Burt Munro

Munro was born in 1899 to William Munro, a farmer and Lily Agnes Robinson in Invercargill.[5] His twin sister died at birth[2] and Munro grew up on a farm in Edendale, east of Invercargill. His grandfather was from northern Scotland and settled on a farm in Invercargill.[5]

Munro's interest in speed began at an early age, riding the family's fastest horse across the farm, despite the complaints of his father. Trips via train to the Invercargill port were a rare source of excitement, and the arrival of cars, motorcycles and aircraft added to Burt's eagerness to join the world outside his farm. As Munro's family discouraged his endeavours outside farm life, he became constantly bored with daily routine. At the outbreak of the First World War, he intended to go to war as soon as he was old enough, for a chance to see the world.[1]

Munro remained on the family farm until the end of the First World War, when his father sold the farm. At that time, Munro worked on the Otira Tunnel construction until recalled to work with his father on a newly purchased farm.[1] After this he became a professional speedway rider, but returned home to the family farm at the start of the Great Depression. Finding work as a motorcycle salesman and mechanic, he raced motorcycles and rose to the top of the New Zealand motorcycle scene, racing on Oreti Beach and later in Melbourne, Australia.[1]

After the Second World War, Munro and his wife divorced, and he subsequently gave up work to reside in a lock-up garage.[6]

A replica of the 1920 Indian (with half the exterior removed to show detail) that Burt Munro used to set his record in 1967

Munro's Indian Scout was an early model, the 627th Scout to leave the American factory.[7] The bike had an original top speed of 55 mph (89 km/h),[2] but this did not satisfy Munro, so in 1926 he began to modify his beloved Indian.

Munro's two greatest challenges while modifying his bike were his lack of money and that he worked full-time as a motorcycle salesman. He would often work overnight on his bikes (he had a 1936 Velocette MSS as well), then he would go to work in the morning, having had no sleep. Being of modest means, he would often make his own parts and tools instead of having them professionally built. He would cast parts in old tins, make his own barrels, pistons, flywheels, and such; his micrometer was an old spoke.[2]

Munro's Indian on display in Invercargill

In its final stages, the Indian's displacement was 950 cc (as built it was 600 cc) and was driven by a triple chain drive system.[2]

The "Munro Special," as Munro called his bike, is now owned by Neville Hayes, in New Zealand's South Island, and is on display at E Hayes & Sons, Invercargill.[7] There is also a second motorcycle purported to be the original "Munro Special" in Te Papa Museum in Wellington.[8]

The Bonneville Salt Flats in northwestern Utah, USA is known worldwide for its many miles of flat, compacted salt; perfect for testing speed machines. During Speed Week, usually in mid-late August, vehicle enthusiasts from around the world gather at Bonneville.

Munro travelled to Bonneville ten times, the first time for "sightseeing" purposes. In the nine times he raced at Bonneville,[9] Munro set three world records: in 1962, in 1966 and in 1967. He also once qualified at over 200 mph (320 km/h), but that was an unofficial run and was not counted.

Following the misspelling of his name in an American motorcycling magazine in 1957, Bert Munro changed his name to Burt.[1]

Munro had four children—,June, Margaret, Gwen and John—with his wife Florence Beryl Martyn, whom he married in 1927. They were divorced in 1947. A son of William Munro (?–1949) and Lily Agnes Munro (?–1967), he had two brothers and a sister; Ernest William Munro (1898–1912), Florence Margaret Munro Preston (1905–1982), and Charles Douglas Munro (1915–1971).[10] The accidental death of his older brother at the age of thirteen had a profound effect on his life.

Having suffered from angina since the late 1950s, Munro suffered a stroke in 1977, and was admitted to hospital. He found his coordination had diminished. Frustrated, but wanting his motorcycles to remain in Southland, he sold both machines to his friend, Norman Hayes, of E. Hayes & Sons.[11] Munro died of natural causes on 6 January 1978, aged 78 years. He is buried at Invercargill's Eastern Cemetery, with his parents and brother.[12]

• In 1962, he set an 883 cc class record of 288 km/h (178.95 mph) with his engine bored out to 850 cc.[2]
• In 1966, he set a 1000 cc class record of 270.476 km/h (168.07 mph) with his engine at 920 cc.[13]
• In 1967, his engine was bored out to 950 cc and he set an under 1000 cc class record of 295.453 km/h (183.59 mph). To qualify he made a one-way run of 305.89 km/h (190.07 mph), the fastest-ever officially recorded speed on an Indian.[2] The unofficial speed record (officially timed) is 331 km/h (205.67 mph) for a flying mile.[2]
• In 2006, he was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.[14]
• In 2014, 36 years after his death, he was retroactively awarded a 1967 record of 296.2593 km/h (184.087 mph) after his son John noticed a calculation error by AMA at that time.[15]

Burt Munro was the subject of a 2005 film, The World's Fastest Indian, based on a composite of his Bonneville speed runs. This film depicts a determined old man who, despite facing many difficulties, travels from New Zealand to the USA to test run his motorcycle west of the Great Salt Lake. The disclaimer says: "While this motion picture is based upon historical events, certain characters names have been changed, some main characters are composites or invented and a number of incidents fictionalised."

In March 2013 Indian Motorcycle announced that it was producing a custom-built streamliner named the Spirit of Munro.[16] The motorcycle was built to showcase the Thunder Stroke 111 engine to be used in one of the 2014 road models. The company said the Spirit of Munro Scout was a tribute to Munro's achievements with the Indian Scout and to all Indians of old.[17]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Burt Munro.

• E Hayes and Sons: The World's Fastest Indian Exhibition (original motorcycles), The World's Fastest Indian Legend
• The World's Fastest Indian at IMDb
• Offerings to the God of Speed at IMDb, a documentary
• Motorcycle Hall of Fame bio and photos
• Burt Munro Biography more detailed biography and photos
• “Hero!” article, courtesy of "Classic Bike" magazine to Granite State BMW Riders
• Burt Munro at Find a Grave