Why hasn't Burt Munro's record been broken?

**Grumpy** · 12th February 2007, 19:22

My already considerable respect for that old bugger increased quite considerably when I stood staring at his bike in the show at Auckland the other week. How the fuck he achieved what he did on that thing was amazing.

**Paul in NZ** · 12th February 2007, 20:36

Originally Posted by Steam

It's at the library too, free. The bit of the book that I remember especially is where he lists all the injuries and crashes he's had, all the bones he has broken, what happened when he crashed and why, and at frightening speeds. It's really worth reading, there are heaps of pictures too.

There are 2 biographies about him - both a good read and far more interesting that the filum. How that much engineering talent and stubborness ended up in one man is just scary...

So....

Where would a lad find the current records for NZ listed? I have this plan for a GN250 you see and......

**JMemonic** · 13th February 2007, 10:35

Originally Posted by Lorax

Is it because his record is not prestigious enough? People are chasing the mega-speed (unrestricted) record instead?

Or have others tried and failed?

How hard would it be to try to break that record?

Hmmmm? Hmmmm?

FYI:
The current 'Open' record holder is Chris Carr, who achieved a speed of 350.884 m.p.h.
Burt Munro holds the 850cc record (178.97) set in 1962, and the 950cc record (190.07) set in 1967.

I understood that the rules under which Burt set his record were changed, and even he did not get to run in that class in the final year he went over to try and beat his own record, something to do with enclosed bikes. I tried to google it but must asking the wrong questions of this computer today.

**idleidolidyll** · 13th February 2007, 12:26

Before Burt Munroe broke his record, another Kiwi by the name of Bob Burns broke a land speed record in the mid 50's on Tram Rd outside Christchurch. I have a collection of the original negatives (5x4) of that run.

I was one of the fortunate few who had the pleasure to listen to Bob speak to a bunch of BEARs riders at a picture theatre in Lyttelton in the early 90's. Bob was a great guy and rode bikes to the end; he had some fantastic tales to tell.

His bike was a streamlined sidecar outfit with a Vincent 1000cc motor. The bike was co owned and built with Russel Wright who also got a world motorcycle land speed record on it in the same year (1955).

Bob's record was only broken last year by another New Zealand team sidecar: http://goflyingkiwi.co.nz/index.php

**Guitana** · 13th February 2007, 12:38

The real reason nobodys broken his record is that no-ones got the balls to do what he did!!! That bike was an extension of his body and he didnt fear the speed!!!!

**MikeyG** · 13th February 2007, 13:57

Originally Posted by Simon A

He had some pretty incredible stories and you can read most of them in the book about him. Same title as the movie I think.

Originally Posted by Steam

It's at the library too, free. The bit of the book that I remember especially is where he lists all the injuries and crashes he's had, all the bones he has broken, what happened when he crashed and why, and at frightening speeds. It's really worth reading, there are heaps of pictures too.

Originally Posted by Paul in NZ

There are 2 biographies about him - both a good read and far more interesting that the filum. How that much engineering talent and stubborness ended up in one man is just scary

Yeah the movie pales in comparison the the book. Who do you know these days that designs and casts not only thier own pistons but also a OHV/OHC head for an old side valve engine.

**idleidolidyll** · 13th February 2007, 13:59

Originally Posted by MikeyG

Yeah the movie pales in comparison the the book. Who do you know these days that designs and casts not only thier own pistons but also a OHV/OHC head for an old side valve engine.

Buckley Systems Ltd

**Skunk** · 13th February 2007, 14:01

Originally Posted by JMemonic

I understood that the rules under which Burt set his record were changed, and even he did not get to run in that class in the final year he went over to try and beat his own record, something to do with enclosed bikes. I tried to google it but must asking the wrong questions of this computer today.

With an enclosed body there must be a firewall between the rider and the engine. This lead to the streamliners which are now much faster than Burts record.

I can't remember offhand exactly the class his record stands in but you can't run in it any more.

This class is a 'Bonneville' class and their 'World Records' are run to different rules to World Governing Body classes.

Burts record is 'fastest Indian' - other brands have gone faster in different classes.

**inlinefour** · 13th February 2007, 14:37

Originally Posted by Lorax

Is it because his record is not prestigious enough? People are chasing the mega-speed (unrestricted) record instead?

Or have others tried and failed?

How hard would it be to try to break that record?

Hmmmm? Hmmmm?

FYI:
The current 'Open' record holder is Chris Carr, who achieved a speed of 350.884 m.p.h.
Burt Munro holds the 850cc record (178.97) set in 1962, and the 950cc record (190.07) set in 1967.

Burt Munro is the man.

**Kickaha** · 13th February 2007, 17:47

Originally Posted by idleidolidyll

another Kiwi by the name of Bob Burns broke a land speed record in the mid 50's on Tram Rd outside Christchurch. I have a collection of the original negatives (5x4) of that run.

His bike was a streamlined sidecar outfit with a Vincent 1000cc motor. The bike was co owned and built with Russel Wright who also got a world motorcycle land speed record on it in the same year (1955).

I thought they set both records at the same event?

Originally Posted by idleidolidyll

Bob's record was only broken last year by another New Zealand team sidecar:

They went faster but they didn't break "his" record as the criteria and classes have changed (much like in Burts case)

Originally Posted by idleidolidyll

However, his girlfriend at the time managed later to break a record or 2 on the bike.

I thought the records she broke were on a Hinckley Triumph?

Originally Posted by MikeyG

Yeah the movie pales in comparison the the book. Who do you know these days that designs and casts not only thier own pistons but also a OHV/OHC head for an old side valve engine.

I know guys who have designed and made their own cranks, made their own crankcases etc

**BarryG** · 14th February 2007, 02:38

The biography of Burt Munro by Tim Hanna is excellent. As is his book on John Britten, BTW.

Cheers
Barry

**NordieBoy** · 14th February 2007, 07:10

Wasn't Burts record "Streamlined under 1000cc"?

**idleidolidyll** · 14th February 2007, 08:57

Kickaha:
I thought they set both records at the same event?

Not according to the original photos I have of the event (taken by Robyn Smith Photography for the Press). I think the solo record was set at an EARLIER date in the same year.
I think they managed to get to Bonneville later as well.

They went faster but they didn't break "his" record as the criteria and classes have changed (much like in Burts case)

True, for them it was a moral victory only.

I thought the records she broke were on a Hinckley Triumph?

I could stand corrected. You are right in that Alice DID break records on the Triumph but I think she also rode the streamliner. Someone must have the info.

**idleidolidyll** · 14th February 2007, 09:06

Originally Posted by BarryG

The biography of Burt Munro by Tim Hanna is excellent. As is his book on John Britten, BTW.

Cheers
Barry

Indeed! Tim writes well.
I have both books. Interestingly his book on John Britten was more interesting than the 'official' version. The official version was sanitised.
I knew John and many of the people around him. Reading Tim's book bought back pictures in my mind of the old workshop in Riccarton, Broz, Phil Payne, BEARs Bus Trips etc. There was even a passing mention of a stunt I pulled for the WSB the Britten went to: I dyed my hair Britten colours and Kirsten snapped a shot of me that sat amongst the photos at the factory for quite a while.
The official version is more about the bike than the man IMO. It's a nice coffee table book and with Andrew Strouds signature, it is nice to have in my collection. However, for a stroy of John Britten the Hanna book is fuller.