Honda Spree and Elite 50 Forums

I would like to say this is a GREAT site. Thanks for all the tech help and mod ideas. I do know enough about motors & bikes to be dangerous & I'm mechanically inclined. I just got the '84 spree as a pit bike for the races off a 14y.o. kid who didn't take care of it, for a c-note. I cleaned the scooter up and it runs good when warmed up.
Here is the first problem & question... the scooter will only start on the stand & will stall when droped onto the wheel. The Grandfather of the kid I bought it from said the belt was loose & slipping, went to Napa auto and replaced the belt. (I've never seen the Honda belt.) To get the belt back on the pullies, I have to pull it about half way into the rear pully/clutch compressing the spring. With the motor running the wheel is spinning at a good clip & when I try to set the idle so the wheel isn't spinning the motor stalls. I know it should idle around 1800(+/-100). I'm thinking that the clutch was originally slipping. Now the belt is the wrong length, any thoughs on this?
Second, the motor will be idling fine, then rev up for about 3-5 seconds and return to normal. It will do this about every 1-2 minuits. What's the problem here?
Thanks again for all the tips for mods! I'm working on finding a second motor to build up and set up for quick starts, 25mph top speed is fine with me.

Belt is the wrong width and/or length, which throws off the drive ratios. The clutch is engaging below 1800 RPM, and shouldn't be. Replace with genuine Honda belt ($30) or at least get one that's closer to the right width and size. Belt should be about 1mm from the outside of the rear pulley, and a bit farther in on the front. Fix it now b/f you blow the pads (another $30).

Beats me on the rev-up...overheating, prehaps? Usually that's caused by a vacuum leak letting in air.

is the carb gasket on the right way? If not that can mess up the idle. Check it, its very obvious by just looking at it...all the edges should be even around the carb, if it sticks out then you got it on backwards.

It looks fine to me. I'm going to change the reed and gaskets as soon as the parts come in. I'll keep that in mind when I install them.
Thanks.

Vacuum leak... didn't think of that, but now that you mention it... I think I'll start there. The belt is nowhere near 1mm from the outside of the rear pulley!!!! More like 12mm!! The front is about 4-5mm from the outside. New belt is on the way! Thanks noiseguy & berreta22, I knew you 2 would have a logical response for me after reading half the topics on this web sight. My cop neighbor said he'd radar me for top speed. I'll post the results when I find out.

how far does it rev up? A little bit of idle varience is normal, even car engines don't idle at same speed constantly. But if it is revving up really high, then it most likely is a vacume leak.

Just wondering... is there a newer motor that will bolt into the 84 spree frame w/no mods... like maybe a 89 elite 50 complete motor?

Okay... Discount Honda parts website said the reeds are no longer available from Honda.... anyone know where I can get new reeds for a 84 spree?

shouldnt the reeds be the same from any spree? maybe look for a different year?

Those should be available still. Try a better shop that can cross-reference.

There's no other "bolt-in" engine, but any Elite 50 engine can be made to fit with some light welding at the motor mount and minor rewiring.

I was wondering what the differance is between a SA50 and a SB50P. I just picked up a 89 SB & was going to do a parts list for it. I have the SA service manual from this site and was wondering what the differance was. I see minor changes like frame and front fork design, but what about plastic and other stuff like that?
Hay berreta22, it's one of the part scooters from madison Wi, that was on ebay. Sorry to outbid you, but I needed the spree for parts.

i have an sb sittin in my back yard for parts, lemme know if you need anything i might have it

SB engine = Spree.

Welcome and good luck on your spree. I'm new here as well but this is a very helpful place.

So the sb50p was the entry level elite(replacing the spree), and the sa50e was the better motor & drive unit. Do I have this right? From what I can find on the web, both look similar in appearance. Am I right with that assumtion? So will plastic from an "e"work for both? By the way... changed out the reeds(which were larger than the ones in the spree) from the just picked up parts spree, the cluch unit and the belt. The belt out of the parts spree was 1" longer than the one that was replaced but the previous owner. I rode it for the first time... old reeds=20mph w/slight incline, 25mph top speed. Larger reeds=23mph, 30mph top speed, I'm 220lbs. Carb still needs work(I think), motor bogs out under load at full throdle then kicks back in. On the stand it runs great at full throttle!! Any thoughts?