1983 BMW R80G/S
K&N air filter. The frame had been given a
paint makeover at some point, but was in need
of some cleaning up, so the bike was stripped
down and painted. I went for a white powdercoated
subframe and bars with some white
tank graphics, removed the side covers for that
‘open-frame’ look, re-covered the seat and
replaced the standard front guard and rear
fender with aftermarket ones.
The bike was used in this stage one guise for
quite some time, doing both short-haul backroad
adventures as well as riding to, and
participating in, multi-day adventure rides
around the country. I find the capabilities of the
G/S really shine when you’re navigating through
a farm track after heavy rain and up to the
axles in mud – the G/S will just chug its way
through at low revs without any fuss.
ALMOST GONE FOREVER
A few years on, after a ride on a KTM 950
Adventure, I decided I had to have one, so a
suitable low mileage example was found and
the owner just happened to be interested in
the G/S – nek minute, I’d bought the KTM and
rigger
sold the G/S. Although thoroughly enjoying the
much more modern 950 I did have some
regrets about parting with Von T. It seems
Fortune was smiling on me when, low and
behold, after just a few months, the new owner
decided he was going to sell it... and would I
like to have it back? Well... absolutely! So,
thankfully Von T came back to me, and it’s
remained here ever since.
CUSTOM SCRAMBLER
Von T was used in this trim for a few more
KIWI RIDER 31