Yamaha IT 490 (1977-78)

Posted on by

The Yamaha IT 490 motorcycle was produced in 1977-78 and had a two-stroke, single cylinder, read valve engine with a capacity of 396cc. The bore and stroke were 85mm x 70mm with a compression ratio of 7.6:1. The bike had a VM38SS Mikuni carburetor and CDI ignition, with a kick-start. It could produce a maximum power of 40hp/29.8kW at 7000 rpm and maximum torque of 30.9 lb-ft/41.8Nm at 6000 rpm. The motorcycle had a 5-speed transmission and chain final drive. The front suspension consisted of 43mm telescopic adjustable forks with 300mm/11.8in of front wheel travel. The rear suspension had a mono-shock with adjustable spring preload and rebound damping with 300mm/11.8in of rear wheel travel. The brakes were drum on both the front and rear wheels. The front tyre size was 3.00-21 and the rear tyre was 150/80-18. The rake was 31.5 degrees with a trail of 142mm/5.5in, a wheelbase of 1430mm/56.2in, and a ground clearance of 240mm/9.4in. Its dry weight was 115kg/253.5lbs, and it had a fuel capacity of 13.6 litres/3.4 US gal.

Technical specifications:

Make Model: Yamaha IT 400

Year: 1977 – 78


Engine: Two stroke, single cylinder, read valve
Capacity: 396 cc / 24.1 cu-in
Bore x Stroke: 85 x 70 mm
Cooling System: Air cooled
Compression Ratio: 7.6:1
Induction: VM38SS Mikuni carburetor
Ignition: CDI
Starting: Kick
Max Power: 40 hp / 29.8 kW @ 7000 rpm
Max Torque: 30.9 lb-ft / 41.8 Nm @ 6000 rpm
Transmission: 5 Speed
Final Drive: Chain
Front Suspension: 43mm Telescopic adjustable forks
Front Wheel Travel: 300 mm / 11.8 in
Rear Suspension: Mono shock, adjustable spring preload and rebound damping

Rear Wheel Travel: 300 mm / 11.8 in
Front Brakes: Drum
Rear Brakes: Drum
Front Tyre: 3.00 -21
Rear Tyre: 150/80 -18
Rake: 31.5 degrees
Trail: 142 mm / 5.5 in
Wheelbase: 1430 mm / 56.2 in
Ground Clearance: 240 mm / 9.4 in
Dry Weight: 115 kg / 253.5 lbs
Fuel Capacity: 13.6 Litres / 3.4 US gal

Related models: