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Post 0

Wednesday, October 19 - 3:18pm

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Word is that Southlanders had a bit of Robbie Burns ling in their accent back then and the film-makers intended Hopkins to sound as he did.

What I don't quite ken is how this was and still is "the land-speed world record." Without qualification? Maybe it was the record for a motorbike...or was there a sonic boom in the movie? I don't think so Tim.

Post 1

Thursday, October 20 - 2:39pm

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The record he set (& still holds) is for streamlined motorcycles (i.e. enclosed entirely in bodywork, like the cigar-shaped bodywork on Munro's bike) with engines of less than one litre capacity.

The movie is excellent, by the way: fascinating, exciting & with a very strong individualistic streak. I strongly recommend it.

Edit: Below is a photo of the type of bike he started with, followed by (what I think is a replica of) what he wound up with after years of modification. The man was astoundingly creative, not to mention persistent.

1937 Indian Scout

(Edited by Duncan Bayne
on 10/20, 2:50pm)

Post 2

Thursday, October 20 - 3:06pm

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Much obliged

Post 3

Thursday, October 20 - 7:25pm

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"The record he set (& still holds) is for streamlined motorcycles (i.e. enclosed entirely in bodywork, like the cigar-shaped bodywork on Munro's bike) with engines of less than one litre capacity."

Which basically means that he had to design and develop the most efficient motorcycle possible, with the best power to weight ratio and streamlining.

The standard Indian Scout he started with has a top speed of 55 mph. By 1967 he had modified it so much that it was capable of maintaining a straight line speed of 186 mph. It could apparently go faster (in his qualifying run he was clocked at 190 mph).

The best internet site for Burt's story is here

(Edited by Robert Winefield on 10/20, 7:27pm)