Fife man building bike for legendary racing family

Inverkeithing motorcycle engineer helps New Zealander in Isle of Man TT quest

In a quiet corner of a Fife town, a local mechanic is building a dream machine for a legendary name in world motorsport.

Robert Wilson, a motorcycle engineer with decades of racing experience, will team up with New Zealand rider Lee Munro next month to tackle the iconic twisting roads of the Isle of Man.

The race-spec bike is undergoing final preparations at Mr Wilson’s Street Evolution garage in Inverkeithing, before it takes to the roads in an effort to qualify for next year’s Isle of Man TT.

“The bike is a Suzuki GSX-R600 from 2013,” said Mr Wilson, 54.

“It had been lying around for three years and never been raced, but I’ve stripped it down, rebuilt it, and all of the components have been changed,” he added.

“The suspension alone is worth £3,000 because it doesn’t matter how much power you have if you can’t keep the bike on the road.

“It is virtually a World Supersport bike.”

Despite being on the other side of the world, Mr Wilson said that building a bike for the 30-year-old Munro, who has achieved considerable success in his homeland, has been no hardship.

The pair are communicating daily over the internet ahead of next month’s Manx Grand Prix, with a good time securing entry to next year’s worldfamous TT race.

The Kiwi rider is also well-known in bike racing circles as the great nephew of the legendary Burt Munro (see story below).

Such is the interest which is generated by the Munro name, a documentary crew is due to follow the team next month as the assault on the Manx circuit begins.

It is virtually a World Supersport bike. ROBERT WILSON

“The Manx GP is a classic race and is a lot of fun,” said Mr Wilson.

“Lee is already generating a lot of interest, and hopefully he can get a good qualifying time for next year’s TT so we can do it all over again.

“He’s a very competitive rider and usually finishes within the top three when he’s racing.

“So many people want to meet him, so to build a bike for him is really exciting.”

Robert Wilson of Street Evolution Motorcycles is helping engineer Lee Munro’s TT quest.