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Honda Motocompo and Spree similarities plus engine upgrades
Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 2:24 am
by unclejemima
I've just become the proud owner of a 1982 Honda Motocompo.
I love the thing, but is limited to about 25mph...and I'd love to be able to hit at least 35mp/h so I can drive in regular city traffic.
From what I understand the Spree uses the same motor, with the same direct drive (no variator) gearing, what is a big limiter...but the later versions of the Spree are able to do 35mp/h.
I've got the notion to swap in a Honda Ruckus motor...but not sure if I could keep the original 8" (yes, 8"!) rims and super short swing arm that makes the motocompo such a neat bike.
Does anyone have any photos of a Spree with a Ruckas swap? Can it be done, while keeping the petite look of the Spree?
Also thought of tuning the original motor, but not sure how easy that is. I've got an 1986 Honda Gyro that has a 50cc motor, but it can spank the Motocompo...and it has a 2spd trans!
Re: Honda Motocompo and Spree similarities plus engine upgra
Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 4:45 am
by paulpauly7
dude swap in a dio motor and run the honda dj1 8" rim on the rear .then your open to heaps of aftermarket parts
Re: Honda Motocompo and Spree similarities plus engine upgra
Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 11:17 am
by unclejemima
Any 4 stroke that would fit...? I'd imagine the dio is much smaller than the ruckas
I'm new to scooter swaps...would I take the swingarm and trans of the dio as well...or can I swap JUST the motor?
Would this lengthen the rear wheel using the entire dio engine/wheel?
Here is the super short compo...I'd love to see one parked beside a spree! Anyone got photos?

Re: Honda Motocompo and Spree similarities plus engine upgra
Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 11:20 am
by unclejemima
Just did some quick googling...it appears the motocompo runs the AB12E...is this is the same as the spree? I thought the spree ran a vertical motor...but the Motocompo runs a horizontal from what I can tell...?
Thanks for schooling me

Re: Honda Motocompo and Spree similarities plus engine upgra
Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 11:24 am
by unclejemima
Here is a shot of the motocompo with the cover off. You can see the horizontal motor...

Re: Honda Motocompo and Spree similarities plus engine upgra
Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 11:28 am
by swimmingfree
what you have is something you shood not mess with if you want a scooter to fup get a spree or a elite form 94-2000 you will hurt the value of you little scooter ...
swimmingfree
Re: Honda Motocompo and Spree similarities plus engine upgra
Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 1:52 pm
by patthesoundguy
I agree that motocompo is somthing that you should leave stock, my opinion of course. It would be a mortal sin to mod that. I'd kill for one of those things
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Re: Honda Motocompo and Spree similarities plus engine upgra
Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 7:58 pm
by unclejemima
Thanks guys. The motocompo is rare in North America for sure...but in Japan they are dime a dozen. They made over 30,000 of these little guys.
I'm all about OEM, but I also like to drive the stuff I own. Its usually small diplacment toys, like my Honda 1991 Honda CT70...it was almost fast enough...but not fast enough to use as a real daily driver...So I got threw in a Honda Nice 110cc motor into it. Instead of 40mp/h, it can now do 60mp/h. Its changed the bike into a whole new animal. It looks bone stock, and you'd never know...just its got an extra 40cc's to make it really useful. But, I'm hardcore Honda...so I would not put in a cheap Chinese motor like most guys do.
So, this is the same thing I want to do with the motocompo. Its not a perfect machine, so its not like I'd be wrecking a showroom example. I want to throw something Honda into it...something that is hopefully 4 stoke, and will let me at least go 35mp/h, if not 40 or 45...just so I can use it in regular traffic.
From the exposed photo, can you guys tell if this is the same motor as the spree? What about the engine code?
Re: Honda Motocompo and Spree similarities plus engine upgra
Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 11:01 pm
by unclejemima
Thanks. I saw the Gyro swap as well. Very cool for sure...only Its not so compact anymore after that upgrade. I was hoping to keep the tiny dimensions of the stock motocompo with what ever swap I do.
Can anyone from the photo tell if this is the same motor as the Spree?
Re: Honda Motocompo and Spree similarities plus engine upgra
Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2014 12:07 am
by paulpauly7
no it is not a spree motor
Re: Honda Motocompo and Spree similarities plus engine upgra
Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2014 6:23 am
by ped
WoW! sweet moto. Canada gets better scooters then us, I think.

keep the rare motocompo stock. find a cheep scooter to put miles on.

Re: Honda Motocompo and Spree similarities plus engine upgra
Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2014 10:34 am
by LMH
The moto compo is more of an express design. Here is Jason Alexander Xavier's NU50M engine taken apart.

The last motocompo I saw that was taken apart was licensed to bandai and was a honda through and through.
Re: Honda Motocompo and Spree similarities plus engine upgra
Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2014 10:45 am
by LMH
Re: Honda Motocompo and Spree similarities plus engine upgra
Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2014 11:30 am
by bushpigwillie
That's a fantastic concept! Would be perfect with a CVT power unit on it.
If you do the conversion take lots of pics an start a thread in the build section!