When I was a lad growing up in England, 500cc was considered a ‘big’ motorcycle. Machines such as the Honda CB750 and Kawasaki Zeds were considered behemoths. But my, how times have changed. The old ‘standard’ 250 is now almost forgotten in the USA and Europe, although it’s the staple diet of the huge Asian markets. So I’m pleased to see that the latest bike from Spanish builder Café Racer Dreams is a stripped-down 1983 Yamaha SR250. Mechanically, it’s as simple as they come: a bulletproof, aircooled 239cc single, uprated with a Mikuni carb and a custom reverse-cone exhaust system built in-house. Aluminum wheels are shod with period-style Firestone tires, and the look of the bike has been transformed with new paint, new fenders and a new seat unit. The electrics were simplified and reinstalled, along with Renthal Ultra Low bars, a custom headlight and custom switchgear and footpegs. The result is the perfect city bike—light, agile and stylish, and guaranteed to start every time, on the button.
