Honda Spree and Elite 50 Forums

Working on the Wiki again. I wanted to get a consensus from you all regarding the upgrade path for the Spree for the Wiki.

http://hondaspree.net/wiki/index.php5?t ... grade_Path

I think it's something like this:
1) Pulley mod
2) Enlarge stock manifold
3) Mill head / increase compression
3.1) Enlarge exhaust port
3.2) Construct expansion chamber
4) Upgrade to SB50 manifold and reeds
5) Bore kit
6) Gear ratio change
7) New carb (size?)

Pod filter's probably in here somewhere... though I've never gotten one to work... not sure what else. Maybe the order could differ. I've personally done 1-4 of the above, the rest not so much.

If an owner has a beat 84/85 or dead powertrain - replacing with the 86/87 instead of another 84/85 engine has minor pluses.

• About 8.4% gear ratio change (11.49:1 vs 12.45:1)
• Minor porting difference.
• There is a domed piston on the 86/87, paired with the early head that gives higher compression w/o machining
• Kick start

I think the Rear brake cable needs changing due to different ferrule dia, and a minor difference in harnessing for the ignition pickup.

I'd forgotten about the piston change from 84/85 to later. Good catch.

Also, the whole '86/87 motor is better in general. Didn't know about the ferrule change... jeez, why not keep that common? I'm yet to see one fail.

Don't the lever arms interchange so you could use the original lever and cable for rear brakes?

I would move step four up to step two. Then it could be an either or step. I think the intake should be addressed before machining the head. I would also add the sb50 exhaust to the list. It has better flow than the spree exhaust and does not require the skill to build a custom pipe.

eliteguy50 wrote:Don't the lever arms interchange so you could use the original lever and cable for rear brakes?

I would move step four up to step two. Then it could be an either or step. I think the intake should be addressed before machining the head. I would also add the sb50 exhaust to the list. It has better flow than the spree exhaust and does not require the skill to build a custom pipe.

The sb50 exhaust will not fit a spree without an sb50 shock to go with it.

Trafficjamz wrote:

eliteguy50 wrote:Don't the lever arms interchange so you could use the original lever and cable for rear brakes?

I would move step four up to step two. Then it could be an either or step. I think the intake should be addressed before machining the head. I would also add the sb50 exhaust to the list. It has better flow than the spree exhaust and does not require the skill to build a custom pipe.

The sb50 exhaust will not fit a spree without an sb50 shock to go with it.

Why? There is the loss of the mounting point at the tail of the pipe but I don't see how the shock affects that. I didn't have any problems with it on my last spree.

eliteguy50 wrote:

Trafficjamz wrote:

eliteguy50 wrote:Don't the lever arms interchange so you could use the original lever and cable for rear brakes?

I would move step four up to step two. Then it could be an either or step. I think the intake should be addressed before machining the head. I would also add the sb50 exhaust to the list. It has better flow than the spree exhaust and does not require the skill to build a custom pipe.

The sb50 exhaust will not fit a spree without an sb50 shock to go with it.

Why? There is the loss of the mounting point at the tail of the pipe but I don't see how the shock affects that. I didn't have any problems with it on my last spree.

The e pipe will run into the spree frame if the e shock is not used.

Trafficjamz wrote:The e pipe will run into the spree frame if the e shock is not used.

Oh, I must have swapped shocks without realizing it then.

OK, so this then

First, consider swapping in a 1986 or 1987 Spree engine. These are known to be faster engines overall than the earlier engines.

1) Pulley mod (may require follow-up modifications depending on other changes)
2) Enlarge stock manifold (or do #6 instead)
2.5) Install domed piston from later engine (replacement for '84/'85 dished piston)
2.7) Swap earlier '84/'85 head to later engine.
3) Mill head to increase compression, targeting .020" running clearnace
4) Enlarge exhaust port
4.5) Install SB50 exhaust pipe and shock (shock change required for exhaust to fit.)
5) Construct expansion chamber
6) Upgrade to SB50 manifold and reeds
7) Bore kit
Gear ratio change
9) New carb (size?)

Step 9.5 could be an aftermarket intake like the CT with a custom adaptor. That would complement the custom exhaust pipe. Then run a 19mm with the 48mm BBK.
Step 10 could be swap in a variated af05 or Dio.

+1 on step 10.

Step 4.5

Get some Malossi fiberglass reeds.

these fit sb50 reed block? do you have a part number?

noiseguy wrote:Working on the Wiki again. I wanted to get a consensus from you all regarding the upgrade path for the Spree for the Wiki.

How about bigger tires? 2.75x10's are nice, and they JUST fit after grinding out about 1/2" of the center-stand on one side. They even fit (with about 1/16" to spare) inside the plastic mudguard in the aft-end. The center-stand can tolerate the hacking, but you can also weld the newly-opened gap shut if you're nervous about it.

JJ Joseph wrote:2.75x10's are nice, and they JUST fit after grinding out about 1/2" of the center-stand on one side. They even fit (with about 1/16" to spare) inside the plastic mudguard in the aft-end. The center-stand can tolerate the hacking, but you can also weld the newly-opened gap shut if you're nervous about it.

you FAIL