Dan Corkin’s home-built, 87-mph mini street bike…
Since the introduction of the Honda Grom (MSX125) in 2014, we’ve seen a resurgence in the popularity of street-legal minibikes. Honda’s “miniMOTO” lineup now includes the Monkey 125, Trail 125, and Dax 125, among others, while Kawasaki offers the Z125 PRO. If you ever rode an old Honda Monkey or Trail back in the day — or Yamaha Mini Enduro 60 or GT80 — you know that small displacement can equal big fun.
However, there’s just one problem with today’s minis — they’re all four-strokes. So our new friend Dan Corkin — a window tinter from Adelaide, South Australia — decided to build one himself…from scratch.
“I had two goals. Make it as small as possible, half the size of a Grom or Papio, and it had to be a two-stroke.”
He started with two main elements: a 1999 Kawasaki KX100 engine and a Honda Benly six-liter tank. The KX100, born from the old KX80 Big Wheel, bridges the gap between youth and full-sized motocross machines. In stock form, the KX100 produces 25-28 hp — nearly triple the 9.7 ponies of a Grom!
Working in his home garage with an arc welder and basic tools, Dan built the frame from scratch, as well as the steel seat cowl and headlight housing. The bike is running 12-inch Grom wheels with cush drive, twin-piston calipers with braided lines, and of course the Benly tank, which keeps onlookers guessing as to the origins of this two-stroke “Gromlin.”
Other highlights include a custom seat, LED lighting, digital speedo, adjustable levers, and more. Though Dan built the frame from fairly heavy steel, the complete bike weighs just 134 pounds dry — about 80 pounds less than a Grom, with triple the horsepower! A “Gromlin” indeed!
“Top speed is 140 kph [87 mph] with 14/36 gearing… It’s a thrill and feels fast because it’s so low to the ground but it also feels stable due to the weight.”
Good on Dan for building a street-legal two-stroker just the way he wanted it…and his wife, Rietta, for putting up with his antics! Below you’ll find our full interview with Dan about the build, including more photos and videos of this mini-smoker in action. We look forward to seeing what creation rolls out of Dan’s garage next.
Two-Stroke Custom Minibike: Builder Interview
• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop
My name’s Dan, I’m 38 yrs old from Adelaide, South Australia. I’m actually a window tinter but I’ve loved modifying bikes since I was a kid.
• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?
I built the frame, headlight and seat cowl myself with an arc welder and basic tools in my garage at home. I used a Honda Benly 6l tank and a ’99 Kawasaki KX100 engine. I just used what parts I could find locally or made the rest myself.
• Why was this bike built?
I’ve modified a few bikes but I wanted to design and build my own bike from scratch.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
I had two goals. Make it as small as possible, half the size of a Grom or Papio, and it had to be a two-stroke.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
Custom handmade frame. Custom suspension. Custom headlight made from steel with LED projector lights, LED halos rings, and integrated turn signals. Custom steel seat cowl.
Six-liter Honda Benly tank, custom seat, custom adjustable levers. LED digital speedometer, 12-inch Grom wheels with cush drive, twin piston brake calipers with braided lines front and rear.
• Does the bike have a nickname?
Not really. Open to suggestions. A couple comments have been “Gromlin” or “Mosquito.”
• Any idea of horsepower, weight, and/or performance numbers?
The bike weighs 61 kg [134 lb] with no fuel. ’99 KX100 has 28 hp. Top speed is 140 kph with 14/36 gearing.
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?
It’s a thrill and feels fast because it’s so low to the ground but it also feels stable due to the weight.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
It’s my own design and I made as much of it as possible at home
• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?
My wife, Rietta Corkin haha. She puts up with me.
Follow the Builder
Daniel Corkin: Instagram
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