Route 487 replaced the South Harrow to Harlesden section of route 187 on 4 December1999. Route 487 was initially operated by London Traveller with low-floor single-deck buses, but due to management problems, Metropolitan Omnibus (which London Traveller later adopted the trading name) was eventually sold out to Thorpes, and in turn Thorpes continued to have problems running the route, so they surrendered routes 487 and 187 as quickly as possible.
Now the two routes are operated by First London with the route 487 stationed at Alperton Garage, initially using the Dennis Dart SLF 10.2m/Plaxton Pointer (DLF) loaned from Thorpes until Marshall Capital (DM) from routes 28, 31 & 328 arrived upon their conversion to double deck.
