Proud New Owner of a Honda Pal...Pictures and Questions

NESticle · Post by **NESticle** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 12:36 pm

First off, here are the pictures of my first scoot

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As you can imagine, I have a few questions. First I'll tell you what I know. My brother bought this for me as an early Christmas present from a friend for $200. The previous owner thought it was a '94. Right now I am getting barely over 50 km/h (about 32 mph) in 25 degree weather.

This is what I know (or have been told) about Honda Pals:

1. It's the Japanese version of the Elite
2. It's slightly faster than a spree

I was hoping some of you could help fill in the holes. Is there any way I can tell for sure what year it is? Are the parts interchangeable with the U.S. Elite?

Also, what is the first (or the easiest) step I can take to get this thing going a little faster?

Kenny_McCormic · Post by **Kenny_McCormic** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 3:35 pm

The pal is nowhere near an elite more like a jap spree.

Post by **noiseguy** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 4:30 pm

Is that like the SB50, with a fixed trans, or does it have a variator? It's not "like a Spree" unless it's fixed gear. It's much more interesting if it has a variator.

Keithw has one of those; search for posts from him.

Kenny_McCormic · Post by **Kenny_McCormic** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 5:12 pm

Closest comparison is a SB with variatior.

Dac · Post by **Dac** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 5:19 pm

The Honda Pal was like a japanese Elite E.

The motor is unlike any American motor. It is mostly the same as a spree, but it has a variator.
Look under the scooter, in the middle of the floor board.There should be a sticker on the frame that has the year and vin number.

Now the pal isnt really a good bike to tune up because there is no real parts you can put on it. The good bikes to tune up are 94-01 elites. I have seen people take the elite motors and put them in the Pals, so if you are able to find one then that is a possibility. And once you where to do that swap the bike would have endless options.
Im not sure where you live, But that bike is worth a lot in the right place. I have seen a honda pal panel set sell in hawaii for over $400. And honestly that is one of the best Pal's i have ever seen.

NESticle · Post by **NESticle** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 6:08 pm

The motor is unlike any American motor. It is mostly the same as a spree, but it has a variator.
Look under the scooter, in the middle of the floor board.There should be a sticker on the frame that has the year and vin number.

Yeah...it's all in Japanese. Any other way to tell?

Also, I am a complete noob. What does a variator do for my scooter?

Dac · Post by **Dac** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 6:28 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viWOOvy45wI
this will help you understand.

mousewheels · Post by **mousewheels** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 7:09 pm

Very sharp, excellent nice shape too. Like the integrated turn signals front/rear. Did you get a story on how the Pal got into the US?

scooterwerx · Post by **scooterwerx** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 7:21 pm

ohhhhh if you ever want to sell it, i will give you what ever you want!!! that thing is so nice! man o man

NESticle · Post by **NESticle** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 8:24 pm

Thanks for the replies. I didn't know the pal was so rare. So are there any suggestions on how to speed this thing up? I've read that sometimes drilling the exhaust can help. Would this do anything for my pal? Any more info on this thing would be awesome. Thanks guys

veedubh20 · Post by **veedubh20** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 9:50 pm

in hawaii, worth $1200 -$1500.

keithw · Post by **keithw** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 11:22 am

Drilling the exhaust really won't do much for you. It has the same basic motor as the Spree, the AF05E. It does have a variable front pulley. Where the Spree is a dog till about 15 the Pal pulls well right from the start. Stock, the top end is the same as the Spree, about 27 mph.

As to mods for more speed. The variable front pulley can be modified but it involves machining the inner sleeve bit. It is hardened and no file or saw will touch it. I ended up using the tool post grinder on the lathe.

The basic top end mods outlined in my "Spree, test bed for mods" string will help. Shave the head .020", raise the exhaust port a ring width and open it up, make sure you have the domed piston. That should get you about another 5 mph or so. It doesn't sound like a lot but it really helps. You go from feeling just a little slow up to just about right.

If you have the resources you can build a tuned pipe exhaust system. My Pal has seen 45 mph. However, on that one I'm in the "push it till it blows up" mode and I have given up on long life and reliability.

My second Pal is still stock. It really is a sweet scooter, even though it is a little slow. The Spree really should have had the variable front pulley that the Pal came with.

If you want a really nice scooter that goes about 30 then keep the Pal. If you just have to go 40 or better then sell or trade it for a faster Elite or other model.

Where are you located? I didn't see any snow in the pictures.

keithw

NESticle · Post by **NESticle** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 2:54 pm

Thanks for all the advice Keithw, I'm glad to find someone who owns a pal and is knowledgeable. I am in Southwest Missouri. There was snow the day before, but it didn't stick.

I am not mechanically savvy, but If I have someone help me, I'll show them your advice. You said 27 mph was stock for the high end, but I know I'm getting slightly over 30. I really don't need to go 40, but you're right...that extra 5 mph would be "just right".

With your experience with pals, do have a guess as to what year this is? Also, do you have pictures of your pals anywhere?

burnt_toast · Post by **burnt_toast** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 5:40 pm

jap tails and tinted turns stock?! hawwt

ALOW1 · Post by **ALOW1** » Sat Dec 13, 2008 1:46 am

burnt_toast wrote:jap tails and tinted turns stock?! hawwt

Thats what I was thinking.