Inspired by the true-story film The World’s Fastest Indian, local man Finn will in two months time try to emulate the feats of his hero Burt Munro who set a record in America.

Finn will try to top 155mph on the ice-like saltpan of Lake Gairdner in South Australia to set a new national record.

Since getting his first bike, a Honda Elsinore MT 125, about 35 years ago, Finn has been in love with motorcycles, a passion that he and all his friends have in common.

But only recently, after watching the film, did the Port Pirie Motor-cycle Club member even think about breaking records. “The film inspired me”, he said, “and the support of my friends from Sydney who come and stay with me is a great help, too.”

There are other similarities with Munro – both chose to ride decades-old bikes and both have improvised.

Hundreds of fishing sinkers will be put inside the swinging arms of Finn’s rear suspension as deadweight to stop wheelspin at high speed.

The attempt will take place on the dry lake, a premier venue for speed-racing, but it is not as

simple as jumping on a bike and pulling the throttle.

“It takes all year to prepare. You have got to go through the whole process of taking a bike from road-tuned to race-tuned which is a big job,” he said..

“Doing things from engine rebuilds, getting top-end speed, changing the geometry and just hotting it up in general are involved so it’s a big job.”

For Finn, many sacrifices have been made to try and achieve success, but missing out on the record by just 2.2mph on his last attempt only made him more determined to achieve his goal.

“I am lucky that my son Andrew, who is also interested in bikes, comes out and helps me every weekend, but I have two daughters who aren’t quite so interested,” he said. This time, though, Finn is confident that the result will be different.

A main reason for this belief is the different circumstances in which he will be in going into the race.