1983 Yamaha IT490

[nutschell88]

Hey guys, I just bought an 83 IT 490 a few weeks ago. It runs pretty good but the brakes and suspension need some work. The front forks leak oil (new fork seals were recently installed) which is what I think is causing the front brake to be really weak. Also, it has an exhaust leak where the headpipe mounts up to the engine and it backfires sometimes when your trying to start it and also when you shut it off after ther motor is warmed up. I've only had it for about a week so I havent really gotten to work on it much yet. Tommorrow I'm going to fill the front forks back up with oil (and air) and see what happens. I've orderd a new head gasket for it and I'm going to take the head off and clean all the carbon off of the head, piston and headpipe. It still has the stock head pipe and a really old DG silencer on it, hopefully when I get the other issues nailed down I'll get a new DG Pipe and a new silencer. I'm sort of new to 2 strokes so any help or advice would be appreciated. Thanks a lot and sorry for the long post.

[Paulie B]

Great bike. It should be unstopable in the woods. Post some pix of that beast!

[nutschell88]

Thanks man, I hope to get some pics up soon. I rode her for awhile today, it was a good time for sure.

[blaster 22]

you should be able to up grade to 85 or later front forks and a front disk brake if you want to,anything is possible.The yz490s have been known to bust cases by the kick starter when they "kick back" upon starting,be careful

[nutschell88]

Yes, I'm deffinately interested in upgrading to the newer forks and a front disc. My stock forks are leaking so I'm just going to keep adding fork oil until I can get some new ones. Do you know of anywhere were I can find more info on this? I've heard about the case problems, I've been trying to be careful when starting the bike. I'll have to keep my fingers crossed.

[blaster 22]

leaking forks are probably just seals,im sure there is wear on you bushingsa as well considering its age.look around the web for "vintage yamaha sites".

[nutschell88]

Hey you wouldnt know of anywhere were I can find more info on the YZ front end upgrade would you? I seem to be having a hard time find info on modding this bike. Thanks.

[nutschell88]

Oh by the way, I was wondering if you guys know how much my IT is worth? I paid 600 for it and I was just wondering what you think its worth. It needs some things fixed but its deffinately rideable and fires right up.

[Paulie B]

I can't help you specifically but I can give you a few links that might have parts you need. Motor wise the IT490 is almost identical to the YZ490 so keep that in mind.

http://yzworks.tripod.com/id69.htm
www.BikeBandit.com
http://shop.wemoto.com

[nutschell88]

Thanks for those links Paulie. It seems like there is some good info there. My front forks are already really low on oil and the new seals are leaking again, I know im not overfilling the forks. (At least im filling them to the specs the clymer manual tells me to). Also my front brake doesnt hardly do anything, but I think this is because of all the oil getting on it from the forks.