2017 Yamaha YZ 450 F In 50th Anniversary Edition Colours
A New Era Yamaha 4 Stroke Motocross Bike With A Classic 2 Stroke Colour Scheme
The original 2017 YZ 450 F was blue and white, with a blue seat and black rims. Luke Connelly, from LBC Motorsports, bought the bike brand new in 2017, sold it after a couple if years, it was stolen in that time and then recovered and made its way back to Luke in 2022. Pretty much everything was seized or damaged so Luke took it upon himself to get it restored and made it look completely different to the original, taking inspiration from the 2025 Yamaha YZ 50th anniversary models with white plastics and neon purple graphics! A load of AS3 Performance hard parts, performance parts and protection parts were used in this YZ 450 F build, which we will detail below.
Clutch Cover
The Clutch Cover is a standout feature on the right side of the engine and our Factory Series clutch covers are CNC machined from 6061 billet aluminium, making them stronger and more durable than OEM clutch covers. They are hard anodised to resist wear on the face of the cover from boots and dirt etc and installation is easy using the original bolts and gasket. A lot of our sponsored motocross and enduro riders use our clutch covers and the one fitted to this bike will fit the 2010-2022 YZ 450 F, as well as the 2016-2023 YZ 450 FX and the 2016-2023 WR 450 F.
Foot Pegs
Our titanium foot pegs have replaced the OEM versions and these offer maximum strength and durability, making them the top choice for serious racers. With a 60mm wide platform, they offer a much larger surface area than OEM pegs, along with 48 teeth for exceptional grip and control. The Y-shaped centre design enhances overall strength, while their combined weight of just 363g delivers a noticeable reduction compared to standard OEM foot pegs. Even though the foot pegs fitted on this YZ 450 F are the best we offer, we have other options available including our Racing Series, Factory Series, Extra Large and stainless steel foot peg versions.
Rear Brake Pedal & Gear Lever
The OEM rear brake and gear lever have been replaced with our Factory Series rear brake and gear lever combo. While we also offer a standard rear brake and gear lever combo, the Factory Series stands apart in both appearance and functionality. Finished in matte black with a grey tip, the levers have a sleek look. Functionally, they are designed to closely replicate the feel and look of the OEM levers, with the rear brake lever featuring a fixed tip and three mounting holes, giving riders the flexibility to adjust the lever position closer or further away to suit their preference.
Rear Brake Clevis
Looking at the picture below, the rear brake clevis really pops out as our blue anodised version was chosen to replace the OEM clevis. This was a really nice option that goes with the blue of the BLU CRU logo, plus the Michelin sticker on the swing arm. All of our rear brake clevis's are CNC machined from billet aluminium and have a stainless steel pin and clip.
Kick Start Lever
The OEM kick start lever has been replaced with our kick start lever. These are forged from premium 7075 aircraft-grade aluminium, delivering exceptional strength and durability. The lever attaches with an Allen key fitting to a hardened steel base, designed to protect the spline from premature wear. For added control when kick-starting, the tip of the lever features forged grooves that provide maximum grip. This particular lever will fit the 2011-2017 Yamaha YZ 450 F and we also offer it in silver for those who want to keep an OEM look to their build.
Silicone Radiator Hoses
Our white silicone radiator hoses have been chosen for this build, with our blue logo popping nicely with the rear brake clevis, Michelin sticker on the swing arm and the Blu Cru logo on the front plastics. The radiator hoses are manufactured from high-quality silicone with a polyester reinforcement for maximum strength and durability. All AS3 Performance hose kits are constructed with a 3-ply design and a 4.5mm wall thickness, ensuring long-lasting performance. Each hose is pressure tested to withstand up to five times the standard working pressure, providing superior reliability even in the toughest conditions. We offer 4 colour options which fit the 2014-2017 YZ 450 F - blue, black, red and white.
Rear Brake Disc Guard
The rear brake disc guard is an extremely popular product and many supported riders from amateurs to pros run these on their race bikes, whether they are motocross riders or enduro riders. The rear brake disc guard fitted here is precision CNC-machined from 6061 billet aluminium, delivering maximum protection for your rear brake disc, while keeping weight to a minimum. Each guard features a robust, heavy-duty plastic shield on the underside to block stones and debris, preventing damage to the disc. Additionally, we now offer hard wearing DTC plastic rear brake disc guard for a range of Yamaha models from the YZ 125 two stroke to the YZ 450 FX four stroke.
Rear Brake Caliper Guard
Our blue anodised rear brake caliper guard has been fitted to the YZ 450 F as a replacement for the standard plastic OEM guard. Manufactured from 6061 billet aluminium, it provides a significantly higher level of protection for the rear brake caliper and the blue colour matches that of the rear brake clevis, making it an additional stand-out feature.
Rear Axle Blocks
A very popular upgrade and featured on many bike builds are our rear axle blocks. For this YZ 450 F, the OEM rear axle blocks have been replaced with our black anodised billet CNC-machined axle blocks. Engineered with precise tolerances for a perfect fit within the swing arm and around the rear wheel spindle, they also feature dual-sided, laser-etched alignment scales on the top and bottom of each block, to guarantee accurate chain adjustment and wheel positioning.
Chain Guide
Our black anodised aluminium chain guide, also available in blue for the 2007-2022 YZ 450 F, is CNC-machined from 6061-T6 aluminium for strength and precision. It features hard-wearing plastic inserts that provide exceptional durability, preventing the guide from bending or buckling, unlike the standard OEM versions. As with all of our chain guides, it is designed to maximise chain protection in all riding conditions. We also offer this chain guide anodised in blue and it will fit a range of Yamaha motocross and enduro models.
Ignition Cover
A popular upgrade for increased protection to the left side of the engine is to replace the OEM ignition cover with our Factory Series ignition cover. They are manufactured from 6061-T6 aluminium using CNC machining to ensure a precise fit. Compared to OEM ignition covers, they offer increased strength and enhanced durability. Each cover is hard anodised to provide improved surface hardness and resistance to abrasion caused by contact with boots and external debris. The ignition cover shown here will fit the 2014-2017 Yamaha YZ 450 F.
Case Saver
Fitting a case saver is important to protect engine casings, if there is a chain failure for example. AS3 Performance case savers are CNC machined from lightweight yet high-strength 6061 aluminium to ensure a precise fit and reliable protection. They also provide a durable barrier against impact damage, reducing the risk of costly engine repairs and giving riders greater confidence in demanding conditions. As well as fitting the 2014-2022 YZ 450 F, this particular case saver will also fit the 2014-2023 YZ 250 F and is available anodised in blue too.
Braided Front & Rear Brake Lines
As with most of our bike builds, the OEM front and rear rubber brake hoses have been replaced with AS3 Performance by Venhill braided brake lines. Standard hoses can deteriorate over time, so we always recommend upgrading them during a rebuild. Our stainless steel braided lines don’t just replace the originals - they improve performance. The construction prevents hose expansion under pressure, giving the brakes a sharper, more responsive feel, especially in race conditions, where higher temperatures put the system under greater stress. Even though we offer brake lines with a blue pvc coating for Yamaha mx models, the black option was used for this build, maintaining a clean look, without overdoing the blue.
Front Brake Line Clamp
Our black anodised aluminium front brake line clamp has replaced the OEM front brake line clamp. AS3 Performance clamps are CNC machined from 6061 billet aluminium to ensure a precise fit around the brake line. In the photo below, the black finish looks clean against the brake line. For a more eye-catching look, we have blue and red anodised options is available.
Front Brake & Rear Brake Master Cylinder Covers
The internal components of the front and rear brake master cylinders were replaced using our front and rear brake master cylinder repair kits. To complete the restoration, our black anodised front and rear brake reservoir covers, CNC-machined from billet aluminium, have been fitted. These subtle black details tie in perfectly with the other black anodised parts and match the brake lines nicely. Small anodised upgrades like the master cylinder covers are a cost-effective way to add both style and durability to any bike. We have them also available anodised in blue and red for most Yamaha motocross models.
More Upgrades For The YZ 450 F
In addition to the AS3 Performance parts mentioned above, this bike is fitted with a range of other aftermarket upgrades, including an HGS exhaust system, SM Pro wheels and rims, Moto-Master front and rear brake discs with matching pads, as well as a Moto-Master rear sprocket. While exhaust systems and wheels are not products we currently supply at AS3 Performance, we do offer an extensive selection of brake discs, pads and rear sprockets for a wide variety of motocross and enduro bikes! We have a large range of parts for the Yamaha YZ 450 F which can all be found on our website's dedicated YZ 450 F parts page. If you’re looking for a specific part that you can’t find, or have any questions about our products, don’t hesitate to get in touch - send us a DM on social media or drop the team an email. We'll wrap this feature up with two more photos of Luke's 2017 YZ 450 F.
