Burt Munro
Herbert James Munro ( born March 25, 1899 in Edendale, Invercargill, New Zealand, † 6 January 1978 Edendale ) presented with its own remodeled Indian Scout on several world speed records for motorcycles, of which up to now is valid. This or the history to it was the basis for the 2005 released movie with heart and hand with Anthony Hopkins in the title role.
Life
Munro used for his record-breaking runs that Indian motorcycle, which he bought new in 1920 and further developed in 1926. He ran for 22 years hill climb, and the Trial, which later Motocross was later also on a 1936er Velocette. The first notable success was in 1940, the New Zealand " Open Road " record with 120.8 mph ( 194.4 km / h ). In 1948 he decided to leave his job in order to concentrate fully on racing can. Eight times he transported over his motorcycle in the United States, 1969, he made four and a half days in fourteen runs. The standing valves on the engine used he had long replaced by a self-developed cylinder head with overhead valves ( OHV ), the " Munro Special" provided with a fiberglass fairing - the second embodiment. He had hammered in five years of work from an aluminum sheet The first power line shell, but she was too tight, he could hardly turn. That's why he changed it so that he could use it as a negative mold for a fiberglass cast.
In 1927 he married Florence Beryl Martyn. Together they had four children, John, June, Margaret and Gwen.
In 2006 he was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame.