Honda Spree and Elite 50 Forums

First post here, though I've frequented for some time now.

I have a '96 SA50P Elite which I purchased a couple of months ago. It had been sitting in a garage for about two years. It's still restricted, though soon to be remedied after I address the current issue. The first few weeks I put about 400 miles on it with it running fine, which brings us to the problem.

I can't run it full throttle or else it immediately begins to lose power quickly. In fact, I can only open the throttle about half way, and even then I have to feather it up and down as it accelerates. It goes about 25 MPH on level ground, 20 up hills. Basically, it's a huge pain in the * to run as it currently is. I cleaned the carb repeatedly with carb cleaner and compressed air until I eventually ran out of carb cleaner. Perhaps I should do that again, as I've learned that's something of a mantra here, though I feel like I did a thorough job. I've also replaced the spark plug and air filter.

I'm not sure what to do and with my limited knowledge have failed to find a solution via searching the forum. I'd love some input.

You might have carbon building up in your exhaust I would pull of the exhaust and check. Make sure the exhaust port and both ends of pipe are nice and clean.

I see you are from Michigan. Were in MI are you?

Thanks for the response. I'll have the exhaust cleaned by tomorrow and will post the results. I live in Grand Rapids.

WhiteWalker wrote:Thanks for the response. I'll have the exhaust cleaned by tomorrow and will post the results. I live in Grand Rapids.

Well if you ever get closer to manistee with it I would be more then willing to help with any thing in person and trafficjamz is just down the road from me and he is always a big help for me. Pics are always a plus on here to people love to see what you got.

That's extremely generous of you, quite the welcome here. Pictures I can do, in fact... Just took off the exhaust to inspect, and I find I don't really know what I'm doing.

I read this: http://hondaspree.net/wiki/index.php5?t ... r_Cleaning

Is that what I should plan on doing? I was hoping to see an obvious problem when I took the exhaust off, but my untrained eyes haven't a clue. Some pictures for you:

Exhaust removed:



Engine side (hard to get any useful looking pictures):









Just because I was taking pictures:



Do you recommend the chemical approach or the heating approach over one another? Chemical is probably easier for me. Is there anything quicker I can do like scraping carbon off somehow to see if there is any improvement?

Again, thanks for your help and time.

I could swear one of those pics looks like the top ring is broken. i dont think the ring end gap should be on the exhaust side but cant remeber right off the top of my head

If cleaning at with chemicals is easier for you then do that. it does sound slightly easier then fire n you don't have to worry about overheating it with fire. As it goes for the rings I'm not sure I would look into it a little more just to make sure they're not broken The openings on the rings should not be towards exhaust port.

mopro logan wrote:Well if you ever get closer to manistee with it I would be more then willing to help with any thing in person and trafficjamz is just down the road from me and he is always a big help for me.

I'd also be willing to help, i'm in the Kalamazoo area. You said it's still restricted but the exhaust looks like it was opened up some already. The restriction will be a hole about the size of a pencil eraser. What jet do you have in the carb? If the head pipe is in fact drilled out you would need to upjet.

have you ever change the plug in it ?? or done work on it??
like carb clean the air filter or what ever??
swimmingfree

Looks like the exhaust is NOT restricted check the main jet and switch to a 78 or 82 main jet. Also take the plate off the back of the variator, if there is one.

allisswell wrote:Looks like the exhaust is NOT restricted check the main jet and switch to a 78 or 82 main jet. Also take the plate off the back of the variator, if there is one.

Oh and tie the oil pump wide open, and drill out the 2nd tab in the air box.

Again, I really appreciate the responses. Thanks.

Presently, the exhaust is stewing in a lye solution:



This guide (http://hondaspree.net/wiki/index.php5?t ... r_Cleaning) recommended avoiding "dry powdered drain cleaner" for fear of it containing aluminum and causing an unwanted reaction, though I researched it a bit and I believe it's actually just lye. I tested a little first and it appears to be fine so, so far so good.

As for the ring in question, I'm assuming it's the exhaust pipe gasket, #1:



I'm pretty sure I need a new one, which is only $5.25 at my Honda dealer. I do need my elite to get to work though, and the part will take a few days. Will I be okay riding as is until then, or is that unwise? Pictures:





@allisswell/evilone: When I cleaned my carb I saw that the main jet is the stock 68. I ordered an 82 yesterday. I'll be removing the plate and switching jets once I resolve the current issue. As for the oil, I really want to do things optimally. Would it be better to get a new oil pump and install that rather than zip tying it open? If so, recommendations on where to find one?

Returning to the thread topic, I'll post the results of the cleaning and its affect on the WOT issue later tonight.

I bet that is why it cuts out at WOT because of the unrestricted exhaust and stock RESTRICTED main the unrestricted main is a 78 and yes if that gasket is not sealing you dont want to drive it hard if at all. I wont ride mine with a leaking gasket it will overheat. i just put a 67 volkswagon beetle gasket on my exhaust plus left the stock one in there for good measure hahha your local autoparts may have one you can put on there till your honda one comes in i am about to post pics of them on my Eve build thread if you wanna take a look.

Mystic wrote:i just put a 67 volkswagon beetle gasket on my exhaust, your local autoparts may have one you can put on there till your honda one comes in

I'm almost positive the vw gasket only fits big bore kits not a stock jug.