You’ll see that at the end of most features we say: “Got a good story to share? Give us a shout!” Well, someone got in touch and this is a great feature…
55 year old Liezl Greyling is a lifelong motorcyclist, first learning to ride a Suzuki 125 on her cousins lap, up to an 883 Harley Davidson Sportster with her hubby and riding buddy Herman,who had a 1200 Sportster Custom, then followed by a 1200 48 Harley.
Disaster struck when her husband was murdered during an armed robbery that went wrong… and Liezl was firmly on the back foot.
Sadly, the Harleys went, because Liezl “Couldn’t stand not seeing her hubbys headlamp in her rearview mirror.”
She bought a G650GS.
Work took her from her home in Randburg to Vryburg in NW for a few years.
Upon her return to GP, she took a trip with Rehann Coetzee and the gang from My Fiets on the Clarens Bier Tour, where she met and made lifelong friends like Jason Killian, Rehann Coetzee and many others.
On the return trip, everyone went their own way. Rather than riding solo, Liezl hooked up with Lionel Bischoff for the return trip.
By the time they hit Reitz, Liezl was feeling bleak… and opted to abandon ship and find a digs in order to recover – or die, whichever came first…
They found a spot and Lionel left for home. That afternoon, the innkeeper came to see how she felt. One look at Liezl, she popped her into the car and took her to the local hospital… and from there arranged an ambulance for a transfer to Bethlehem Mediclinic.
As it turns out, Liezl had suffered a pulmonary embolism (Bloodclot) through her lung…
5 days in hospital followed – with her bike and clobber all the way in Reitz…
She only had her tee shirt, wallet, smokes and keys…and she was a bit abandoned…
A kind soul took pity on her… and drove her the 80KM’s back to Reitz and she rode back to GP.
But it got worse… at home she felt worse, went to the doc and was rushed straight to surgery where they removed lots of stuff…
The prognosis was bad – and the doc recommended that she stop riding.
A four year sabbatical followed… compounded by starting her own business, trying to finish a degree and… the COVID lockdown. All without a motorcycle…
In her words: “I lost just about everything, it was a dark time and I had no sense of purpose.”
Lockdown ended, work hit and one of her team members was immigrating – and was selling a 150CC LML scooter.
She picked it up for a bargain – and figured…
“Doc didn’t want me riding ADV, but what harm could a little scooter do?”
That was the beginning of her fling with her “Impasta.”
Her return to sanity and fun times…
“I started riding with the classic Vespa club. A great bunch of guys and girls who get up to all sorts on their Vespa’s.
With them, I’ve come back to life, with trips all over the place – Parys, Middelburg, Dullstroom and all sorts. In two years, my top speed has been 60kph, covering around 4500 KM’s.”
Sadly, “Vespa Da Gama” gave a huff and puff on the way to Antipants 2023 and expired… I caught a ride home and grabbed a trailer to collect her.
Bucks were tight and the bike stood for almost 5 months… until the phone rang.
It was Tony Pereira from Moover’s Speedshop in Krugersdorp. He told Liezl that someone wanted to swap her bike for a little Vespa PX and he wanted to come and collect the bike.
On Monday the 3rd of July, her bike was fetched. And then there was radio silence with intermittent stories about the buyer not pitching etc…
On the 15th of July, Liezl was told that the deal had fallen through and that he’d come and collect her to fetch the bike…
When they got to the shop… the garage door opened. Vasco was completely overhauled and customized.
What was done:
The bike was stripped right down.
Engine upgrade – 160cc to 200cc (New estimated top speed 110KPH).
Exhaust, clutch, carb… a complete rebuild by Moover’s Speedshop.
Carbon adjustable suspension front and rear.
Custom Cooling Hood.
New cables front to back. Knobbly tyres.
Rubber side panel protection panels.
Black racks.
Custom flickers, tail light surround, spots.
Levers, mirrors…
The frame and all the bodywork was resprayed by Custom Creation Motorcycle Works.
The decals were sorted by Nib and Bristle.
LED headlight…
Are you doing the maths? And let’s not forget that airhorn.
Amazing!
Tony had reached out to the Vespa community. As a part of their Pay it forward initiative – “Mooving Together”, everyone clubbed in for the rebuild and Tony and Lance built the bike.
It cost Liezl not a single red cent.
How cool is that?
It was a complete surprise for Liezl and she cried like a baby with a “thor thumb”…
You can see the video presentation by Kyle at Warp Studios: https://youtu.be/uyBun4-2kTI
Motorcyclists are cool people.
Lots of plans are afoot for Liezl.
Stofskop. The Sani Pass adventure in February with Moover’s Speedshop and more.
She rides solo a lot and plans to take on a 3 week 3500 KM trip through Namibia next September.
We’ll catch up with her soon.
Big shout out to Tony and the guys from Moover’s Speedshop in Krugersdorp for this amazing initiative.
You need a bike in your life!
https://mooversspeedshop.co.za/
Got a good story to share? Give us a shout! info@motomedia.co.za
