Museum hosts Munro's bike
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Whangarei Leader
A replica of Burt Munro's world record-breaking motorcycle is coming to Whangarei next month.
The machine will be on display at the Whangarei Museum and Heritage Park.
One of two working replicas made at the Britten Motorcycle factory in Christchurch, the 'Munro Special' starred in Roger Donaldson's film, 'The World's Fastest Indian'.
Museum spokeswoman Sue Walters says it's a unique opportunity to see the famous motorcycle. A number of other activities will be held in conjunction with the display including a bike run covering AH Reed Park and Mt Tiger.
The events form part of the Kauri Festival 2007, a Northland-wide festival from September 8 to 30.
Starring Academy Award-winner Sir Anthony, The World's Fastest Indian was filmed in Invercargill where Munro raced.
In the 1960s he set world speed records on a 1929 Indian motorbike which he'd spent more than 40 years developing into 'The Munro Special', rebuilding it with home-made parts and pushing it an average of 3mph, or 5.2kmh, faster each year until it topped 304kmh, or 190mph.
When he broke the world 61cc record, Munro was going 308kmh on the Utah Salt Flats in the United States.
The need for speed can be dangerous and Munro broke seven bones and was hospitalised eight times - once for almost a year - during his racing career.
He died of a heart attack in 1978 aged 78 and was still riding at the age of 76, by which time he'd travelled to Utah 14 times to race.
The exhibition will be held at the Whangarei Museum and Heritage Park on State Highway 14, Maunu, from 11am to 4pm on Sunday, September 9.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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