Some motorcycles are built to travel roads, while others carry a lifetime of memories.
For Johan Botha, his 1982 Yamaha IT200 was never just another motorcycle. It was a trusted companion that had seen countless adventures and held a special place in his heart. But after decades of faithful service, time eventually caught up with the iconic machine. Mechanical failures left it beyond repair, and with replacement parts long discontinued, restoring it seemed impossible.
The motorcycle sat quietly at Mama Rock, an iconic stop along the old Bronkhorstspruit Road between Pretoria and Cullinan. Surrounded by the mountains where countless riders have prepared for the legendary Roof of Africa Enduro, it remained there as a reminder of adventures gone by.
It was during a training visit to the area nearly two years ago that Yamaha’s Aftersales team noticed the forgotten IT200.
Yamaha Head of Aftersales, Theo van Vuuren, together with Technical Manager Dharam Maharaj and Senior Workshop Technician Paul Hadebe, immediately recognised the motorcycle’s significance. More importantly, they saw what it meant to Johan.
Without making promises or seeking recognition, the team loaded the motorcycle and took it back to Yamaha’s workshop. Only once the restoration began did they realise the true scale of the challenge.
The engine had suffered catastrophic damage. The fuel tank was leaking. Mechanical components were beyond repair, and many original Yamaha parts had been discontinued.
