1983 Yamaha YZ490 

Iv got a 83 YZ 490 (whiite with red frame) that was built for the Finke Desrt race here in Australia by someone in a town called Onslow? I bought it back in 86. Nothing like a stock 490, no bottom end, no mid range, then all of a sudden its redlining. Just like an 80 in its power delivery. But in 600 quantities. It bucked everyone of m mates off who rode it and I also got bucked off it a few times. When i got it, it was geared to do around 110 mph. The sprockets were the first thing i changed. It also sat very tall with 13 n half inches of travel both ends. Power starts in top gear were no prob at all as i only weighed at the time 75 kg wet. I was only 17 when i got it and it was a very reliable bike as far as the motor went. Head work by someone in the US.

Had an 82 rode it for 9 yrs. Rebuilt the engine and frame best bike I ever owned and rode!

I love these old machines. Im going to be broke if I keep watching these videos.

had same bike when i was 13 yrs old miss it

You know it’s a crazy bike when someone who has never done drugs says “I need a cigarette after that” 😂😂😂

She's gorgeous. You have perfection and then a step above. that YZ 490 glows with purity. One day if I get the means I will contact these guys to get a solid museum quality piece for my man cave

That sound is beyond awesome.

🇦🇺😎👍Bell moto 111 wow that’s a longtime ago. I had 2... I owned a yellow one when I owned my IT 465J...... Great videos ,great bikes awesome memories and incredible injuries. Lets do it again 👍

I have a 92 wr 500 now 504 cc. Use in Dez in so cal 16-44 gearing. 40mm flat From kx. Never let me down

Absolutely perfect 490!

This is by far my favourite RU-vid channel no ads just bikes and all the best bikes. Would love another bike just not possible atm. Robert all the way from Edinburgh Scotland

I have had an old yz 465 on a 490 frame 89 maybe, 81 motor with 5 speed, it's an absolute beast, been riding it for 20 yrs or so, still can scare the crap out of ya or make you smile with a little twist of the throttle

This video brings back memories...I bought a 1983 YZ490 new in 1984. It was a beast. Only a 4 speed gearbox, but that's all you needed...torque was incredible. One problem that bike had was that the engine would kick back hard sometimes when kick starting and the kickstarter shaft would shear. That happened to me twice...pain in the azz...eventually traded it for a 1985 YZ 250...that was a sweet bike...fun times...thanks for the memories

Love the vintage helmet and clothing as well!

Just got me a 1980 YZ 250 in pretty good shape for a lockdown project. Cleaned it up. Re jetted it. New stickers and seat cover. Touched up the paint on the motor and pipe. It rips. Front end stays up through 3rd lol.

i had an ‘83, in about 86. Had to lean it against walls or trees to crank it, for a while. changed the sprockets to 14/48. it was plenty fun, especially when my pals were on 125-250’s

God bless America I love the smell of vintage 2 stroke in the morning

Far Ken Oath, Mate,Sending Love from Australia,your the luckiest man alive

Man those air cooled open bikes just makes me smile🇺🇸

BEAUTIFUL BIKE, I'm 57 years old and have been married 3 times given away millions. But am very blessed with 2 Son's and a Daughter. The one thing I need is a CR Red Rocket or a YZ or RM 250 or bigger 77-87 bike to ride or Restore and Ride.

Very nice bike, guys! My cousin had a bike identical to this, the same year and all and I had the 1986 Honda XR 600R. We had some pretty good races but I beat him almost every time! I've been paralyzed (quadriplegic) for 20 years now thanks to an accident on an ATC (1985 Honda 200X) and I really love watching the motorcycle videos! Riding my dirt bike is one of the things that I miss most for sure! Thanks for another great video, guys!

Had one just like it and that thing would climb any hill you put in front of it with ease. Man I miss that bike.

That’s such a beautiful bike ... when I was around 6 or 7 years old , I had a 50cc that was the little brother to that bike

Absolutely immaculate like all your bikes. Love to have one shipped over to uk

I don't know why but i love watching Senior rip, It's a ripper :)

What year bike am I test riding oh yeah let me go get my 1983 factory jersey and helmet so I'm period correct for my interview

That is a beautiful rebuild like new.

Whoa, whoa, whoa. You're wearing a helmet? Bad ass retro one too?! Thanks for wearing gear so the youngins' that watch also know it's cool to be a bad ass and safe(er) while doing it. Rock on brotha!

That engine sounds tight too…no pinging or piston slap…hope mine sounds that good when it’s back together!

We use to call those air hammers. That ones jetting sounds perfect. I needed the wizard on my old 2 strokes

Ken Sr. & Jr. , Great bike and great video! It would be very interesting to see how my 83 Maico 490 MX Spider frame off restoration bike would contend for the shootoff title. The 83 Maico is like a freight train on nitro oxide! LOL! Hope to hear from you! Be safe my friends!

I rode a Yam IT490 on trails in New Mexico Mts....damn bike was a firecracker! Better yet---a rocket ship on steroids. Amazing bike.

Will there be more episodes on discovery ? Best RU-vid channel found yous over a year ago and I watch every video nearly uploaded, love from Scotland maybe one day I can come over and visit the museum and see all those real rippers 🤘 god bless America !

Beautiful Big Bore. The year they put the radiator behind the handle bars, which I always liked.

I love those beast! I had an '82 I broke my knee on!

You look great with Yamaha Captain.. I love the helmet..😍😁

One hell of a bike in my opinion had 125 back in the day nothing like that monster but one of the best times in my life riding her that's for the awesome videos and information you give on theses treasure's.be safe brother's long time fan in Rhode island.

Yamaha’s version of the 500, thats awesome

No words to say perfect ....!

Nice bike like the throwback gear really goes good with the 490💯

haha SR. looks at home on the 490

The fenders on that thing r great...

Hope to see you at vintage days if they still have it.

When is the Museum scheduled to re-open?

Love big air-cooled bikes!

Luv your 2 stroke collection

That is one bad ass 490

Dang...awesome....the ole yellow Yamahas.......nothing like the smell of dirt and premix....and the 2 stroke scream.....

Badass bike. Send it ken. 👍👊😎

LARGE PORTIONS 🤘

AWSOME BIKE KEN 👍YOU SHOULD BE BACK RACING, YOUR AWSOME ON THESE BIKES.

kaplan for president

I want them all 🙏🏼

That’s a BAD ASS MFr

Those things were torque monsters back in the day, moreso than my KX500.

The bike that Heike Mikola finished his career on.yes ♡

Mic grabs are almost as good as the hole shots!!!

Love the old school Bell Moto helmet!! I always wanted one but never got it. Are those the old High Point racing boots with the silver shin plate??

That one is a beast the 85 model was a dog and it just wasn't up to my status of a cr 500 that l owned before the Yamaha yz 490 that l had bought later that year..

It was a crime to put those number ones on those plates without black backgrounds. Well they should be easier to get off than the originals! Beautiful 490

Sweet Yamaha. This is definitely a quality investment. I would love to rip it.😀👍🇺🇸

Do you do these test rides when the museum is open cause we’re planning to come up soon and that would be a bonus to see 💪

Anyone remember Doug Domokos??? The Wheelie King!!! Come on Ken, give it a try, wheelie that thing all the way through the streets of Rockville!!

Another great video guys. Keep it up. Best thing on RU-vid.

you guys go to any classic racing events? :)

it would be nice to see all of these old big bores on the dyno to compare the power curves.

I could really use a shifter for my 84 cr500r if you want to part with a used one thats not going to be used 😜✌

Love the helmet Ken!! 🤙🏼

????how much it look priceless to me !!!!@$$%^%

I dont hate but not into yamaha as much as honda. I rode one and it seized from running to lean. The 490 before seized up did pull hard! OH I do love the power the IT175 or 250 had. Strong runners! I did own the IT175 and was an awesome bike so that may be exeption. the 490 I rode and I believe he didnt have it tuned right.

Is the 500 shootout a drag race or a motocross?

That thing is brutal. There would be 💩 rolling out of my pants. I'd need to gain 100 pounds to handle her

4 speed or 5?

4th gear still pull the nose up that hard

The Yamaha 490 the missing link between the Mighty CR 500 and the Iconic KX 500.

I want to see Moses ride the 490 I think he can handle it

Where are you located

Balance that crank within a gram of its life & use a Barsnake, and you wont even know its running untill you hear it. Best money I ever spent. Consider the head mod mandatory, unless you like buying race gas. Question for Ken Sr- for the 500 shootout, what are the limits of what can and can't run? It's not like Im planning on showing up with a TZ750 engine in a YZ490 frame or anything like that..

What does moses actually do ???

AMERICA STRONG!!! STAY FREE!! LONG LIVE THE REPUBLIC! VOTE TRUMP 2020!!!

😂 How does that poor piece of grass ever recover from the thrashings you guys give it with those monsters!

What I don’t get is that the owner would want to sell if he was totally obsessed and money was no object - just saying!😍

One of these is for sale where im from for a good price I want it but im very intimidated 😥

How much 🏋️🤔🇺🇸💪 🏁

Lovet i had befor diss on 495 cc 4 ger soo seek gaier 1 r 2 saim to power ful xx lovet

Third keep it up man

Ken you have 50 years motorcycle experience you could have the greatest RU-vid channel what to look out for on a street bike safety tips what to look out for when you start riding on the dirt how to wash your bike correctly what helmets do you like for street or dirt what's your favorite Winter gear whats your favorite summer gear what to do if your bike wont kick start what are the good mods to make on a bike street or dirt. I can go on and on with your knowledge you can make an unbelievable RU-vid channel

anit on goffers in that grass !

But sory u dident say how mach cost tanku blas martin londres 👏😷stay saife 😝

...who do i pay ???!!!

Sell me a cr500 motor I live in Windsor ct

Friggn pile driver!

The Yamaha shirt it too tight on you. Move one size up

That Is Seeet !! How Much ??