Burt again

**Edbear** · 2nd January 2010, 16:50

Just watched Burt Munro 'The World's Fastest Indian' again. It's worth watching again as one picks up a bit more from the movie.

I am simply astounded at what he achieved using the technology available. I've seen his bike at shows and I wonder why no-one has tried to repeat or replicate what he did.

Has anyone seen an analysis of how he managed to get an under 1,000cc v-twin to over 200mph? What sort of horsepower it was producing?

**Dan Mapp** · 2nd January 2010, 17:06

Big Balls and no fear had a lot to do with it.

**locatelli** · 3rd January 2010, 19:25

Hey Edbear, check out this book “The World’s Fastest Indian” by Roger Donaldson, Burt Munro – A Scrapbook of his life. Has a lot of interesting stuff in it, from the man himself.
Got it for xmas, haven't had time to read it all, but bloody interesting so far

**Edbear** · 3rd January 2010, 19:30

Originally Posted by locatelli

Hey Edbear, check out this book “The World’s Fastest Indian” by Roger Donaldson, Burt Munro – A Scrapbook of his life. Has a lot of interesting stuff in it, from the man himself.
Got it for xmas, haven't had time to read it all, but bloody interesting so far

Might have to just do that, thanks!

**98tls** · 3rd January 2010, 19:35

Fwiw ive often wondered why nobody carried on Brittens work either Ed.

**locatelli** · 3rd January 2010, 19:43

Originally Posted by Edbear

Might have to just do that, thanks!

Forgot, also comes with bonus DVD "God of Speed" documentary.

**Motu** · 3rd January 2010, 20:00

Originally Posted by 98tls

Fwiw ive often wondered why nobody carried on Brittens work either Ed.

Either? No one carried on Burt's work...unless you mean just Kiwi's making do with what was at hand.Come to the Classic Festival at Pukekohe and see some of that stuff still being done.

**Edbear** · 3rd January 2010, 20:43

Originally Posted by Motu

Either? No one carried on Burt's work...unless you mean just Kiwi's making do with what was at hand.Come to the Classic Festival at Pukekohe and see some of that stuff still being done.

Kiwi's have always shown the world how to do something with nothing and there are still "Burt's" and "Britten's" around working magic. Classic_Z is one local example, just check out his Z1300 turbo project to see what one can do with an angle grinder! ZX12 front end and rear wheel, adapted to take the Z1300 shaft drive. Hayabusa rear shock and six-piston front brakes, Subaru turbo, remanufactured by another clever Kiwi. Nissan Skyline fuel injection. Steering head angle was "wrong" so an angle grinder, digital laser level and a welder fixed that... Fuel tank doesn't fit right? Cut it up and reweld it. Rear subframe? Same...

Biggest problem so far is the smaller diameter rear wheel, so somehow he's going to have to raise the gearing by making a new crown-wheel and pinion... He's having to offset the shaft drive as well to counter the wider wheel.

**Bender** · 4th January 2010, 12:34

My understanding of the reason no-one continued John Britten's work is that he had patented things they did (even things that were not, strictly speaking, his own work) and the Britten estate made it very difficult for anyone wanting to use patented technology. I.e. they wanted big money for it.

The team of guys who developed the Britten were a little surprised at what had gone on - this comes from Tim Hanna's excellent book about JB.

Got the Burt book for Christmas. It's a cracker.

**ukusa** · 4th January 2010, 20:18

Originally Posted by Edbear

Just watched Burt Munro 'The World's Fastest Indian' again. It's worth watching again as one picks up a bit more from the movie.

I am simply astounded at what he achieved using the technology available. I've seen his bike at shows and I wonder why no-one has tried to repeat or replicate what he did.

yep, love that movie. Havn't seen it in over a year, will have to dust my DVD off. I love the beach racing scene cranked up on the home theatre.