~Ideas for replacing my side panel? ~

Alan · **Joined:** Aug 29, 2009

Last night, I was riding home and heard something blow/bump one time next to me on the highway. Sounded like my wind flipped up a crushed soda can or something. I thought nothing of it and continued home.
There I discovered that my port side panel is now missing! This morning I got in the car, drove back to where I heard that bumping noise, and looked all over for my panel. It's gone. Somebody else must have seen it shining in the night, stopped, and picked it up. Now what?
- Already checked on craigslist, but nobody has posted any 'found' or Rebel parts.
- Made my own craigslist ad, even offering a $5 reward for the panel.
- Looked on bikebandit.com and those panels go for $58.85 + shipping! (part #706372)
- Couldn't order a panel from them anyway, since they say it's "Unavailable to ship"

Anybody got a spare panel lying around? Any ideas?

luv2005 · **Posted:** Tue Oct 30, 2012 5:26 pm

Search for "Honda Rebel 250" on Ebay. I see lots of used parts posted there.

JerryH · **Posted:** Mon Nov 05, 2012 2:41 am

If it fell off on the road it was likely run over by a couple hundred cars. What year Rebel? If it is a '96 or newer, new sidecovers are available. If bikebandit doesn't have it, try cheapcycleparts.com If it is an '85-'87, eBay will be your only option, and if you are lucky enough to find one, prepare to pay a fortune for it.

Shadow Shack · **Posted:** Mon Nov 05, 2012 6:45 pm

When you get a replacement, make sure you secure it with the bolt this time around. Rubber grommets aren't enough.

Alan · **Joined:** Aug 29, 2009

Shadow Shack wrote:

When you get a replacement, make sure you secure it with the bolt this time around.

It WAS bolted on; it managed to stay on since 1986. I guess the bolt just happened to vibrate loose that day. Dang.

Note to self: When I finally do find another chrome panel, invest in a lock washer.

Alan · **Joined:** Aug 29, 2009

JerryH wrote:

If it is a '96 or newer, new sidecovers are available. If it is an '85-'87, eBay will be your only option.

Jerry,
I didn't know Honda changed that sidecover. I assumed that cosmetic piece of chrome was the same year after year. Thanks for the update. (Mine's a 1986. Sigh.)

Apparently nobody in south Texas has ever wrecked a motorcycle. None of the salvage yards here have any motorcycles and there aren't any wrecked-motorcycle yards anywhere. I may go to a motorcycle yard in Oklahoma City next month when I'm there for Christmas anyway. I don't think Santa delivers second-hand gifts.

JerryH · **Posted:** Mon Nov 05, 2012 11:59 pm

So it was an original Rebel. Yep, when the Rebel came back in '96, it had a lot of changes. One was a change from those nice looking chrome metal side covers and battery box to generic looking plastic side covers. Good luck finding a side cover, they do turn up from time to time, usually priced around $200. Left side panels for 1200 Goldwings are also super expensive, also in the $200 range. And they don't have any bolts. Rubber grommets are all that hold them on. I attached tethers to mine.

Shadow Shack · **Posted:** Tue Nov 06, 2012 3:52 am

Yeah you'll have to exercise some patience in finding an 85-87 cover.

If push comes to shove, you can get the plastic airbox piece (the filter access part) and swap it in to accept a 96+ side cover.

jsonder · **Posted:** Tue Nov 06, 2012 9:21 am

http://www.rebel250.com/rebelforum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=28887

Shadow Shack · **Posted:** Tue Nov 06, 2012 3:44 pm

jsonder wrote:

http://www.rebel250.com/rebelforum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=28887

Guy hasn't answered a single request since he posted that. Not much of a sign for being a motivated seller...

Duke · **Posted:** Tue Nov 06, 2012 6:17 pm

Eh.

This is as good a time as any to do something... _interesting_ with that bit of real estate. Find something you like the looks of and bend it to fit. Problem solved.

JerryH · **Posted:** Tue Nov 06, 2012 11:51 pm

I had the BCB steel side covers on my '04. The were black powder coated, but could be chromed. Not sure they fit the early Rebels or not.

Shadow Shack · **Posted:** Wed Nov 07, 2012 4:29 am

The BCB covers will fit, but you need to get the 96+ airbox access piece for them to work.

whammo77 · **Posted:** Tue Nov 13, 2012 1:50 pm

Alan wrote:

JerryH wrote:

If it is a '96 or newer, new sidecovers are available. If it is an '85-'87, eBay will be your only option.

Jerry,
I didn't know Honda changed that sidecover. I assumed that cosmetic piece of chrome was the same year after year. Thanks for the update. (Mine's a 1986. Sigh.)

Apparently nobody in south Texas has ever wrecked a motorcycle. None of the salvage yards here have any motorcycles and there aren't any wrecked-motorcycle yards anywhere. I may go to a motorcycle yard in Oklahoma City next month when I'm there for Christmas anyway. I don't think Santa delivers second-hand gifts.

Nothin up here to be had.... I have talked to all of the local cycle salvages... no Rebel stuff.

Leaf · **Posted:** Tue Nov 13, 2012 9:58 pm

Maybe you can cut a piece of sheet metal and bend to fit, then attach it to the frame with circular clamps of some sort.

~Ideas for replacing my side panel? ~

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