Replacing Chain and Front & Rear Sprockets (and Chain Adjuster) 2004 Rebel CMX250C | The Fixit Shed

Continuing work on the 2004 Honda Rebel. Checking out the old chain. I tried cleaning it up, but the o-ring were breaking and coming loose. The chain was pretty loose around the sprockets as well. A sign the chain is worn out. In this video, i replace the chain and both sprockets. Also the chain adjuster on the left side has been damaged, so I replaced that as well. I get the chain and sprocket set on ebay.
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TOOLS
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CARB STUFF
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[@Tonyv1951]

Just a little tip for readers... I have the standard bike version of this machine, the CB250 Nighthawk. When you are using a part worn chain, the slack in the chain varies a lot as you rotate the rear wheel. There will be tight spots and loose spots when you check the chain tension. I find it all too easy to set the chain too tight because of this. I have had that problem twice in recent months after adjusting it. Rotate the wheel, and check in a few spots to make sure you adjusted it at the part where the bottom run of the chain is really at its tightest. The dead give away of a slightly too tight chain is a kind of rubbing sound that is not brakes (test by applying the brakes in turn). If the rubbing sound does not disappear as you lightly apply the brake, and you recently adjusted the chain, go and look carefully at the tension of it.

[@TheFixitShed]

interesting. thanks

[@arcticgummibear4500]

Thanks Sensei!! I learn so much about my recently purchased rebel from your videos.

[@TheFixitShed]

Thank you! I am glad the videos are helping you out!

[@Tonyv1951]

Excellent video. Thanks. I picked up a CB250 Nighthawk, in the UK about four years ago for a give away price of £650 and it has the same engine and much of the same running gear - though it is a different style - more of a standard motor-cycle than the cruiser. I am pleased to see you have a series of videos on the Rebel and the engine which is identical to the Nighthawk. I bought the bike as an impulse and left it pretty much alone for most of the time I had it, but sold my Triumph Street Twin and am using the little Honda. Your best tip so far was using the wooden rod to knock off the clutch cover. It was not going to come off by any other means as far as I could see. Thanks.

[@TheFixitShed]

Thanks! I am glad it was helpful.

[@jib1013]

Man thank you so much cause i have a 1985 rebel and i love it cause it's my very first bike and it was my dads for years so if it wasn't for this vid i would have not know what parts were what and also didn't know that i could get new adjusters i got told id have to go get it welded but thanks for setting me on the right maintenance path.

[@TheFixitShed]

That is awesome! Thanks for the comment. There are a few differences between the gen 1 and gen 2 Rebels. The carbs are different, front brakes, and probably a few other things, but many things cross over or are similar in concept. I need to get a gen 1 to make some videos on. Enjoy you Rebel!

[@nathankraehenbuehl]

Everytime i pull a wheel off i check wheel balance as well. Changing a sprocket changes balance. You may want to consider making balance checks a habit. Found a nail in a tire one time because balance was off and i only pulled the tire to work on the fender. Lol. Keep up the good teaching.

[@TheFixitShed]

Good idea

[@centralcal6604]

Do u have a video on adjusting the suspension,or installing the saddle bags?

[@TheFixitShed]

I do have one one the shocks: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4XIZ2umj5eNj7s The bike with the flames came with the saddle bags, so I didn't get to install them.

[@Monkeybongoes]

At 20K miles, need to do this and change the rear tire. Was dreading it, feel much more at ease after seeing this. Curious about how different the oem and replacement rear sprockets look. Almost look like different parts. How do you like the floorboards? Really glad I bothered to put some on, makes a big difference. Combined w a back rest, 70-100 mile rides have become easy.

[@TheFixitShed]

Yeah, the are a bit different looking, but I think the difference is only in appearance. You can spend more on an OEM, but I was on a budget.

[@jonascabrera8230]

Ridiculously helpful videos! Thank you. I have the Nighthawk 250. Does anyone know if the exhausts from the Rebel 250 and the Nighthawk are interchangeable? Any good aftermarket center stand options?

[@TheFixitShed]

Glad you like the videos! I doubt that they are interchangeable without modification, but not 100% sure. There used to be a guy on the HondaRebelForum that used to make center stands, but I don't think he does anymore. (Might also want to ask there about the exhaust)

[@jonascabrera8230]

Thank you. Used the video to adjust the rear brake and chain tension on my new to me Nigthawk and it rides much better now. Someone had the tension way too high.@@TheFixitShed

[@michaelmcfadden6825]

Were did you get your gear shifter, been looking all over for that type, are they available to buy, or is it a fabrication ?

[@TheFixitShed]

It came with the bike. It looks to be homemade. I did make a short showing some of the details of it.

[@christopherhiggins6471]

Glad to hear that 21 inches was your number for the canter points for the wheel stud .should i replace my oring chain with a oring chain??

[@TheFixitShed]

I would. A bunch of years ago I had a 450 Rebel and I bought a bulk lot of non o-ring chain. I tried to take care of it, adjusting and oiling, but I ended up putting on a new chain every time I changed the oil. The o-ring chains should last much longer.

[@christopherhiggins6471]

@@TheFixitShed thank you for the response. I love my little honda rebel 250. Wish I could fine a original 86 gas tank in good condition I had a leak that couldn't be fix so I went with another tank but the bike doesn't have the look I like.

[@1hardflow]

Where did you find that rear sprocket, im looking for 30 tooth and dont know where to look specifically for one that will fit

[@TheFixitShed]

I bought it on ebay.

[@shadrach5681]

I just got off amazon. I went 15/30 on the sprockets. If you really want to increase your cruising speed and make 1st and 2nd less luggy, go 15/30. Also, you dont want your sprockets to both have even or odd numbers of teeth. One should be even, the other odd. This makes the chain hit all the teeth and use all the chain links. Otherwise you end up with abnormalities in chain wear. So 15/30, 14/33 (stock), 14/31 (you probably wont find), 15/32) and ect.. Get a 108 link chain. I got this one because gold is going to match the look I'm going for. Tons of color options. Just get a 520 chain with 108 links. No need to rivit it, the clips are perfectly fine especially on this small of a bike. Install the clip so the closed end goes towards the sprockets to avoid it accidentally coming un-clipped and possibly causing a big problem. Rear sprocket: www.amazon.com/dp/B0031703P6?psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&ref_=chk_typ_quicklook_titleToDp Front sprocket: www.amazon.com/dp/B001AVVWKK?psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&ref_=chk_typ_quicklook_titleToDp Chain: www.amazon.com/dp/B0CM3LMMRL?psc=1&smid=A2VPB5IJFONB2F&ref_=chk_typ_quicklook_titleToDp

[@Kro_man_tx]

Does the owners manual say to check the chain slack up in the air like this, or on the side stand?

[@TheFixitShed]

The manual does say side stand. I have it supported by the swing arm in front of the tire, so there is some weight on it. It isn't just hanging as it would if the bike was supported by the frame. If you had a swing arm stand that held it near the axel that would be almost identical to it resting on the ground. Having the bike straight up and the rear tire off the ground makes it way easier to visually check that the chain is travelling straight and the rear axel is correctly aligned. Also the manual says to adjust it on the side stand the then move the bike a few feet and check it again to make sure the tension is still right. Easier to do this with the wheel off the ground. You can just spin it a little. Or you can use a wheel cleaning stand which would allow you to roll the wheel a little and then check adkustment. If you watch the 2002 Rebel rear tire replacment video (kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWTcc6OqZsapga8) I do adjust it on the side stand.

[@Kro_man_tx]

@@TheFixitShed Thanks. My bike didn't come with a manual. I need to find one

[@henryj.8528]

Looks cold in there...

[@TheFixitShed]

Probably was. Could you see my breath?

[@onzer8080]

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