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?

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

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.

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"Obsolete doesn't mean it isn't any good, it just means it isn't made anymore"
"New vehicles move the body,old vehicles move the soul"
"If you understand, no explanation is necessary. If you don't, no explanation is possible"

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

_________________
"Ride Safe, Chop Safer"
Dismantling, sawzalling, and rattle canning does not make a bobber. That's called an "ANCHOR".

http://shadow-shack.20m.com

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.

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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.

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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.

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"Obsolete doesn't mean it isn't any good, it just means it isn't made anymore"
"New vehicles move the body,old vehicles move the soul"
"If you understand, no explanation is necessary. If you don't, no explanation is possible"

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.

_________________
"Ride Safe, Chop Safer"
Dismantling, sawzalling, and rattle canning does not make a bobber. That's called an "ANCHOR".

http://shadow-shack.20m.com

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John, 2014 CB500XA (Daily Rider), 2009 CRF230L (L'il Red Piglet), 1989 NX250 - sold, 2001 Rebel - sold

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

_________________
"Ride Safe, Chop Safer"
Dismantling, sawzalling, and rattle canning does not make a bobber. That's called an "ANCHOR".

http://shadow-shack.20m.com

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.

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Duke
"Skills must be Learned"
------ Herb Christian

"Ask your doctor if medical advice from a television commercial is right for _you_."

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.

_________________
"Obsolete doesn't mean it isn't any good, it just means it isn't made anymore"
"New vehicles move the body,old vehicles move the soul"
"If you understand, no explanation is necessary. If you don't, no explanation is possible"

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

_________________
"Ride Safe, Chop Safer"
Dismantling, sawzalling, and rattle canning does not make a bobber. That's called an "ANCHOR".

http://shadow-shack.20m.com

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

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Toys:
1979 Yamaha XT 500
1980 Yamaha GT 80
1983 Yamaha Exciter 250
1986 Honda Rebel 250
(8) 1979 - 1984 Honda FL250 Odysseys

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.

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Lee
1980 Honda Hawk 400 + 1990 Velorex 562 Sidecar
1980 CB900C + 1981 CB900C + 1998 Ural Deco Sidecar (Project)
1995 Kawasaki Vulcan 500
2005 Honda Rebel 250