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Rebel Chains No Longer Being Supplied By Honda

2K views 13 replies 7 participants last post by  DeeG 
#1 · (Edited)
I needed to replace my 2000 Honda chain. Not a big issue, but I learned the hard way to stay with OEM chain. On the pricey side , but they last a long time. Imagine my surprise when the local dealer told me "Honda doesn't supply that chain any more." I even asked them for a parts look up for the 2015 Reb, still no part. WHAT!!! Honda already not making parts for all those Rebels that are out there? That's the way things seem to be going these days, even with my Nissan truck I can't find any parts for already.

On the plus side, I did find an RK chain that was the exact match. But it was now an X-ring chain AND it was cheaper to buy than the Honda Reb chain. But it couldn't all be golden, the chain was too long. Also, it wasn't a clip type master link, it was a rivet. So I had to buy a chain riveter. Wasn't looking for that...

Just putting it out there, I think Honda has abandoned the old Rebs. Parts might start to get scarce...:eek2:
 
#2 ·
FWIW I have always bought a name brand chain and cut it to length on any chain drive bike I have had. A chain breaker /riveter is an essential tool for installing one of these. its possible to shorten a chain without one, but you really need a proper riveter to install a riveted link properly.
 
#3 ·
I'm like Duckster, but what's confusing to me is I can always find longer chains than I need for less than the exact length needed. :nonono::eek2:
 
#5 ·
I think the dealer was 'pulling your chain' to use a bad pun. Honda part number 40540-KPM-305, the OEM chain is readily available online. Probably wanted to make more profit selling you something they had in stock.
 
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#6 ·
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#9 ·
I usually buy D.I.D chain, and they do make sets for the Rebel. But I can always find longer lengths for other bikes, for less $$. Go figure. I guess it depends on the retailer.
 
#10 ·
I didn't look online, I wanted to be able to return it without postage if it was the wrong chain. And maybe it's only my local shop going through these issues, but it was about $20 cheaper to buy than the OEM chain. The DID chain I bought in the past was absolutely awful! Needed tensioning every 2 weeks and only lasted for 8K miles. Ever since, I've been hooked on RK.
 
#11 ·
Hmm. I got over 20,000 on my first D.I.D. chain. I reversed the rear wheel spacers on the second, causing it to be misaligned, chewing up the chain and sprockets. Have around 6,000 on the third chain, and have only adjusted it one time.
 
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#12 ·
The Rebel uses a common chain which should be available forever. On my '99 Rebel, I used a non O ring chain with a clip type master link so I could take it off to clean and lube it. It lasted over 10,000 miles. Rivet type chains are something I don't do. A chain that comes apart can kill you. I have replaced a couple of those on other bikes. Fortunately there is a roadrace track nearby, where they have track days every couple of weeks, and there is a race mechanic there. I had him replace and rivet the chains.

Since the Rebel was last made in 2016, parts from the dealer should be available at least until 2026, and online for considerably longer. It is current Japanese practice to support their products for 10 years.
 
#13 ·
Riveting a master link with the proper tool is very easy to do. The key things are to compress the side plates evenly and then smoothly mushroom the hollow heads of the pins without expanding them too much, resulting in cracking. A cracked pin is ruined and the link should be replaced.
Clip type master links work fine on lower powered bikes, but they are less secure than a riveted link. When I bought my 96 Ducati the masterlink clip was missing. I got another one on immediately, and then replaced the chain with a riveted Regina chain.
 
#14 ·
DID chains on the Rebels, the BMW's, the other Honda's, Suzuki's. Basically, anything in the stable with a chain either has DID on it, or will when its time to be replaced.
 
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