Ride Safe Out There...

[GearJammer]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda-Rebel-Rebel-450-Clear-Title-9K-Miles_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ50007QQitemZ46003 74262QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Not sure if the copy & paste is going to work or not & if linking to eBay isn't cool, CTC, I'll remove the link (if it even works, LOL!)

On a serious note, there's a current auction of a 450 Rebel on eBay. The photos in the auction speak for themselves. This one doesn't look good & I hope that the rider made it thru O.K.

Please stay 110% alert out there.

[cTc]

It would be my guess there is enough frame out there that it wouldnt be worth trying to rebuild, and I'd bet that the flange studs didnt fare so well either. if the bike went cheap enough, there are some good salvageables left though.

Just hate to aee a 450 like that, there are already to few.

Later

[GearJammer]

Agreed....on all counts, CTC.

That bike took quite a hit & the structural integrity of the frame could be very dicey. When looking at the damage to the bike, it really makes me hope that the rider fared much better than the bike did.

As unpleasant as these photos can be, it's a sobering reminder of just how fragile Life can be & reinforces the need to keep our senses as sharp as possible out there.

My personal rule of thumb is to not "obsess" on the possible disasters that we might find ourselves facing on 2 wheels, but to keep it quietly (tho' clearly) in the back of one's mind, respecting the need to ride defensively & trying our best to stay within the limits of our own riding abilities.

[Chopper Rick]

"My personal rule of thumb is to not "obsess" on the possible disasters that we might find ourselves facing on 2 wheels, but to keep it quietly (tho' clearly) in the back of one's mind, respecting the need to ride defensively & trying our best to stay within the limits of our own riding abilities."

Well said Gearjammer.

[Chopper Rick]

Here's a honda 450 on ebay that appears to be ready to hit the streets.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda-Rebel-1986-Honda-Rebel-450-Anniversary-Edition_W0QQitemZ4600072200QQcategoryZ50007QQssPag eNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[GearJammer]

Yep...that Rebel is tempting as I could literally drive to it & save shipping, but it'll probably go for at least $2500.

"Ladies & gentemen...place your bets!" LOL!

[Chopper Rick]

Yep...that Rebel is tempting as I could literally drive to it & save shipping, but it'll probably go for at least $2500.

"Ladies & gentemen...place your bets!" LOL!

Yep, that's the going rate for one those babys. It's nice to know they still hold there value.

[GearJammer]

It'll be interesting to keep watching the prices. I usually check eBay regularly just to window shop & it seems like the stock ones in nice shape are going at around that $2500 mark. Modifieds seem to go for $1000-$1700.

Parts accessability is only going to get worse as time goes on & that may be reflected in the prices that people will be willing to pay.

Sometimes that's a double-edged sword. Limited replacement parts can turn prospective buyers away or because of the limited 2 yr. production run, an immaculate 450 could pull big bucks from a collector...he just might not want to ride it for fear of breaking something that he couldn't replace, LMAO!

[Chopper Rick]

Your absolutely correct there when it comes to trying to find parts for the 450 it's getting hard & hard. I've been trying to find the rear chrome struts for that bike & all i across are the struts for the honda 250 & unforunately they won't fit the 450. I have seen them brand new but i refuse to pay what there asking for them, & for me i like the idea of building a bike inexpensively.

[GearJammer]

The gas tanks are just about invisible or beyond repair & had noticed that even places like Bike Bandit have already discontinued some other parts for them. Wouldn't be a bad idea at all to try to buy 'n stash a parts bike for future cannibalizing.

Totally agree with the low-budget building philosophy, Chopper Rick. You can fab some parts to completely eiminate the need to rely on replacement parts that won't be there at whatever point.

On the rear fender struts, would it be cheaper to buy used ones & have them re-chromed or even just black them out ?

A riding Bro of mine was buying a wood stove from this retired couple & saw a pristine 450 Rebel (along with a clean Harley) & neither of these bikes are being ridden. He asked if they were for sale. Answer: Not yet.

Does anyone know the price of the '86/'87 450's when brand new ? Or the 250's '85/'86/'87 ? Just wondering how the average current price of $2500 for the 450's compares.

[Chopper Rick]

"On the rear fender struts, would it be cheaper to buy used ones & have them re-chromed or even just black them out ? "

Gearjammer, it would be cheaper to buy them used if you can find them. Everytime i've looked all i come across are struts for a 250. I may just have to fab some up myself.

[GearJammer]

It might actually be cooler to fab your own anyways, Chopper Rick. You'd have a one-off set that no one else has.

Some flat plate stock cut to the needed length, holes drilled where needed & spacers welded behind the struts to run the mounting hardware thru. You could even shape the top & bottom edges of the flat plate with a design pattern of your own. Might look pretty trick!

[Snorebaby]

I was kinda bored and running through some of the topics I haven't read yet and come across this question from GJ "Does anyone know the price of the '86/'87 450's when brand new ? Or the 250's '85/'86/'87 ? Just wondering how the average current price of $2500 for the 450's compares?"

Since I bought my '86 450 (off the showroom floor with 1.3 miles on it) in March of '87 I paid $2100. So they hold there value. I guess with only a 2yr run on 450's that they are more collector material and likely to hold there value when not heavily modified (if you are willing to part with it).

As for myself, it is my first bought bike (had others through the years in the family) and I probably will never get rid of it. I guess I just LOVE it too much, or maybe a pack rat. I will probably hand it down to my daughter. She loves it too and can't wait for me to get it running :). She just turned 15 and while we were at the DMV getting her car learner's permit, I made a comment to my wife about the Motorcycle handbook. Told her that I guess it would be the next thing to do when our daughter has her regular license. That look I got could stop a herd of elephant's :lol: . She don't know that I am planning on buying a used 250 next year for her to learn on. I think the 450 is a little heavy for her to begin on. She is only 5'4" and the 250 would suit her better. Plus, I really don't want her dropping the 450. It is not pretty to see a grown man cry!! :cry:

[GearJammer]

Interesting post, Snorey...

Thanx for that info on the new 450 prices from back then. Going by that, they sure are holding their value quite well & in some cases pulling in even more than original price.

That's VERY cool that you're going to turn your daughter onto riding! Can also understand your wife's concerns. I turned my son onto riding & have to admit, the thought of him getting hurt (or worse) comes to mind now & again. My OL also rides after being influenced by my "corrupting her morals", LOL! & I think about her well-being also. But Life is for living & one has to live it! The feeling of being in the wind far outweighs the risks for me personally. Hell, if I couldn't ride anymore, ain't sure what I'd do. Not the type to take up knitting! LOL!

Good forethought on your part about starting her out on the 250, Brother. These 450's sure seem to be top-heavy. Not a problem once in motion, but pretty dicey at stops "sometimes". Have dropped this 450 twice: Once trucking it home as it wasn't registered yet & the tie-downs came loose! The 2nd time was rolling it into the shop & it fell away from me & I had to let her drop....*ouch* (Thankfully no damage done)

[Snorebaby]

I have thought of the concerns also and they scare me. But it is something I think she will love to do. She has ridden jetski's and 4wheelers with friends the past 2 yrs and even has her Jetski permit (boater safety permit for anyone under 16 without a valid drivers license) and does well with them. She is not a "thrill seeker", more of a cruiser like her ol' Dad 8). Even though she will play on a jetski or 4wheeler, she is cautious (if that makes sense). So I think she will be a great biker. Something she can do on the weekends to enjoy. Time will tell when I start riding her on the back of the 450 this summer if it is something she wants to do. If it is, then next summer we will take a MSC together.

The wife used to passenger until she was learning to ride her brothers 450 (his was black) and she dropped it in a slow speed turn/braking situation. No harm to her or the bike, but from then on she didn't want to ride. She won't even get on a jetski. She is only 5'2'" and I think it was just too big for her to learn on. That is one reason I want to start my daughter on a 250.

[GearJammer]

It sounds like your daughter has the right balance in attitude. There's a time for fun without being reckless & a time when safety should be the priority.

When I started riding there was no such thing as an MSC course even being offerred. We all had to learn on our own. Have seen many people suggest larger bikes as starter bikes & it makes me cringe. My very 1st bike & the one I learned to ride on was a 750cc Triumph triple (one very FAST bike in it's day). Thankfully, I survived long enough to even take the m/c license riding test! LOL! (And I had had some close calls out there trying to learn the riding skills)

This may sound hypocritical, but even tho' I learned on the 750cc, I'd STILL recommend nothing larger than a 250cc as a starter bike, but that's just me.

[Chopper Rick]

I was kinda bored and running through some of the topics I haven't read yet and come across this question from GJ "Does anyone know the price of the '86/'87 450's when brand new ? Or the 250's '85/'86/'87 ? Just wondering how the average current price of $2500 for the 450's compares?"

Since I bought my '86 450 (off the showroom floor with 1.3 miles on it) in March of '87 I paid $2100. So they hold there value. I guess with only a 2yr run on 450's that they are more collector material and likely to hold there value when not heavily modified (if you are willing to part with it).

As for myself, it is my first bought bike (had others through the years in the family) and I probably will never get rid of it. I guess I just LOVE it too much, or maybe a pack rat. I will probably hand it down to my daughter. She loves it too and can't wait for me to get it running :). She just turned 15 and while we were at the DMV getting her car learner's permit, I made a comment to my wife about the Motorcycle handbook. Told her that I guess it would be the next thing to do when our daughter has her regular license. That look I got could stop a herd of elephant's :lol: . She don't know that I am planning on buying a used 250 next year for her to learn on. I think the 450 is a little heavy for her to begin on. She is only 5'4" and the 250 would suit her better. Plus, I really don't want her dropping the 450. It is not pretty to see a grown man cry!! :cry:

I'm the 3rd owner of my 87 450 & when i purchased it came with the original paperwork from the first owner. The first owner purchased the bike in May of 87 at a Honda Dealer in Escondido, Ca for $2198.00.

[cTc]

And the cool thing is a 450 in decent shape will bring that smae price today.

[GearJammer]

Absolutely agree. Some of 'em are even pulling up to $2500. Not too shabby at all & the clean ones are worth it.

[Snorebaby]

I would take more than that for me to sell mine....just can't seem to give it up!!!

[GearJammer]

That's the spirit! Even with the current frustration of trying to dial in the carbs, once you've gotten 'em nailed down, it'll all be worth it. Hang in there, Brother!

[Snorebaby]

That's my biggest obstacle right now....after that it's just gravy!!! The rest of it is cosmetic upgrades. Found a nice tank bib/pocket for it. It's at www.timberwolfleather.com

He is located in Jasper, GA. Northern part of the state. I looked it up on mapquest and he is about a 2 1/2 to 3hr ride for me. Might have to make that trip when the weather warms up! Make a day trip out of it :wink:. Told the wife about it and she said "why go when he can ship it?" You can probably guess my reply..........LOL!!

[GearJammer]

Just checked it out & they do some very impressive leather work. Excellent!

Snorey wrote: "Make a day trip out of it . Told the wife about it and she said "why go when he can ship it?" You can probably guess my reply..........LOL!! "......hehehe....yep, can probably guess close enough. As they say "It's not the destination, it's the RIDE!" :D

[Snorebaby]

YEP!! You guessed it!

[GearJammer]

hehehe.........it's all good :D

Have saddlebags on the Reb, so oftentimes will plan rides around running minor errands, but for the most part it's really a matter of just wanting to be in the wind & riding. The rest is stuff to do during the course of the ride...hey, if nothing else, we all have to stop for lunch, right ? Just tell the OL that you're taking her out for a nice dinner & with the price of gas, it's more cost effective to use the Rebel, LMAO!

[Snorebaby]

Too bad the OL won't ride with me! Guess I will have to get a buddy or two that work the same shift schedule that I work to ride with me......heck, even a solo ride wouldn't be too bad. I would be going through some old stomping grounds for me on the way. Could stop in and see my cousin and some old friends :) . Sounds like a plan!!!

[GearJammer]

Absolutely! Being out there with Brothers or flying solo, either way it's always an adventure. Dang! Now ya got me looking forward to springtime even more, LOL! Was going to hit the shop today, but when I opened the door to leave the OL's the cold smacked me back to reality & we ended up running errands via 4 wheels instead.

Sounds like you've got an excellent road trip ahead of you once you've got the Rebel sorted out. Excellent!