newbie questions

[cellardoor]

Hi all!
I just recently scored a really fantastic 1988 Honda Elite LX. I found it on Craigslist for $400 and it only has 775 miles on it. I did have to replace the tires, because they were the original ones and its missing the left hand side mirror, which i just bought a pair of new ones on Ebay. Overall, i think it was a great deal. I just bought new tires for it and I'm very happy with it, my first scooter.

The questions i have are:
1. Whats the normal rate for a tune up? And, how often do people get them? I was told by the previous owner to refill the oil once it hits a thousand miles.

2. The scooter was sitting for a very long time in a garage, so there some smoke when it first started up. It doesn't smoke anymore, but there is this weird engine-y smell, I'm not sure how to describe it. Someone told me that it's just the usual smell of a motorcycle/scooter.

3. I live in San Francisco and mainly use for short trips around town, but one really long trip to work on Saturdays, that is about 60 miles roundtrip. I'm nervous of it breaking down on some road in between. I'm using Geico insurance right now, is there such a thing as AAA for motorcycles? And, if so, would insurance companies offer towing for motorcycles/scooters?

Sorry for all the dumb questions. Totally new to this and owning a scooter. BUT, i can say I'm having a great deal of fun riding it. I will post pics soon!

thanks for any replies!!

[eliteguy50]

I'm using Geico insurance right now, is there such a thing as AAA for motorcycles? And, if so, would insurance companies offer towing for motorcycles/scooters?

Yes, you can add towing to your insurance policy. Yes, AAA will tow your bike but be sure to tell them you need a flatbed not a tow truck.

not a tune up But...I would recommend changing the tranny oil. it is simple and cheap.

[Wheelman-111]

Greetings:

Congratulations on your Elite.

1. Most people here do their own routine "maintenance", which consists of bolting on whatever Go-Slightly-Faster parts they can afford as they purchase them. There really isn't much to "tune up" on a stock scooter. If you filled the gas tank with fresh fuel and made sure the previous owner used Honda GN-2 oil in the pump tank, you're halfway there. A fresh spark plug will remedy most starting/performance issues. If that fails, a carburetor cleaning may be on the to-do list, especially if the scooter has sat for a long - more than a couple of months - time. I'd remove the screws from the airbox and have a look at what's left of your foam air filter, unless the P.O replaced it sometime in the last 20 years. My 2001's filter was crumbling like a forgotten cupcake. Almost gave me a heart attack when the engine inhaled a chunk on the way to work the first time out. Honda dealers can get them.

Otherwise at 800 miles you can rely on your stock Elite to get you to work and back with the same confidence you'd invest in an Accord. Not as fast, maybe, but that's what pipes and carbs and big-bore kits are for.

2. The smell of a 2-Stroke is considerably more aromatic - aphrodisiac, to some here - than said Accord. If it smells of burnt rubber, your 20-year-old belt may need replacement. If it's like scorched metal, do have a look at that filter. An empty airbox will cause the engine to inhale a hot-burning lean mixture. Do not run it until it's replaced.

[cellardoor]

Awesome! Thanks for all the information. I just downloaded the manual for it so i can start getting used to what I'm looking at. I've never owned a scooter before.

It's a fun little beast!!