Honda Spree and Elite 50 Forums

So I finally got the gas tank Red Koted and sealed, and the new gauge cluster in, the lock set that I finally found on, and got the aero tuned in fairly well. Went out for a spin, came back, put all the panels back on, and now it runs like crap again. This seems to be how this scoot acts. Runs great till I get the panels on, then it hates me... Could an exhaust leak be the source of my issue. I have read (can't remember if it was here or not) that on our engines an exhaust leak can lead to really random and erratic performance. I don't have any kind of exhaust gasket in between the jug and the pipe, if this is my issue, where can I get one or how can I make one.

Runs great till I get the panels on, then it hates me

Seems to me, your problem is the panels. Leave em off!
I'm sorry, I couldn't resist that one.

Yes, exhaust could cause some problems, but what else are you doing different when you install the panels? Something simple like putting cover on airbox? I say that because I found one scooter that bogs with cover and filter in place, but pull the cover and filter, and it runs fine. Since I don't want to run without cover and filter, I'm at a quandry to solve the problem.

the funny thing is that i changed absolutely nothing... can i just take some brass sheet that i have and make a flat gasket, instead of a ring gasket that it should come with?

turtle13 wrote:the funny thing is that i changed absolutely nothing... can i just take some brass sheet that i have and make a flat gasket, instead of a ring gasket that it should come with?

Then with no other changes, except the panels, then yes the exhaust leak can cause your issue.

turtle13 wrote:the funny thing is that i changed absolutely nothing... can i just take some brass sheet that i have and make a flat gasket, instead of a ring gasket that it should come with?

Seems I read somewhere that Hondasan's ring gasket is like $3. I don't think you will get the leak stopped with the flat gasket. The sealing is in the recess where the ring fits.

I run a flat gasket (not homemade though) and it seals fine.
I just pulled off a leaky pipe (cracked, not the gasket area) and it was randomly bogging while riding, wanted to die at stops, and generally ran like crap.

My friends and I run these, but that's cause we have big bores and big exhausts

808BMW wrote:I run a flat gasket (not homemade though) and it seals fine.
I just pulled off a leaky pipe (cracked, not the gasket area) and it was randomly bogging while riding, wanted to die at stops, and generally ran like crap.

My friends and I run these, but that's cause we have big bores and big exhausts

big bore vs stock bore, they both need the seal. so is that a yes that i can run a flat gasket? but probably just as long as it is pretty thick and not of the paper variety or something that will burn/melt...
or after some research i have read that copper pipe cut down and annealed does the job too... unfortunately due to the new house i an completely flat broke... and if i can fashion one until i can order one that would be best, so i can get it to where i wont have to tune when i do order one and put it on.

turtle13 wrote: or after some research i have read that copper pipe cut down and annealed does the job too... unfortunately due to the new house i an completely flat broke... and if i can fashion one until i can order one that would be best, so i can get it to where i wont have to tune when i do order one and put it on.

Yea, that's me...I'm still running with it, too. I haven't had to break out the Honda gasket yet. I think I used about a 1/4 in. slice of 1" pipe or maybe a 3/4" coupler. I hammered it a bit on the anvil of a bench vise to roll the edge in and make it a bit wider then heat to red with a propane torch and quench to get it dead soft again (hammering it hardens the copper). I had to try a couple to get the thickness right, but it worked in a pinch and I haven't had to replace it yet.

I got the idea from reading about someone making flat gaskets out of flat stock copper sheeting. You could try that too, if you had some.

Yes, it is ok to run a flat gasket, as long as you make sure it seals well

so how thick is the o ring gasket? i have some couplers in the base
ent that i can use, but since i dont have a stock one to compare it to, i would be shooting in the dark...