Motorcyle Blog

Chain adjusted. There was just a little more slack than I would have liked in the chain. It's great not having to adjust my chain all the time. I also changed my oil. I've got two cheap parts that I need to order. My lens on the front of the rebel for the high beam indicator became unglued and is lost somewhere. A few weeks prior to that, my high beam indicator bulb decided to go out. Which, that in itself is not that big of a deal, you can just look at the switch to figure out if you are low/high beam. I didn't get to ride around much to heat my chain up, but it needs lubricated. My air compressor died on me as well so I need to buy another one. It's really annoying not being able to adjust your tire pressure in the comfort of one's own garage. Blah to gas stations and charging 75 cents for AIR! That's right up there with buying bottled water. What a scam.

My front tire was replaced with a Pirelli Rt 66 tire (3.0x18"). I got the tire online at tiresunlimited.com. I also replaced the chain and sprockets all together for putting the tire on, new chain, and the front and rear sprockets it cost me $105.00 in labor.

At 13,000 miles I had performed more maintainence on the bike. I replaced my worn out brake pads and bled my brake fluid. I've got nice clear brake fluid now and my bike stops a lot quicker now than when I had my worn out pads. They squeek now though, but hopefully they'll adjust and be noiseless soon.

I noticed while doing my chain adjustment that I am pretty much at the point where I won't be able to adjust my chain much more. When I acquired my bike, it didn't have the little labels on the swing-arm detailing when the replacement would be needed so I haven't kept my eye on it. So, I ordered 2 OEM sprockets (front/rear) (on bikebandit.com for about $70 total) as well as a DID 520V, 108 LINK O-Ring chain. For about $75 or so on eBay.

I received the chain earlier in the week. I am still awaiting sprockets. I don't have the necessary tools to break my chain off, so I'll probably take it to my favorite mechanic and have him snap it off and do my chain/sprockets.

I also have very little tread left on the front OEM tire, Dunlop if I'm not mistaken. 13,300 miles on the bike right now. So, I called up the Honda Stealer (Edit: who put it on backorder and didn't tell me. So I got my tire at tiresunlimited.com) and ordered a front tire, Pirelli, Route 66 tire for my rebel. It too, came out to be like 70 bucks. So, we're talking 210 bucks give or take in parts being done to my bike to make it all spiffy and road safe. I'm feeling good about it. So all that will be done at once by the mechanic as I don't feel adequate enough to mess with a tire. I'll pay money for peace of mind.

Chain tightened, bike cleaned, tire pressure adjusted, and oil changed.

My front forks have been repaired finally after a full month of waiting. It really was a month, I only wish I was exaggerating my previous statement. So, I will soon be back on the road with all the other motorcyclists I've been seeing lately. Whee!