Pampera lowdown

WE bought the GasGas Pampera 125 in January 08

a good beginners bike for my wife Ann

to improve her offroad skills

The new 125 Pampera sold in Europe
is a 4 stroke air cooled single.

The old Pampera was a 2 stroke.

Low in height and power,
it was a favourite with the ladies
and the “vertically challenged”

The new motor is different though.;
aimed at the teenage market
it is in effect a full sized bike.
The motor is a Kymco supplied copy
of a 125 Yamaha engine.

She produces a lovely soft spread of power
-very confidance inspiring
for the less experienced offroad rider.
The forks are Marzocchis,
the rear shock a gas filled showa.

Lovely detail touches,
great brakes,

VERY VERY light in weight.
A real bargain at 2200 euros brand new.
The only problem is the height of the saddle.
I removed the shock(simple-2 bolts)
substituted a piece of wood,
predrilled with holes at 1 cm increments.
Reinserting the shock bolts
-in effect turned the piece of wood into the shock absorber.
I got Ann to sit on the bike
and decide the optimal ride height.
I marked the relevant hole,
removed the piece of wood,
measured the new length against the shock length;
Disassembled the shock,spring body etc
and cut off the bottom boss.
I shortened the rod by 1 cm
and welded the boss back on to the shaft.

I reassembled the shock and refitted it to the bike.
VOILA-seat height now 80cms,
a reduction of 5 cms in ride height!
(In Imperial-half inch reduction of shock length
produced a two and a half reduction in seat height.)

The lady can now get both feet on the ground
and all fears of toppling over are gone.
A job well done.:P