New to Rebels... got a few questions

**darkrein** · 09-03-2010, 11:25 PM

1st I want to say its been a pleasure reading on here.. I love the forum..

I just bought my 1st motorcycle...A REBEL... So far im loving it.. Its a 1999 model, red/black in color. About 12300 miles..

Everyone always asks for info about bike and history and I'll try to give as much as i can... here goes....

As with all things used, you need to go thru it and see whats been neglected by the PO.... So far i have adjusted the valves (was .006 on all 4, now .003 on all 4)...

My next thing was to check/adjust the chain... this is where i run into my questions...I have done a lot of reading and cant exactly find the answers I'm looking for...

The PO said the chain has been maintained well.. he said he oiled it frequently with clain lube from walmart (champion brand)... its looks whitish... the chain is very oily to the touch..definately not ran dry.. I took off the front sprocket cover to inspect it and the cover was caked with old slung off oil...

the slack was about 1.5 inches so i adjusted it down to about .75 of an inch..
Both front and rear sprockets looked perfect..nearly new...

the owners manual says to look at a sticker and replace chain if an arrow passes a point on the sticker.. well if im understanding right.. the little arrow on the carrier inside the swingarm has an arrow.. that arrow is pass the the replace area...but the axle bolt is only like 1/8 of an inch back from the slot.. Its got a long ways to adjust yet... I have checked the chain.. its still tight. has no binding links. when a chain gets a lot of wear it will wiggle back and forth a lot. this chain acts like a new chain..

I'm just concerned.. based on the indicator i need to change it, but now after getting the bike, im out of money.. Is this a real big issue or will i be ok for a while. the arrow is just barely pass the replace line by maybe 1/16th of an inch.. Im going to take some pics to show, but i would like to see a pic of someones elses rebel if possible. Im just wondering if the sticker is in the wrong place... is that possible?...

Now if i replace the chain, is it a MUST that you use the crimper tool to make the chain a continuous chain or is a removable master link ok?.. All my off road bikes/atv has the removable master links.. but while watching videos on YouTube, everyone is using the chain breaker tool to re crimp on a new link..
Is it a safety issue? Im just wanting to know which way to go...

was looking at sledpartsguy on eBay and he has a sprocket set and chain for like 83 or 84 bucks shipped.. There has been a couple people in here mention they have bought the set but no one has said what kind of links the chain comes with.. a crimp on masterlink or a removable masterlink??..

the reason i asked about this crimping is the tool itself from rockymountainatvmc.com is a whopping 89.99... more that the chain and sprockets...

Im sorry about the long post but i like to be thorough.. I also want to apoligize about grammar, spelling, ..., etc etc.. I trying to get this typed out so i can get int he bed... gotta get up real early....

thanks in advance for the help i know you all will provide...

Willie Colwell

**Buickguy** · 09-03-2010, 11:38 PM

Welcome aboard!

With 12,300 on the clock, it is possible that the PO had replaced the chain.
If a longer chain that the original was used, the indicator would no longer be valid. If a sprocket was changed, same thing. A smaller rear sprocket would make the stock chain too long to use the indicator, A larger front would make the cahin too short to use the indicator. The question would be how many teeth does each sprocket have. The standard Rebel chain is 108 links IIRC

You'll have to check the chain the old fashiod way, Try pulling up on a link in the rear sprocket. If it pulls out the chain has worn and needs to be replaced.
With a sealed chain like the o-ring that comes on the Rebel or the newer x-ring chains, the moving parts are sealed to keep lube in longer and keep the wear down. You see, chains dont really "stretch" in the way people would think. The moving joints wear causing the spacing between the rollers to be off. That then starts to wear the sprockets.
The WalMart chain lube didn't hurt anything.

You can always get another one piece chain (no master link) and remove the swingarm to replace the chain without having to break it.
If you do the chain, do the sprockets as well. It is a system and best replaced as a system

**flitecontrol** · 09-04-2010, 12:32 AM

If properly installed, a master link will be fine. I bought my chain tool for around $25 a couple of years ago, so you should be able to find one cheaper. Now, I haven't used mine yet, so I may find it isn't adequate to the task and wish I had invested in a better model. One alternative is to see what a local bike shop (dealers tend to charge more) would charge to do the chain for you.

You can send a message to the guy on ebay and see if it comes with a master link or is continuous. Remember, as Buickguy posted, if you don't have a 14 tooth sprocket up front and 33 on the rear, it's not stock and the standard 108 link chain will be a little long.

If you will post your model and year in your signature, it will show every time you post and we won't have to ask for that info when you have questions. Hint to those who haven't already done so!

**Buickguy** · 09-04-2010, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flitecontrol

If you will post your model and year in your signature, it will show every time you post and we won't have to ask for that info when you have questions. Hint to those who haven't already done so!

Good idea.
Took the hint.

**flitecontrol** · 09-04-2010, 01:23 AM

Thank you, Buickguy, and all the others who do the same!

**darkrein** · 09-04-2010, 06:37 AM

thanks for the replies guys... i write a message, go to bed... get up and like magic i have answers... thanks again....

I did count the pins on the chain and it does have 108... I didnt think to count the sprockets.. but i do know the sprockets are of oem type.. the rear one has the flange thing(prolly wrong term), that covers over the nuts, and the front has that funky looking ring on the front.. they look just like the oems i have seen on bikebandit.. so does that mean they would have to be 14/33...

I hear you buickguy on the walmart chain lube... my favorite is the bel-ray lube.. it says o ring safe... I was reading my manual and it says to use 80/90 weight gear oil on the chain... i figured that would be real messy too...

im heading out the door so ill get more info tomorrow... im going to be gone ALL day today..

thanks again

Willie

**darkrein** · 09-04-2010, 07:14 AM

I went out and checked.. i can pull the chain off the sprocket with a little force.. and then it only pulls maybe a 32nd of an inch... should it not move at all?.. you gotta pull it pretty hard to get it to move at all..

Willie

**flitecontrol** · 09-04-2010, 09:13 AM

DuPont makes a spray dry wax lubricant with Teflon. Lowes carries it and it isn't messy at all.

**Guba** · 09-04-2010, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkrein

I went out and checked.. i can pull the chain off the sprocket with a little force.. and then it only pulls maybe a 32nd of an inch... should it not move at all?.. you gotta pull it pretty hard to get it to move at all..

Willie

If your pulling pretty hard to stretch out the chain and only get a 1/32" more in length, I'd say the chain is good.

The 80's Rebels should have a chain with 108 links.
The '96's and up should have a chain with 106 links.

**darkrein** · 09-04-2010, 12:27 PM

Really. Thought i read they had the 108. If it suppose to be 106 then it would probly be to short for my swinger

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