#CoronaVirusBikeBuildOff 2nd Place: Wilco Lindner’s insane 2-stroke mini tracker!
Last year, we featured Wilco Lindner’s Yamaha RD125 street tracker built “for the love of screaming two-strokes.” That dyno-tuned 125cc twin would become one of our Top 10 Customs of 2020, a pint-size weapon inspired by Kenny Robert’s TZ750 — and it’s now for sale! It was very impressive for a first build:
“In the process I learned to weld, machine, and all things that are needed to complete a build. Not that I couldn’t do anything before, but I learned a ton of stuff.”
While he just started building custom bikes, Wilco has a long history on two wheels. He was riding in his father’s sidecar before he could walk and raced motocross up to the age of 24, when he put all his time and energy into opening his own business, a Crossfit gym. It was only after he had the business up and running that he could pursue his two-wheeled passions again.
Last year, when Covid-19 threw a monkey wrench into everyone’s world, Roland Sands stepped in to host the Corona Virus Bike Build Off — a way to support and recognize bike builders since all of the traditional bike shows had been canceled. Wilco already had a pit bike frame and a vision in mind:
“I always had the idea to put a way-too-big engine underneath it. So when Covid kicked in, this idea turned into reality. Actually, the Roland Sands Corona Virus Bike Build Off was what triggered it.”
The style recalls a mini flat tracker, though Wilco let his imagination run wild with the design. He’d also been wanting to learn to work with aluminum, and there was no better than his second build. The subframe and lower tube of the main frame are both handmade, as is the aluminum bodywork.
Then there’s the engine, an 80cc two-stroke Derbi unit with more than 100 dyno runs under its belt! The little monster has been ported, of course, and boasts CR85 V Force reeds, SX50 radiators, a couple of different handmade exhausts. Wilco did a ton of tuning, and finished mini bike absolutely rips:
“I had friends ride the thing who are used to motorbikes, and at half throttle they pulled off and told me the thing was insane, haha.”
We weren’t the only ones who were impressed. You can see Roland Sands himself react to the bike in the video clip below. In the end, this hot little smoker earned 2nd place in the #coronavirusbikebuildoff — congrats, Wilco!
Below, we get the full story on this badass little smoker!
Two-Stroke Mini Bike: Builder Interview
• What’s the make, model, and year of the bike?
To be honest, it started off with a main frame tube of an old pitbike that was lying around. I always had the idea to put a way-too-big engine underneath it. So when Covid kicked in, this idea turned into reality. Actually, the Roland Sands Corona Virus Bike Build Off was what triggered it.
• Why was this bike built?
The Roland Sands Corona Virus Bike Build Off, it placed 2nd in the end.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
In my head it had to be a mini flat tracker. But once I finished the lower frame tubes and the sub frame, I decided to go all by myself and let my brain work on the design process of the bike. I always wanted to learn aluminium work and since this was my second build, I thought this was the time, haha.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
Apart from the main frame tube and fork, everything was done by hand.
– Aluminium bodywork
– Handmade subframe and lower frame
– A lot of aluminum milled parts
– Custom gas cap
– Upgraded brakes, and yep that’s needed
– Full custom engine (Derbi Engine)
– All ported
– CR85 V Force hand-milled reeds
– SX50 radiators
– Two handmade exhausts
– Used two cylinders to get to this point
– Probably 100+ dyno runs went into this
– It hauls ass
• Does the bike have a nickname?
Covid 19 Mini Build.
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?
I’m used to it because a lot of testing went into it, but the first time I pinned it after the engine was built and put back in — it got me goosebumps. I never pinned it to full top speed, because…trust me, that is something different then feeling safe ;D I had friends ride the thing who are used to motorbikes, and at half throttle they pulled off and told me the thing was insane, haha.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
The engine work, and the alu bodywork including tank all done by hand, and for the first time. It turned out pretty okay.
What a cool machine u have designed. Awesomely brilliant
Spectacular, as was his RD125! Another site, Hiconsumption lists hp at 24. I find that hard to believe, as most 125s put out 30.
Looked at the choices for the RSD Corona Bike Build Off and think this one shoulda won. I didn’t watch the video in full, but RSD’s site doesn’t say who won. If it was Parrmotorcycles street tracker I agree that it’s a super nice bike but not unique like this one is. This is not your typical minibike, the proportions scream cute at every step while also letting you know this thing probably is anything but cute when it’s actually running.