Bertha Monroe motorcycle technical specifications. Bert Monroe and his fastest Indian

On March 25, 2012, the famous designer, motorcycle racer, author of several very popular quotes and simply a symbolic person for all motorcycle enthusiasts would have turned 113 years old. We will tell you about his path and achievements.

“If you don’t follow your dreams, then you are, perhaps, not a person, but a vegetable... Cabbage, for example” - the phrase uttered by Bert became a household word, it was said by Anthony Hopkins as Bert himself in the famous film “The Fastest Indian” (2005), which, as stated in the credits, is based on an absolutely true story. Hopkins was so moved by the New Zealander's story that he decided to play him without regard to the size of the fee, which seems very modest by real standards. The film's scriptwriter and director, Roger Donaldson, carefully and lovingly brought Bert's entire life story to the big screen - without embellishment or exaggeration. Some of the events on the screen seem so unreal and incredible that you can only believe in their veracity by studying the letters of the main character himself.

Bert Monroe was born in 1899 in New Zealand. In 1920, he purchased an Indian Scout, and for 44 years he dreamed of making it the fastest motorcycle in the world. In our time - the time of high-tech technology, corporations and research centers, he fought for his dream with only a bright head, a pair of hands and an old motorcycle. His efforts were rewarded - his dream came true in 1967. On Lake Bonneville, Berthome set a world speed record for a motorcycle. At that time, his “Scout” was 47 years old, and he himself was 68.

The hero of the story purchased his very first motorcycle in 1915 at the age of 16. After some time, Bert had saved a whopping £50 and bought a new Clyno, complete with a sidecar. Having removed the stroller, he began to take part in local racing rides. Bert set his first record on the Fortos track, near his native Invercargill (New Zealand). The Indian, which later became legendary, was purchased in 1920. Let us remind you that Indian is the oldest manufacturer of motorcycles in the United States; it was founded 2 years earlier by Harley Davidson. The very first “Scouts” were equipped with V-shaped two-cylinder engines with a displacement of 600 cc. with side valves, the location of the control elements was indicative: the gearbox had manual control, and the clutch had a foot control. The rigid design of the frame excluded the presence of a rear suspension; a spring with a 5-centimeter stroke was used at the front.

Bert began deep modernization of his bike in 1926. Each of the next 44 years, his Scout became faster - an average of 5.2 km/h per year, and this was fully consistent with the trends in power growth in production motorcycles. This guy managed to single-handedly travel a path that took almost half a century through the joint efforts of the largest manufacturers in the world!

The methods used in the modernization process were very unconventional - for example, a wheel spoke was used as a micrometer, pistons were cast in cans using different alloy compositions. In the film, Bert's character says, "Two pieces of a Chevrolet and a Ford are the best recipe," throwing the parts into a tin container. The old-fashioned Scout engine was completely redesigned - cylinder heads with an overhead valve arrangement were installed, the gas distribution system was replaced, the lubrication system was modernized... Both the flywheel and valves, as well as pushers and rockers were manufactured independently. The starting material for the manufacture of the cylinders was iron gas pipes, begged from the gas company as waste after replacing gas pipelines. The connecting rods were machined from truck axles - after the necessary hardening, the compressive strength of the parts exceeded 143 tons! The clutch was also homemade; enormous torque was transmitted to huge wheels shod with slick tires through a triple chain drive, also made by hand. To achieve maximum aerodynamics, the motorcycle received a closed body made of fiberglass, and the motorcycle began to look like a small rocket.

Bert's "Scout" survived a huge number of different falls and damages - the engine exploded repeatedly, connecting rods, crankshafts, pistons bent and broke... However, the original serial number remained on the crankcase - 50R627. The record was set by the same Indian. A standard motorcycle of this model had a maximum speed of 90 km/h. "Scout" Monroe in 1967 accelerated to a speed of 296 km/h, which is very true and reflected in the film. Before the start of the official race, they had to qualify. Very often in Bonneville it happens that her result turns out to be even better than the record - that was the case this time too. Bird himself recalled in an interview with the press: “We were racing at great speed. Halfway through the swing, the swing began, and I rose above the fairing in order to reduce the speed, but the oncoming air flow tore off my glasses and pressed my eyes into my skull with such force that I couldn’t see anything.” , we deviated so far from the correct course that it was a miracle that we did not crash into the metal marker... I was able to put the bike down and we only received a couple of scratches." At that moment, the motorcycle accelerated to a speed of 332 km/h! This is still the fastest Indian.

Almost forty years later, in 2005, a fictional adaptation of the life of this great man was released. A characteristic feature of "The Fastest Indiana" is the absence of negative characters and conflicts. The attractiveness of the plot is not diminished at all by the fact that all the few fans are trying to help the main character to the best of their ability, his idea is so big and ambitious. While working on the film project, Anthony Hopkins, Roger Donaldson and the rest of the project participants became close friends, despite the fact that the shooting conditions were quite difficult - because the salt of the lake has a detrimental effect on people and equipment. Several complete copies of the legendary “Scout” were prepared for filming, although Bert’s handiwork was very difficult to replicate. The director put forward special requirements for the content of each of the lines voiced in the film; when creating the plot, a huge number of different photographs from different years were viewed. The work was not in vain - the film became quotable and recognizable. Bert Monroe's son John provided his father's helmet, gloves, travel bag, and racing goggles for filming. Bert's most spectacular falls in the film look great; few people know that one of them cost stuntman Eric a broken collarbone.

Bertha Monroe died in 1978 and was 79 years old. His whole life was unusually full of racing spirit and the desire to win! He was able to achieve everything he wanted. “A man can live more in five minutes on a motorcycle than some people can live in a lifetime,” Bert Monroe.

Hello.

The World's Fastest Indian is a 2005 film based on the biography of Bert Monroe, a racer and DIYer from Invercargill, New Zealand, who broke the speed record for streamlined motorcycles with engines in 1962 at Bonneville. up to 1000 cc on his modified 1920 Indian Scout motorcycle. The film is a Masterpiece with a capital M! I recommend watching it, not only to fans of biker movies and those who are partial to motorcycles, but to everyone in general! 🙂

The plot of “The Fastest Indiana” is based on the biography of Bert Monroe. First we are shown his lifestyle and obsession with his motorcycle, then he travels to the USA, to the Bonneville Salt Lake in Utah to set a world speed record, despite a meager budget, an ancient motorcycle and health problems. At home, Bert has some problems with his neighbors and the local motorcycle club, and he is caring (at his age!) for an elderly postal worker named Ada (Diane Ladd). As a result, members of the motorcycle club go to accompany Bert on his trip, arranging for him a motorcade of motorcycles, and help a little with money, and the rest of the residents of Invercargill help as best they can. In the USA, on the way to Bonneville, Bert meets random people several times, each of whom is a separate, well-developed and interesting character, then gets to the track and, despite problems with the organizers, sets a world record.

As I already said, the film is a masterpiece! You can watch and re-watch, and more than once! “In the end, the fastest Indian is not really about a speed record, but about a dream that will definitely come true if you continue to go towards it despite all the obstacles. In general, I want to say that “The Fastest Indian” is generally the best film about a motorcyclist that has ever been made! No preoccupation with Flowers on vests, no unjustified violence, just “when you’re racing on a motorcycle across the plain, five minutes of your life are more interesting than many people’s whole life”!

A little bit about everything.
Of course, one of the main factors in the film's success is its excellent cast. Hopkins is clearly in his place here, he played amazingly. I never liked Diane Ladd before, in the old 1970's biker movies like "" or "" she plays dumb chicks who get involved with bikers and get into trouble. But in “The Fastest Indiana” she is in her place! Her heroine is a very charming elderly woman who takes Bert’s passion for a motorcycle a little philosophically.

Bert's neighbors are ordinary residents of a small provincial town and seem to have a negative attitude towards Bert's hobby (the roar of the direct flow in the morning and the uncut grass on the lawn in front of the house), but when he gets ready to go to the USA, everyone helps him as one. The neighbor's boy constantly hangs out in Bert's garage and is inserted into the plot in order to “talk” to the main character. Bert tells him the technology for making an ideal piston with his own hands (the official translation includes “valve”, but what Bert casts in a tin can in his garage looks more like a piston, yes :)), talks about his “offerings to the god of speed” and in general About Me.

The local motorcycle club Antarctic Angels (“Antarctic Angels”), consisting entirely of young bikers (or rather:)) on two-cylinder Triumph and BSA motorcycles, first try to bully the old man, challenging him to race motorcycles along the beach, but then they realize who they are dealing with, They are imbued with respect and, as already mentioned, even go to accompany Bert to the USA.

In the USA, Bert meets different people, each of whom has his own character and personality. At the reception of a cheap motel, he meets the transvestite Tina, then a real old Indian Jack, an elderly lady who has buried her husband, a soldier who has arrived on leave from Vietnam, and so on. All these minor characters are so well developed that their diversity does not at all give rise to a feeling of any unreality of the events. They all help Bert reach his goal.

I would also like to point out the fact that Roger Donaldson, the director who made Indiana's Fastest, is a bit of a fan of Burt Munro as a historical figure 🙂 Back in 1971, Donaldson made a short documentary called Burt Munro: Offerings to the God of Speed"), which we will return to in the future.

Bert Monroe and his motorcycle.
The real Bert Monroe was a fairly well-known figure on the scale of Invercargill) In the Film, one of the customs officers mentions that at one time he came across an article about him and his motorcycle in the magazine “Popular Mechanics”. And indeed, there is such an article in the May 1957 issue of the magazine :)

Bert Monroe rode the Bonneville several times, in 1962 he set a world speed record of 288 km/h (178.97 mph) on a motorcycle with an 850 cc engine, in 1967 he set a world speed record of 295.44 km/h ( 183.58 mph) on a motorcycle with a 950 cc engine. During the qualifying run, he achieved a speed of 331.52 km/h (205 mph).

We will return to the figure of Bert Monroe and the technical features of his motorcycle, but not in this article. In the meantime, here's a photo of the real Monroe and go watch the movie!

2017 marked the 50th anniversary of Bert Monroe's speed record, which is still relevant in motorsports today. In honor of the occasion, his nephew Lee Monroe, also a professional motorcycle racer, recreated his uncle's historic Bonneville run of the Indian Scout trimliner. Bert Monroe was a purposeful man who can be understood not only by an enthusiastic motorcyclist who does not hesitate to smear his hands in motor oil. Leaving his mark on the history of mankind, it was he who said the words that became an aphorism and motto for many: “If you give up your dream, you turn into a vegetable.”

Bert Monroe: biography in numbers

1915 - first motorcycle - English Douglas.

1916 - crashed on it and remained unconscious for a whole day.

1917 – Began racing the Clyno motorcycle.

1920 – acquired the legendary Indian Scout.

1921 – unconscious for a whole day after riding a motorcycle while standing.

1927 – concussion and multiple bruises after flying off the race track.

1932 – concussion and deep wounds on the head after another accident.

1937 – Lost all his teeth and broke his collarbone after racing on the beach.

1940 – New Zealand speed record – 194.4 km/h.

1959 - almost all the skin was torn off and a new concussion was the result of a new accident.

1962 and 1967 - two world speed records.

Childhood and youth

On March 25, 1899, twins were born into a family of New Zealand farmers. The girl died immediately after giving birth. Despite the doctor's predictions, the boy - future motorcycle racer Bert Monroe - survived. From an early age he loved speed - the fastest horses were his best friends. The 20th century was on the threshold - the century of scientific and technological progress and the development of technology with internal combustion engines. Planes, trains, cars and motorcycles - it was technology that attracted him to the army. Bert returned from it after the end of World War I. By this time, the farm had been sold by his parents and the young man went to work on the construction site of the Otira Tunnel. Soon the father bought land and returned to farming, and Monroe Jr. with him.

Bert Monroe Motorcycles

The future inventor and racer bought his first motorcycle when he was 16 years old. It was an English Douglas with an engine in the form of an opposed twin, located transversely to the frame. It was the first time he seriously crashed on it.

In 1919 he purchased a Clyno motorcycle. He took the stroller off him and took part in the races.

On his twenty-first birthday in 1920, Bert Monroe bought an early model Indian Scout motorcycle. It has a serial number of 5OR627 which will become a legend. It is he who will be the object of his modifications throughout his life and will bring Bert Monroe worldwide fame. This bike at that time had very good characteristics - a 600 cc engine, a rear hardtail, a chain drive and a three-speed gearbox. But this was not enough for Bert.

"Munro Special" - first reboot

He began modernizing his Indian in 1926. Bert did everything himself and in very unconventional ways. He converted old water pipes into cylinders, and cast pistons in tin cans from “pieces of Chevrolet and Ford.” And these parts withstood compression of 143 tons! He adapted the tractor axle to create connecting rods, and replaced the spring fork with a springer fork from an Indian Prince motorcycle. He invented his own lubricant and made his own clutch, flywheel, valves, pushrods, rocker bars and slick tires. So, his bike got its own name, and he became a speedway racer.

Its upgrades increased speed by an average of 5.2 km/h per year over the next 44 years. This corresponds to the increase in power of production motorcycles over the same period. He independently and with his own hands walked the path that the largest bike manufacturers around the world have traveled for half a century with the efforts of many designers!

A salesman by day, a racer by night

The racing driver's professional career was put on hold by the years of the Great Depression. Bert works in a store as a motorcycle salesman because he has a family to support. He married Florence Beryl Martin in 1927, with whom he had two sons and two daughters. But the speed did not let him go - he races in Melbourne and Oreti Beach. At night, in the garage, Bert improves his bike.

At the same time, he acquired another bike, the Velocette MSS, the weight of which he managed to reduce and the engine capacity to increase to 650 cc/cm. The racer used it for races in a straight line. He spends more and more time in the garage and his wife leaves him. But his path to his dream is still illegal.

New Zealand is getting small

In the 40s, Bert Monroe quit his job and devoted himself entirely to cars. He experiments with materials for motorcycles, invents a plastic fairing, and finalizes the suspension. Ten years later, in his homeland there were no bikes left that could match the speed of his developments. During this period he sets several records:

On a Munro Special Indian bike in a half-mile road race in the unlimited class - a speed of 99.45 mph.
On the same bike, on the open road and in the open class - 120.8 mph.
In the 750cc class – road speed is 143.6 mph.
On the open beach at a distance of half a mile - a speed of 131.38 mph.
With his Velocette MSS, he sets beach records in the half-mile class in the 750cc-129 mph class.
In the open class, he finishes the quarter mile in 12.31 seconds.

But this is not enough for Bert Monroe.

Blessed Utah

In 1957, Bert decided to participate in the race, which since 1910 has been held on the Bonneville salt lake (Utah, USA). In 1962, he loaded his Indian onto a cargo ship and set off to conquer the vastness of America. Not everything went smoothly - at first he was almost excluded from the race. However, luck and American friends did not leave him. And in the same year, a miracle happened and Bert Monroe’s cherished dream came true - a speed record of 178, 971 mph (295, 44 km/h) on his legendary “Munro Special Indian” bike in the first race. The engine capacity of his bike at that time was 850 cc. He would visit Utah ten more times and set new records: 168 mph in 1966 and 183 mph in 1967.

But it was his first race that made him famous; photos of Bert Monroe and his bike were published in all the newspapers. His popularity was compared to that of his contemporary and namesake, Marilyn Monroe, and his “Indian” was the envy of all motorcycle racers of that time. During the preliminary race before the record, Bert accelerated his bike to 332 km/h - it’s a pity that the result is not considered official. With the standard speed of such a motorcycle being 90 km/h, his Indian is still the fastest today!

In the saddle until the end

When Bert set his record on the famed Utah lake, he was 68 years old and his bike was 47 years old. He did not calm down and continued to participate in races and qualifying races. Numerous injuries undermined the racer's health; since 1975, doctors forbade him to participate in speed competitions. But could he part with his passion - his Indians and Velocettes?

In 1977, Burt Monroe fell ill with a sore throat, which led to heart complications. And a stroke followed. At the age of 78, the motorcycle racing legend's heart stopped beating. On January 6, 1978, Bert Monroe was buried in the Eastern Cemetery in Portland (Maine, USA). His legendary bikes are now owned by the New Zealand Motorcycle Enthusiasts Club.

Made Invercargill famous

Bert Monroe brought worldwide fame to his hometown - the southernmost and westernmost town in New Zealand. And he did not remain in debt. Today here, at the Bert Monroe Museum, you can see that very fast Indian and get acquainted with the exhibition dedicated to the legendary racer and inventor. The museum has become especially popular since 2005, when the film starring Anthony Hopkins was released. By the way, the actor starred in the film for a ridiculous fee. This is the second film about the legendary racer, and the first, “Offerings to the God of Speed,” was released in 1971.

The film “The Fastest Indian” has many fans, because it is a kind and beautiful picture, combining both excellent acting and the wonderful work of the creators of the film. The film is loved not only by motorcyclists, but also by many other people. This article will focus on the man portrayed on screen by Anthony Hopkins. This man's name was Bert Monroe.

Bert Monroe was born in 1899. On the South Island in New Zealand there is the city of Invercargill, where this man was born into a farmer's family. Twin Bertha died during childbirth and the doctors told the parents that their son would not live even two years.

But the medical predictions did not come true, the boy remained alive. He grew up on a farm. From an early age, he loved speed, so he chose the fastest horses and rode them around the farm, which worried his father.

The beginning of the twentieth century marked technological progress, with the appearance of airplanes, motorcycles and cars. All this fascinated young Monroe; he realized that he wanted to see the world, because before that he only knew the farm. As soon as he became an adult, he immediately entered the army. He returned home after the First World War, but by that time his father had sold the farm. Then Bert became a construction worker Otira Tunnel, whose length was 8.5 km. The tunnel connected the village of Otira with Arthur's Pass in the Southern Alps of New Zealand and was created from 1907 to 1923. After some time, Bert's father bought the farm again and his son went to work there.

When Monroe turned 16, he bought his first motorcycle. This was in 1915. The British motorcycle was called Douglas and had an unusual engine, which was a boxer twin mounted transversely in the frame.

Four years later, Bert bought himself another motorcycle, this time it was a Clyno. Monroe took the sidecar off him and went to the race track to try him out at high speed.

When Berthoud turned 21, he purchased his famous motorcycle Indian Scout, whose number on the card was 5OR627. This was one of the early models released by the company Indian. The characteristics of the motorcycle are quite unusual for its time: a V-twin cylinder camber of 42 degrees, a displacement of 600 cubic centimeters, a foot-operated clutch, a 3-speed gearbox, a chain drive to the wheel, etc. This motorcycle was with Monroe all his life, Bert constantly modified it and set many speed records on it.

In 1926 Bert started redoing my Indian. He made many of the parts himself. For example, he made cylinders from old pipes that remained after replacing the pipeline. He believed that by lying in the ground, the pipes become “seasoned.” He cast the pistons himself in tin cans, and created his own alloy. His hero speaks about this on the screen: “ Two pieces of Chevy and two pieces of Ford" He used axles from a Caterpillar tractor to create connecting rods.

Bert made the flywheel, clutch, and four-valve overhead valve cylinder heads himself. Invented his own lubrication system. Monroe replaced the spring fork with a springer fork, which was once in the motorcycle Indian Prince. In order to make slick tires, he cut off the excess parts from the stock tires with a knife. This moment is shown in the film. He even came up with a name for his motorcycle: “Munro Special.”

Gradually Bert turned into a speedway racer. However, after some time the Great Depression began, and Monroe returned to his parents' farm. He soon found work as a motorcycle salesman and mechanic. However, he continued to take part in races held at Oreti Beach and Melbourne. Sports career Monroe continued no matter what. However, he had to work as a salesman until the evening to get some money, and at night in the garage he worked on his motorcycles. In this period Bert had another motorcycle on which he also participated in competitions. This was the Velocette MSS, created in 1936.

To the second motorcycle Bert I also installed slick tires that I made myself. He also redesigned the frame, manufactured the necessary engine parts, and completed the suspension. Ultimately, he managed to reduce the weight of the motorcycle and increase the engine capacity to 650 cc. This model was best suited for racing in a straight line, where high speed was needed.

In the second half of the 40s Monroe left his position as a salesperson. After going through a divorce from his wife, he began to devote all his time to working with his equipment. He continues to search for new and more suitable materials for motorcycles. In particular, he made a fiberglass fairing, which reduced drag. The same number remained on Scout’s card, but in reality, there was little left of Bert’s motorcycle from the model he had once purchased.

During this time period and subsequent years, Bert set many New Zealand records:

half mile, road, class - unlimited (Munro Special Indian - 99.45 mph, Canterbury, 27 January 1940),
half mile, road, open class (Munro Special Indian - 120.8 mph, Canterbury, 27 January 1940),
half mile, road, class - 750cc (Munro Special Indian - 143.6 mph, Canterbury, 13 April 1957),
Half Mile, Beach, Open Class (Munro Special Indian - 131.38 mph, Oreti Beach, February 9, 1957),
Half Mile, Beach, 750cc Class (Velocette 600cc - 129.078 mph, Oreti Beach, 16 December 1961),
half mile, beach, class - 750cc (Velocette 618cc - 132.35 mph, Oreti Beach, May 1, 1971),
quarter mile, open class (Velocette 600cc - 12.31 seconds, Invercargill, March 25, 1962).

By the end of the 50s Monroe decided to participate in races that were held on the dry lakes of Australia. However, in 1957, he decided to compete only at Bonneville Salt Lake in Utah. Therefore, in 1962 he went to America on a cargo ship, where he worked as a cook. Monroe did not have much savings, he made this trip partly thanks to the help of friends. Landing in Los Angeles, the first thing he did was buy an old station wagon for $90, to which he attached a trailer with his Indian and headed to Utah.

The rules for the races in New Zealand were simple. Those interested came, signed up and took part in the races. In America, it was first necessary to inform about your intention to participate in the race, which Bert didn't. Because of this, he was almost excluded from the race, but his American friends helped him. As a result, Bert finally got the opportunity to demonstrate his Indian.

In total, Monroe visited Lake Bonneville 10 times. He first set a record there in 1962, reaching a speed of 178.971 mph with an 850 cc engine. In 1966 and in 1967 Bert set two more records, in the first case 168.066 mph, in the second - 183.586 mph. The engine capacity of the motorcycle at that time was 950 cc. In one of the races, Monroe reached a speed of 200 mph (320 km per hour), but this race was not considered official.

In one of the American magazines that covered the race, the name Bertha misspelled. After that Monroe changed one letter in his name, which became “Burt”.

Famous Indian fell and broke many times, losing cylinders, pistons, valves and other parts. But still, the speed record was set on this motorcycle.

A documentary about Bertha Monroe was made in 1971, called Offerings to the god of speed. But its full version is difficult to find. On the Internet there is only a selection of fragments of the film, which is presented below.

In 1967, there was an accident in which a motorcycle Bertha fell to the side. This happened during the race, when Scout’s front wheel began to oscillate. Monroe subsequently told one of the New Zealand magazines that wobbling began in the middle of the distance. Bert rose above the fairing and the wind blew his glasses off, causing him to no longer see what was happening around him. He almost crashed into a steel marker and had to put his bike on its side. Thereby Berthoud managed to avoid serious injuries.

However, injuries Monroe got it quite often. In 1916 and 1921, he hit his head when falling and lay unconscious for a long time. In 1927, he flew off the track at high speed (140 km per hour) and was seriously injured. In 1932 Monroe had a concussion because a dog lunged at him while he was driving past a farm. Five years after this, in one of the races, Bert knocked out all his teeth by crashing into another participant, and in 1959 he severely tore the skin and crushed the joint on his finger after falling from a motorcycle.

In 1977, Monroe suffered a stroke, which was the result of a previous sore throat. In 1975, doctors banned him from racing, but Bert still continued to do it. According to doctors, the injuries received during the races greatly worsened his health. After a stroke Monroe sold my motorcycles to a local resident, wanting to keep them in New Zealand. In 1978, Bert Monroe died at the age of 78.

Today his motorcycles belong to the South Island Motorcycle Enthusiasts Club.

The film "The Fastest Indian", filmed in 2005, made racer Bert Monroe famous throughout the world.