txsizzler

Oh... and as far as introductions go, I rode when I was a kid.. on a small 50cc bike (when I was 8-10 years old). I didn't ride at all anymore until just recently (REAL recently.. as in May of this year!).

I currently have only 2 bikes:

2000 Honda Elite 80
2006 Honda Rebel 250

I probably won't own anything else for awhile.. but, I am keeping my eye out for a good deal on a used Honda Shadow. As you can see, I really like Hondas!

Oh, and I have 2 vehicles:

1998 Dodge Grand Caravan (my wife-kiddos hauler)
2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue GL

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"Life is like a bath... the longer you stay in it, the more wrinkled you get!" -Garfield

My bikes as of 11/2007:
2006 Honda Rebel 250 (Pearl White Edition)
2002 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Mean Streak
2000 Honda Elite 80

Update:
Sold the 2000 Honda Elite 80 Scooter when I bought the Vulcan

rebelrider_68

Hello everybody.

I ran across an '86 Rebel on the roadside yesterday and stopped to ask about it. The bike looks rough and needs work, but it runs and I got it for $500.00. I'm hoping to get it restored to its original state and enjoy riding it. Since I've never really worked on a motorcycle before, this should be a challenge, but one I think I can handle.

I just thought I'd say hello and let everyone know I'm here.

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MadRat

Running? 500 bucks? I don't think you went wrong. I'd like to find a deal like that. Whatever problems it has, there's lots of friendly, smart people here just lookin' for an opportunity to help. Is it a 250 or 450?

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1987 Black 450 Rebel (named "MadRat")

jsonder

Yup, kick back and dump questions here as you bring the bike up to snuff (or is that up to speed?)

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John
Nekid bikes feel faster

GearJammer

Welcome rebelrider_68........Echoing MadRat's sentiments.....$500 for a running bike is an EXCELLENT score! Congrats!

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"Ridin' Ain't A Hobby, It's A Lifestyle"

1986 450 Rebel

rebelrider_68

Thanks for the replys and welcoming comments, everyone. The bike is a 250. I would have liked to found a 450 for that price, but I still couldn't pass it up. I found a 450 back last spring, but the guy wanted close to $5,000 for it so I passed that one up. I figure by the time I get done with this bike, I'll probably have $1,200 or so in it, maybe a little more, but I can't wait to get it done.

I'll be posting pictures and blogging the progress on it soon and I'll link to it so everybody that's interested can see the bike and my progress on it as I get her back to her original glory. I love the look and feel of these bikes. I learned to ride on a Rebel 250 back when I took the state-sponsored riding course many years ago and always wanted one.

My first purchase will be a shop manual of some type so I can get it apart and back together again. If anyone has any suggestions there, feel free to PM me.

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GearJammer

Looking forward to your on-going progress with the Reb. Before & after pics are always cool to have for one's own scrapbook as well.......

As far as manuals, Clymer's offers a pretty decent one & they can always be found on eBay or probably at your local indie shop. An even better manual would be the actual Honda OEM Service Manual........this one would be a bit pricey, but would have essentially all the info that the dealer Techs have. I found an OEM Manual for the 450 on eBay (used, $25, worth every penny).......

There's also a website if I recall correctly that will reprint manuals per request.....Helm, Inc. ? www.helminc.com ?

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"Ridin' Ain't A Hobby, It's A Lifestyle"

1986 450 Rebel

NAC

This i smy first bike. My husband has had several and after quizzing me on my style preference, turned me towards the Rebel, and especially the 450. I love the look and as he explains it, will love the 450 as its enough to get out of trouble if someone's trying to change lanes into you! Unfortunately the bike shown in my profile is in my folks garage in Washington for now as we purchased it off craigslist and I can't take the MRS class until the spring! So we're here in Alaska and I'm bikeless until then. he has a Honda NT 650 that he's working on to get it ready for spring - another craigslist purchase. Thank the bike gods that be for Alaska Marine Lines to get them up here!

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GearJammer

Welcome aboard, NAC & congrats on your 450 Rebel score!

You've got the advantage of having your husband's advice & experience to draw from, which is cool. From what I can see in the pic, your Reb looks to be in very good condition & she should serve you well......

Normally, I tend to recommend something in the 250cc class as a starter bike, but others have successfully learned on larger bikes. (My 1st bike was a 750cc Triumph triple, which I managed to put thru a fence the first week, LMAO!) Please don't let that deter you........the 750 Triumph had amazing power & the bike got away from me. The 450 Reb certainly has respectable power & can do as your husband told you & you should easily be able to manage the Reb without the worry of overkill torque at the rear wheel trying to ruin your day

The MSF Course is a wise decision also.........Two points worth mentioning to please keep in mind:

It's preferable & safer as long as you can flatfoot the bike for more balance control while stopped.
I found the 450 Reb to feel a bit "top heavy" when jockeying the bike around while standing next to it. For my own preference, I put 250 Rebel shocks on it, which effectively lowered it for better flatfooting & jockeying cooperation (not that you have to do that, it was simply my own choice is all)

Enjoy & Ride Safe.......

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"Ridin' Ain't A Hobby, It's A Lifestyle"

1986 450 Rebel

NAC

That's something I'm trying to spend the winter doing - researching how the cmx250 and cmx450 parts can be interchangeable. I like your idea. I'm 5'1", maybe another 1/2 inch if I stretch, but I should be able to sit flat footed on it - I stopped by Honda here and sat on a Shadow which I believe has the same seat height.

I scout eBay for parts and accessories but don't know what of the 250 will fit the 450?? Also looking for a good resource for saddlebags - preferably nylon or something waterproof, and locking.

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