HomeBike NewsYamaha SZ modified as an adventure tourer - Photos

Yamaha SZ modified as an adventure tourer – Photos

Motocraft, the motorcycle modifiers from Bangalore, have given the Yamaha SZ a makeover. This 150cc motorcycle receives new body parts and a blue and white color scheme. Though it retains its original 14 liter fuel tank, the headlamp console is borrowed from an Eicher truck.

New rider footrests replace the older ones and are seen fitted with aluminum foot pegs. The stock battery holder has also been modified as has been the regulator and rectifier unit which has also been positioned under the seat thereby resulting in better electric grounding.

The modified Yamaha SZ which has been 6 months in the making, also sports a new protective grille and high low mudguard while stock bar handle too has been done away with and instead a new high rise one fitted in its place. A new toe gear shifter is also evident as are knuckle guards while the fuel tank lid is finished with brushed steel.

The Yamaha SZ adventure tourer now sits on 17” wheels fitted with new Ceat Secura sports tyres in the front and on Ralco Blaster at the rear. It gets an aluminum underseat tray that prevents the mud from splashing onto electrical components and seat lock.

A new luggage rack, grab rail and a coarse grain seat cover is also evident on the modified Yamaha SZ which continues to be powered by the 153cc, air cooled, single cylinder engine offering 11.9 bhp power at 7,500 rpm and 12.8 Nm torque at 6,000 rpm.

Below is the account in the words of the modifier –

I wish to share my attempt to transform the humble Yamaha SZ into an adventure tourer.

Background: After a minor spill on a rough road, Shiva was sick of the rattling plastics and wanted to restore the bike’s lost sheen.

Thus, began the mods on the Yammie SZ.

Sparing the fuel tank, all the body parts were junked. The original fixed rider footrests were chopped and stays were welded to make way for aluminium footpegs.

The stock battery holder was trimmed and the RR unit was moved under the seat ensuring proper electrical grounding.
A battery cover was fabricated from 2mm thick MS sheet.

Since the air intake side was tidy, I decided to leave it exposed and just add the rider’s lucky digits in lemon yellow.

The headlight unit off an Eicher truck mounts onto the original headlight stay sheaths the sockets and wiring. A fabricated grill protects the lens.

After many permutations, a high-low mudguard combination was zeroed in on. The upper mudguard was fabricated from sheet metal and fixes onto the headlight stay. Some lower mudguard lying around in the parts bin was chopped and stays were made to fix it to the existing fork leg mounts.

Next, the stock handlebar was ditched for more comfortable high rise ones with the cables rerouted to ensure adequate play. Handguards were slapped on to save the levers in case of a mishap. A tidy toe shifter replaces the heel and toe type unit.

The tank tabs were grinded, filled and surfaced to a smooth finish before paint. The fuel lid was polished to a brushed steel finish. The stock speedo console was retained for functionality. Protaper handlebar covers slapped on for safety do add spice to the front end.

After endless scouting for dual purpose tyres, I finalised on CEAT Secura sport <3.00 x 17> front and Ralco Blaster <100/90 x 17> rear. Happy with the choice as it provides good grip in mixed weather and terrain.

In order to simplify the rear, the mudguard was junked and the LED stop and turn lights, number plate fits directly to the sub-frame. An aluminium underseat tray hugs the sub-frame preventing mud splashing onto the electricals and seat lock. A tyre hugger stay was mandrel bent with 2.5mm tubing and bolts on to the swing-arm.

A luggage rack was welded to the stock grab rail for those long interstate trips.

The seat base was cut and reshaped to flow with the contours of the bike. Coarse grain seat cover fabric was chosen to minimize rider sliding about the seat during hard braking.

Classic Yamaha black on white vinyl accentuates the bodyline.

The build took 6 weeks to be built and am glad the owner was pleased with the outcome.

Engine and suspension upgrades are being planned for stage 2.

Rushlane Google news