OUR BIKES
Von Trigger
years, as an occasional back roads mount to
be used when I wasn’t riding the 950 or one of
my classics. Then, a few years ago I started
getting keen on another makeover. The purists
will most likely hate this, but I’m keen on
custom builds and liked what I was seeing from
some of the overseas builders, especially
examples of custom ‘scramblers’. However,
no matter what I did to modify the G/S, I also
wanted to be able to turn it back to original if
required, so all original items have been
retained in a box on the shelf.
My vision for the R80G/S was for it to become
a custom scrambler and a lot more was altered
on the bike this time, including a scratch-built
subframe, seat base and leather seat, YSS
Shock, Progressive Springs, aluminium front
and rear guards, aluminium off-road muffler,
crash-bar mounted mirrors, classic trailbike
rear light and indicators, black-painted wheels,
lower Migsel pegs, super light Shorai Lithium
battery, new rings for the engine, older style
valve covers and a rebuilt final drive.
The new subframe, levers, pegs and other bits
went off to the powder coaters for a dose of
stealth matt black. All of the fab’ work was
done either at home or within a couple of km
of home, in the case of subframe bending and
welding and seat upholstering using nicely worn
leather from an old armchair. I think it’s good
to support your local experts when doing these
builds. A small removable Perspex mini-fairing
was also sourced to add a dash of comfort on
those longer rides.
MORE TO COME
I was more than chuffed with the result, and
nearly four years on I still like it. Better still,
32 KIWI RIDER