The World’s Fastest Indian — Burt Munro

@ChrisMatthieu
Jul 22, 2017 · 3 min read

Have you seen The World’s Fastest Indian movie? If not, you should! It’s a great dramatization of Burt Munro’s quest to break the world land speed record.

In 1920, at the age of 21, Burt Munro stood marveling at a brand-new Indian Scout motorcycle in an Invercargill garage. He was awestruck by the powerful 600cc V-twin engine, the sophisticated cast alloy primary case, an impressive three speed transmission and a robust leaf sprung front end. A bike he was to keep his entire life and in fact become a world land speed record holder.

Burt’s motorcycle carried the engine number 50R627 and has been identified as one of the earlier Scouts that Indian manufactured. It sported a 37cu.in. 42 degree V-twin with a side valve head. A helical gear primary drive was contained in an oil-tight, cast alloy case and a 3 speed, hand change gearbox with foot clutch was fitted. A double down-tube cradle frame was used, rigid at the rear and a leaf-spring front end.

Burt modified his 1920 Indian Scout drastically to ultimately reach 205.67 mph run at Bonneville. Starting in 1926, he had replaced the barrels, pistons, lubrication system, and flywheels with his own designs. He also designed and manufactured 4 cam overhead valve heads to replace the original 2 cam side valve design.


Several years ago, I stumbled on a 1920 Indian Scout for sale in New York. Being an avid vintage Indian motorcycle collector and huge Burt Munro fan, I just had to have it!

As I started going through this bike, I could imagine Burt’s excitement and marvel at Indian’s innovation and craftsmanship from 97 years ago. As I looked a little closer, its motor number caught my attention — 51R084. To my surprise, my motor was built only 457 motors after Burt’s motor!

You can’t help but wonder if the same mechanic(s) built our motors and bikes! You can’t help but wonder who all has ridden this bike over the years. Where all has it gone? How did it end up in New York?

@ChrisMatthieu

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Builder of companies, robots, supercomputers, and motorcycles. @magicleap @computesio #IPFS #decentralized #crypto #blockchain #IoT #HPC #SkyNet

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