1982 Yamaha IT465

What was your intended objective when you started the build?

Bring the bike back to “as new” condition. Wasn’t sure if I was going to put it in storage or ride it.

What motivated you to start your project?

When I bought the bike, I was just looking for a dirt bike to rebuild. The guy I bought the bike from told me it was a YZ490 See the picture of the bike in yellow. That’s what I started with). After some research, it turned out the frame was a IT465 (1982). I owned an IT175 back when I was a kid and loved the bike, so off I went. This bike was only made for two years, so that made it quite unique.

What was the most unique and creative thing you did to the bike?

I utilized a 1985 YZ490 front end because I wanted a front disc brake. Also, I painted the cylinder yellow which I thought was unique. I tried to stay as stock as I could. When I bought the bike, the engine was a 1985 YZ490 with a YZ465 cylinder. The piston was shot and the cylinder needed either a bore or a sleeve. The crank bearing was shot as well.

What are you most proud of?

The way the bike turned out. It’s absolutely beautiful.

What do other people say about your motorcycle?

The best comment I’ve received is, “it didn’t look that good brand new.”

4 Comments

Phil Davis says:

July 18, 2020 at 2:57 pm

Looking good!

Reply
Dave Lee says:

July 20, 2020 at 9:12 am

Great job!!

Reply
jose sevillano valer says:

October 22, 2020 at 7:59 pm

tengo una it 465 pero me falta la tapa de plástico del lado izquierdo y el sistema de freno delantero o como lo puedo cambiar a sistema de disco la moto arranca funciona pero me faltan los discos para el embrague para que tenga mas fuerza.
si me pueden ayudar a conseguir los accesorios que me faltan escribo desde Perú,

Reply
- Dave says:
  
  October 23, 2020 at 9:07 am
  
  Jose,
  You can get the plastics from DC Plastics here in the states. You should be able to get a stock front hub off of Ebay. Good luck and send pics!
  
  Reply

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Submitted by: David M

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Specifics

Make, Model & Year: Yamaha IT465 1982

Fondly known as: Super Bee

Time spent: 240

Motorcycle cost: 400

Money spent: 2500

Engine: Stock 1982 Yamaha IT465. Found it on Ebay. It runs and shifts perfectly.

Intake: Brand new stock 36mm Mikuni (from Dennis Kirk). Stock jetting.

Exhaust: The muffler is kind of an unknown. It’s close to a stock pipe, but not exaclty. I welded an extension to it as it was too short to meet up with the silencer.

Transmission: Stock 5 speed. Brand new front and rear sprockets and chain.

Frame: Stock frame. The rear tail piece was missing, so I bent and welded tubing to form the missing section. The entire frame has been sanded and painted with high temperature gloss black. There was a cracked frame section under the motor. I welded a section of reinforcement.

Suspension: Fully rebuilt front forks, triple clamp bearings, swing arm bearings and bushings. Stock rear shock.

Wheels, tires and brakes: Dubya front and rear rims with stainless spokes. Stock hubs. All new bearings and seals in the hubs. Front is a 3.00 x 21 and the rear is 5.10 x 18. Rear brakes: drum. Front: disc.

Finish – Paint: Rattle can high temperature black on the frame, engine, and muffler. High temperature yellow on the cylinder. Aluminum paint on the aluminum portions of the bike.

Accessories: Polisport headlight and aftermarket tail light. Renthal bars and grips. New kill and light switches. Factory shifter and kick starter (did not come with the engine) found on Ebay.