05/19/2026
For some reason last week, I decided my stock YZ490 would look a lot better as a 1983 Glover Replica YZ/OW490.
A quick call to Tom at DC Plastics and a set of translucent side panels, number plates, and fork guards (still not installed) were on the way.
Then it was time to fire up the design program and create some 1983 tank graphics, β490β side panel decals, and Moto-X swingarm stickers to complete the old-school factory look. I also sandblasted the clutch cover, and an β87 YZ250 kickstarter helped tie everything together perfectly.
The extra-tall seat I built actually works really well with the overall look, and at some point this year Iβm planning to pull the pipe, strip it down, and have it coated to give it more of that factory OW bike finish from back in the day.
Itβs coming together pretty damn good for a garage-built vintage MX project.