1989 Honda Elite. Just Bought. $40. HELP!!! 56k NO

NESticle · Post by **NESticle** » Mon May 12, 2008 5:52 pm

Hello...everyone. I just bought a 1989 Honda Elite that doesn't run. It was only 40 bucks so I said what the hay. The guy who sold it to me said all it needed to run was a piston and a head. Now I know NOTHING about mechanical stuff...so I was wondering if you guys could give me an estimate of how much this will cost to get running (at least factory speed).

I have included some pictures for you to look at and analyze. Maybe while you're at it you could give me some information on my buy. Could you tell anything from the vin number (JH2AF1701KK119219)

Also...what is the normal speed for an 89 Elite? the spedo goes to 35. You will also notice a bunch of stuff missing (brake and tail lights/blinkers/mirrors. Where can I get some of this stuff?

Really all I want to know is how to get this running. Thanks guys!

mopedman · Post by **mopedman** » Mon May 12, 2008 6:55 pm

lol theres like no top end at all your going to have to rebuild the hole thing, dose it turn over

burnt_toast · Post by **burnt_toast** » Mon May 12, 2008 9:13 pm

Indeed, you're gonna need a cylinder too, can be had from honda dealer, or online honda sources. Or found used in FS section or hawaii forums.

I'd also recommend on learing to do the work yourself. You stand to save a huge amount of labor cost by doing the work.

Dac · Post by **Dac** » Mon May 12, 2008 9:17 pm

going from the pictures you will need...

Cylinder
piston
rings
head
tail pipe
fan shroud.

NESticle · Post by **NESticle** » Mon May 12, 2008 10:15 pm

Thanks for the replies so far guys. I know it's gonna need a ton of work. Is it at least worth the 40 bucks I paid? When I do get this thing up and running, how fast should it go?

burnt_toast · Post by **burnt_toast** » Mon May 12, 2008 10:32 pm

NESticle wrote:Thanks for the replies so far guys. I know it's gonna need a ton of work. Is it at least worth the 40 bucks I paid? When I do get this thing up and running, how fast should it go?

Its worth the $40 if you're ready to spend the $200+ or so to fix it to running condition.

with back to stock spec it should do 35-40mph, a lil more if thats the later elite style engine and 35mph max if its the spree type.

Kenny_McCormic · Post by **Kenny_McCormic** » Tue May 13, 2008 4:57 pm

Is this an SA50 or SB50? You can buy an aftermarket 63cc bore kit (every top end part you need) for cheap if its an SA.

NESticle · Post by **NESticle** » Wed May 14, 2008 2:13 am

it's an SB50. There's no Bore for the SB?

eight08boy · Post by **eight08boy** » Wed May 14, 2008 3:07 am

if u cant get it running and want 2 part out let me know

dukemartini · Post by **dukemartini** » Wed May 14, 2008 11:44 am

I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, but there is nothing for the SB its like a spree engine with a couple upgrades. I had an 88 and reached a top speed of 31 mph.

Kenny_McCormic · Post by **Kenny_McCormic** » Wed May 14, 2008 6:08 pm

Go buy a used aero or elite engine (post94 SA50s are the best) and drop that in.

NESticle · Post by **NESticle** » Fri May 16, 2008 12:50 pm

Can someone point me to a place where I can buy an engine? or more specifically, the parts already mentioned.

Cylinder
piston
rings
head
tail pipe
fan shroud

I've tried ebay and all I can find are 49cc engines with pull starts.

mopedman · Post by **mopedman** » Fri May 16, 2008 12:56 pm

if you ebay serch honda elite parts come up and you can still order alot of that from honda, or try the buy/sell part of the form, or VT

Kenny_McCormic · Post by **Kenny_McCormic** » Fri May 16, 2008 3:59 pm

Your just gonna be best off buying a different complete engine on ebay and bolting that on.

Post by **noiseguy** » Sat May 17, 2008 1:03 pm

If that's an SB50 engine, the jug/head/piston should bolt up from a Spree, right? Spree parts are WAY easier to find. I think the shroud may work too.

Contact Greg at uspmale@yahoo.com for all the parts you need, or check Ebay.

Make sure it turns over 1st; I see rust on the con rod and I'm wondering if the bottom end is seized.

Alternately, if you ship the engine to Greg he may be able to rebuild / get it running for you... might be worth asking him.

I'm concerned that you're missing much of the plastic... at $40 you got a decent deal, but you may be better off parting it out on Ebay for a few hundred dollars and buying something complete and running.

Best of luck