Burt Munro's 1920 Indian Scout

This is the 1920 Indian Scout built and driven by Burt Munro. Jay Leno on commentary. Three times during the '60's it set the World's fastest flying mile record for motorcycles under 1000cc at the Bonneville Salt Flats. This is not the reproduction used in the "The World's Fastest Indian" starring Anthony Hopkins, but the actual bike that set the record. Fortunately this is the second year of the Concours d'Elegance to feature motorcycles on the green. This year they featured the salt flat racers and their contribution to Hot Rodding. I was very lucky to see and hear this amazing piece of history.

For more information about Burt Munro, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burt_Munro

Or buy "The World's Fastest Indian" because it's a true story. It's one of my favorites, and surely will not disappoint any gear head. Anthony's perfectly cast for the role.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

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[maxmillion7007]

If I remember correctly, there are THREE versions of his bike for each of the years 1962, 1966 and 1967 when he set records. Burt competed at the salt flats like 7 times, sometimes without the the streamline cage.

Version 1: looks same as in movie, snorkels and triple vane tail fin.(no nose intake)

Version 2: changed to larger single vane tail fin, snorkels are more "finessed" (no Nose intake)

Version 3: nose air intake, no snorkels, vent holes in lower back body (what you see in above video)

[Jafromobile]

@maxmillion7007 Your memory does indeed serve you correctly.

I get a lot of hate mail and I wish more people understood there's more than one of these. He made over a dozen different bodies for them. The Invercargill bikes are authentic, as well as this one. Burt spent his life savings shipping one here via. sea, but he made friends in the US. He left the chassis here because it cost too much to ship back, and so he could fly home instead of spending more than a month at sea with his bike.

[squirlybmx]

@Hogasofa It holds the record not because it can't be beaten, but because no one wants it to be beaten.

[PLSchack]

I am the guy standing over the engine. It never fails. Jay Leno walks up, you are at Pebble Beach, someone is taking great video and the magneto dies. At least it started in the morning for the judges. Thanks for this. It is great coverage. By the way, we won best racing motorcycle. Thanks again for the video work. Nicely done.

[YouGotsTheRabies]

Oh, the magneto. I thought maybe Burt had some insanely aggressive cam that prevents idle at any rpm.

[BUSTINMOVER1]

Saw the film again today for the umpteenth time , never fails to bring a tear to my eye

[leuropa67]

@Jafromobile Tom lives there me I live in Atascadero,CA My friend has worked on this engine

[themooseOFpower]

one of the greatest bikes to ever exist in my opinion .well done

[Jafromobile]

@ericjkent Excuse me, I meant New Zealand.

[Jafromobile]

@ericjkent The record setting chassis NEVER returned to Australia. Burt couldn't afford it, but his engine fit in a suitcase. Breaking records doesn't pay in case nobody ever told you. Burt built 3 of these bikes. Perhaps check Wikipedia.

So are the bikes in Invercargill authentic?  Absolutely. Burt built both of them. Could they have set the record? Absolutely. Did they set the record at Bonneville? Absolutely not. They never came the the US. I don't make this up as I go.

[ericjkent]

@jamesbobification Aye mate you are correct I have spoken with the chap who owns the bike and he even invited me on down to Invercargill to have a look at it. Plus anyone can Google Hayes Hardware in Invercargill to see the truth.

[jamesbobification]

his bikes in invercargill u stupid yank fuck it have been in hayes hardware 4 2o years