Tyler says...

This was my summer project, one of those where the final look is envisioned from the start. My goal was a vintage-looking bike with a bit of modern custom drag bike thrown in, and the result turns heads.
Rescued at $750 in need of some work, I have invested about $500 in parts in the bike. However, I need to sell it to get a car. I had planned to sell this bike this spring for around $1300.
This is the third Rebel I have owned, and they're great bikes- wonderful for around town. My insurance is $45 for a YEAR, and this bike gets about 75 mpg. My last Rebel got nearly 100 mpg. These bikes are well suited for beginning riders or those too small for other bikes. I'm 5'8" and weigh about 150, with a 32" inch inseam, and this bike fits me like a glove.

Most of these pictures show the stock handlebars- the drag bars are currently on the bike, and are a great improvement.
Here's what's been done:

Mechanical:
Respoked rear wheel
New Front & rear tire
new chain
new spark plugs

Restyling:
Rear fender smoothed and remounted one bolt-space back for a full-fender style
Stock taillight removed, Cateye light w/ LED and clear lens custom mounted
Harley headlight visor installed
Drag handlebars w/2 inch rise- these make for a much sportier ride and more stable turns
Rear turn signals replaced with Drag Specialties lights
clear lenses on all turn signals
Solo seat custom mounted w/springs
custom paint- PPG pro-grade paint, I used Ford colors in blue metallic flake and white. The trim between colors is done in metal flake silver striping. The rear fender flames are trimmed in silver. A clearcoat was applied over the striping. I did all the prep and paint myself, and I was meticulous about it.
mildly drilled baffles (a common mod on Rebels, producing a better exhaust tone)
NOT SHOWN: I just installed a Drag Specialties chrome mini speedometer,replacing the stock unit. The unit reads twice the speed (this bike is all about thinking big!) to make you feel like you're really going fast. I thought that was fitting for a 250 that wants to look like a drag bike.