While the Yamaha SR250 may not seem like the most likely candidate for customization, the little air-cooled mono-cylinder commuter machine has become a favorite among custom bike builders. While the first-generation bike was only available for a few years in the USA, the Euro models remain plentiful, affordable, hard-to-kill machines.
Enter Gianpaolo (GP) of Milan’s Meccanica Serrao d’Aquino, whose Yamaha WR400 tracker we previously featured. From the time GP was 15, he has kept his hands dirty working on bikes:
“I started my experience in Ducati and Kawasaki dealership in Reggio Calabria. A few years later, I moved to Perugia and worked for a Suzuki dealer. In 2009 I moved to Milano and worked for Collezione Motociclistica Milanese restorations and more. In 2013 I opened my own workshop, Via Gardone 22 Milano.”
The Yamaha SR250 you see here is a 1998 model, built for one of GP’s customers, a “lady biker.” The result is a lightweight, stylish runabout sure to turn heads in Italy and beyond. We especially love GP’s red and silver take on the iconic Yamaha Speed Block paint scheme and the functional yet minimal mudguards. Below, we get the full story on the build.
Yamaha SR250 Tracker / Scrambler: Builder Interview
• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
I’m Gianpaolo Serrao D’Aquino. I’m a mechanic and I moved from the south of Italy to follow my passion for motorcycles.
• What’s the make, model, and year of the bike?
Yamaha SR250, 1998.
• Why was this bike built?
Personal project to sell to a customer…a lady biker.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
I love the “SR” essentiality, the “mono” and the lightness. Electric start and vintage lines all right for the lady.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
Rear frame modified, paint scheme, front and rear mudguards, lights, and more components.
• Does the bike have a nickname?
No…at the moment “Little Gray Fart”!!! 🙂
• How would you classify this bike?
It’s a middle way between a street tracker and a scrambler.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
The rear mudguard / plate holder.
Follow the Builder
Follow Meccanica Serrao d’Aquino: Website | Facebook | Instagram
More Yamaha SR250 Customs
Yamaha SR250 Type 4: The End of a Journey - Raw and Honest: The Final SR250 from Trinta&Um Motorcycles… It’s always to treat to hear from a builder or workshop for the first time in a few years. So we were thrilled to receive a […]
Expedition Special: Yamaha SR250 “Sri Lanka” - 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 […]
Yamaha SR250: A Perfect Donor? - The Yamaha SR250 is one of the world’s most popular donor bikes for custom builders. Today, Jake Snowdon from Sweden’s Jadus Motorcycle Parts — the SR250 experts — delves into the heritage, design, and specs […]
Yamaha SR250 Custom by Officina Serrao D’Aquino - While the Yamaha SR250 may not seem like the most likely candidate for customization, the little air-cooled mono-cylinder commuter machine has become a favorite among custom bike builders. While the first-generation bike was only available […]
Yamaha SR250 Brat Scrambler by David Isachsen - “I think in the first hour of riding my face hurt from smiling so much…” Those are the words of Canada’s David Isachsen, describing his first ride on a brand-new Honda 50 Mini Trail in […]
Yamaha SR250 City Tracker by Trintaeum Motorcycles - The Yamaha SR250 is simply one of the most beloved small-bore motorcycles of all time — particularly among custom builders. While the first-gen version could only reach around 72-75 mph, the air-cooled reliability, incredible fuel […]
Yamaha SR250 Brat Tracker by MUTO Motorbikes - “May the FUN be with you…” Rémy Pagart of France’s MUTO Motorbikes has quickly become one of our favorite builders, for both his bikes and personality. Rémy, who is an artist and designer with a […]
Yamaha SR250 Scrambler by Trident Cycles - The Yamaha SR250, while only available in the States from 1980-1982, has garnered as a global following in the custom world. The air-cooled, 21-hp thumper may not seem like a likely candidate for customization, given […]
Yamaha SR250 Scrambler by Mokka Cycles - A Yamaha SR250 built for city scrambling… The Yamaha SR250 is a legendary model, an 21-hp air-cooled single whose heart and performance has always outshone mere datasheets and specifications. The bike shared much with the […]
Yamaha SR250 Scrambler by Retro Bikes Croatia - According to headman Zeljko of Retro Bikes Croatia, his nation doesn’t have much in the way of a small bike culture. Instead, he says, people tend to buy the biggest bike they can get. Zeljko […]
Yamaha SR250 Restomod by Jadus - Jake Snowdon is a mechanical engineer living in Malmö, Sweden, who started his company, Jadus Motorcycle Parts, designing and producing a range of high-quality custom parts for specific models like the Yamaha SR250. Jake loves […]
Yamaha SR250 Brat by Greasers Garage - The Yamaha SR250 makes for a sweet little runabout — particularly when it’s touched by the hands of a gifted builder. This ’83 SR250, nicknamed Diavoletta (Little She-Devil), was built as the city run-around machine […]
5 Next-Level Yamaha SR250 Customs - (Written by Jake Snowdon of Jadus Motorcycle Parts. Our highlights.) There are many SR250 custom bikes. I could have made a top 50 list of my favourite SR250 customs actually, but these ones I present […]
Yamaha SR250 Scrambler by Trintaeum Motorcycles - Trinta&Um Motorcycles was founded by a group of friends in Porto, Portugal, in 2013. The crew consists of welders, mechanics, videographers, designers–every role needed to make a successful custom shop. Antonio Camilo–Toni–and the team have […]
Yamaha SR250 Tracker by XTR Pepo - Pepo Rosell was the man behind one of the biggest names in the custom bike scene, Radical Ducati. Nearly two years ago, Pepo closed down Radical Ducati and took a 12-month sabbatical. When the master […]
Needs side covers.