Burt Munro Indian Motorcycle Ad
April 23rd, 2008 by Paul Crowe - "The Kneeslider"
By now, everyone is familiar with Burt Munro, the Bonneville racer from New Zealand, thanks to the Movie World’s Fastest Indian. Before the movie, far fewer would recall ever seeing any mention of Munro, I can’t recall much myself.
I ran across this ad from 1966 showing Burt Munro along side Sam Pierce, who, according to the ad, sponsored Munro’s runs to some degree. The ad itself was one of the many buried in the back pages of a motorcycle magazine and in the day, probably got little attention. It’s interesting how the passage of time (and a movie) gives the ad new life.
Posted in Motorcycle Racing, Motorcycle advertising, Vintage Motorcycles
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10 Responses to “Burt Munro Indian Motorcycle Ad”
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April 23rd, 2008 at 10:06 am
This past weekend, I finally got to watch The World’s Fastest Indian. I liked it so much, that I watched it again the next day…and the special features!
What a remarkable person he was, and truly an inspiration.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:43 am
It’s guys like Burt Munro and guys that build their bike’s in their garage that inspire me. My hat is off to them.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:30 am
If you think the movie is good, find and read the book. Amazing. There is a whole bunch of detail in the book, that only reflects how bizarre and dedicated Burt Munro actually was. Making his own pistons in his garage and filing them to size, not to mention making his own rods from caterpillar track pins, again filing them to size. According to the book, he didn’t have a mill, only a small lathe, and hand tools. Amazingly talented, but a true nut case (in the fondest sense of the word).
April 23rd, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Mike, the mini-documentary on the dvd goes into some of those details, but I would *love* to read more about him. He’s a true motorcycling hero in my eyes.
April 23rd, 2008 at 1:29 pm
While not taking away from the film, which I thought was very well done, this is a true case of film production not really presenting the man. I have a good friend in NZ who is distantly related to Mr. Munro (Burt isn’t his actual name, but can’t remember what it is). He lived for his Indian at the expense of his wife and kids (yes he did have both) and other family. He died a lonely old man who did some amazing things. He could be likened to John Britten in his talents, but unlike Britten, we was possessed with only Motorbikes. Britten was a renaissance man with passions for all things creative. Munro wanted to go fast. Period. At all costs. The book explains how he built a con rod in 1 month, by hand. Imagine spending 1 month solid building A rod. When I built my engine, it took me 60 hours to build 2 rods WITH machine tools, and most thought I was mad. I have a ton of respect for both the aforementioned men. Both of which I wished I could have met, and both of which I crossed paths with their legacy and am proud of it. For those who haven’t seen this movie, AND read the book, both are well worth every penny.
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:50 pm
One other thing John Britten had was pots of money. He had more in common with Mike Hailwood in that regard than Munro.
Dont get me wrong I respect both (and Hailwood) enormously, but money really helps to grease the wheels of commerce.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:02 pm
my wife understood the need for speed after seeing the movie. It was the sound of that v-twin at speed that got her. I admitted to her, that yes I had to find out the top end of every bike I’ve had at some point.
April 25th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
While there is no doubt that the book is far better than the movie, I’m told that old Burt’s family were flown to Los Angeles for the movie’s release.
Anthony Hopkins did an amazing job of capturing old Burt’s mannerisms (both physical and oral) and studied his characture so well, that the family was moved to tears, “Because it was like seeing a reincarnation of the old boy.” What a marvelous tribute to the skills of a great actor!
But again I tell you that there is so much more in the book than on the screen. It really is a “must read”.
June 1st, 2008 at 6:53 pm
If you do some research at Wikipedia, the Motorcycle Hall of Fame and other web sources you can get the real Burt Munro story. The movie compressed Burt’s later life from 1962 to 1967 into one event at Bonneville. Still a great movie, but the book has the real details. The movie however has brought Burt’s life to the forefront and made him world famous. There is even a new Beacham Owen painting of Burt Munro that was inspired by the movie. Haven’t seen it yet but the art is supposed to really capture old Burt’s need for speed.
June 4th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Great movie, factual in story line as Burt lived my parents Sammmy Pierce in San Gabriel in the 60’s he worked in shop building engines for the runs at Bonnaville he was crude and rude to say the least.