I owned and raced one of those back in 82. I had just come off a love/hate relationship with the 81 Maico(Breako) 490 and I really enjoyed racing again once back on the YZ490. Yes, from the factory the jetting was way off. Main was close, but the YZ required pilot and needle tuning corrections. Once dialed in, it ran really well though with very few changes needed at the track or none at all. From the factory, it had steel clutch plates. Seeing that that engine already had tons of low end, I installed the Yamaha aluminum option plates, and it really helped the engine rev much better. I recall installing aftermarket reeds at some point. But kept the rest of the engine stock. for almost every track I raced at the 4 speed was fine. Only single exception was when racing at Southwick Ma. I did find myself trying to shift up another gear on a couple of there long fast straights, lap after lap after lap. Spot on the front forks. I learned to work on forks with the Maico as they required constant seal changes and tube straightening. But the YZ490 taught me how to tune forks properly. Rear Mono-X suspension was okay but had almost no tuning options. I ended up just making a 2" spacer for the spring to bump up the preload. In the end, I will have to say that the YZ490 was the most stable/predictable jumping bikes I ever raced. And that includes 500cc bikes I had after the YZ was long gone.
I bought a new 82 YZ490 and sold it after 5 months to get a 83 Husqvarna XC500 a better desert bike. But several guys from the era put a complete 81 YZ465 top-end and carb on the 490 and made a much better MX bike. I tried the swap several years back and was very happy with the more lively setup....still love the innocence of riding back in that time....
I still have my 82, in pretty good shape. I need a new side cover and new graphics would be cool, but I kept it as stock as possible over the years. Bought it in 1994.
Nice work Chris, love the format and the easy to listen to dialogue .Interesting bikes too. I'm a 200 plus hour KX500 vet. Never owned a YZ 490 but had some time on a WR500 in the early/mid '90s. The Yamaha 465 was the bike that I always wanted but it didn't happen. Keep posting, I've still got a couple of old girls in the shed. '04 KX500 I've had since new and , a red bike. CR500R 2001 last model .Bought it new the week before my marriage split up . Never been clicked into gear and still in storage. Keep up the good work mate..
Green socks Hi Green Socks Nice to get a bit of decent feedback for a change as I’ve been getting some idiot’s complaining about my accent and not pronouncing my CZ’s or Cee Zee’s properly or my J’s properly in the AJS Motorcycle description. But the biggest majority of my subscribers appreciate the effort and posting’s. Anyhow yeah get those old bikes out the shed and get using them got to keep these old classics alive and kicking. Thanks again for your comment and for taking the time to watch my content, cheers mate.
Had 82 85 87. Fun fact. Wanted lights. So got lighting coil pulse coil. Off 465. At the wrecking yard. Put in in the 85:490. Spark blue strong. Bike started reved great put in gear went backwards.
fantastic job Chris , there have been a few bikes you've shown that we didn't get in the states and were never featured in Motorcross Action so no matter the bike please post model and yr thanks.
Thanks for your comments John . . I'm really only posting these bikes from my archives as we are still in lockdown here in Scotland and I am not allowed to leave the house so have to find something to occupy my time. Anyhow you guys stay safe over there and hopefully wont belong before we can get back to racing these old classics.
![CAMPปลิ้น | EP.83[2/2] ประสบการณ์ขนหัวลุกจากตำนานวงการผี!](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/T_kFecQw7Ds/mqdefault.jpg)
I owned and raced one of those back in 82. I had just come off a love/hate relationship with the 81 Maico(Breako) 490 and I really enjoyed racing again once back on the YZ490. Yes, from the factory the jetting was way off. Main was close, but the YZ required pilot and needle tuning corrections. Once dialed in, it ran really well though with very few changes needed at the track or none at all.
From the factory, it had steel clutch plates. Seeing that that engine already had tons of low end, I installed the Yamaha aluminum option plates, and it really helped the engine rev much better. I recall installing aftermarket reeds at some point. But kept the rest of the engine stock. for almost every track I raced at the 4 speed was fine. Only single exception was when racing at Southwick Ma. I did find myself trying to shift up another gear on a couple of there long fast straights, lap after lap after lap.
Spot on the front forks. I learned to work on forks with the Maico as they required constant seal changes and tube straightening. But the YZ490 taught me how to tune forks properly. Rear Mono-X suspension was okay but had almost no tuning options. I ended up just making a 2" spacer for the spring to bump up the preload. In the end, I will have to say that the YZ490 was the most stable/predictable jumping bikes I ever raced. And that includes 500cc bikes I had after the YZ was long gone.
I get a chuckle out of your speaking. Different people different cultures. Keep up the good work, thanks as always.
I bought a new 82 YZ490 and sold it after 5 months to get a 83 Husqvarna XC500 a better desert bike. But several guys from the era put a complete 81 YZ465 top-end and carb on the 490 and made a much better MX bike. I tried the swap several years back and was very happy with the more lively setup....still love the innocence of riding back in that time....
Raced 82 490 in the desert. 4 speed gearbox limited top speed. Handlebar start valve gave extra RPM to pass the Huskys.
I still have my 82, in pretty good shape.
I need a new side cover and new graphics would be cool, but I kept it as stock as possible over the years. Bought it in 1994.
Nice work Chris, love the format and the easy to listen to dialogue .Interesting bikes too. I'm a 200 plus hour KX500 vet. Never owned a YZ 490 but had some time on a WR500 in the early/mid '90s. The Yamaha 465 was the bike that I always wanted but it didn't happen. Keep posting, I've still got a couple of old girls in the shed. '04 KX500 I've had since new and , a red bike. CR500R 2001 last model .Bought it new the week before my marriage split up . Never been clicked into gear and still in storage. Keep up the good work mate..
Green socks Hi Green Socks Nice to get a bit of decent feedback for a change as I’ve been getting some idiot’s complaining about my accent and not pronouncing my CZ’s or Cee Zee’s properly or my J’s properly in the AJS Motorcycle description. But the biggest majority of my subscribers appreciate the effort and posting’s. Anyhow yeah get those old bikes out the shed and get using them got to keep these old classics alive and kicking. Thanks again for your comment and for taking the time to watch my content, cheers mate.
Thanks Chris. Always to happy send you a pic of my bikes if you're interested. Take it easy, Mark.
Had 82 85 87. Fun fact. Wanted lights. So got lighting coil pulse coil. Off 465. At the wrecking yard. Put in in the 85:490. Spark blue strong. Bike started reved great put in gear went backwards.
fantastic job Chris , there have been a few bikes you've shown that we didn't get in the states and were never featured in Motorcross Action so no matter the bike please post model and yr thanks.
Thanks for your comments John . . I'm really only posting these bikes from my archives as we are still in lockdown here in Scotland and I am not allowed to leave the house so have to find something to occupy my time. Anyhow you guys stay safe over there and hopefully wont belong before we can get back to racing these old classics.
Lovely bike
Thanks for your comments Lewis all the best.
What is a "Y-Zed?"
I have both 82 yz 490 and the yz465 I prefer the yz465 the different night and day