Rollie -- Happy Anniversary

[Jerry Hatfield]

On this date, March 17, Saint Patrick's Day, 78 years ago: Rollie Free rode an Indian Sport Scout to eclipse the Harley-Davidson 45 ci record by over 9 miles an hour.

[Jerry Hatfield]

I can't count very well. The big day was March 17, 1937, which makes today the 73rd anniversary.

[Barry Brown]

That Is One Of The Most Killer Photos Ever Posted On This Forum.

[Jerry Hatfield]

Thanks, Barry. Rollie showed me the hourly weather data on the letter head of the local weather bureau. This letter, in conjunction with the "Motorcyclist" article which gave a time line, confirmed that Rollie set his Sport Scout and Chief records during a gusty 17 mile an hour crosswind coming in from the ocean.

[Jerry Hatfield]

#$%&*+*&%$#$%&*+*&%$#$#$%$%&%&*&*+*+$####!!!!!

Senility strikes again! The date was March 17, 1938; so today is the 72nd anniversary.

[William McClean]

Location ?

Jerry,

Was that record set at the Beach near Daytona ?

I remember seeing some photos of Rollie " setting the record " wearing little more than a bathing suit and shoes, I thought that was done at the Salt Flats.

I'm probably confused as usual.

[fillibuster]

You can hang out here anytime, Mr Hatfield!

[flat-happy]

wow think of the stacks of paperwork you would have to sign today before any property owner would let you have that much fun!!! so cool

[Slojo]

Even as a Harley Hater #1, Rollie you are the man.
Joe

[Jerry Hatfield]

Rollie set his 1938 American records riding Indians at Daytona Beach. At Daytona, he wore full leathers as shown in a previous attachment.

Rollie set his 1948 American record riding a Vincent-HRD at Bonneville. Wearing leathers, he ran a few times at around 148.5 mph. Rollie then wore only a bathing suit, helmet, and tennis shoes, which produced a new record of 150.313 mph. He was the first rider to exceed 150 mph on an unstreamlined motorcycle.

Rollie also set American unstreamlined records on Vincents at Bonneville in 1950 and 1953. For six days in 1953, Rollie didn't own the unstreamlined record. Vincent rider Joe Simpson held the record for those six days. Other than those six days, Rollie Free held the American unstreamlined record for 21 consecutive years. This feat will never be repeated, and I'm careful about using the word "never."

[Anthony]

Thanks for doing that book jerry. As a harley hater, I couldnt put the book down last x-mas when I got it. I just finished finished reading it again. My wife thinks I am out of my mind!

[Jerry Hatfield]

Anthony, you're just under the influence of Rollie, who called himself an "insane character!"

[William McClean]

Jerry,

Thanks for the info!

[Scott Parker]

[Jerry Hatfield]

The first picture Scott posted: This one is in my book, minus the "LIFE" logo. Because "Time-Life" asserted copyright ownership, I paid them a few hundred dollars so I could legally use this picture in my book. "Getty Images" now owns the "Time-Life" collection and continues to assert copyright ownership of all "Time-Life" pictures. Incidentally, "Time-Life" sold me a high-resolution scan of the original print, and I used this best-available image for the book.

The second picture Scott posted: I've not seen this one, either when the collection was maintained by "Time-Life" or after the collection was posted on the web by "Getty Images."

I don't have a problem with the postings. In fact, I'm glad to see the second picture for the first time. But like the "Hill Street Blues" cop used to say, "Be careful out there!"