The Greasy Dozen: Spero Floro Yamaha SR500

December 18, 2020

When it comes to the Greasy Dozen Builder Collective, you never know what you'll see. The range of makes, models, and even styles is so broad, when selecting builders each year we look for things you don't always see and Spero Floro's submission was exactly that! Spero submitted a 1979 Yamaha SR500 into our cafe racer category, this specific model has been very popular in the custom world with builds ranging from choppers, scramblers to cafe racers.

There was something different about Spero's submission, it was bare bones and clean looking, with tons of custom machined parts, it was intriguing. We selected Spero with hopes he would build an SR500 that stood apart from the rest, and he absolutely did it! Without further ado, let's dive into this interview and learn more about his build.

What’s your name and where are you from?

My name is Spero Floro, I am from Whitby, Ontario Canada. I am a truck and trailer mechanic by trade, and have been a mechanic for 40 years. Started out working on cars, then heavy construction equipment and now trucks and trailers and been doing that for 24 years.

Take us back to the day you found out you were selected as a builder for this year's GD, what was going through your mind?
Second of all I want to thank everyone at Old Bike Barn for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the 2020 Greasy Dozen. It was an honour to be selected as one of the Greasy Dozen. I never thought in a million years I would be selected. I remember submitting my build near the deadline. The day that the selection was to be announced I was working on my bike in the garage waiting to hear who was going to be selected. My wife kept asking me if i had heard yet and i kept saying no, it's late i guess not. Then I heard my phone ding and I checked instagram and I think the chopper selection was first announced and the cafe selection. That's when I saw my name on the list and I went running into the house telling everyone. I was so excited but then reality set in and that's when I realized, I gotta get this done.

Give us the backstory on how you got into motorcycles and how long you’ve been building for.

I got into motorcycles when I was about 13 or 14 years old and I bought a 1974 Yamaha DT100 with the money I saved up working part time washing dishes at my dads restaurant. Me and a bunch of my friends would ride the trails all summer. It was the best time ever. We would ride all day, going places that you couldn't get by car, stopping at secluded beaches and having fun. From there I used to borrow my brother's 1974 cb750 and ride around the streets when I was fourteen. This bike is my first build, so I have only been seriously building for less than a year.

Tell us about the starting platform for your build (year, make, model)

My Greasy Dozen build started out as a 1979 Yamaha Sr500. I don't think there is an original bolt on that bike except for the engine mount bolts.

Were there any favorable moments during the build process?

There were quite a few favourable moments during the build but a lot more unfavourable moments but it was a great learning experience. I think the most satisfying moment was when the engine started up after sitting on my bench for a long long time.

We know building a motorcycle can be challenging and everyone runs into a set back at some point. Did you have any notable setbacks that you were able to overcome?

I had many setbacks during the build mostly because i kept second guessing myself and because i would spend hours making a part, putting it on and i just wasn't happy with it. I can't tell you how many electrical components trays I made and threw out. Not because they weren't good, but just because they sat a little low in the frame and I could see it slightly. I have a pile of scrap tubing that I bent a didn't quite fit or I couldn't get the compound bends to work out. As frustrating as it was at times, I never wanted to quit or try a simpler design. I truly enjoyed building this bike.

Throughout the build process we tend to learn new things whether it's a skill, knowledge or even something about ourselves. What are some things you’ve learned throughout building this bike?

I learned quite a few things during this build. Shaping metal was one of them. It was the first time I hand formed a seat cowl and fender. First time I designed and made headlight mounting brackets on a mill. First time I bent the tubing for the frame. First time I made a frame jig and lathed a steer tube to fit the 1996 GSX-R600 forks. I also learned for the next build is the order of tasks, more initial planning should help with the speed of the build. I am looking forward to my next builds.

Paint tends to be one of the first things that draws people in and then they start looking at all the other details in the build, who did your paint and what made you go with the color scheme?

Paint for the tank was one of the hardest choices I made. It came by accident when I was smoothing a few imperfections in the seat cowl with some bondo. When the bondo dried to a greenish color, I noticed how well it went with the brown leather seat. Trying to find the right green was a challenge, I sat with the paint mixer for about an hour adding a drop of yellow, a drop of grey until I was happy. John Connery of Connery Custom Paint painted my tank and seat. The frame color was another challenge, I picked a slight metallic silver powder coat.

Any plans for a new build?

I've already started two. A 1974 CB750 that used to belong to my brother, the one I used to borrow and a 1976 Suzuki GT550, which I'm super excited about.

They say “It takes a village” who would you like to thank?

I have to thank my wife for putting up with all my late nights and weekends spent in the garage. My kids who I bounced thousands of ideas off of and showed them a ton failed ones. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. I've chatted with some of the other Greasy Dozen guys and was so looking forward to meeting up with everyone. A lot of great guys in this bunch, very supportive and knowledgeable.

Lastly, where can people find you (Social media)?

People can find me on Instagram @spetzo. Thanks again guys it's been a blast and I couldn't have done it without you, You've been the driving force. I also want to thank Bear for his generosity and time and Zane for all the information. Hope we can all meet one day and have a few beers.

Cheers