Let’s get away from the blinding lights and deafening sounds of the Expo for a bit and pay a visit to this TVS Apache RTR 180, re-engineered for off-road use. Unlike a large scale manufacturer who keeps us waiting for what we want for years, the humble team behind this transformation probably just took a couple months or even less. This is the work of Bangalore based Motorcraft, who earlier modified a humble Yamaha SZ into a tasteful dual-purpose motorcycle.
The project began when one of their friends who’s into exploring forest trails handed them his track-inspired TVS Apache RTR 180, wanting it to become dirt friendly. So the team took up the challenge and threw away the standard front forks for thicker, long-travel equipment. They went out shopping for 21″ front wheels and along with that, came back with Continental TKC 80 rubber and bigger, powerful front brakes.
The twin rear shocks were bolted off too and have been replaced with a monoshock, which has been paired with an extended rear swinging arm for better stability. The wheel at the rear is an 18-incher, has disc brakes and has been wrapped with Ralco speed blaster rubber.
For the machine to lose unnecessary heft, the original front and rear body panels were unscrewed and kept aside. Also, the original speedometer was recalibrated to fetch correct readings from the bigger front wheel. With 320mm of clearance, a raised handlebar and a dirt-track friendly riding position, the owner is extremely pleased with the outcome and the changes which have transformed his Apache RTR into an Apache Enduro. Gets our vote too.
If you like what you see, do visit Motorcraftgp on facebook if you want your everyday machine to be transformed into something like this.
If you are someone who’d like to share his/her own work for the World to admire, shoot a message through any of our social media channels with pictures and some information about the work done, or use the comments section below.