Page 110 - Motorcycle Trader (February 2020)
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had set to minimum. I’ve since ramped it ONE The indicators rider my size, the old dear is turning out to
up to max, which has the thing sitting at a mount under the be a thoroughly enjoyable thing to ride.
much better attitude – less like a chopper carrier, good spot for a It’s no rocketship. The 980cc twin is
and more like it should be. little vibration. Exhaust producing just 60 horses (44kW), or about
is a Staintune.
Just as shooter Galli and I were pulling TWO It’s a complex little 10 down on its RS sibling. However, as is
apart the front master cylinder to fit the mounting bracket for sometimes the case in these situations, the
rebuild kit, Union Jack Motorcycles owner the indicator, hollow milder tune produces a more relaxed-feeling
and old mate Phil Pilgrim rolled into for the wiring and engine.
the shed with a cousin of the GS. It’s a made of thin metal. With reasonable midrange on board, big
1985 R100RSR he bought new, lost sight THREE Shock preload wide handlebars and a fair bit of suspension
has since been
of for decades, and had just re-acquired. cranked up all the travel, it’s a lot of fun to swing through a set
A lovely bit of kit, and kind of a weird way to lose the GS’s of corners on a backroad. It’s undemanding
acquisition for someone who was forever cruiser-like stance. and steers with reasonable precision.
slinging off at ‘Bavarian Money Wasters’. Every now and then the suspension gets
No matter, we soon had him employed overwhelmed and you’ll get a bit of a weave,
on helping to bleed the fresh brake, which but it doesn’t feel life-threatening.
came up a treat. Braking is only so-so and I tend to avoid
Really, the final icing on the cake was a cutting things fine in that department. Fully
fresh set of rubber, fitted by Pablos after loaded, it needs room to pull up and you
the photoshoot. We went for Metzeler have to get used to the dramatic front-end
Tourance, which is as good as any offering dive under brakes.
out there. That did a lot to improve It’s fascinating re-engaging with a model
the steering, which had gone off as the you last rode when it was new, three
previous set was worn out. decades ago. There’s no escaping the fact
With a real working front brake, properly you’re dealing with 1980s dynamics, but it
sealed carburettors, fresh rubber and remains a thoroughly enjoyable bit of kit to
suspension set where it should be for a ride and a reminder of simpler times.
108 MOTORCYCLE TRADER
