is this right?

[mopar4u]

I know acceleration is bad on these but is it this bad?

86 spree stock. autolite 4123 plug. New belt. 1,900 miles. Don't know a whole lot on the history, I just got it a month ago.

I'm having a hard time quantifying the acceleration on my bike. I would say it takes about 5 seconds to get to 10 mph. Between 10 and 15 it takes off pretty good and hits 30 mph. 5 seconds seems like a lot. Another thing I noticed, when I put the scooter in my flat lawn, it wont take off on its own unless I push off. If I move to a road or hard surface it takes off (barely). Other than that it seems to idle fine, starts up right away, and hits top speed. I am getting a lot of white smoke once the machine warms up. I also noticed when the engine is still somewhat cold (been warming up for about 3 minutes) it takes off really good, then once it warms up it is a dog. It seems to accel a little better with the air screw 1 turn out instead of 1 3/8 turns out. When I first got the bike I noticed the previous owner had the screw at 1 turn out. Suggestions?

[Bear45-70]

Sounds about like the low end of normal for a Spree. No variator mean off the line is less than breath taking at best and down right dismal at the worst. You can do a compression test but with a 30 mph top speed I would suspect it is good. My Spree is at the 3400 mile mark and the clutch is just starting to slip a little compared to when it was new. Original belt too and the top speed is still 27 mph with my over max weight capacity butt on the scooter.

[CharlotteSpreeRider]

Sounds right to me. Mine do the same things you describe. Cold takeoff is probably much better due to the rich mixture created by the bystarter being open. These things were designed for on road use only, it even says so on the little sticker on the head set. They handle like crap in a lawn, but it can be fun if that's what you're going for.

-CharlotteSpreeRider

[mopar4u]

I realize they are not for offroad, I'm just trying to compare with you guys. I just checked compression, 115psi. Spark plug was beautiful chocolate brown with no wet deposits. You have got to be kidding me that this is all the accel this thing has. If I'm sitting in traffic at the bottom of any kind of hill then what? You can't get going without any momentum.

Would an exhaust mod be the best for accel assuming you can't do anything with the drivetrain?

[mkluvin]

your clutch and belt has a bit to do with low end. you can remove the side cover and check the belt for fraying. you can also remove the clutch drum with out to much trouble. look for wear on the pads. there are 3 arms with pads on them. they are held in by one spring each and pivot on one post each . over time they can get a little oxidized and not move out to well until you get some speed up, if you put in on the center stand it probably spins the wheel no sweat.

DO NOT disassemble the clutch pulley assembly, there is a BIG spring in there and you could really get a smack if its not clamped when dismantled

this is a no cost inspection and would be a good idea to do anyway

[dr.ona]

Clean out the exaust...might be plugged a little.

[mopar4u]

your clutch and belt has a bit to do with low end. you can remove the side cover and check the belt for fraying. you can also remove the clutch drum with out to much trouble. look for wear on the pads. there are 3 arms with pads on them. they are held in by one spring each and pivot on one post each . over time they can get a little oxidized and not move out to well until you get some speed up, if you put in on the center stand it probably spins the wheel no sweat.

DO NOT disassemble the clutch pulley assembly, there is a BIG spring in there and you could really get a smack if its not clamped when dismantled

this is a no cost inspection and would be a good idea to do anyway

I'm confused what your asking to inspect, your saying don't disassemble the clutch assembly, don't you have to in order to inspect and clean it?

[Bear45-70]

Clean out the exaust...might be plugged a little.

Not likely with a 30 mph top speed.

[Bear45-70]

your clutch and belt has a bit to do with low end. you can remove the side cover and check the belt for fraying. you can also remove the clutch drum with out to much trouble. look for wear on the pads. there are 3 arms with pads on them. they are held in by one spring each and pivot on one post each . over time they can get a little oxidized and not move out to well until you get some speed up, if you put in on the center stand it probably spins the wheel no sweat.

DO NOT disassemble the clutch pulley assembly, there is a BIG spring in there and you could really get a smack if its not clamped when dismantled

this is a no cost inspection and would be a good idea to do anyway

I'm confused what your asking to inspect, your saying don't disassemble the clutch assembly, don't you have to in order to inspect and clean it?

Ok, imagine that you are gonna run your car down the street. But the only gear that is working is high gear. Now imagine that you car has a little itty bitty 600cc 2 cylinder. Just how good do you think the acceleration would be off the line. Yep, just like your Spree.

FYI, leave the clutch alone, you will either get hurt or screw it up or both.

[Wheelman-111]

Greetings:

dr.ona wrote:

Clean out the exaust...might be plugged a little.

Then Returns The Bear
Not likely with a 30 mph top speed.

Now hold on, a minute there Bear. Did you ever consider that the modest top speeds we olde -er, I mean... more mature riders are seeing is due to our becoming a bit, uh... Husky? Yeah that's it. That's the ticket! Husky Mature riders. That's us.

These here li'l ol' teenaged skinny-* hollow-boned Anal-rexical types could probably take your 27MPH Spree and run it down the Highway at like 60 or 70 cuz' they don' weigh nuthin'. Unless you shot 'em for stealin' your scooter first...

[Bear45-70]

Greetings:

dr.ona wrote:

Clean out the exaust...might be plugged a little.

Then Returns The Bear
Not likely with a 30 mph top speed.

Now hold on, a minute there Bear. Did you ever consider that the modest top speeds we olde -er, I mean... more mature riders are seeing is due to our becoming a bit, uh... Husky? Yeah that's it. That's the ticket! Husky Mature riders. That's us.

These here li'l ol' teenaged skinny-* hollow-boned Anal-rexical types could probably take your 27MPH Spree and run it down the Highway at like 60 or 70 cuz' they don' weigh nuthin'. Unless you shot 'em for stealin' your scooter first...

If the exhaust was plugged enough to effect acceleration (moderate exhaust flow) it would kill the top speed (maximum exhaust flow) by several mph at least. It is plain physics and logic.

Oh, back in 1985 when I got my Spree, my svelte 225 pounds only got 27 mph and the wife even in her younger 120 pound days back then only got 27 mph out of my Spree. That's all this scooter has ever done.

[mopar4u]

Let me ask if this is normal

when I put a new belt on there was black debris all over in the housing, that seemed normal because the belt was prob orig. I took the housing off after about a mile of riding on the new belt and there was quite a bit of black debris. Is the debris from belt or clutch and is what I stated normal?

[Wheelman-111]

Greetings;

"Quite a bit" of residue in 1 mile doesn't sound right. De-grease the pulleys with Brake cleaner, not Carb cleaner which leaves an oily residue. Wipe the belt down quickly with mineral spirits but don't let any solvent stay too long on the belt.

[mopar4u]

If the belt is slipping shouldn't I hear it or feel it? The motor is not over reving

[Wheelman-111]

Greetings:

The belt is always slipping, at least a little. It's a question of to what degree it slips. Getting rid of all the oil/grease residues at the contact surfaces is the best way to minimize that slip.