1980 Yamaha SR250 - A Tracker named Mexico

It will be interesting to see what you build for the battery. I have the same one on my sr250 and am yet to build a tray.

Very nice work, can't wait to see more of the bike.
 
Nice work!

The low pipe is period correct for a 60s flat tracker, if it was good enough for Cal Rayborn and Malcolm Smith, it's good enough for us. I'm even keeping the CB low pipes on my 250 CL, just adding bigger mufflers like the Ducati you posted. Your header/muffler combo just screams Matchless G50 (in half scale).

One thing that has always stood out and screamed "We cheaped out" on Japanese bikes is the gas tank seam. I either hide them or emphasize them with door edge aka bug shield trim. Black hides them, chrome or gold makes them stand out like an intentional design element. If you do yours in black it would tie in nicely with the tank and fender stripes. Enough to do that tank would probably set you back about 5-10 pounds...

I have a feeling that 1/4 liter bikes are the next craze... gas here went up 21 cents per gallon in 4 days. When you draw less than $300 USD per week, and get paid irregularly, 80-90 some odd miles per gallon looks a whole lot better.

Especially when it looks like your bike.
 
bvander said:
It will be interesting to see what you build for the battery. I have the same one on my sr250 and am yet to build a tray.

Very nice work, can't wait to see more of the bike.

Bvander, I might have a go at it today, going to use some thin aluminium sheet and pop-rivet it to the frame - well that's the plan. If not today, it will have wait a week as I'm busy with work.
 
Scruffy said:
Nice work!

The low pipe is period correct for a 60s flat tracker, if it was good enough for Cal Rayborn and Malcolm Smith, it's good enough for us. I'm even keeping the CB low pipes on my 250 CL, just adding bigger mufflers like the Ducati you posted. Your header/muffler combo just screams Matchless G50 (in half scale).

One thing that has always stood out and screamed "We cheaped out" on Japanese bikes is the gas tank seam. I either hide them or emphasize them with door edge aka bug shield trim. Black hides them, chrome or gold makes them stand out like an intentional design element. If you do yours in black it would tie in nicely with the tank and fender stripes. Enough to do that tank would probably set you back about 5-10 pounds...

I have a feeling that 1/4 liter bikes are the next craze... gas here went up 21 cents per gallon in 4 days. When you draw less than $300 USD per week, and get paid irregularly, 80-90 some odd miles per gallon looks a whole lot better.

Especially when it looks like your bike.

Scruffy, Yeah it is a bit like the Matchless exhaust. Believe it or not, that is a one piece original exhaust for the SR250 (found a brand new one from Holland). I'm very pleased with it as it follows the swept up line of the seat perfectly.

It's funny you mention the tank trim, only the other day I was thinking about getting some chrome trim for it, but your suggestion of black has got me thinking.

As for fuel, yeah it's a piss take. I did the math, and a gallon of petrol in the UK is $8.23

Glad you like the bike, hopefully I'll be riding her in the next few weeks.

Cheers Steve.
 
I'm biased, rather partial to orange air-cooled singles. The only brand new bike I've ever had is my 1998 Savage barhopper, which was pumpkin orange from the factory. And is orange and cream in its latest overhaul. Getting ready to lace paint the fuel tank and finish deleting unnecessary electrical circuits. I kept it while owning and getting rid of a Kawasaki VN800A and VN800B, a Yamaha XT550 and a beat to pieces 1957 Harley Panhead bobber.
 
Great bike bro!
Next week i will buy an SR 250 and then maybe i'll do something like you do to yours.

Congrats...;)
 
Thanks guys,

I've just got over pneumonia so I'm hoping to get the bike on the road in a week or two. Will post pics.
 
Great work!
Just went thru entire post ..great vision to modify the SR..love everything about this..same idea for my project. love the orange..suits old 60's 70's style bikes definitely.
 
Thanks your bike was one of the first SR250's I looked at before buying mine. Was dead keen on an orange colour scheme too but I have decided to rethink that now :) . I know I will have a few questions for you when I get into the build proper if you don't mind.
 
stunning steve! i love how you took so many pictures. this has become part of my inspiration. my cafe racer image is being morphed into a cafe/tracker/scrambler not sure how it will turn out. cant wait to see your bike all done!
 
Thanks stepside03,

Should have the bike mostly complete this weekend, may even get a test run in. Hope you have fun with your build.
 
A few more pics, battery tray I knocked up from sheet aluminium installed. Was going to paint it black, but I think I'll just polish it.
 

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I say paint it black, make it blend in a bit more. Excellent work Steve, looking great!
 
That's it, the bike is finished. I'll take some pics when I take her out on her test run. Just need to make sure all her nuts and bolts are tight and give her a wash and polish.
 

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Took the bike for her first spin today, all seems good. Here she is next to my other bike.
 

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