1920 Indian Scout doing 200mph?

Anyone ever thought about getting a 1920 Indian Scout to do 200mph? Well, someone beat you to the punch, in the 1960's none the less. If you have no idea what I am talking about, Google, or run to the nearest video store (if any still exist) and rent/buy/pirate (Arrrrr matey!) "The Worlds Fastest Indian". Pretty cool movie based on a true story, not an XJ bike, but being motorcycle enthusiasts in general, I think the lot of y'all would enjoy it!

 

Is this with Anthony Hopkins?

 

Yes, this has Anthony Hopkins.

 

That's a scary thought considering the technology for those Indian's. Hopkins must of been a young man back then? Was it at the salt flats?

 

i think it was, i saw that movie a couple years ago.

 

Meet the real man - a Kiwi

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burt_Munro

 

Love that film, not seen it for a few years. Proper ingenious guy. Gotta love the trailer "fix"

 

I've seen that last summer.

A really nice movie that isn't sickly sweet - a true rarity.

Also, it's supposed to be very true to life, it was made with consultation with Burt's family. Anthony Hopkins took the part on for a fraction of his usual salary because he liked the script and the character. And Burt was certainly a character.

 

Yes it was in the Salt Flats, Bonneville. It was filmed in 2005 based on the life of Burt Munro, but Anthony Hopkins wouldn't have been too young then. Back when Burt Munro actually was involved in those events, Anthony would have been a young guy.

Haha! He was a pretty interesting character! Some of the things he says in the movie!

 

One thing to keep in mind is that scout was nowhere near stock when Mr. Munro was racing it. He made his own....well, everything; pistons, cylinders, cams, valves, among other parts. He did all that without access to a proper machine shop. As ran on the flats that was essentially a hand-made motorcycle. He spend most of his adult life making that scout into what it was.

 

Old spoke for a micrometer anyone? 8O truly inspired is what he was, woulda put even Fitz to shame!

 

Bert Munro on Youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ih2reBw9ZmQ

 

Oh well yeah, I mean, you don't just take a motorcycle with a stock top speed of 54mph and hit 205mph with it. And yeah, he did a helluva lot without a proper shop. Amazing what people can accomplish.

 

Hopkins did not set the records ... but played the part of the New Zealander Burt Munroe that DID set the records. One of the records still stands today.
Scarier than the technology that the bike began with ... was the fact that Burt built most of the parts to make it go faster.

The film is well worth seeing.

And yes ... the records were set on the salt flats ..

 

It is a good show. Amazing what he did with the bike he had. I had seen it a few years ago, but found it recently on Netflix. Had to watch it again.

 

That's a life well spent. Pursuing your dream no matter what and doing it better than most. I respect that immensely. To do what he did I would want to have hand built the machine also-no better way to know what's beneath you.

 

There's a guy currently aiming for the world's fastest Velocette, an Aussie called Stuart Hooper took his '59 Viper/Venom to 171.600mph at Lake Gairdner. He was inspired to start the project after reading One Good Run...