No low end power

rlvogel322 · Post by **rlvogel322** » Tue May 27, 2008 2:41 pm

Thanks to this site I've got my 1986 Spree running pretty good. I had a few issues with getting it running but since I've cleaned the carb several times it starts and runs pretty good. I put around 25 miles on it this past weekend.

I have some issues with low end power (need to shove off from a complete stop) so I decided to clean the muffler hoping that will help (haven't tried the clean muffler yet).

When I first got it running the low end wasn't a problem (could accelerate up a hill with me being 215). It slowy got worse so I cleaned the carb again (no change).

The plug chop showed it is running a little lean. Some cocoa brown color and some white. I set the throttle pin to next setting to "richen" it up but it is still a little lean. I looked for an air leak but couldn't easily find one. I will be replacing the fuel and oil line hoses tonight.

What other things should I look for? I haven't had the reeds out yet but I could take a look at those. If I can get it to a reliable point, I will replace the rings, belt and clutch pads. Maybe the belt and clutch pads are the issue. It doesn't rev up from a stop just starts to bog down.

Should also mention that the air filter is new and the air box is clean.

Dac · Post by **Dac** » Tue May 27, 2008 3:26 pm

its not the reeds.
If the reeds are bad, its next to imposable to start.

i pulled this out of a spree manual. I guess just go though the list.

CharlotteSpreeRider · Post by **CharlotteSpreeRider** » Tue May 27, 2008 3:35 pm

Reeds would also get worse the faster you were going, so it's not the reeds. It's the carb or the exhaust more than likely.

-aseigler

rlvogel322 · Post by **rlvogel322** » Tue May 27, 2008 4:02 pm

Thanks for the quick responses.

I'll head through the troubleshooting list again and see what happens with a clean muffler.

Kenny_McCormic · Post by **Kenny_McCormic** » Tue May 27, 2008 4:09 pm

Grind out the intake restriction and drill 2 muffle baffels. If your heavy and on rough ground it will slip if you dont push it unless you have done the intake and exhaust mods. i could just be lean running ,make sure there isnt a hole in your airfilter.

rlvogel322 · Post by **rlvogel322** » Tue May 27, 2008 4:18 pm

How much should the muffler weigh when new? I thought I saw 3 lbs but can't seem to find that post now.

Mine weighed 4 lbs 6 ounces with the little heat shield off. I find it hard to imagine there is over a pound of carbon in it. It did come off another 86 with 5400 miles on it.

I've soaked it in lye water over night. Flushed it, put two cans of oven cleaner through it and have started soaking it in lye water again. Crap continues to keep coming out!

hondaman · Post by **hondaman** » Tue May 27, 2008 4:30 pm

Running the wrong kind of oil in the engine will do just that. Carbon builds up and will eventually plug the entire muffler.

rlvogel322 · Post by **rlvogel322** » Tue May 27, 2008 8:08 pm

OK, here is where I'm at.

The Spree will start and run great on level ground. If I need to start on any sort a incline (big or small) it just bogs down. I was riding without the left side panel on and could reach the air fileter cover holes. Covered one hole up and it took right off. Tried on a fairly steep hill and the same thing happened.

I looked for an air leak with my propane torch (unlit) and couldn't find any. My next test will be to run it with a piece of tape over one of the air cover holes. Will this cause any issues? It is running a little lean so maybe that will help. Just not sure why it won't run as stock.

rlvogel322 · Post by **rlvogel322** » Tue May 27, 2008 8:57 pm

Update: Took a 6 mile ride with one hole taped over on the air fileter cover. Wow, did it run great! Started from a dead stop on a hill and it took off pretty dang good.

Plug chop was perfect cocoa brown over the entire end of the plug.

So, my question now, I have one hole taped over on the air filter cover and the throttle needle is set to the "rich" notch. I shouldn't be hruting anything if I run like this, will I?

Kenny_McCormic · Post by **Kenny_McCormic** » Tue May 27, 2008 9:26 pm

Somethings up, check your air screw, make sure the air filter isnt rotten and holy. Wont hurt anything but it isnt right and should be fixed, did somebody monkey around with the airbox lid (drill holes?)?

Dac · Post by **Dac** » Tue May 27, 2008 9:28 pm

naw dude. Your good like that.

You could upjet some and untape that hole. But that works fine. Just make sure the tape stays on there.

Glad to hear your bike is going good.

rlvogel322 · Post by **rlvogel322** » Tue May 27, 2008 10:08 pm

No holes in the air box and the air jet is 1 1/2 turns out for an 86. If you think turning it in a little will remove the need for the tape I'm all for it. I might give that a try. Being an engineer I would love to have this thing back to perfect. *, my wife even took it for a ride this weekend.

It worked so well from a dead stop on the hill that I confrimed the need for a new belt and possibly clutch pads. Motor reved up without a lot of movement.

Kenny_McCormic · Post by **Kenny_McCormic** » Tue May 27, 2008 10:21 pm

Might be a clogged emulsion tube, i didnt even know it was in there till somebody said something about it, its semi pressed in above the main jet.

rlvogel322 · Post by **rlvogel322** » Thu May 29, 2008 9:08 am

I guess it could be, but I've had it out a couple of times while cleaning the carb. It starts (cold/hot), idles and runs great. Just running a little lean until I taped one of the holes. I can't find an air leak and the filter is brand new with a slight bit of oil on it.

Maybe the new OEM filter isn't dense enough, idk...

It seems like a silly question but could low compression cause it to run lean? I plan on doing a top end rebuild this winter if it makes it through the summer. To me, it's worth putting a little money in it if it will continue to run.

Next up new belt and cluth pads.