The world's fastest Indian
Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2017 12:26 am
So, I got a first hand look this week at something not many have ever seen. The bike used by Burt Munro on the Bonneville Salt Flats back in the 60's that became the world's fastest Indian motorcycle at 184+mph.
Some of you may have seen the movie starring Anthony Hopkins (honestly, kind of boring), which told the tale of this New Zealander and his Indian.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0412080/
You really don't appreciate his feat until you get a close look at the bike. It leaves you scratching your head wondering how he did it.
Polaris Industries (my employer), acquired the bike a while back and shipped it off to our plant, I am assuming for display in our visitor's center.
I had seen images of it before, and even replica images, but never anything with a close up look of this amazing bike. Since I am now able to get a good look at it, thought I'd snap a few photos and share some of the key things on it that just blow your mind.
The first thing that caught my attention, is the rockers. They were fashioned so that they protruded where the person riding would actually come in contact with them unless properly padded.
And try riding with your rear propped up against the tank!! Ouch!!
And you thought breaking on a Spree at 35-40mph is tough, wow, just check this out, remember, the bike went 184!!
The carb on it, reminds me of a Tillotson... MAYBE IT IS?? I'm not familiar with all the components.
You truly have to see this bike in person. IT'S CRAZY!! It comes up to about my knees, the brakes, shifter, etc are just aligned so strange. Here are some more images (excuse or appreciate the very large size):
Some of you may have seen the movie starring Anthony Hopkins (honestly, kind of boring), which told the tale of this New Zealander and his Indian.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0412080/
You really don't appreciate his feat until you get a close look at the bike. It leaves you scratching your head wondering how he did it.
Polaris Industries (my employer), acquired the bike a while back and shipped it off to our plant, I am assuming for display in our visitor's center.
I had seen images of it before, and even replica images, but never anything with a close up look of this amazing bike. Since I am now able to get a good look at it, thought I'd snap a few photos and share some of the key things on it that just blow your mind.
The first thing that caught my attention, is the rockers. They were fashioned so that they protruded where the person riding would actually come in contact with them unless properly padded.
And try riding with your rear propped up against the tank!! Ouch!!
And you thought breaking on a Spree at 35-40mph is tough, wow, just check this out, remember, the bike went 184!!
The carb on it, reminds me of a Tillotson... MAYBE IT IS?? I'm not familiar with all the components.
You truly have to see this bike in person. IT'S CRAZY!! It comes up to about my knees, the brakes, shifter, etc are just aligned so strange. Here are some more images (excuse or appreciate the very large size):
