Honda Spree and Elite 50 Forums

After a recent move my 1985 honda spree 50cc scooter, Bettie, ended up in storage for 6-8 wks. When I got her out, she wouldn't run but I kinda figured she would need some love I thoroughly cleaned her carb (surprisingly clean aside from a little gunk on the emulsion tube), cleaned the petcock and fuel filter (both also surprisingly clean considering how much I've riden her), made sure my gas tank was rust free, checked the air filter (it was recently cleaned and re-oiled before storage and looks fine) and I replaced the bystarter which had a little piece broken off so it wasn't properly holding the needle (funny enough I never had problems starting her or idling before but maybe it was broken in the move).

When I fired her up she was a tad stubborn, was idling high and seemed a little rich. There was a lot of smoke at first. At this point I had my idle mixture screw turned out 1 7\8 turns. I tried to fiddle with the idle adjustment screw but it didn't have much effect. I tried reseating my bystarter as I realize it seems like that would be the problem but it seems to be fine. Do you suggest taking it apart?

I also have a rather loud rattle that seems to be coming from the same side the carb is on. I checked all my nuts and bolts to make sure it wasn't something silly. But I really have absolutely no idea about that. This is my only vehicle. I had a Genuine Buddy 50 before in atlanta but never worked on her. This noise is terrifying to me. After spending all day looking for a bystarter and being met with a bunch of Portland hipsters telling me they only work on vintage vespas even though their shop is called Moped Shop, I would really appreciate any advice so I can avoid those dudes and fix her myself. If I need to post a video of the rattle then I absolutely will.
Thank you!!!

Does the rattle sound metal to metal or could it be a loose belt? ( I've had mine slap around the cover before)

bedore I removed my oil pump if the bike sat for awhile some oil would seep into the cylinder and smoke like a b**** for awhile after starting. If it keeps up then I'd worry.
Make sure the air filter is in good shape and that whole air filter cover and everything is in good shape and all there. Sprees are super sensitive about that.

portland vespa guys are to cool for your spree. I say f*** em. I show up to their events with my elite and they are too cool to talk with me until my little scoot keeps up with the big Vespas then I'm ok. graphite9 is in Milwaukee hit em up.

Cacao to Portland Moped Shop!

Had a similar rattle on a spree I bought a while back... Pulled the kick cover and the clutch bell retainer nut came loose and was rattling around inside the cover relief! Inspected the clutch that looked more or less fine and reinstalled the nut. All is well now and the rattle is gone.

Pulled my cover off and besides a nice coating of belt dust there doesn't seem to be anything loose. The belt seems OK tension wise but I'm not sure what they are supposed to look like as far as width is concerned. Saw a friend pull a belt that looked perfect until we compared it to a new one and hers was half as wide as the new one. From pictures, my belt appears fine.
I'm thinking that now I need to take apart my clutch. Seems silly not to go through it while I have the cover off. I'm just pretty nervous all around about this stuff as its my first time messing with anything motorized and she is my only transportation. Besides all that, I want to take great care of her. I'll follow the advice in technical and get back to you when I put the clutch back on. Actually, I had a bit of a hard time wiggling the cover off in the first place. Seems like it got stuck on what I think is the starter (?). Is that normal? Thanks so much for all the advice!! I will definitely keep trying. Bettie is my baby.

Belt width limits are 11.5mm to 10.5mm minimum. Don't worry about the cover being difficult to remove. Two dowel pins and the starter bits make tough.

Got my belt off for a good look and it is definitely worn down. Enough that I'm going to replace it while I'm fixing everything else. My belt number says 23100-GK8-0030. I saw something about a different number being used now. I want to say GK8-870 or 8700. After calling around a bit it seems the most practical thing is to order it online and I want to make sure it is right. Thanks so much again!