Taking on someone else’s motorcycle project is a gamble. Low prices can lull you into a false sense of security, especially when you’re motivated and capable—two qualities that Gas & Oil Bespoke Motorcycles have in abundance.
Polished, high-end custom motorcycles are Gas & Oil’s usual fare, so this fantastically filthy Honda XL500 flat tracker is a little left field for them. It was originally delivered to their Prague workshop in numerous boxes, but because it was an XL500 and the price was right, shop boss Matěj Sysel bought it.
As soon as the basket case was spread out on the workshop floor, the team experienced the more painful side of buying an unfinished project; numerous parts were broken or missing. With this realization, the excitement of a new project waned, and the Honda XL500 was mothballed until they could decide what to do with it.…