DanielM

I just picked up an '85 Rebel 250 and was wondering if the newer ones have any more power than the older ones?

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Buickguy

No more power but there are differences.

Classic Rebels ('85-'87)

Buckhorn handlebars
Chrome sidecovers
Parking light setting on keyswitch
High beam indicator in speedo head
Rubber foot on sidestand
Chrome cover on carb throttle link.

Second Generation Rebels:
Plastic sidecovers
High beam indicator on bracket below speedo
Starter cutout switch on sidestand

Second gen Rebels also have a reshaped valve cove and engine sidecovers, purely cosmetic. a different battery was used. The front turn signals relocated from handbar risers (Classic) to upper fork tubes (second gen).

I'm sure there are differences I am missing but engine internals, gearing and geometry all remain.

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1987 CMX250C Rebel

2002 FSC600 SilverWing

1983 Yamaha Midnight Virago XV920MK

Put your bike's year and size in your signature.
It helps others help you.

Buickguy

Welcome aboard by the way.

__________________

1987 CMX250C Rebel

2002 FSC600 SilverWing

1983 Yamaha Midnight Virago XV920MK

Put your bike's year and size in your signature.
It helps others help you.

cagie

another difference that many people miss is the deeper fins on the classics. makes the engine look a little larger, but just offers a little more cooling area. This was compensated for on the contemporaries with valve cover fins.

Other cosmetic differences:
Classics
Front Brake on right
Mechanical Speedo drive
reflectors on the front fork sliders
front turn signals on handlebar risers

Contemporary
Front Brake Left
Electonic Speedo drive
reflectors on front down tube
front turn signals moved to fork

There is no difference in power. All are rated 234cc and 18hp@ 8200RPM

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Comments contained in my posts are not intended to cause physical or psychological stress and are mearly my two cents worth, and in this economy, that's cheap!
87 CMX250C 'the Pygmy Pony'
87 CMX450C 'Black Lithium'

Guba

I just want to point out that the brakes cagie is refering to are the calipers themselves.

Also, the contemporaries don't have any electronic speedo's! Still mechanical.

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Some days beer tastes good...other days beer tastes better!

'07 Rebel 250 26,000 miles

cagie

my bad on the speedo sensor... I had an 04 harness that had an gizmo that looked like it would be an electronic sensor... Now I think it's the side stand switch...
100_0373.JPG

when I said brake on left side, one would assume the rotor and caliper

__________________
Comments contained in my posts are not intended to cause physical or psychological stress and are mearly my two cents worth, and in this economy, that's cheap!
87 CMX250C 'the Pygmy Pony'
87 CMX450C 'Black Lithium'

DanielM

Thanks a lot guys! So I know there's no real reason to look for a newer gen engine swap. It's a really need bobber style bike and I'm excited to start tinkering with it. I'd like to find some throatier exhaust for it pretty soon. Is Jardine and MAC pretty much the only exhaust manufacturers for them?

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cagie

If you want full replacements.

The other option, if you still have the stock head pipes, is to buy a clamp on mufflers from someplace like JCWhitney and reducers. I used a set of 30" fishtails from them that I really liked on the stock pipes cut just behind the stock muffler. (still pictures in my albums...)

__________________
Comments contained in my posts are not intended to cause physical or psychological stress and are mearly my two cents worth, and in this economy, that's cheap!
87 CMX250C 'the Pygmy Pony'
87 CMX450C 'Black Lithium'