New Rebel 450 owner from Northern Cali

**Chinbeard** · 03-09-2010, 07:01 PM

Hey all. New to the forum. I just picked up an '86 Rebel 450 for fifty bucks as a project bike to build a bobber. Should be fun if I can find time between my sailboat project and my Bronco project, as well as my son's skin and frame canoe project...and work and real life too. I hope to pick everyone's brains here as this is my first bike build.

**flitecontrol** · 03-09-2010, 08:08 PM

Welcome. Sounds like you've got a lot of projects! Like to help you out by takin' that old 450 off your hands, but then I'd have too many projects too!

Several 450 owners here, so if you have any questions, someone should chime in before too long.

**Twister** · 03-09-2010, 08:18 PM

Welcome!

Sounds like an excellent buy. What kind of shape is it in?

**jax** · 03-09-2010, 09:53 PM

Hi there, quite the buy!!!! I haven't ever got one for that price. I have had 5 or 6 450's.
The cheapest I have gotten one for is $400.00. I have taken most of the ones I have had apart and cleaned them up and sold them, other than the two in my shop. (see my pictures under my photos) There are a great bunch of people here that can help you with what you have in mind for the 450.
How far are you from Atascadero Ca. 93422?

Sounds like a fun project.

Ride safe

**fred** · 03-09-2010, 10:19 PM

Welcome Pics?

**Guba** · 03-09-2010, 11:56 PM

Welcome, sounds like you have some cool projects going!

**igjosh** · 03-10-2010, 09:10 AM

Welcome and good luck with your build.

JunkyardDog · 03-10-2010, 11:27 AM

Welcome, best of luck with it. It's hard to imagine that you got much for $50, so be aware that Rebel 450 parts are very rare and hard to find. Even though you plan to build a bobber, you may need several mechanical parts to get it going. Very few parts are available new, and the ones that are are priced out of reach. The local cycle salvage place (Bob's), the largest in the southwestern U.S., has absolutely zilch as far as 450 Rebel parts go, but they have plenty of 250 stuff. Jerry

**jax** · 03-10-2010, 03:12 PM

Seeing as how the 450's are getting hard to find and new parts are almost gone. A lot of people are finding that the bikes are worth more for parts and pieces. There are a lot of 450 used parts on ebay. You just have to be sure and check the sellers feedback and email them to make sure the parts work. I just got a 450 gas tank for $86.00 with shipping. It needs some work to get the dents out and repaint, then it's worth about $175.00.
You just have to be careful when you bid on 450 parts. Some of the sellers are asking for the moon on there parts but I have found if you check for the parts you need and are not in too big a hurry you can find what you need at a fair price.
Good luck with all your projects

Ride safe

JunkyardDog · 03-11-2010, 02:46 PM

I figure a mint 450 tank with original paint and no rust inside would be worth $400-$500 easily. If you have a 450 with a mint tank, think this over before building a bobber and doing a rattle can paint job on the tank. If you have a lot of 450 parts in near mint condition, you can probably get enough money out of them to buy a decent 250, AND build a bobber out of it. While the 450 may not be a true classic, they are rare and highly sought after, and a completely stock one in excellent condition will only appreciate in value. Even 250s, '96 and up, are being listed for some pretty high prices on Craigslist, much higher than other 250 cruisers. I think I got a better than average deal on my '04, but I looked and looked. Jerry.