vladamiraaron

The Rebel is an honest, no-frills motorcycle. Carbureted, proven engine, just adequate controls/brakes, inexpensive, little maintenance, large parts cache, re-buildable... but damn that rear wheel size.

The only dual-sport tire I know of is the Kingstone 130/90-15. It's a Chinese make and is standard on a number of Chinese dual-sport 250's that are popular with the dual-sport touring crowd who have the time and money to ride through China. I do not know how to get ahold of it and haven't had any luck trying.

I run out river roads, fire roads, dirt, gravel and other surfaces besides plain ol' street. Bikes like these have always been do-what-ever bikes. Granted it’s a little more raked than I would like but people have been slapping dual-sport/semi-knobby tires on bikes like these forever and running them where ever they like. I've seen Sportsters and the like used as scramblers with little more than a tire change. And the geometry is similar. Also, although a little more neutral geometry, witness the Triumph modern classics, REnfields, Ural etc.

That said, has anyone:

Ever raised the suspension a bit (if so how)? Found a dual-sport or knobby for the rear end? Found a larger rear wheel that drops in with little to no modification? Little longer fork?

I want a little more clearance and the ability to throw on a dedicated dual-sport wheel-set. Used wheels are super cheap and a wheel change takes little time.

Thanks for listening!

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borders

The idea is intriguing. Can't offer any help on tires anymore, just a few stories. Kind of like Ole Blevins in the Austin Lounge Lizard's song.

I had an old Ironhead Sporty that was set up for off-road. If I recall, more dirt oriented tires and wheels were available because of their flat, dirt-track use.

I also had a CB 175, a CB 350, and a CM 400. The last one was pretty much a larger Rebel.

You are correct; these were do-everything, all purpose bikes. Certainly not enough ground clearance or the suspension for anything serious but plenty good enough for old fire roads and the like. I would load that old 360 up with camping gear, going for the old "Bronson" look - and I would take off for a week or so at a time, camping off the road all the way. I would find a suitably, private spot and ride the bike right in. Usually found along gravel roads. I spent most of one summer doing this. Really the whole lifestyle thing. Every third day or so I would haul hay or work on a construction site as a laborer. Earn money for gas @ 32.9 cents a gallon and enough for some canned chili or hash for a couple of meals.

Of course, I was only 18 years old.....makes a difference.

Borders

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Fridgitator

I have done very little off-roading on my Reb. When I do. I take it slow. The suspension doesn't feel stiff enough for that sort of duty to me, and I'm not sure the frame is up to it either. I took one camping trip last summer, and I plan to take a longer one later this year. I miss the days when you could pull off a road anywhere and camp.

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'09 Rebel 250

Loud ties save lives.

Guba

The county south of me has plenty of gravel roads. The bike seemed okay doing around 30-35 mph on them, but I actually wished there wasn't any gravel becouse I thought the bike would do better on a dirt trail.

There's a couple of places that sell longer forks for the Reb. Unfortunately I don't have the link for them anymore. I thought Jack's Rebel Warehouse was one of them.

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

'07 Rebel 250 26,000 miles

cagie

Forking by Frank is one. The other that I am aware of is Ontario Pete who makes 2" - 8" extensions.

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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'

kjohnson

That would be great. I have a little camping hammock that folds into a bag that I can just hang on two trees.
That would be great for long trips and make them a lot cheaper too. haha

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Kyle Johnson
"So, I'm new at this. Feel free to correct me. "
In my Garage (er... Parking Spot):
1986 Honda Rebel CMX250 *SOLD*
2004 Honda Shadow VLX 600

flitecontrol

When planning your trip, you can google state parks, National Forests, and private campgrounds along the route and see if and where they allow camping.

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I'm keepin' all the left over parts. I'm gonna use 'em to build another bike!

2001 Rebel 250, 1989 Vulcan 750
Putting your bike info in your signature helps others help you!

vladamiraaron

Haha, I will not be using the spiked fork extensions by Ontario Pete off-road! These give me ideas though.

I could find someone local to machine a couple of 2" extensions for the front and probably an extension/bracket for the rear so that I wouldn't have to buy longer shocks. I bet I could find a set of shocks at a salavage yard a few inches longer that would mount up.

A couple of inches front and rear would give a good deal more ground clearance. I'll fab a skid plate out of aluminum sheeting and then in the future I won't have to worry so much during creek crossings.

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cagie

Yeah, I could see spikes being a problem LOL.

If you do have some made and the machinist is willing to produce more, let us know what the cost and turn around time would be.

__________________
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'

Fridgitator

I still have a "tube tent". It's a plastic tube and a string. You put the string through the tube, and tie the ends off to a couple trees or whatever. It forms a pup tent of sorts to keep two people dry in the rain, and packs smaller than a sleeping bag. Back in the day, I hitchhiked around the country, and I camped just about anywhere I found a flat place without crossing a fence. Things have changed some in the last twenty some years.

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'09 Rebel 250

Loud ties save lives.