Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/125457
, BURT MUNRO continued nn 21 forged his own connecting rods and pistons using a hand forge in New Zealand. The three-speed transniission has been rebuilt dozens of times and now sports a 1916 2nd gear salvaged from an old Indian motorcycle. The carburetor is a 1924 model from an Indian Chief model. High speed quests have not always been Munro's object in life, his career with motorcycling includes Grand Prix road racing, sprints (drag racing) and riding motorcycles allover the world. Several serious accidents down through the years have resulted in a widevariety of injuries, scrapes, fractures and broken bones but have not affected his courage and determination. In his hometonw of Invercargill Munro is regarded as a bit eccentric. He decided once to build his own home to his own code of construction which was met with objection by the building officials. Burt finished his garage and was forced to quit, so he has furnished his garage as living quarters. The local water company made "outlandish demands".. so Munro designed and installed his own water system. WANT TO DO WHEELIES ? --First install a BARNETT CLUTCH AVAILABLE NOW: BT & E ~ I • « • V:LLlERS DUCATI CLUTCH & PLATES RIDERS SEE YOUR DEALER. WE DO NOT SELL RETAIL. ACIFIC BLVD. COMPLETE PARTS AND SERVICE • • .... Munra demonstrat.. how his missile will look when he tucks In lor blast-off at Bonneville this month. Despite his 68 years, Munro is ramrod straight, lean and agile. His light, bright blue eyes twinkle as he recounts events he engaged in 50 years ago in New Zealand and Australia. A racing accident years ago has left him with a slight hearing deficiency and he bears scars from burns received when a caldron of boiling soap accidently spilled over his upper body. "I've had a few good whacks on my head over the years", recalled Munro, "but I have managed to survi ve in good shape. Your Bell Toptex Company here in Long Beach have donated a smashing new helmet for me to use ... I certainly don't wish to try out its efficiency, I shan't wish to scratch it up. " Leaving Southern California sometime around late July, Munro hopes to find the Bonneville Salt Flats in better condition than in years previous. Floods and unseasonal rains bave restricted high speed attempts on this eleven milelong site. Commenting on the quiet, modest life in New Zealand, Munro said, 'We live a slower and much more relaxed life at home. Here there is so much speed and bustling about.· Ancient Indian Scout 37'cublc-lnch IIIllne Perhaps Burt Munro is an exception nestl.. In hanel-formed aluminum shell on to the rule. homemade frame. By Roxy Rockwood - ..s."a"lta HEADQUARTERS Mon.-Fri. 9-9 sat. H SUn. 10-6 WORLD CYCLE INTRODUCING THE MAELY f1.AY TRACK SPECIAL RACINQ BOOYS. 8J1l' hilrh, laced, weiaht 2 Ibs. per pair $15.95 Ascot and Vallejo every week. A couple of years ago we had a race back there with only 19 riders. We ran each of tbem out on the track three times from behind a barn for time trialS and told the fans that only the 19 fastest riders would make the show. One track features a lake in the infield, in fact. the entire infield is a lake complete with di ving board and pier. Guess what all the riders do right after the race tbat is run in 90 degree weather? No rider has yet made the lake when he is supposed to be on the track. though. At this same track last year we didn't race because a tornado blew down the midway at the Fair the night before! Then too. a snake show was loose somewhere on the grounds so we were all cowards and forgot the whole affair! It's always fun to go back to the fair circuit but it's also nice to get back home again. California will be invaded like never before in September' with three Nationals running in a row Ascot, Carlsbad and Sacramento (in that order) ... and it will be a new point battle all over again with some money at stake. The first National Road Race in the State since 1954 runs at Carlsbad on the 18th of sept. Tanner will try and become the first rider to ever win the 8·Miler four times. No rider has ever won the Sacramento race more than once. Will there again be a new face in the winner's circle? These are just a few of the highlights in September. Start making plans now to take in all three as they will be well worth the effort. See you at the 8-Miler. 3383 SUlser Bin. Los Angeles, Calif. Tel: &&2-0839 HUM INTO SUMMER ( plus c,o.d. post••• KEN MAELY the shoeman Route 2, Bol 758, Corona, Calif. Irk tilt MIlt wit, Ultlr~ M,I E50 - Send boot or CIIrdb08rc1 cutout. You're in Good Company THE FINISH LINE After last Friday night's great Half-Mile show at ,Ascot it is a good time to head for the Midwest and the Nationals and many non-nationals that will be running back there this month. Dollar-far-dollar the Half Mile still is the best show for the money. The all-time puzzle is ... that there are just as many talented TT riders. but they never seem to match the oval boys for close racing. I will be reporting the Des Moines National Road Races this weekend but will first be at such well known places as Webster City, Iowa and Memphis. Missouri. Don't bother to look on the map--get a compass! Every promoter that ever wanted to put on a race is hosting a half mile in the Midwest this month. Will give you a rundown on the difference when I get back. We will also be at such oth'er well known places as Pecatonica. Ill .• Crown Point, Ind., Macon. Ill., and Sedalia. Mo. Not to mention Austin, Minn. and Sac City. Iowa. These are the towns that will be seeing their one-and-only Half Miles during the season. The riders that they read about and hear about will be there for one shot runs. It's really a lot of fun! Last year we played a twin-bill with Lassie at a County Fair. We outdrew the dog. Fair boards in the midwest are suddenly finding out that cycle racing is the best show for the money. Something that race fans out this way have known for a long time. lt is not unusual for a total of only 25 to 35 riders to show up. Therefore much imagination has to go towards making a show for the fans. It is nowhere near tbe clocklike professional show you see at - Look SHARP in Riding Outfits by PARR. Trim laper shirts, harness leather belts, and' CYCLE JEANS in Stretch Desert Twill. Contour top, S" zip, riders snug seat & hips, legs fil over boots. Sanforized. In West Holly• • wood at 807 N. Polm Avenue PARR Good mecbanics like JERRY JOHNSON are hard 10 fi nd. You'll find Jenyal LONG BEACH HONDA 5105 Atlantic Blvd. 4321 E. Anaheim St. 423-1433 & 439-0943 OF ARIZONA • In Phoenix ot 4407 N. 16th St. BOX 29" PHO[NIX, ARIZONA T~~1knula e-z -~" Husqvarna Complete Service. Parts, M,'~/-hl· ~Il.~' In MOTORS BSA Headquarters in Long Beach 2422 E. HUNTINGTON DRIVE DUARTE, <:ALlFORNIA 431 W. Pacific Coast Hwy. Tolophono 359-4541 •