new to the rebel

**silver rebel** · 07-15-2010, 10:53 PM

Hey guys I found an 86 rebel 250 in a guys old shed so I bought it. I've got it running but when I give it gas it stalls then picks up then stalls again. It blows out a little black smoke here and there. Any ideas? new to the honda rebel. Completely cleaned the carb and jets twice. New air filter as well.

JunkyardDog · 07-16-2010, 12:04 AM

First of all, welcome aboard. Second, it sure sounds like the carb to me. Black smoke and stalling is a sure sign of a way too rich mixture. Could be the float level is set to high, the needle valve is leaking, or it could be a problem with the choke, or "enrichener". These things are more trouble prone than an old fashioned choke, because if a cable breaks, instead of being off, in the normal riding position, they are all the way on. It's on the left side of the carb. You can trace the handlebar mounted cable to it.

Also make sure the plugs are firing correctly, and are not fouled. Bad plugs will sometimes not burn all the air/fuel mixture in the combustion chamber. Jerry.

**flitecontrol** · 07-16-2010, 12:04 AM

Welcome to the forum. Was there old gas in the tank, and how did you deal with it?

Did you look inside the tank with a light and mirror to see if there is any rust? If there is, you may need to clean the tank.

If you haven't already installed an in-line fuel filter between the petcock and carb, I would suggest you do so sooner rather than later.

How did you clean the carbs, ultrasonically, spray carb cleaner, disassemble and soak, and were the jets and other orifices blown out with compressed air? It still sounds like a dirty carb problem.

Try adding about 5-6 ounces of Sea Foam (available at auto parts stores and WalMart) to a tank of fresh gas and ride it hard, reving the engine and then letting off the throttle 6-10 times during the ride. Repeat with another tank with Sea Foam and let us know how it's doing.

I'm about 150 miles from you. If you want to bring it by one day, we could look at it. Just let me know.

Soul Searcher · 07-16-2010, 02:00 PM

Greetings silver rebel,

Welcome Aboard. Great find on the Rebel. Now comes the second Half of the Fun of Owning a Rebel. Learning how to restore a sick Rebel to it's Original State of Performance.

**winston.dempsey** · 07-16-2010, 03:31 PM

i am also new. i dont have my rebel quite yet. i was wondering if it would be a good fit for me. i am six foot three (six five in boots) and only a hundred and fourty seven pounds, should i get a rebel?

**flitecontrol** · 07-16-2010, 04:08 PM

Welcome, Winston. You might find the Rebel cramped quarters unless the seat is modified to allow you to sit higher and farther back, or you get some forward controls. I believe the commercial controls are no longer made. Used ones show up now and then, but still aren't cheap. Several members here have fabricated their own controls, but you need knowledge and skill to make do it safely.

Here is a thread that addresses the issue: raising the seat for a tall rider

Hope this helps.

**ladybamalama** · 07-16-2010, 05:24 PM

new female rider here, just bought a used '02 Rebel and planning to get her cleaned up and puttering around the neighborhood this weekend!

**flitecontrol** · 07-16-2010, 05:28 PM

If you have any questions, just ask. If your bike sat for a while, new gas and a thorough carb cleaning are in order. If it runs, but not well, you might get by with adding about 1/3 can of Sea Foam to a fresh tank of gas and seeing if that will clean the gunk out!

**silver rebel** · 07-16-2010, 08:35 PM

Thanks guys I cleaned the jets with compressed air and I let the carb soak. I scrapped the old tank and bought a new one even though the other didn't have gas in it still had a few dings. It does have an inline filter as well going to break the carb back down tonight will keep ya'll posted.

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