Spree Performance baselines and troubleshooting

[JohnRobHolmes]

Turns out that the splines just let go on the shaft from being old and crappy. That caused the outer drive face to spin and over tighten the nut with it, stripping the nut and crank.

[Bear45-70]

To pick this up where it left off....


Finally got around to installing a replacement crank shaft. The stock one had stripped spines and also theads on the drive side. Went to install the replacement and found out that it is .20" larger diameter than the stock crank at the counterweight OD. Boo!!!! Maybe I should throw it up on the lathe to fix it, unless somebody has a better idea of how I can get this thing running. Not much good without the crank.

Probably a crank for an '86 or '87, the cranks are different.

[Bear45-70]

Turns out that the splines just let go on the shaft from being old and crappy. That caused the outer drive face to spin and over tighten the nut with it, stripping the nut and crank.

I would suspect the nut being loose a long way before the splines being old. Splines don't crap out if the associated part with splines is on tight.

[JohnRobHolmes]

Could have been the initial issue. I did have the nut keep coming loose on me, and by the time I went to replace the lock washer and put some locktight in the damage was done.

I do think it is an 87 crank that I have. Oh well. I will see if I can turn it down in the morning. Otherwise I will have a crank and maybe other parts for sale soon. I need to fix it or get it out of the garage.

Thanks for the help. I'm tired of just looking at it, I want to ride it again!

[mousewheels]

. Went to install the replacement and found out that it is .20" larger diameter than the stock crank at the counterweight OD. Boo!!!! Maybe I should throw it up on the lathe to fix it, unless somebody has a better idea of how I can get this thing running. Not much good without the crank.

Going along with Bear's comment - that's odd - what year Spree did the crank come from? We have been compiling Spree part differences at http://www.hondaspree.net/phpBB3/viewto ... =3&t=13884

[JohnRobHolmes]

Not totally positive, but I think 87.

2.477" counterweight diameter on the stock, 2.6 something" on the other.

[JohnRobHolmes]

I could turn down the 87 crank to fit, but I would have to modify the con rod to clear the case too. I'm throwing my hands up on this one, I would rather start a new project than keep chasing this one. Or swap in a dio.

[JohnRobHolmes]

My buddy offered his Yamaha Razz to me for a cash free trade, so I took him up on it. It is totally Razzed out from a few crashes, but the engine still has plenty of life and kick to it. I think I will transplant the rear ends to keep the spree running, then throw away most of the razz. I will just start a new thread of my efforts to swap them over without totally ruining the Spree frame. I will probably rebuild the Spree rear end in time and use it for another project or sell it off.

[JohnRobHolmes]

I'm kinda surprised I haven't gotten any flak for threatening to put the Yamaha rear end on the Honda Got the Razz (actually a Riva) here and it has some great power thanks to the variated tranny. I figure since I have the spree rear end so close to running, I will just get a crank and put it back together in case somebody else needs a stock rear end in the future. Or maybe I will make another project from it....

Spree rebuild to be continued here, Riva swap to be continued in another thread. Looks like it may be easy, except for the shock mount.

[JohnRobHolmes]

I went ahead and got a new crank so I could at least have a whole engine.

Process:

Take apart motor, make note and bag all parts.

Removed head- seals broke
Split case- seals intact and in great shape
Installed new crank. Seems hard to rotate, maybe some oil will help.
Flywheel is now rubbing on the stator. I think it may not be sliding on the new crank properly. I will remove and reinstall, or see if I can persuade it with a rubber mallet.

To do- make new headgasket from impregnated paper. I should gain some compression since the old headgasket was two rubber ones stacked up. After this I will rebuild the motor and see if it still runs. Then run the spree for a while longer while I plan the wiring and mount swap for the Riva engine.

I needs my spree back!

[Wheelman-111]

Greetings:

You may know it's possible, but I've never seen a paper headgasket, unless it had a metal donut lining the chamber. Maybe this is one time to spring for Honda-san's?

[JohnRobHolmes]

I have used them before. There seems to be plenty of width for one. Paper just needs retightening about 4 times before it settles in, about every 30 minutes of use.


If the gasket is cheap enough though, I would spring for a stock one.