Triumph 1200 Street Tracker from Gas&Retro…
The Triumph Scrambler 1200 was the first modern production scrambler to nail both ends of the spectrum: form and function. Here was a scrambler that could boast true off-road chops, courtesy of long-travel suspension, 21-inch front wheel, and Triumph’s “High Torque” parallel-twin engine.
“A serious off-road tool, the Triumph is an adventure bike that just happens to look like a retro.” –MCN
What’s more, the Scrambler 1200 has been widely lauded as a fine street bike, and RoadRUNNER claimed it’s “close to being a phenomenal touring motorcycle.” Few bikes combine on- and off-road prowess so well, and look damn good at the same time. Unfortunately, there isn’t really a modern equivalent to the Scrambler 1200 in the street tracker genre…until now.
Our friend Žiga Petek, who’s been building bikes for more than a decade, opened Gas&Retro (GRMTO) three years ago in an old barn in his native country of Slovenia.
“When I finished high school, I tried to study art history but soon I found out that I would rather do stuff with my hands and check motorsport books. So since then, I’ve been creating custom bikes.”
His BMW R80 street tracker grabbed our attention last year, standing out from the crowd of airhead builds in the custom world and displaying an affinity for tracker-inspired designs.
When it came to his personal bike, Žiga wanted a street tracker that would not only make a visual statement, but serve as a highly practical and versatile mount for different kinds of riding. He was inspired by the “Triumph X Rebellion” street tracker produced by custom bike-building world champion Fred Krugger several years ago. After asking Fred for a few details of the build, Žiga decided to build his own interpretation, using a 2019 Scrambler 1200 XE as the donor.
The bike is now rolling on a set of custom-laced 19″ / 18″ Excel wheels with flat-track rubber, matched with high-mount fenders reminiscent of a DTX bike.
The subframe and saddle are custom, as are the fenders — making for a much svelter profile — and the high-mount 2:2 exhaust has been blacked-out.
There are also custom side and rear luggage racks for longer rides.
Žiga opted for a hydraulic clutch conversion, said to lighten pull force by 25%, matched with Magura HC3 master cylinders and levers on a set of Protaper bars.
Low-mounted PIAA spotlamps keep the road visible in inclement weather, and the bike is running the slimmer tank from a Triumph Bobber.
Žiga calls the bike “Shepherd” because of the comfy sheepskin / wood saddle — a nice addition for riding through the Slovenian mountains — home to some of the world’s most scenic roads.
All in all, the “Shepherd” is a highly versatile adventure rig that takes design cues from both the AFT Singles and Twins classes. If we had to pick a bike to tour the lovely mountain passes of Slovenia and beyond, we’d be hard-pressed for a better machine.
Though this is Žiga’s personal bike, he’s decided to put it up for sale. If you’re looking for a nicely customized daily rider from one of Europe’s best, get in touch with Žiga here: gasandretro.com/contact/.
Build Sheet
- Magura HC3 brake master cylinder
- Magura HC3 clutch master cylinder
- Bottom hydraulic cylinder for clutch conversion.
- Custom subframe
- Custom seat
- Motogadget turn signals and rear 3/1 lights
- Custom fenders
- Aluminum Excel wheels 19” in front and 18” back
- Complete black exhaust
- PIAA spotlamps
- Custom rear rack
- Protaper handlebar
- Motogadget mirrors
- Bobber gas tank
More Photos
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Website: www.gasandretro.com
Instagram: @gasandretro
Facebook: @GasandRetro
Photos: Rok Plešnar (@rocco.time)
Nice. Particularly like the Bobber gas tank. Do wonder why Petek used the (taller) Xe Scrambler, instead of the Xc.
The BMW airhead is fabulous, with the seat/tank unit evoking my memory of the Vetter aftermarket units of the ‘70s, as well as the Vetter-designed Triumph Hurricane of the same period.