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New Rebel Owner - Leave as is or winter project?

2K views 11 replies 8 participants last post by  Bokobob 
#1 ·


Hey there!

I just picked up this 2004 Rebel in a trade after reading tons in this forum for the past couple of weeks.

I always thought Rebels were dorky but for some reason I was smitten with this bike as soon as I saw it. The only thing I don't like is the tank decal.

The bike is super clean with the following exceptions:

1. Side covers - One has a broken tab where it would bolt to the frame. The other is just missing the bolt. The plastic prongs inside are still fine. Seems impossible to find NOS covers in this color. If anyone knows of any, I'd love to buy some.

2. Small dent in one of the headers - It's pretty hard to notice and is behind the crash bars; not a big deal.

3. Scratches on the windshield - easily replaced but not a big deal. They are too low for me to notice while riding.

As soon as I saw the bike I started researching Rebel bobbers and looked at all the Blue Collar stuff. If I do it, that'd be the way since I hate the idea of hacking it apart. My last motorcycle had all sorts of exhaust/jetting/pod changes and never ran right for very long, so I told myself only cosmetic changes this time. But I don't have that kind of fun money right now anyway so it'd have to be piece by piece.

I think I'm leaning toward just putting different bars on it since I'm a bit tall for the stock bars. Maybe some Biltwell Zed bars and big black leather saddlebags, and just enjoy it. I work from home and don't have a ton of free time so this is just for the occasional joy ride in town in nice weather.
 
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#2 ·
Welcome to the forum. Nice bike.

I've repaired broken side cover tabs by approximating the form with tape, filling the mold with epoxy, and drilling the mount hole once the epoxy hardens. Those bolts have a tendency to vibrate loose. I bought a couple of regular bolts the same size and ground the threads down in the appropriate area. Along with some threadlocker, that fixed the missing bolt problem.

Rotating the handlebars forward is sometimes enough to make the Rebel a better fit for taller riders.
 
#3 ·
Welcome to the forum

Ride it and enjoy, as of now what you have invested is all you have invested..
imho bobbed bikes are not any cooler. each to their own tho. many here have bobbed their Rebel.
 
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#4 ·
Yeah I think you're right about enjoying mostly stock (except maybe new bars). I traded a scooter for this and paid $1300 for the scooter last year so I think my investment is about right. Not a steal but I think a good deal for a clean bike that runs really well. Needed choke to run the day I got it, as it had been sitting for several weeks. I added 2 oz of B12 and went on a 10 mile ride. Now it likes a little choke until it's warm then idles nicely.
 
#5 ·
Welcome Vanklomk! I also vote for keeping your Rebel stock. I would strongly advocate for removing those so called "crash bars" though. We just had a lengthy discussion on a thread about the dangers of those additions, complete with verbal and photographic evidence by Shadow Shack (perhaps you read through it already). Do what you want but be safe and enjoy your new ride. Congrats! :)
 
#6 · (Edited)
Welcome and congrats!

I will add my vote to keeping it the way it is. That’s a very sharp looking Rebel. I much prefer how they look in stock form (or, stock with tasteful add-ons like windscreen, rear rack, etc).

Mine is black but if I had bought it new at the dealer red would have been my choice! I really like those red bikes.

(I am not a fan of the tank decal on mine, either.)

Btw, how many miles on the odometer?

.
 
#9 ·
Those look to be the MC brand engine guard. The ends will hit the pavement long before the bike reaches maximum lean angle, which means you could find yourself being thrown off the bike (high side crash) without warning. I had a set of those on a used bike I bought and after they contacted the ground a few times, got rid of them. If you like the look, Jack sells a similar set that won't hit the ground while turning. Chrome Engine Guard
 
#11 ·
Mine looks the same, but mine is a 2016. I like the tank decal. Personally I would loose the windshield, and the highway bars. And maybe lose the sissy bar. But even if you leave it as is, it does look good, and looks like new.

As for jetting, your bike looks stock. I'm doing research right now to determine the optimal jetting for a stock bike. Look for the thread Rebel AFR!

I'm only optimizing the main jet at WOT. I think the bike runs mostly very good and very efficient otherwise. But since we have only 234 cc's, I want to get all I can get out of them (safely and consistently).
 
#12 ·
Of course we all do what is our own preference...Personally, I'd wait awhile before taking off the gas tank insignias. You can always take them off, but once off, it is expensive and difficult to get them back on ...just my opinion...
 
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