that was built where Burt's shed was. This was before the movie came out. I talked to the owners and they said I was the first person to stop by and that they tore down his shed to build their house. I asked if they had anything from Burt and they said that they tossed all of the offerings to the god of speed that they found buried. I later blew up the Duc over by Queensland. I thought the engine for the bike they built for the movie was basically a stock Ducati Darmah.
Hi Dave, fancy throwing away his stuff 😡 they built 2 near exact replicas with Indian Scout motors they needed 2 for insurance purposes. They also built another 2 had which were not exact replicas with Ducati motors so yes you are partly correct.
Has anyone ever had a look at the best ever motorcycle in new Zealand. The Britton. Built by John Britton in Christchurch. In the backyard and beat Ducatti, Honda, Yamaha, all at indy 1994.
@@motorcyclecafe yeah mate seen it a few times myself, loved how the yanks took a shine to him but also the doco, ,the Director did on him before the movie came out a few years before, was good as well. Amazing man, his life, and that bike, cerainly left his mark after all theses years still a record to be broken. Shows he knew a thing or two.
Thank you for a fine video but I disagree somewhat with your conclusion. 600cc superbike already have almost all the power squeezed out of them. What Bert did was like taking a Honda Cub from 9.5 HP to 72.
It's a shame there were so many years he got rained out and disqualified by Rules.. I have wondered what Burt could do if he had access to high tech tools such as at a Motorcycle Engineering Depeartment ..
I agree, he did have a lot of bad luck. I believe that one of Burt's biggest issues would have been heat, as heat can destroy any engine. With his engine doing double the revs and the very small cooling fins his motor must have got really hot. This is just my opinion, which is why I didn't mention it. There is already too much false information out there about Burt, even the books contradict each other.
@@motorcyclecafe Heat is normally not a Problem running on Methanol .. Top Fuel Drag racers use up to 80 or 82% Nitromethane. Too bad he didn't have his jetting figured out when he added Nitromethane. Tractor Pullers run Dry Blocks and are not allowed to use Nitromethane.. they use 100% Methanol .. I just searched the Altitude of the Salt Flats >> 4,219 feet A Naturally aspirated engine looses 40% of it's power at 10,000 feet
@@motorcyclecafe These Modified Tractors run Dry blocks and no cooling system .. Their pulls can take a bit of time .. they run 100% Methanol . The first puller uses Turbine Helicopter engines which run on Kerosene. ruclips.net/video/-Ev7hoKzIes/видео.html
That was a good day. I had gathered a group of mates together up in Auckland and we had ridden our British bikes all the way to Invercargill. We paid our respects to Burt with a visit and after hearing I was a Toolmaker, invited us inside. He proudly showed us all his handmade tools used to produce his many engine components. We talked him into starting his engine and man, the noise was unbelievable. The neighbours were soon yelling, "Burt! That's enough mate!"
Thanks for that info buddy. I have no doubt his neighbors found him annoying lol.
@@motorcyclecafe yep guess they heard it a million times
Bloody legend ❤
Wondering if they made that "insulation rule" change, to stop him. Like in the O'Bree case, where they tried to ban him for seat lengths aso, bcz he wasn't "one of them"? The establishment almost always conspire....
@@CONEHEADDK I doubt it very much as by that time Burt had earnt himself much respect in the Land Speed community.
True story; I had entered a Race meet at Outram - a small place just South of Dunedin for a Standing and Flying Quarter Mile. I think the year was 1972. I had a Honda CB 750/4 K2 which I had been using for Production racing and wanted a bit of fun on a Saturday. The guy in front of me in the line was Burt Munro. He had a Velocette [don't know the cc rating] but I reckon Bert must have been a moth in some previous life because the bike was riddled with holes, score of them! If he found somewhere to drill a hole - it got a hole. I understand the intention was weight reduction. Anyway, we chatted in line on the way to the start as we listened to others take off on their run. No idea now what we talked about. Anyway, Burt's turn came up and he got a bump start, put his tyre on the line and gunned the engine. There was a huge, loud bang, everything went earie quiet as a large pool of oil formed under Burt's bike from a hole in the crankcase. Burt turned back toward me and as he pushed his Velocette back said "Oh well, back to the shed". That night there was the usual beers all round and there was one particularly attractive young woman many of us were eyeing up. However, she was last seen walking off into the darkness with Burt! What a bloody legend. As for me, I couldn't match the Kwaka 900's in the standing quarter, I struggled to get under 12 seconds but it was a different story in the Flying Quarter where I pulled a 7.28. Damn, brings back many old memories.
very nice memory to have buddy, thanks for sharing it. I doubt there will ever be another Burt. There's another motorcycle doco on the channel called AGAINST ALL ODDS covering a few other outstanding riders it's quite interesting!
I had the fastest moped (illegal o c) as a kid in my area in Denmark in 1978.. Could out run all others (as far as I know) in 3. and still pull through in 4. A Minarelli in a ladies bike frame with no brakes, lights, a bicycle banana seat and a 1 liter plastic oil can as gas tank.. A shame (for me) that there were no competions, never got a top speed or anything. But it could do 55 kmt in 1, over 70 in 2. and that's all I know.. Goood memories, but damn I wish I had had a clue, and had got any data - just for the memories.. It's "nothing" compared to big bikes and world records, but I don't think, the feelings are much different - being the best of what you know of, is "everything" for a wannabe teenman...
@@CONEHEADDK it doesn't matter 'at least to' me how big a bike is, all bikes are awesome. I have just as much fun riding my 125cc scooter around as I do my Ducati.
@@motorcyclecafe I agree. I've gone "as small as possible", as long as it can do the job. But a 2-stroke MX 250 is NOT good for small roads all day.. At lest not without a toe-heel gear pedal, to avoid a sore left foot from gearing up 1000 times a day.. But I loooved when the young guys on their Kawaziksaks came from behind, over took me, and started to look in the mirrors aaall the time, bcz they could shake me off (sitting straight up and with leather bags) on the winding roads. I had the knowledge, that I they stayed on the road, I didn't have to fear sand (I always bought top tyres for safety) and with low wieght, I was fine. But as soon as there was a long straight piece or road, they hammered away.. That said - I couldn't get more than 17 km l out of those pewny 22 hp - the same as my opel kadet.. I don't want 2-strokes any more. Hope to get my 1 cyl 650 Suki running "soon"..
Velocette was approx 600cc
10 outa 10 for this vid
big eye opener and as said in the movie we showed the world Kiwi's can fly
well done Burt you won't be forgotten
Thanks buddy im stoked you enjoyed it
My Uncle George Phillips was a natural mechanical genius just like Burt . He made a motorized push lawn mower and a riding mower way before anyone else did , built and flew his own small plane and an inboard boat . He had a shed full of hand-built small motorized planes and kept his Triumph , BSA and Cushman 400 in his living room . He gave us tips on our bikes when we raced motocross and he was always right . He and Burt had a lot in common . Maybe they got to know each other in the afterlife . Miss you George . PK
one of the most inspirational hero's of the last century.
Without a doubt!
Self made man if evder was one..!!!!
Thanks for your efforts in researching Burt's life. I was an engine reconditioner and I am astounded at his inventiveness. Having said that, my Grandad Tom Gardner also made all his own stuff for cars back in the 40's.
Burt was a truly amazing man with practically zero formal training proving intelligence is born into someone not learned in a school. What a great man he was! Thank you for your positive feedback, it truly means a lot to me.
Incredible story for all motorcyclists... God bless him.... Great video !
Jeez buddy thanks for the great feedback!!!
On a motorcycle trip touring the South Island of NZ, a group of us stopped for coffee in Invercargill. We were told by the waiter that there is a motorcycle display at the local hardware store! So we all went to see what this was all about. True to her words, the hardware store had a range of classic motorcycles displayed amongst the wheelbarrows, ladders and general goods found in a shop like this. Pride of place was the Burt Munro Indian motorcycle in a glass display case along with replicas of the aerodynamic outer shell. Having seen the movie many years before seeing this display, it was one of those amazing off-chances that you get once in a lifetime. I wish that my photos of the display could be included here as they are actually unique inasmuch as they were taken in a downtown hardware store and not in a museum.
Hi Birdman, Yes Hayes do have a very nice display indeed. Lots of Burt memorabilia, the bike they have does in fact have Burt's original record breaking engine in it, however the frame is not the the frame he broke the record with. That frame has been fully restored and is in the USA along with his streamliner. This is explained in full in the Burt Doco Part1 on the channel. Thanks for watching mate!
Regretfully Norman Hayes resprayed frame red destroying original rusty pantina as at the time I guess who would have thought of world's reaction to movie 🎬
So inspirational it's off the chart, many thanks for posting this..
Yes, and I'm really happy you liked it. Now everyone knows the whole facts
An old drag racer myself, this video is pure gold. My best to you from Scotland
thanks again mate. There is a first part to this on the channel. Old Burt was something special for sure. Stay tuned for the new doco I'm currently working on, it should be a beauty. I hope!
Good show brother, many thanks for the story of our Man Burt, as Kiwis we hold Him in the HIGHEST REGARD, LETSSS GOO BURTTTT👑👑👑👑👑👑👑🇳🇿🇳🇿🇳🇿🇳🇿🇳🇿🇳🇿
This was a very well researched documentary. Nicely done! Thanks for this.
My dear friend Craig Breedlove , who was a fixture at Bonneville in the 60’s , told me about the movie “The Worlds Fastest Indian”, when it came out. Craig had met Burt Munro back in the day and had great admiration for him. I have read that the Jim Moffett character in the movie was very loosely based on Craig.
Again, we’ll done!
Thanks for taking the time to give me some feedback and your story it could well be true and i am also glad you enjoyed the doco. Cheers
One of my favorite movies of all time.
Burt Munro was an absolute legend.....
Incredible story....
😅
A great story and a great job telling and showing it! Thanks!
You are most welcome and thank you for taking the time to give me some positive feedback. Old Burt was worth the huge amount of time it took to make these two docos. Cheers
Im 65..my dad was a plumber..took me to Burts place after work ..they poured some piston blanks
What a great memory to have!
Thank you fantastic info and the sound at the end just icing on the cake well done very impressed
Your welcome mate and I appreciate you taking the time to give me some positive feedback very much indeed.
Thank you for this very fine production.
You're welcome Phil, I'm very glad you liked it. I'm currently working on another doco (not on Burt) which I hope every bike fan will enjoy. Once I sort out the facts from fiction. It should be a ripper! Thanks for your positive feedback buddy!
Burt’s son and his nephew are racing a new 2023 scout and Indian now is in possession of and taking care of the scout streamliner
Thank you for this 2 part series. The effort and research must have been significant and the devotion to the material shows through. Finding something near to definitive has been a great find. Thanks again...
Thank you for your kind words mate! I am glad you enjoyed it. I admire Burt so much but I just wanted to set the record straight as there is so much incorrect information out there about him. The day I found that footage of his bike in the USA 1 year after his death was one of the happiest days of my life. I finally had proof that his bike remained in the USA, NZ have his record breaking engine but the frame is his test frame. If you actually look at that frame in NZ you will notice that it is too short for Burt's streamliner plus the front suspension is a girder type. The record breaking bike had leaf spring front suspension. Watch the channels doco 'Amazing Motorcycle Feats' I am sure you will enjoy that every bit as much! Thanks for watching!
I worked on the movie, it was my greatest experience!
I reckon buddy. What a great memory.
almost stroked out watching this,, the 1920 -30 views reminded me of a engine we had in the attic in the 60,s and I used to play with as a young kid, spinning the crank and watching the valves move, you could watch the piston thru the top plugs, he sold it to someone for a cheap price i am sure, he received if i remember right for a ten dollar price from a friend, had the crank modified to mount a propeller for a small kit plane . wish i still had it now !!! 50 year ago ! still remember it .
A single cyl or v-twin?
@@motorcyclecafe twin
@@motorcyclecafe I remember spinning the magneto and it threw a great spark. seemed like the bore was chromed but not sure.
Glad you highlighted Bert's record breaking velocette !!
Yes it too was a very fast machine, thanks for watching.
Amazing video mate. I really enjoyed the level of research you have obviously put into this. Now, imagine the outcome if Burt could of only teamed up with Allen Millyard and his Hacksaw. 🤯 By the way, that thing sounded pharking demonic.
Thanks for the positive feedback buddy. Im glad you liked it. And I couldnt really say how much time I spent researching, the hardest thing is sifting through all the contradicting information.
Both pt 1 and 2 were very well put together, awesome job mate and was a great watch after only watching the movie again 2 nights ago. Ps: That bike needs to be reunited with its engine back in NZ
Yes I agree, it would be worth an extreme amount of money but sometimes people need to do the right thing. I have bugger all money but if I owned it that is what I would do, its just the right thing.
He was a true legend and still is.
Thanks for the follow up. Regards from Lower Hutt NZ.
You're welcome mate, thanks for your feedback.
Really enjoyed the video -- lots of great info.
Bert was a genius as far as I'm concerned. That kind of dedication, ingenuity, creativity, and drive seems unheard of nowadays.
That's right mate, many of the younger generation only know what's on a computer game
Thanks so much for setting the record straight. This legend is a great man.
He certainly is buddy, one of the very few people that i look up to! Thanks for watching!
Loved this, thanks so much mate 👍🏻
Great buddy, im stoked you enjoyed it
Ive always loved this story, and the movie is one of my favorites.
Im a Suzi GSX-R lover and at the end when you compared a R600 to 948 was the icing on the cake :)
Thanks mate yer the suzi was a good example of how much of a power increase he obtained!
Sir. You have done your homework and i am more than sure you would put a Big smile on Mr.Munro's face. Both videos are GREAT. Thanks Brother.
You are most welcome buddy and yes many hundreds of hours went into the research over a couple years easily.
Thanks again for all your research making this vid and upoading, enjoyed it very much.
As to The worlds fastest Indian, Personaly I found the movie a bit dissapointing in that Sir Anthony had obviously not recieved scooling on how to handle a motorcycle or even to ride. Ha actually looked a bit stupid at times.
I'm sure he did his level best though 😉 he played the character of Burt superb though I thought.
@@motorcyclecafeabsolutely mate 🤙👍👍
Well done. No flowery prose or unnecessary music. A man and his life long love affair with his Motorcycle. That's not just an Indian. That's Bert's Indian. The Fastest in the world. Subscribed.
Thanks buddy, appreciate your comment!
No1 baby ☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️🇳🇿👍
Thank you from the UK for such a great vid about a really amazing guy!
you're welcome buddy, I'm glad you enjoyed it and yes he was an amazing man. But he's not the only one watch the doco on the channel 'Against All Odds'
Thank you for efforts to keep his story accurate. Aussie Jeff
And thank you for your positive feedback. Yes there is quite a bit written about Burt which is incorrect. Some books even contradict themselves 🤔
Aquí desde este lejana tierra que es Argentina les escribe un Fanático de este gran Genio!! Soy Tornero y Metalúrgico desde los 12 años y sigo la historia de Munro desde hace muchísimos Años !!!! Les mando un Gran Abrazo desde Argentina!!!!
Brilliant.
Thank you, sir ! Your thorough research and knowledge has certainly increased my understanding of this unique Kiwi.
So he WAS using box-section aluminium in his frames from way-back ?
All told, you have to give credit to the original manufacturer for producing a set of crank cases that were up to Burt's 'needs'.
Don't get me started on compression ratios - I'm guessing Munro was running pistons 12:1 or above.
Great video.
Thanks for the nice feedback Dave all the time spent researching over the years for these two docos was worth it. His frame was steel as far as I am aware 99.9% sure. Its the gearbox that blew me away it was all original.
Totally love the engine sound at the end... it means serious business!
it was vicious
Thanks, great videos. Loved the movie, would love to watch it again but can't find it anywhere - can anyone help?
Thanks for the feedback. There are copies of the movie on ebay no doubt, i reckon i watch it a couple times a year lol
I watched it a few days ago streaming it on Amazon Prime.
Thanks for taking the effort to put this together, thoroughly enjoyed it!😎
I'm really glad you enjoyed it mate. Feedback like yours make all the research worthwhile. Check out the motorcycle doco on the channel Against All Odds I am sure you will enjoy that every bit as much. Its a bit of an eye opener.
@@motorcyclecafe Sound of Thunder end of Feb , should be 3 Brittens there, be worth going.............
@@motorcyclecafe Í be going to the Burt rally in a few weeks also, I'll do a video on my channel of the racing etc at Oreti beach and the Sunday street races.
Fantastic video. Thank you so much please
Glad you enjoyed it, comments like yours make all the effort worthwhile!
Dear Motorcycle Cafe. you put in a lot of effort it seems and brought out so many facts previously, masked, i should say. Have a wonderful year ahead.
Great video, thanks for sharing!
you are welcome mate. Old Burt is a true legend!
Much love from India for making these two vdos...thoroughly loved every second of them !!
Thanks for the great feedback buddy, I'm glad you enjoyed them!
@@motorcyclecafe
🙏🏼
Wow! Amazing stories. Love the Aussies. Great spirit.
Great video I was a young boy when I saw his bike on display at the Invercargill show after his first world record. That year he became a Invercargill household name. Was his garage ,home, on Bainfield Rd?
Thanks and yes number 105 from memory.
@@motorcyclecafe the original box and motion is in the ITM building in invercargal
Awesome bro. Wonderful 👍
Thank you so much 😀
Cant Wait for the Tricycle story.😊 Well Presented Thank You.
You're welcome, I can't even remember how I came across that photo but I'm glad I did.
@@motorcyclecafe Me Too Thanks Again Keep Well.
Good video love the ending Thanks 👍🏍
Excellent! I'm glad you liked it and thanks for taking the time to comment too!
The MAN was a KING! HIs bike should return to it's home however I would love to see it make a tour of all the major museums like Barber etc....I would love to see it.
The movie could only show so much and its been stated by a man who was around Burt his entire life that the movie was quite accurate and Anthony Hopkins portrayed Burt to a t
Awsome photos ! Wow Burts Indian reminds of of the Harley engine with the V twin bitta you @billyLane
Awesome little video. Amazing research !.
Thanks buddy I'm really glad you enjoyed it!
Really interesting video , clever guy , unbelievable determination .thanks for uploading that .
You are welcome! Im glad you enjoyed it buddy
excellent explication, thanks for sharing the video you made about this incredible man. Cheers from France
excellent, I appreciate your feedback!
Music overlay makes it hard to understand. Why cant we just listen to a person speaking, or to engines running?
Hi, yes I agree I have addressed this in later videos. Thanks for your feedback.
Thanks for the info ✌🏻
Appreciate the feedback mate, sorry for the very late reply ive had so many comments thought i best check i havent missed anyone
Burt exemplified the indomitable spirit… on steroids. They broke the mold when Don arrived to this world.. never shall this kind of persistence pass again..
Being a biker myself I had never heard of Bert Munro until the movie of his life came out with Anthony Hopkins. He sounded like a great bloke. I laughed at Hopkins attempt at a New Zealand accent . Sometimes it sounded a bit Cornish. Not easy for a Welsh man. Great video. 👍
It was a similar experience for me. When the movie came out I had heard of the name Burt Munro but didn't really know much about him. After the movie I thought WOW. Read every book, started doing research to find out as much as I could. Hence these docos because I found so many things about Burt which had been reported wrong. Most of my facts come from Burt himself, his notes, his letters, after that his friends and competitors & lastly his son. I say lastly because who tells their son everything.
Nice video Chap
Thanks
Here's a joke for ya.
" Can't seem to work out why the wife starts a conversation with
Are you listening?"🙉
Thanks mate, and I do not know maybe its a trick question
Brilliant documentary, well done Sir. 🇬🇧
Thank you buddy!!!
A Thing of beauty is joy for ever, Thanks
You are welcome these 2 docos are my favs. I could probably do them better, now I have more experience but they are still 100% true facts.
Great vid very informative thankyou
Excellent! Im glad you liked it.
Wow am truelly on pressed amazing story
Well Done and I learned more of Bert/Burt !!!!
Thanks buddy much appreciated either spelling is correct 😉
Thank you for your video was really good 🙂
You're welcome mate! Thanks for the feedback
wow
Lemon tree very pretty..................
Fantastic Guy , it’s amazing how he improve the Indian Scout
Yep thats pretty much the only word to descibe him and what he did... amazing!
great video and info, but hard to understand the Kiwi :)
You can make your dreams come to reality Burt Munro prime example 😊
he was mate. I reckon you would also enjoy the doco 'Against All Odds' on the channel about many similar minded people.
great man
He was no doubt about it
Two excellent and well documented pieces - a definitive piece on an exceptional man. In the some league as John Brittan in my personal opinion. How about those 2 as dinner party guests and through in Donald Campbell for good measure.
Thank you for that positive feedback John. It took many hundreds of hours of research to produce those 2 docos. Its comments like yours that make it worthwhile!
@@motorcyclecafe In amongst the dross on You Tube you came across some gems. These are real gems,
Thanks for the video.
He was definitely an interesting man.
you're welcome mate. Interesting and determined!
@@motorcyclecafe
Haha.
Some might say 'obsessed'.
But it's that 'obsession' that powers progress.
We could use a few more 'positively obsessed' individuals today.
We certainly have enough 'negatively obsessed' ones.
I'm a bit of an 'obsessive' myself - and an 'old school hot rodder'.
If we don't pursue our goals with vigour and determination, what value is there to life?
@@trueaussie9230 totally agree buddy! You have to be passionate about something in life.
“Burt’s *Burnt* Parts…”
Hi when i left school in the 60s my first job was at tapper bike and motor bike shop in Invercargill and Burt would come in to the work shop as well as other work shops around town to use some of the machines to make some of his parts for his bikes. Them good old days.Try doing that to day .
Yes times have changed and not for the good with so many things.
Great!
what an absolute cracker of a video.......thank you so much
I loved the movie... They got it pretty close apparently. Nice.
thanks buddy and yes they did a pretty good job
@@motorcyclecafe I'm actually watching the movie again as we speak... 😆 It's free on RUclips.
@@markvann9347 Yeah there is some good things on RUclips once you sort through all the rubbish
Fanbloodytastic 👍
I saw the film and I do understand why no none has since tried to take his records.
The specific classification his record is held in no longer exists but it does has a new classification. I did try to contact the AMA about it but they never got back to me.
I can see why he fell in love with it , they are a beautiful Machine
Wow I had an army Indian 500 cc in New Zealand. There was someone I think in Auckland who had parts and sold them at the original price. I fully restored it and drove it around Auckland and sold it. Silly me. I met Burt in at a race meeting. Saw his creation. In 1970 I had a Suzuki 500 and rode it to Dunedin to see friends from Wellington and then raced it on Invercargill beach.
Met Burt and seen his original bike must be a great memory for you buddy.
@@motorcyclecafe Yes I met him in at a Christchurch race meeting. I still remember to this day Burt and the amazing Norton Manx riders. How they ever bump started those bikes is beyond me. 500cc of genius.
Bert was not racing that day but we all hung around and chatted to him. I think it was just before he passed away. I will never forget that bike and am amazed what he did.
My suzuki 500 was modified and would do 122 mph. I raced it on Berts beach and did all sort of acrobatics with my mates as well.
I met a girl in Queenstown and that drew me to Invercargill. At the time I was living in Dunedin. My mate has a pre unit Bonneville and the other one a Norton Commando 750. Still remember coming down the hill to Invercargill. Ah the 70's sure do miss those free times.
@@johnmchardy1229 i do know what you mean very much so. Things are so over legislated these days. There's a few more vids on the channel which im sure you would enjoy with bikes & feats from that era.
What a Mehanic Brilliant
Amazing ay?
My great great great uncle
You must be soooo proud!
FYI he stills holds the record at bonneville
I know, absolutely amazing!
A wonderful story about an unassuming man who took on the world with a budget of pennies and beat every one of them!
very true buddy!
sensational
About 15 years ago, I circled Australia on an old beat-up Ducati 250 then went to NZ. I visited the house that was built where Burt's shed was. This was before the movie came out. I talked to the owners and they said I was the first person to stop by and that they tore down his shed to build their house. I asked if they had anything from Burt and they said that they tossed all of the offerings to the god of speed that they found buried. I later blew up the Duc over by Queensland. I thought the engine for the bike they built for the movie was basically a stock Ducati Darmah.
Hi Dave, fancy throwing away his stuff 😡 they built 2 near exact replicas with Indian Scout motors they needed 2 for insurance purposes. They also built another 2 had which were not exact replicas with Ducati motors so yes you are partly correct.
I said they'd make a bundle if they had any of his old stuff. I'm sure they figured it out after the movie came out and more people stopped by.
@@gornzilla they sure would have. What a shame, thanks for watching buddy!
If anyone knows "the god of speed like I do" It is only a faith that guides, you there.
GOODONYA MATE !
Has anyone ever had a look at the best ever motorcycle in new Zealand. The Britton. Built by John Britton in Christchurch. In the backyard and beat Ducatti, Honda, Yamaha, all at indy 1994.
No argument from me on his bike mate. Maybe they should make a movie about him🤔
John Britten loved his early Indians too.
@@ALA-uv7jq really I did not know that. But then again who doesn't. That Britton bike was unreal ay
What a man still the bench mark, God probably saying "Burt! That's enough mate" 🤣👈
Yes, he was one of a kind thats for sure. I reckon i watch the movie a couple times every year
@@motorcyclecafe yeah mate seen it a few times myself, loved how the yanks took a shine to him but also the doco, ,the Director did on him before the movie came out a few years before, was good as well. Amazing man, his life, and that bike, cerainly left his mark after all theses years still a record to be broken. Shows he knew a thing or two.
well done...
Thank you!!!
in the late 60s, we were building indian choppers in joe's basement. burt was a hero. as was sammy pierce.
doubt anyone builds choppers from Indians anymore, I still love the old school choppers myself
Thank you for a fine video but I disagree somewhat with your conclusion. 600cc superbike already have almost all the power squeezed out of them. What Bert did was like taking a Honda Cub from 9.5 HP to 72.
Ha, i wont disagree with you, your analogy is much better, i didnt think of the cub
well done
Thank you mate!!!
Que lástima que hay muy poco en Español latino
Sorry mate
It's a shame there were so many years he got rained out and disqualified by Rules.. I have wondered what Burt could do if he had access to high tech tools such as at a Motorcycle Engineering Depeartment ..
I agree, he did have a lot of bad luck. I believe that one of Burt's biggest issues would have been heat, as heat can destroy any engine. With his engine doing double the revs and the very small cooling fins his motor must have got really hot. This is just my opinion, which is why I didn't mention it. There is already too much false information out there about Burt, even the books contradict each other.
@@motorcyclecafe Heat is normally not a Problem running on Methanol .. Top Fuel Drag racers use up to 80 or 82% Nitromethane. Too bad he didn't have his jetting figured out when he added Nitromethane. Tractor Pullers run Dry Blocks and are not allowed to use Nitromethane.. they use 100% Methanol ..
I just searched the Altitude of the Salt Flats >>
4,219 feet A Naturally aspirated engine looses 40% of it's power at 10,000 feet
@@motorcyclecafe These Modified Tractors run Dry blocks and no cooling system .. Their pulls can take a bit of time .. they run 100% Methanol . The first puller uses Turbine Helicopter engines which run on Kerosene.
ruclips.net/video/-Ev7hoKzIes/видео.html