Homecoming (Back on an SA50 after a 2 year hiatus)

[jesse1234]

Hello everybody

I know I was never too active on here, but in college a few years back, I had myself a beautiful '99 Elite SR and spent a bit of time learning from you guys on here. I ended up selling her, and replacing her with a bicycle. Later on, I graduated college and moved to NYC.

And today, I bought another SA50. This time she's red, but still just as pretty. I'll post some photos of her tomorrow. Everything feels pretty familiar, BUT the whole de-restricting thing is new this time around. A few quick questions regarding the process:

• 1. Once I remove the exhaust washer and the plate on the variator, do you recommend switching to pre-mix and plugging the oil pump? Do I NEED to plug the oil pump, or can I just leave the oil tank and pump alone and pre-mix?
  2. Ballpark estimate of how much oil should go into the tank for said pre-mix? Is there an old thread documenting it?

Now onto the performance part... Since I'm in Brooklyn and rarely able to ride for more than a hundred yards without hitting a red light/stop sign/traffic, I don't need to get her THAT fast. Looking for around 45mph with two people. Might do the BBK, but still on the fence about it. Definitely derestricting and getting the variator (which is all I ever did to my purple SA50 from way back when). Aside from pre-mixing, would any of you happen to have any insight into jets for the northeast in this sort of setup?

ALSO, since I plan on riding with my girlfriend often, would you recommend looking into upgrading the shocks/springs?

[allisswell]

After drilling out exhaust, tie oil pump wide open once you have up jetted to #78 main jet.

[jesse1234]

Is that really the best option? Seems like it'd be too much oil at low speeds, barely enough at high speeds?

[allisswell]

I also add a cap of oil into a full tank of gas. Went through this with members on here and thats what I was told.

[allisswell]

After de-restricting, remove washer on vary, drill out exhaust, up jet to #78 main, and tie oil pump wide open with a cap full of oil in a full tank of gas. I went from about 27MPH to topping out at around 36-37 MPH.
Oh yea, and once you up jet drill out the tab in your air box.

[Chicago Ben]

Get a pully kit if you don't want to get too crazy

[Wheelman-111]

Greetings:

Consider buying a proper SR pump if you stay at 50cc. So spake Honda-san.
The max output of the S pump is about 70:1, so added oil to the tune of 128:1 will roughly match the SR pump's output of 50:1.
t.
I don't believe it's possible to hit 45 with 2 people aboard without the big block kit and 9:1 gears.
If you do that, I strongly recommend a plug and 32:1 premix.

The frame is rated for 200 pounds. Unless you both weigh 100, you'll need Daywot's adjustable shock at least.
It transformed all of my Flashes to date.

[jesse1234]

Thanks for the helpful info everybody.

I've been thinking about it a bunch, and the core issue is that I want to make RIDING my scooter a new hobby, not working on it and tuning it.

With that being said, I still am looking to do a bit more work on the bike to get it to a more comfortable ride. Messaged daywot about the shocks, thanks for the recommendation Wheelman. Any insight or personal experience with the options available? He has a few at varying prices: http://cl.ly/FAiz

Alliswell, I'd rather not modify the airbox if not completely necessary. What do you mean by drilling out the tab?


Wheelman, if I were to go the absolute most simple route WITH a BBK, would I be able to get away with something like this:

66cc BBK- $120
9:1 gears- ?
Keli pulley- $40
Oil plug and premix- $10
Upgraded shocks- $50

[jesse1234]

oh ya, and as promised:

[allisswell]

Drilling out the tab really isnt much. At the front of the box closest to the carb there is to squares one is open already and one is closed, you just drill a hole through the closed one to get more air going through.

[jesse1234]

Going to move over into a new thread in the scooter builds section, feels good to be back!

[Wheelman-111]

Greetings:

The 47mm/72cc top end requires exactly the same amount of work to install as the 44/66. Except for the stock carb Pilot issue, t isn't clear why you'd go with less displacement. If I had another build to make, I'd go Nikasil, Polini Contesta or Malossi cast Arn. They are as fast around town as you'd ever need to go, and the extra speed of the Corsa/MHR setups still don't make a scooter that can be safe at freeway+ speeds for long term/daily riding.

The Nik in particular can handle the stock carb - very resistant to heat spikes. Consider doing the Pilot mod if you're worried about it, but your girlfriend and you will be safer with a scooter that's torquey-quick enough to keep from becoming a Traffic Cone. No experience with the 66, but at this size 10-percent more displacement seems better than 10% less

[jesse1234]

The only rationale I had for less displacement was the potential for being able to get away with less work and less modifications.

The more I ride around in the city, the more I'm convinced that I really won't be needing 45mph. MOST of my riding is going to be in traffic and topping around 30mph.

I'm most likely ordering the adjustable shock, pulley, and #78 jet as a start and will re-asses after everything's installed.

Now another issue I forgot to mention: the electric start doesn't work. I assume it's related to the battery, but wanted to see if you thought it was worth trying to have an autoshop charge it, or if I should just replace it. Any recommended sellers for a replacement battery?

[Dio89Elite]

If they do it for free why not? (having the shop or someone else charge it), but I
actually recommend the purchase of a new battery, as batteries do go bad after a while when they are not taken care of.
Looks like you got yourself a nice find of a moped. Congrats!

[jesse1234]

Still haven't replaced my battery, which makes riding at night quite sketchy... I've called a few places in town but it seems like most auto stores in this area don't carry scooter batteries.

Can anyone think of a reason not to get this battery for $23? It seems very inexpensive. http://www.monsterscooterparts.com/elitebattery.html

Then again, the OEM replacement is $49 (http://www.hondapartshouse.com/honda-pa ... GS7XF1200A)

And the lowest price I've found in town is $60.