The Munro Special - 1920 Indian Scout

[keithf]

As far as i am aware you are more or less right-though there is a suggestion that the engine is one he used in the record attempts because he couldn't bear to part with it.

[saludahead]

Hate to break it to you, but that is NOT the worlds fastest Indian! That bike is owned by Tom Hensley, and was show recently at Pebble Beach where they won't let you through the gate without EVIDENCE of the bike's history!

That bike was probably built by Burt Munro, and he might have ridden it. It has his pipes on it, and the stands on the cylinders are his style. The carbs are the type he always used, and the frame mods look like his work, but that is NOT the record bike!

[375GTB]

Burt liked the ladies to his last breath..

Tony got that right....

I turned 62 yesterday..

J.C.

[criticalmass181]

As a kid, at 17, I didn't have enough money to buy a GP bike, to race in the 'competition class' in Australia. I made as much as I could from an RZ 250, and stuck it on the track. With exception of bursting into flames at Philip Island, it did O.K. Though I quite obviously never made it too far, I can totally understand what he did, and how he could have faith in something that no one in their right mind would throw a leg over. God bless Burt.

[ctfsh123]

I like the movie, and now I feel priveleged to see the real munro special. What a fantastic feat he did to overcome so much to make his dream happen! I worked in a bike shop in the 70s, and I got to ride an Indian. I felt lucky then and I feel lucky now. Thanks for sharing this vid. It was well done.

[keithf]

Thanks. If you look back at all the comments there is a fair bit of debate about whether this is ' the Munro' special as he sold his bike on his last trip to the US.  I understand that he actually sold the frame and an Indian motor but couldn't bear to part with the original motor and brought that back with him. Whatever the truth this is certainly a bike that Munro built and rode at least in NZ and possibly at the salt flats-or bits of it a least.

[375GTB]

Velos are nice ( Thruxton, here) but this is an INDIAN!!

Made in the USA, in Springield MA... made again by Burt.... to his own plan.

THE WORLDS FASTEST INDIAN MOTORCYCLE, 201.581 MPH...

FIM 900 cc record for 40+ years.

J.C.

[Jafromobile]

@375GTB ...and I've said it before... I will personally throw a broomstick through the spokes of the jackhole that tries to break his record. Long Live Burt Munro!

[luis07teran]

did he say it can hit 200mph?

[Panditha666]

@luis07teran yes and it did. but it was streamlined.

[Alisterwolf66]

@luis07teran Can and did. Burt Munro's 1967 record (full streamlined, 1000cc) still stands at 183.586mph (official run). In one or two previous unofficial runs, he exceeded 206mph!

Just a note - for a run to be official, the machine must be run twice: once in both directions to correct for any downhill/uphill variance. The average speed of the two runs is the official speed.

[nmgncross]

this was a man that earns all the respect in world! this man is an heroe in my eyes and will always be ! i admire people like this, it's a shame there ain't not many around him in this world i wish i was !!! R.I.P my friend.

[lastmiles]

Imagine having a crazy dream and everyone around you tells you you're wrong. Your crazy. That can't be done. You're too old. You will die even trying. What are you stupid or just nuts? Everyone says that and nay sayers are everywhere that never do anything and this man, Burt Monroe fought past all the doubters and the people that laughed and he broke land speed records one after another. He was an old man when he went over 200 MPH on that crazy looking bike. I admire a real man like that.

[master777999]

very true words.

[catey62]

@lastmiles Thank you for your comment...it's wonderful for once,to see someone praising another person for their acheivements...you see so many negative comments on here by people who seem hell bent on on tearing anyone done that has realised their dream,in whatever shape or form it might take...dreams give us hope...and hope gives us the wings on which to soar above whatever obstacles lay in our path...never stop dreaming.....

[101Habbopranks]

burt was far out one of the best men in history

[45Mang]

its worth alot more than a Y2k

[jesuriah]

wow, 200mph on a hardtail...My ass hurts just thinking about it.

[1VANMAJOR]

Hi keithf it doesnt want to take the link i will try this dub dub dub . webbs . co . nz , and in the search bar type burt munro it will bring up the bikes that were auctioned the velo was no 8

[1VANMAJOR]

Hi Keithf ,here is the link to the auction and a closer view of the bike ,yes its got a heritage stamp on the bike and cant be taken outside of NZ

[1VANMAJOR]

that old velocette just sold at auction tonight for NZ$ 71000 +15% buyers fee $10000+gst total over $ 81000 he used to race this bike down the beach using a hot water bottle as a gas tank his friend who he closley worked with for over 45 years modified these velos and broke many records with them

[keithf]

I hope someone in NZ bought it and it will go on show somewhere

[1VANMAJOR]

the link is w w w .webbs . co . nz ,and once at the site search burt munro its bike no 8

[munkysquidhybrid]

The velocette sold at auction in Auckland was merely worked on by Burt Munro, it wasn't actually his. The Bonneville land speed record breaking bike of Burt's is still exactly where it has been for three decades, on display at E Hayes & Sons in Invercargill.

[keithf]

If you read through the comments here there is a fair bit of debate about which Indian is in the Hayes store. Personally I'd like to think you are right.

As an aside I recently saw a fully restored 1920's scout at the Australian Motor museum in Birdwood SA - and if you ever visit that museum be sure to visit Bills bikes and bits across the road -they have a much better selection of old dirt bikes than the museum

[hussmire]

@munkysquidhybrid .I want to clear up your comments on the 1936 velocette.In 1955 a friend of Burts called Percy Shave told Burt about two motorcycles in nightcaps(a little community 60-70 kms NNW of Invercargill).They found in an abandoned hen-house two MSS 500 Velocettes,the 1936 and a 1939 model.They paid TEN pound for them both,flipped a coin and burt got the 1936 bike.That Velocette he bought for 5 pound and the Munro Special Indian Scout were sold to E.Hays and Sons on 19-9-1977 for $1300

[hussmire]

@hussmire Im Lee Munro,Burts great nephew.Im born and raised in Invercargill,now living in Christchurch NZ.My proudest moments would be racing my Ducati 999 at the Burt Munro Challenge and winning numerous replica trophies etc.I grew up with the stories of Burt and since the movie i have felt i have more than a little of what made Burt tick inside me.My girlfriend at the time bruised hell out of my arm as we watched the movie saying "you do that",smack "he`s just like you"...shes a sweetheart!

[Dororo267]

@hussmire hey there, this is kinda weird im related to you. I am his great nephew as well.

From my fathers side steven which was adopted out by his real father.. that is why i do no longer share the same name as you. hope you reply :)

[noobsound]

did they said 200 miles/hour?

[MichalSoram]

over 200 miles/hour :)

[picklesdoodleydoo]

Hey keithf, are you joking or just a complete moron. Do you even know what your looking at?

[keithf]

Clearly you don't

[1947Chief]

These bikes are a very important piece of history .

Their significance historically makes clearly them much more than just pushbikes with a motor .

[keithf]

They are historically important-no issue there. However, when you see them in the flesh there isn't much to them-that Munro managed to get the kind of performance out of the Indian and ride it at the speeds he did is an incredible achievement.

[keithf]

It's not much more than a pushbike with a motor-I prefer something a little more modern myself

[Jgow321]

i wish i could get one of those

[dustytrayl]

I love a New Zealand accent!!

[keithf]

Thanks!

[tprjj49707]

Unrestored bike is velocette

[keithf]

That's pretty much what I understand happened-something like that anyway

[lamage89]

Marty Dickison the mexican in the movie owns the record brakeing bike because burt had two Indians and when he broke the record it was his second time in america with a diffrent streamliner and couldent afford to bring it back and he knew he had one at home so he left it

[bravo3000pirate]

Ok, now I learned more about him. Thanks

[bravo3000pirate]

LOL the red one is a remake i guess

[lamage89]

Na he had 2 Indians its just restored

[bravo3000pirate]

I always tought he had 1 bike in all his live. Because he sad that in the "Offerings To the God of Speed" docu. So he had 2 bikes?

[keithf]

Over the years I think he had more than than the two but the Indian(s) were his favorites. At one stage he worked as a Triumph salesman so rode Triumphs and he also lived and raced in Australia for a time.

[thedoc57]

Don't go there Keith, oh no I couldn't handle the fallout. LOL

[keithf]

Neither could I - speak to you again sometime

[thedoc57]

Burt gave most of his motorcycle collection to the Hayes Family as he and the owner at the time were good mates. The other bike in the picture is a Velocette which he used to circuit race around New Zealand. He did use the Indian but found the Velocette handled better. I love these people who think they know the history and want to claim Burt and his bike as their's.

[keithf]

On the same trip I shot some footage at the Richard Pierce memorial outside of Temuka. Imagine the firestorm I could create by posting footage of that and a comment that he probably achieved the first powered flight-some months before the Wright brothers...:-)

[keithf]

I re watched the movie and the Offerings to the God of Speed doc the other day. I presume there is a huge element of poetic license but the scene where Munro gets his 'test' run and zooms clear of the support vehicles has got to be one of the greatest one fingered salutes of all times-something that I think appeals to our kiwi mind.

[thedoc57]

The Hayes Hardware Shop bike is Burts New Zealand frame and no one knows for sure which of the two frames is the genuine original 1920 Indian Scout. Who cares which one is the original the whole story is about man and his acheivments.

[keithf]

Thanks for your comments. When I took this footage I assumed that this was the real McCoy. Whatever the provenance of the motor and frame-this is certainly a unit that Munro used in one form or another to race or test-it is not some enthusiasts rebuild-the Hayes people saved what they could when he died.

[thedoc57]

The point is there were two Indian's owned by Burt. After 1963 he only brought the engine home and used his second Indian frame here in New Zealand for testing his engines before returning to Utah each year. Tom's engine has never been raced it was simply an engine that Burt built and sold with bike to the original USA owner back in 1975. Tom owns the Utah racing frame, streamliner and a Burt Munro modified Indian engine.

[thedoc57]

Here is the truth for you idiots who have absoutley no idea about Burts history. Burt had two genuine bikes the one in the Hayes hardware shop is one and the other or actaul Utah racing bike is owned by Tom. Burt bought the original bike back in 1962 and then went back in 1963 with a bike but it isn't clear if it was the original or the second bike he built up. No one knows the serial number of the bike he bought in 1920 so no one knows for sure which is the original.

[RodCornholio]

Burt Munro is a role model for anyone who is up against overwhelming odds. He serves as an inspiration for all that humans can achieve.

[keithf]

He certainly did. It's a pity that widespread national acclaim for his achievements did not come in his lifetime as he is a truly iconic New Zealander

[schichten]

all of you people saying its not original pff who cares he still made them what they are!!! im a kiwi and proud of anythng Burt Munro

[keithf]

exactly

[dribblybits]

dont matter were the bike is now.just the mere

fact that he made it go fucken fast.....go nz.

[lmaeducksyndrom]

FAKE FAKE All know the real serial number resides in California where Burt left the motor to Sam Pierce of Pierce's Indian then off to A nice home on the coast where it still is. I saw the museam in New Zealand what a liar joke there is only one bike the rest are fake crap! repo bikes just like a Mike Smith special. Thanks TOM for keeping the Real bike!!!! God bless Dean,Sam

[keithf]

Fake? This video was not taken in a museum but in the Hayes Department store in Invercargill. As you seem to know everything you must know the connection. Munro certainly sold the Bike. The frame and the shell-the story goes that he couldn't bare to part with the motor and built another and kept the original. The frame in this video is a Munro original and may or may not have been used at Bonniville. It was certainly used by Munro at sometime when he raced in this country

[lmaeducksyndrom]

Idiot why cannot anyone or even the movie use a real copy??? Because they refuse to ask Tom to use it. tired of fakes just ask and you might recieve permission to use it! the movie makers were even afraid of being sued for missrepresenting the bike.. Tom is correct they are all liars I hope tom crushes it after next years run.

[keithf]

Its a pity you stopped taking the pills because you clearly still need them

[lmaeducksyndrom]

Put ypur money where your mouth is! The real bike is for sale. If he is such a hero why do you not buy it for New Z!!

[thedoc57]

Where is it for sale?

[Jokkelajnen]

I don't know, but I know that the price of it can't be low.

[a40sgal]

Thats right ! Tom Hensley and his family own the real bike.

[warriorbluexvs]

the best iv ever seen and i still go back a do it all over again the man was a true star!and so god bless you burt .long live the need for speed

[dwarno66]

evelskunny is dick who knows shit about shit

[douro20]

600cc...that's a huge engine for such a small bike!

[keithf]

even scarier when you know how fast Munro went on it

[patryk107]

"REAL STORY"-film about man who rechaed 200 miles per hour in 1967 yr ! on indian bike from 1920 . unbielevieable... sry for my english

[keithf]

Yeah it was a great story.

[hedgendhedgehog]

evelskunny, you are an idiot.

[jamescommando]

i would just like to point out that talking to a guy who found burt munro's trailer would be quite interesting and the bloke who is having a go at you for being interested in history and owning a part of it should probably go and get a life a hobby and stop annoying people having a good FRIENDLY conversation about motorcycling

[thedoc57]

Thanks James

[evelskunny]

I just know,Because your a story teller,& A Wanna be,you wanna be Bert Munro,But Your Not,Your Just someone that maybe found his trailer,that does not make you a legend idiot,so shut the fuck up now,& go tell one of your fairy tales to some one else,

[evelskunny]

by the way,you have no idea,who I am,I would ride circles around you on a motorcycle,& that is a fact,

[thedoc57]

Who cares how do you know you would ride circles around me you don't even know me. For goodness sake get a life go annoy someone else you looser. Does your parents know that you are not a preschool today?

[evelskunny]

whatever dude,your not Evel Knievel,or Burt Munro,you found his Trailer,That doesn't make you a legend,when you break records,then you will be a legend,until then,your someone who found a trailer,that belonged to a legend,put that in your pipe,& smoke it,old chap.

[detroit900]

If you are going to troll and deliberately annoy people with crap, at least try to not sound like an illiterate monkey.

[evelskunny]

look up the word legend,& the definition of it,

[thedoc57]

I went with your defintion and you have no idea who I am in my country it mentions the word marvel and celebrity. Be careful what you say you obviously have nothing better to do with your life. You really should get on with life or at least get a life and keep your nose out of mine - go and annoy someone else.

[evelskunny]

you have to do something great Or Inspire other people to do something great,to become a Legend,finding a trailer does not make you a legend,Sorry

[thedoc57]

In New Zealand finding the one and only Worlds Fastest Motorcycle Trailer and bringing it home where it belongs makes me a legend. As you said doing something great is what I just did for all New Zealanders. Finding it is one thing bringing it home where it belongs is what makes this all special no one else had the chance to - only me. Burt is a national hereo and the I just bought back the most significant piece of his history home. I did somthing great!!!

[evelskunny]

if you get the trailer up to 180mph,maybe then you will be a legend,like Bert,

[thedoc57]

They tell me I am already a legend for finding and bringing the trailer home.

[keithf]

Well nice to 'talk' to you. Catch up with you some other time. Let me know when you release pictures of the trailer etc and I will have a look.

[keithf]

I'd say obssesed-imagine what he could have done with something a bit more modern! It's a pretty incredible story. Did you know of him-are you from Invercargill?

[thedoc57]

I spent a number of years in Invercargill and few of the Hotrod boys used to talk about Burt. He was a legend around the town I wish I could have met him. Owning his trailer makes me part of his history now I feel extremely honoured.

[keithf]

I just took it as face value that the bike in the Hayes shop was the complete original minus the shell. I was interested to find out that it might not have been-I believe it is an original motor sitting in what might be one of the frames raced on the salt flats..?

[thedoc57]

Burt was very sentimental about his original 1920 Indian bike so I would say the original one is the the one in Hayes shop this makes logical sense to me. Burt and his first bike were an amazing love afair.

[thedoc57]

Burt took everything over to the USA in 62 he bought it all back in 62 he had two scout frames. No one knows which one he took back in 63. Tom Hensley owns the 3rd Streamliner and the engine Tom has was made out of parts lying around just so the frame had an engine when Burt sold it to the person before Tom in 75. The 67 race engine is owned by the Hayes family in Invercargill, New Zealand. I own the one and only motorcycle trailer that Burt ever used.

[keithf]

Thanks. I have just re-read the One Good Run book. He was an interesting bloke to say the least. Hope the trailer is in pride of place in your garage.

[thedoc57]

I feel extremely humble to own Burts trailer it is soon to released to the Media in New Zealand. I have not had it long but I do know a lot about Burt I have made it my business to learn just about all that I can about him he was jsut amazing.

[iptv1]

Read John Munros comment on Bikenut - http://www.bikenut.com.au/blog­/2006/07/munro-special-1920-in­dian-scout-burt.html

[keithf]

no wonder there are so many hits on this clip. In retrospect, apart from the engine and the paint there's not much difference between the two

[XxeverythingevilxX]

this is a bike from god i LOVE burt Munro

[a40sgal]

all the bikes that are in new zealand might have some of burts engine parts but everything else is made up. everything you see in the movie was also fabricated. tom hensley's brother bought the original bike over 25 years ago and the family recently restored it. there is a big controversy over this but trust me on this,there is only one original bike and its in middle california .

[keithf]

Hi,

Interesting. As you can see the sign indicates that the bike we filmed was the Real Indian. I do know from reading the book that Munro at various times left parts in the US while he came home. So who really knows you could be right.Someone told me the other day the they used Ducati engines in the replicas and they were built by the Brittain workshop. The other bike was a Vellocette.

[mikenco]

indianmotorbikes dot com claim that the original bike is in NZ!..

I watched the movie a few nights ago and it really touched me. What a great engineer and bike nut old Burt was.

A true hero.

[a40sgal]

there is only one REAL indian race bike and its owned by tom hensley from california! all the rest are replica's!

[keithf]

This is the bike that Bert Munro used from the 1920's as a race bike and then developed to create speed records at Bonniville in the 60's and 70's. What is the bike owned by Tom Hensley?