spree randomly breaking down.

xsk3l3t0rx · Post by **xsk3l3t0rx** » Sun Oct 26, 2008 10:53 pm

when riding my spree today, it died three times on the way home. there is no warning, i will be just riding normally with traffic and all of a sudden with no warning i will begin to drop rpms (i think thats what its called) my bike will sound like its dying, ill try to give it gas, but to no avail, it just dies right there in traffic. i have to pull over and start it up like three or so times before it will start up again. i have a full tank of gas, fresh 2 stroke oil, and a new spark plug. this has happened while riding at full speed, as well as while idling at a red light. my friend thinks it might be a dirty carburetor or a clogged exhaust. wen i bought the bike it had the air filter removed and the kid put some crappy aftermarket one clamped on. ive had several annoyances with this bike, but ive fallen in love with it so i wanna try to fix it. what do you folks recommend is the issue? how much better does the stock air filter/w hose work compared to a aftermarket one that doesnt have a hose or anything? also, if i have my throttle halfway, and go to give it more gas, it like slows down until i pin the throttle, then it picks up, can someone explain why that is and how i can fix it? long post, sorry thanks!

Bear45-70 · Post by **Bear45-70** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 12:42 am

First off without the stock air filter and box the motor is too lean. You need to replace the stock parts or jet up to make the motor richer. Or block off part of the aftermarket air cleaner with tape, which will richen the motor up. Until you fix the intake part, it is hard to tell what is causing the rest of your problems. Plugged fuel filter, bad petcock, dirty carb or even and ignition problem are all possible.

Post by **noiseguy** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 10:17 am

Is the stock air filter system in place now? If not that's the problem.

xsk3l3t0rx · Post by **xsk3l3t0rx** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 1:01 pm

so you are absolutely confident that it is the lack of stock air filter? it sounds about right. i guess i will have to get a new air filter, how much do they cost new? if this is my saving grace, im gonna be angry, cuz this thing kinda runs like crap. i heard there is like a belt or something that catches inside the bike to turn the back tire, could this have something to do with my inability to accelerate well between half throttle and full throttle? i wanna know why it just drops rpm, shouldnt a simple engine just work? im a total noob, but i love learning about this stuff.

Bear45-70 · Post by **Bear45-70** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 1:58 pm

xsk3l3t0rx wrote:so you are absolutely confident that it is the lack of stock air filter? it sounds about right. i guess i will have to get a new air filter, how much do they cost new? if this is my saving grace, im gonna be angry, cuz this thing kinda runs like crap. i heard there is like a belt or something that catches inside the bike to turn the back tire, could this have something to do with my inability to accelerate well between half throttle and full throttle? i wanna know why it just drops rpm, shouldnt a simple engine just work? im a total noob, but i love learning about this stuff.

The spree's intake system is "tuned" from the air inlet on the air filter box to the engine, just as the exhaust is tuned from the engine to the exhaust tip. You change that length without retuning for it and you get very poor performance. Even leaving out the filter element has the potential to cause problems.

xsk3l3t0rx · Post by **xsk3l3t0rx** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 2:16 pm

this is what i have on my spree right now. it looks similar to these, what parts would i need to replace the current filter? i know i need a hose, and the actual filter, i believe i have the air filter box, do i need clamps? this bike is becoming a money pit, but i love it. btw thanks for the previous tips much appreciated!

Post by **noiseguy** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 2:34 pm

D/L the service manual and see what you need. Airbox is attached to the rear tire fender.