Comeback...

**Twister** · 02-21-2010, 03:00 AM

I haven't riden in 18 years(since I was 1

, so I'm returning, re-learning and of course re-enjoying. I bought an '86 Rebel 250 with 8K on the clock, for 900 bucks a couple of weeks ago. Weather wasn't any good for the last two weeks, so I've done a few things:
Change Oil
Change Plugs
Wash it (it was FILTHY!)
Replaced the chain (way too streched rusted and o rings missing/poping out) had an endless which made me think it was still the factory one.
Serviced the carburator (with a 50/50 mix of sea foam and gas + brush)
Replaced the gasoline with fresh premium and added sea foam.
Added air to tires (they were both @14 lbs/in2)
Charged the battery
etc. etc.

So it's finally road worthy (almost) since the tires need balancing or the fork needs oil, since I can feel this up and down motion/vibration between 45 and 55 mph on the front.

The ride!!!!!:
I realize I have forgotten so many things. At the Beggining was a little bit scary. First I only took it for a run around the block (2nd and 3rd gear and no more than 35 mph) Came back home to drink a bottle of water. I guess that's when I started to realize that this thing is just as addictive as a drug or something. So I took it for a ride on the back roads, (hwy 301 and 302) not going over 55mph. Of course part of the ride included going to my insurance place where they gave the good: 4 bucks a month to add it to the fleet

the bad: They cannot add it until I show up with a motorcycle endorsement on my Driver's License

so monday I'm calling the DMV, and I'll probably go friday for the test (weather and boss allowing)

I rode it home and went to Northern Tool in my bug (should have taken the Jeep) to order a motorcycle hitch carrier, since they told me at the insurance place not to show up riding the motocycle at the DMV, 'cuz they'll give me a ticket for riding without motorcycle endorsement (Welcome to Mississippi). I checked on the web, and then call the store (25 miles away) and they told me I would have to order it (as in pay for it at the store) and pick it up in a week or two. Turns out the part number that I had was for just the ramp at 70 bucks and the carrier was something like 270 bucks!!!

which scared the poop out of my budget. So off I went to Harbor Freight, got their aluminum version, rated at 400 pounds they had thier last one in stock but the couldn't find the box, it took them so long to find the box (30 mins) that they gave me a 20% discount

so I ended up paying close to 100 bucks for this one that does include the ramp I don't know how strong it is, but I'm fixing to find out in the next few days. I know, I know, Harbor Freight does NOT carry high quality stuff, but a couple of things made me decide on it. First of all, last week I got a motorcycle jack at Sears Craftsman brand and it turns out the thing is NOT proudly made in the US, but China. After the discount it was the same price as Harbor Freight's. Has the Craftsman name and warranty, but realisticly it's a chinese jack. The second reason I got the "cheap" carrier is that I won't be using it very often. And the third reason is that I'm cheap!!!

So there I was with a large box and a tiny car, so I folded down the seat, reclined the passenger seat forward and it fit!!!, took it home, and was planning on putting it together, but when I got home, I couldn't resist, so I took the Rebel for a night ride!!!

Went on 301 on the way to Tunica for a little while, back to 302 all the way to a Honda dealer (Desoto) and back home. 20 something miles during the day and 40 something miles after the sun went away for a total of 60.4 miles (not bad for my first day comeback), on my way home it was almost 9:00 p.m. and it was getting cold fast!! Dang! At night I actually got a little bit more involved in traffic/ stop lights, surrounded by a lot more cagers. And of course I had a close call, since a lady with a sedan (cell phone "strapped" to hand and right ear, of course) couldn't look to her right and she just jumped to my lane without even a turn signal blink or anything, despite my horn and hi beam flashing. I'm sure she would have done a little different if I was operating a 6000 pound vehicle instead of 300 pounds. And in that case I would have hit the gas instead of the brake. I'm going to call Jack and upgrade my light, add steroids to my horn, and stuff, but the best thing I can do I guess, is to stay alert and assume I'm invisible. Didn't go over 60 mph, and I'll probably won't for I while since I'll need to build my confidence for a while before entering the madness of our interestates.

I feel like it's Christmas all over again!!!

**flitecontrol** · 02-21-2010, 09:08 AM

Welcome to the forum. Sounds like you got a good deal on the bike. You're in NW Mississippi, correct?

Even if you've taken it before, with the long vacation from riding, I would suggest taking the MSF basic riders course. Lots of info there that will help keep you safe. As you've already learned, the roads haven't gotten any better for bikers since you quit riding.

**jax** · 02-21-2010, 10:42 AM

Welcome back to riding. Like flitecontrol said it's best to take the MSC in your area. It helps to get things back in the riding mode where all the cages out there don't even know you are around.
Good luck with the bike, sounds like a good buy. Be sure and check the tires for cracks on the sidewalls. If it has been sitting the tires may have rotted to the point they aren't safe to go anywhere on.

ride safe

JunkyardDog · 02-21-2010, 11:15 AM

Sounds like you've had quite an adventure already. Welcome to the forum, and welcome back to riding.

I also recommend the MSF course. Not only do you learn a lot, but in AZ, if you pass, you don't have to take any more tests, they give you a paper to take to the DMV to get your endorsement.

As you have already found out, the roads are a LOT more dangerous than they were 30 years ago. There is a lot more traffic, and most "drivers" are now cell phone users who pay more attention to their cell phone than they do trying to drive. IMO, there are very few people out there operating motor vehicles that actually deserve to be called drivers.

As for Harbor Freight, I am a professional auto mechanic, and I buy stuff from them all the time. I won't buy hand tools or expensive power tools from them, but I buy a lot of other things. I have an engine crane that I bought from them that is now several years old, has been used several times, and still works fine. Ditto with a 4" electric die grinder, and several other things. I won't buy Chinese Junk (Chunk) wrenches and screwdrivers, because they are never the right size, and are made of soft metal, or whatever that stuff is. They always fit to loose, and will damage your fasteners. But for what you got, Harbor Freight is fine.

Almost everything is made in China these days, I'm surprised that the Rebel isn't. It says made in Japan, but it could very well be made out of Chinese parts, though I doubt it, otherwise it would fall apart right away. The Chinese simply do not know how to make vehicles. Jerry.

**Soul Searcher** · 02-21-2010, 02:00 PM

Greetings Twister,

Welcome to the Forum. Congratulations on you Rebel ride. Nice looking Rebel.

Enjoy your return to the wonderful world of two wheeling. Same hazards exist's, just more of them.

Welcome Aboard, Fellow Rebel Rider.

**rebelCAFE** · 02-21-2010, 10:32 PM

hey twister, i bet you bought that bike from a guy who was selling it in the arkansas democrat gazette didnt you? i saw the add myself. i live in arkansas also. i would have bought it if i didnt already have one already. if you do live in arkansas, we need to get together for a ride sometime.

**Twister** · 02-22-2010, 12:39 AM

First of all, a big thanks to everyone, I'll follow your advise and take the class for my own safety, and the people around me.

Jax: One of the first things I checked was the tires and brakes. Tires are OK they have like 60% life left on them with no signs of dryness nor a single crack. In the brake reservoir the fluid had turn to a yelloish powder. Brushed it bleeded the leftover fliud in the line while replacing it with fresh brake fluid. It's way more important to be able to stop the bike than to make it go fast. I learn that when I was 12 working on my first bike, but that's a long story.

Jerry: I agree there's a lot of people that shouldn't hold a driver's license. On the other hand I also have a bunch of stuff from Harbor Freight, some are junk and some are probably going to outlive me. I can't afford fancy brand name tools any more. Here's the HF gizmo thing mounted on the tail of the Jeep, takes some time and skills to load and unload the bike, it doesn't block the mirrors significantly, but it does block the tail lights, so I'm thinking of adding a set of lights (a cheap one of course).

Flitecontrol/Rebelcafe: I'm in Horn Lake, MS. I got the bike from a couple of young ladies in Jonesboro, from an ad I saw im Craigslist. I was just checking it out, but brought a friend's trailer that I borrowed for the weekend in case it was a decent deal. I was also looking at a 450 for 1500 bucks in West Memphis, that was already sold when I call. What part of Arkansas are you in Rebelcafe? I'll be more than happy to get together for a ride, just give me some time to take my class, while I build up confidence and my skills come back. BTW I totally dig the sissy bar / back rest / oversized rack on your blue rebel that's what I'm aiming at in the future. Where did you get hose from? and did you pay an arm or a leg for them? How good did they fit? How good do you fit infront of the backrest?

Great weekend great weather, lots of riders on the streets. I hope all of you had a fun and safe weekend.

Thanks again!

**igjosh** · 02-22-2010, 08:15 AM

Welcome to the forums.

**flitecontrol** · 02-22-2010, 09:04 AM

Regarding tires, here is some info that you may already know. There is a date code on every tire. Tires made before the year 2000 have a three digit code. Those made in this century have a four digit code. The first two numbers are the week of the year it was made, and the last one or two are the year. When I bought my 1989 Vulcan, the tires were in great shape; no cracks or checking whatsoever. The bike had always been kept indoors by the previous owners. The tires were the same brand the manufacturer installed when new. I rode about 300 miles on them before I learned about the date code and checked them. It was a three digit code, and the tires were either made in late 1988, or 1998! Which meant they were either 10 or 20 years old!

I decided to replace them as several sources indicated tires that age could fail without warning.

**Twister** · 02-22-2010, 09:26 PM

Thanks Flite, I remember reading that on somewhere in the forum, I'll check those rubbers tonight.