Rebel CMX250 '86. Is it too old?

russki

Hi Guys!

I'm going to buy '86 Rebel, but my friends are trying to alert me to the age of the bike.
Is it too old? I test drive it (if you can call a spin around the estate a test drive). Handles well, gear box is working well. Nothing suspicious in the sound, look or feel of the bike and the seller is a good guy (intuition).

Here is the photo -> http://markelov.org/rebel.html

What would you say?

madrab

no such thing as too old, especially with honda's, the older the better they are (usually)

do you have much experience with bikes? ie would you be able to do work that would need to be done on it/are you prepared to do it if you have to?

russki

I had a moped when I was ~13-14, then 400cc. But was off bikes for a good while. Planning to take few lessons to refresh my instincts :-).
I don't mind to do what I can on the bike. Was researching Rebels for a while and the reliability/price, all the owners are talking about, is the main factor in the purchase. In fact there are very few Rebels around for sale and that either proves the fact that there are very few in the country (I saw lesser number of them than Viragos) or the fact that they are bulett-proof bikes. I'm leaning towards the latter ;-).

Just need a bit of support (or otherwise) before I make a decision.

madrab

well if the price is cheap then it wouldnt be bad

heres a 94 one
http://www.bikebuyersguide.ie/bike.asp?SubCat=&mkID=m50&modID=953&QuickSearch=Search+Used+Bikes&Make=Honda&Model=REBEL&VTypeID=6

russki

the price is 1275. but I want to bargain a bit ( the battery is dead and the new one will cost me ~50-70 ).
I was looking at '96 over the last weekend - no good. the price was 1300 because the man didn't want to bother with service prior sale (brakes locking, indicators are not working).
I looked up eBay in the Stated and auctions for well kept Rebels '86 end up $1K+. If I import one myself, I have to pay VRT (right?) and that will bring me to the price more or less. Besides, I won't be able to check the imported bike until I get it here :-).

So, my conclusion was, that the price is right. A little bit topped by the seller, but, hey, who sells without a profit :-).

125cc is not an option in my case. I have A not A1 and need a bigger bike to pass the test. Why would I buy a small one and then find a bigger for the test?

madrab

what about this

http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=803&cat=2

russki

this one is most likely was a courier bike :-) and it's even older. although, the price is good.
Rebel is very unlikely choice for a courier. it's like if you go to buy a car (second-hand), you want to choose carefully. A big car could have been a taxi.

Do you recon 1275 is too high a price?

Elfish

I think it is a high price - after all, a ten year newer one is around the same price, albeit you have to sort the brakes and indicators, but a little effort on your part will fix these without much cost (none if you are lucky)

What sort of mileage is on it?

Age doesn't matter much on bikes I think, the overall condition is much more important.

What would concern me is the availability of spares - check out availability of consumables ( brake shoes etc.).

Then go for it, and bargain hard given age!

The Doktor

i got a 37 yo yamaha, starts first (maybe second) kick each time!! dont worry bout age.

russki

Thanks everybody for your answers!
Decision was made and I have the bike now :-).

Rode it from Naas to Swords last night and today to work. Now I'm back to life :-). The bike is great.