Twister

Jerry: When I went to visit my sister to Toronto, ON, Canada, people there are NOT allowed to chat/text with their cell phones. If your DARE to use a cell phone people will get mad at you and an Officer WILL hand you a ticket. You know what my sis does if she really has to answer? She pulls over on a safe spot, returns the call, makes it brief, cuz she is not going anywhere untill done with the call, hangs up and carries on with her driving. I guess common sense isn't that common any more around here. Alot of people don't realize how distracted they are. I wish we had laws like that here...

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Every ride is a joyride on a Rebel

1986 CMX250C "Miss Triplehorn" 17K miles
1984 GL1200A 106K miles

Twister

I guess that will keep me alert. People around Memphis, TN are the worst I've seen in any country/city that I have visited so far...

__________________
Every ride is a joyride on a Rebel

1986 CMX250C "Miss Triplehorn" 17K miles
1984 GL1200A 106K miles

Twister

Thank you sir!

__________________
Every ride is a joyride on a Rebel

1986 CMX250C "Miss Triplehorn" 17K miles
1984 GL1200A 106K miles

JunkyardDog

I would be all for having the same penalties for using a cell phone when driving as we have here for drunk driving. They are severe. Several studies have shown that driving while using a cell phone causes just as many accidents if not more than drunk driving, and look how we have people up in arms about that. Even the alcohol companies agree that drinking and driving is a really dumb idea. Now if only the cell phone companies would adopt the same policy. I personally would rather deal with drunk drivers anytime than someone trying to drive while using a cell phone. Cell phone companies already have the technology to prevent a moving phone from working, I think they should be required by law to use it. Jerry.

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Twister

Yesterday the weather was perfect for riding, so I hop on the bike, and before I knew it, I covered a good 60 miles of on I-55 and I was at Sardis Dam in a matter of minutes.

The ride was a dream. This thing can really haul, it is the first time I put more than 5 freeway miles in a row. I've ridden it a lot around town, but it can really "go" on the freeway.

I've been doing a few mods like HID light (hard to belive the difference at night) but for this trip what I enjoyed was the spitfire shield and the engine guard that double as highway bar (thanks to a piece of skate board tape on them) Turned lots of heads, at highway speeds, I always thought bikers look funny with their legs up high, but now I know how cumfy it can be. Once I got there, lots of bikers asking and admiring this little Rebel. I felt so proud bragging and showing it off....

My MSF instructor said motorcycling is not a cheap sport. He is somehow right, when it comes to accesories, outfits, mods and stuff, but I spend under 5 bucks for gas, round trip (try that on a V and under 4 bucks for a BBQ sandwinch and an apple soda at "The Dam Store", and yes, that's how they answer the phone "Dam".

Overall a very fun ride that started with the exuse of "testing a few mods" I still have a bunch of mods planned, but not enough time or money. I already trimmed my money tree a lot.

I tried uploading nice pictures of the bike at the dam and the site won't let me they are jpegs at around 500 Kb and it says the size is too big, the other pictures I posted before are same size and format (phone pictures) Any comments on how to upload pictures?

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Every ride is a joyride on a Rebel

1986 CMX250C "Miss Triplehorn" 17K miles
1984 GL1200A 106K miles

JunkyardDog

Motorcycling can be a reasonably inexpensive sport, especially on a Rebel. What the MSF instructor was referring to is that many riders spend more than $1000 on riding gear. Some spend over $600 on a helmet alone. The MSF pushes that. IMO, the only thing really necessary is a dot approved full face helmet, which can be bought new for under $100. I have collected a lot of "gear" over the years, most of it just hangs in the closet, other than for really long trips, or the cold weather gear in the winter when going up north.


I paid $1800 For my '04 Rebel, and have quite a bit into it so far, but didn't really keep track of the $$$

So far this is what I've done:


Removed all 4 turn signals
Removed plastic chrome strip on lower triple clamp
Installed a leather tool bag to front forks, it covers the lower triple clamp
Put about $60 worth of tools in the bag, threw away stock tool kit
Removed bar end weights
Replaced stock grips with foam ones
Installed fringe covers on clutch and front brake levers
Replaced mirrors with round ones from a Vulcan 750
Removed that silly guard/shield/whatever it was from the upper motor mount
Replaced tires with Pirelli 404s
Installed MC Enterprises padded sissy bar
Removed complete license plate light/bracket assembly
Relocated license plate to left side of bike, near rear axle
Installed W&M saddlebags (thanks for the info gwright1014)
Removed grab strap from passenger seat
Fabricated brackets to move front pegs 4" forward
Fabricated parts to relocate shifter and rear brake 4" forward
Replaced stock side panels with black steel ones from BCB
Relocated stock horn under tank works great
Removed sidestand safety switch
Removed clutch safety switch
Removed chrome plastic covers from handlebar clamp Allen screws
Relocated all drain hoses, so they are all separate, with no T fittings
Replaced original battery with WestCo sealed MF AGM
Removed front and rear reflectors, replaced with chrome acorn nuts
Installed chrome valve stem caps
Installed a ride bell given to me by my sister (yes, I asked her for it)

My plans still call for removing the stock tail/brake light, and installing one under the rear fender, where the license plate bracket/light were, and removing, sanding the chrome off of, and painting the handlebars black. I think that will just about do it.


Unfortunately riding season is about over here, soon it will be 115+ degrees for about 6-7 months. I couldn't ride in the summer even if I were able to, all my money will be going to pay the $400 a month A/C bill. Jerry.

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Guba

This web site accepts pics up to 1024 Kb. And the max dimensions are 1024X768 pixels. Where the pics over that dimension?

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

'07 Rebel 250 26,000 miles

Twister

They are about half that (close to 500 Kb) I don't know the size, but they are the same size (taken with the same phone) as the ones at the beggining of this thread. So I don't understand why I can't post them.

__________________
Every ride is a joyride on a Rebel

1986 CMX250C "Miss Triplehorn" 17K miles
1984 GL1200A 106K miles

Twister

Jerry:

I hear you on the AC bill. I lived in Chandler, AZ myself for about a year, back in '95 (and many pounds ago) I don't understand why you don't ride during the summer. Back in the days, the company that I worked for, housed me at the Chandler Inn (may not exist any more) It was like travleing in time, they had OLD '60's kitchenette, and stuff, but everything worked. I rode my bicycle along Arizona Avenue all the way to Riggs Rd, I don't recall how many miles it was but it kept me in shape, once I got there, I took a shower, worked all day and went back home on the bicycle; all throuout the summer. Eventhough the company let me used a brand new fully equiped pickup truck. (That I used on the weekends) During the week to go back an forth to work I used the bicycle.(Wearing a styrofoam helmet) Locals of course told me I was crazy and I was going to die of a heat stroke. Never had a problem. As long as you stay hydrated, you'll be OK.

I remember how hot it was. In the shop, shaded, but no AC, if you grabbed a wrench or any tool, you better have gloves on, 'cuz everything was hot to the touch. I forgot one of those cheap lighters in the truck (when I smoked) the thing exploded in multiple tiny pieces of plastic.

Here in the Memphis area we don't get to over 100 that often and for very few days. The problem here is humidity. 99 Farenheit with 99% humidity feels miserable (like being in the sauna all day) compared to the weather in Phoenix where "it's a dry heat"

If I was you I'd get a tank bag http://www.rapid-transit.com/rt/prod...oducts_id=2175 like the one I have and add the hydration pack (10 bucks at your local walmart) I always take mine everywhere I go. Store all my sftuff in there: Gear like gloves, glasses, balaclava, my laptop, tools, it has a special pouch for a phone (a blackberry fits like a glove) space for maps (but I'll probably place a GPS instead of a map) and of course half a gallon of water that stays cool for a while. (probably not that long in tempreatures of 100+) and even comes with a rainfly for itself. It turns into a small backpack in 3-5 seconds. And installs in 2-3 seconds. Great when you don't want to leave stuff on the bike.

Oh and a helmet with removable pads to wash them, 'cuz they'll get stinky.

Here in Memphis we saw a guy ridding his bike at -20 F. I personally draw the line at 30, but I guess the real question is how bad do you want to ride? or What is your comfort level?

__________________
Every ride is a joyride on a Rebel

1986 CMX250C "Miss Triplehorn" 17K miles
1984 GL1200A 106K miles

JunkyardDog

I believe I know where the Chandler Inn is, if it is on the west side of AZ Ave, between Ray Rd and Galveston St. You would be amazed at what Az Ave (also known as state route 87) has become between Chandler and Riggs, the turn off to Sun Lakes. It is basically a freeway. I work at the corner of Germann Road and McQueen road, at the new City of Chandler maintenance yard. It's not that bad in the shop, we have huge evap coolers and blower fans to keep the air moving. Out in the sun, it is a whole different matter though, I have been burned by tools so many times I have scar tissue built up on my hands so thick it doesn't burn so bad anymore. I used to keep a bucket of water to dip tools into to cool them off when having to work on a vehicle outside.


I do ride in the summer, just not nearly as much. I have a Camelback hydration system, and usually ride wearing a MX jersey and super thin gloves to help stay cool (er), and protect myself from sunburn. I've lived here all my life, and pretty much have permanent sunburn, but can still get burned riding very far on a bike. I refuse to ride without a full face helmet, and it gets pretty hot in there. Even if you stay hydrated, there is still the risk of becoming disoriented from the heat, and having an accident. Many people die from the heat here every year. A friend of mine, who used to be in the A/C business is now in a wheelchair, because he passed out from the heat on a roof, and fell off. He is now paralyzed from the waist down.


You would not recognize this area now. It is about three times as big as it was in '95, and hundreds of miles of urban freeways have been built since then. Jerry.

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