Prague to Sri Lanka: SR250 Scrambler from Gas & Oil Bespoke Motorcycles…
In the late 1970s, Yamaha XT500 owners realized their Dakar-winning dual-purpose bike made quite a good roadgoing machine, and 500cc singles with flat bars and street tires began to appear on city streets. Yamaha saw an opportunity and developed the SR400/500 roadsters using the XT500 engine — some of the most popular, longest-produced air-cooled singles ever.
Yamaha took a similar tack with their 250cc single, developing the XS250 and SR250 in tandem.
“Yamaha has designed a first-class 250 cm3 single trailster and without hesitation, re-employed the engine and frame in a roadster at the same time… Economics also played a major role in the design of the 250 and, all factors considered, the machine is very attractively priced and quite cheap to run.” – Which Bike, 1980
The SR250 would develop something of a cult following over the years and become a favorite base bike for custom builders. In fact, our friend Jake Snowdon of Sweden’s Jadus Motorcycle Parts even penned a piece for us titled: Yamaha SR250: The Perfect Donor?
The SR250 is also a favorite platform of our friends from Prague’s Gas & Oil Bespoke Motorcycles — a custom workshop, ride/rally organizer, and all-around hub for motorcyclists in the heart of the Czech Republic.
Recently we heard from headman Matěj about their latest build, an SR250 designed, built, and headed for the island nation of Sri Lanka…5000 miles away!
“Our customer came to us with the vision of early retirement in Srí Lanka and wanted us to help him to adapt to local traffic. That means: a light, agile bike with the ability to travel far and off road. Long story short we aimed for something called ‘expedition special.'”
As with many South Asian countries, motorcycles are a way of life in Sri Lanka, and it’s become a popular destination for moto-tourists:
“The best thing about moto-touring Sri Lanka is that it virtually guarantees a lot of quality time spent with friendly amateur and professional mechanics. If the national pastime is cricket, motorcycle maintenance is a close second. Every day one of us broke down at least once and, without fail, there was someone nearby to lend a hand.” –The Unravel
While it’s nice to have so many helping hands, Matěj and crew wanted the new owner of this ’85 SR250 to avoid such headaches, so they focused on pure usability for island travels:
“Function over form all the way, maximum mechanics, minimum electronics.”
Highlights include an overhauled engine, new enduro-sized wheelset with Excel aluminum rims, large padded seat, relocated battery box, and custom-made subframe, glovebox, and jerrycan housing. The bike was dyno-tuned to perfection with a new carb and stainless exhaust, and the paint on the modified Suzuki TS tank is inspired by the Sri Lankan flag.
It’s neat to think of this 250cc traveling from the cold winter of Prague to the sunny clime of Sri Lanka, where the new owner will surely put many miles of adventure on the bike. In fact, Matěj says simply straddling the bike is a transporting experience:
“Once you sit on it you feel like on vacation really… It’s old school, it’s cool, it’s light and really fun to ride, every other curb or speed bump is an opportunity for playful jump.”
Our kind of machine! Below is our full interview with Matěj, and photography credits go to Ondřej Ždichynec (@zdichy) and Jakub Frey (@jakubfreyphotography).
“Sri Lanka” SR250 Scrambler: Builder Interview
• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?
One of our favourite platforms – Yamaha SR250 from 1985.
• Why was this bike built?
Customer project as almost always.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
Our customer came to us with the vision of early retirement in Srí Lanka and wanted us to help him to adapt to local traffic. That means: a light, agile bike with the ability to travel far and off road. Long story short we aimed for something called “expedition special.”
• What custom work was done to the bike?
Motorcycle from the 80s was completely designed for island travels. Function over form all the way, maximum mechanics, minimum electronics.
We used new Excel aluminium rims with proper enduro dimensions. We used old Suzuki TS gas tank and adjusted it. Also the headlight housing is custom made alongside with the subframe, glovebox, and jerry can housing.
Big leather comfy seat was a must have. Battery moved to the box under the swingarm. Complete engine overhaul with refurbishing of all aluminum surfaces. Custom made stainless header pipe ended with Sharon muffler. Dyno tuning of the new carburetor.
Paintjob: black frame and accessories, white jerry can and glove box, gas tank inspired by the flag of Sri Lanka.
• Does the bike have a nickname?
It’s called Srí Lanka for obvious reasons. I mean, it doesn’t happen every other day that our bike goes straight to another part of the planet.
• How would you classify this bike?
I’d say that already mentioned expedition special sums it up the best. Other than that you could call it a small light scrambler.
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride?
Once you sit on it you feel like on vacation really. All you need is pair of flip flops, tank top ,and folded swimming shorts in the glove box. It’s old school, it’s cool, it’s light and really fun to ride, every other curb or speed bump is an opportunity for playful jump.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
I would pick three things. Reusing old Czechoslovakian jerry can that’s very well known around here was fun and since it’s got a really nice shape it turned out just great. The glovebox is also a really nice touch that reminds you not to have your phone and wallet in the pockets of your loose shorts because what else you’d wear when vacationing. And last but not least gas tank paint job turned out really refreshing, I think.
Follow the Builder
Web: gobespokemotorcycles.com
Instagram: @gas_and_oil_motorcycles
Facebook: @gasandoilmotorcycles
Youtube: Channel
Photos: Ondřej Ždichynec (@zdichy) and Jakub Frey (@jakubfreyphotography)
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