plug / air filter / oil maintenance

[paulbrown137]

I picked up my new spree last week and would like to just get it up to speed on maintenance. It is a 1987 and only has 430 miles on it, but i'm not sure about what has been maintained on it. It is in pretty much mint shape, but under the beauty it could be different. No problems with the engine or funny noises, sounds, etc that make me concerned. starts on the first kick.

I've read the suggestions in the service manual, but would like your take on the spark plug and air filter. It is a 20 year old bike so has done some sitting around. I'm thinking about just replacing the air filter. what about the plug, good idea to just replace that too?

The oil tank is full so I assume its been filled. any chance the oil could gum up with age? any tests i can do to to see if i should flush the oil? i do get smoke when running so i'm thinking it should be good.

thanks,
p

[mikehelms]

I've read the suggestions in the service manual, but would like your take on the spark plug and air filter. It is a 20 year old bike so has done some sitting around. I'm thinking about just replacing the air filter. what about the plug, good idea to just replace that too?

Replace both. If nothing else, it'll give you a baseline on when the last service was done. SPark plugs cost about $2, and if I remember correctly the air filter is about $10. Not a lot in the grand scheme of things.

-- Mike

[Kenny_McCormic]

I picked up my new spree last week and would like to just get it up to speed on maintenance. It is a 1987 and only has 430 miles on it, but i'm not sure about what has been maintained on it. It is in pretty much mint shape, but under the beauty it could be different. No problems with the engine or funny noises, sounds, etc that make me concerned. starts on the first kick. Cool.

I've read the suggestions in the service manual, but would like your take on the spark plug and air filter. It is a 20 year old bike so has done some sitting around. I'm thinking about just replacing the air filter. what about the plug, good idea to just replace that too? You should NEVER run a filter that old, you will be lucky if he engine hasnt ATE the dryrotted piece of s*** yet.

The oil tank is full so I assume its been filled. any chance the oil could gum up with age? any tests i can do to to see if i should flush the oil? i do get smoke when running so i'm thinking it should be good.Oil doesnt "go bad" just use Honda GN2 injector oil or a similar scooter injection oil.

thanks,
p

[mikehelms]

Spark plugs cost about $2, and if I remember correctly the air filter is about $10. Not a lot in the grand scheme of things.

I take it back ... cheapcycleparts.com lists the air filter for $2.58 and the spark plug for $1.72. For that little bit of money it's not even worth discussing.

-- Mike

[paulbrown137]

Just an update on what I did.

I replaced the spark plug and it was pretty fouled, probably the original. I also replaced the air filter. The fact that it was still intact leads me to believe it had been replaced at some point in the last 20 years (thanks kenny) but most of it was dry, although not too dirty. Results were smoother accelleration, an easier start, and some improved power at certain RPMs.

It was my first time under the plastic and it was pretty clean, I got rid of some cob webs and grimy spots.

There was some oil buildup on the outlet? of the oil tank (it was the tube coming out on the left side) not like it was leaking or dripping anywhere, but just an inch or so of the tube was pretty slimy?

Normal or should I think about replacing the line?

thanks,
p

[Kenny_McCormic]

Never seen a clean one.