Honda Spree and Elite 50 Forums

Hello,

I was recently "gifted" a non-running Honda Spree. I have a Honda Service Manual, and decades of experience working on motorized two wheeled devices

In my initial research on my particular bike, I'm a little confused about the exact model year I have. My bike has a kick starter, and per the service manual the drive pulley and fuel tank sending unit are "After '85" types. Does this mean I have an 86 model year?

Also, any good sources for a starter motor?

Thanks

‘86 and up had the kickstarter and exact year should be on the frame if you take the leg shield off.

Starters are hard to come by, ebay is your best bet. What makes you think the starter is bad? These starters can also be rebuilt just takes a little time and patience. Don’t really need a working starter if you have a kickstarter.

Thanks for the info Rideslikenacho. If I hook the starter up directly to a 12V source, it may or may not spin. If it does spin, it doesn't seem to have much power. If I hold the shaft between my fingers when I apply voltage, I can keep it from spinning.

I have disassembled the stater and cleaned it out. The output bearing is very notchy.

The plot thickens. The frame sticker is 1985, but I have a kick starter.

Lukesfirstjeep wrote: Sat Jan 11, 2025 2:39 pm The plot thickens. The frame sticker is 1985, but I have a kick starter.

Common for side covers from later year bike was produced in late '85, it would be an '86 model.

Next time you take apart the starter, get a close look at the wires on the armature winding just after they loop around the hook and see if any are broken. I’ve noticed this several times on these starters. It is possible to rewind it just takes a little time. If broke it may spin over then hit the section with the break in the wire and stop.

Reminder that these bikes are close to 40 years old. Mix and match parts are def'n a possibility.

Thanks for all the advice. Between the starter motor issues and stripped kick start gears, I will be using a cordless drill and 17mm socket on the crankshaft for the initial start up.

I disassembled the starter. Bad output bearing, and I dropped one of the brush springs on the floor. It appears to be lost forever. I ordered a rebuild kit for another Honda model, hoping the bearing and springs will work.

As for the kick start gear, I'm not having any luck finding a replacement. I did order something similar looking off of Amazon. Most dimensions match up, but I will need some machine shop time if I'm going to make these parts fit. It was worth the $16 gamble.

My plan now is to have the stripped teeth welded up and then carefully shape them with a file or die grinder. Since they're not continuously spinning, I might get lucky.

I do have a question about starters. My 1985 with kickstart, had a 10 tooth starter. The teeth match up nicely with the bendix. I'm assuming if I had a bendix for an 11 tooth starter, it would be obvious that the teeth won't match up and will bind?

This thread has a lot of info on starter to bendix compatibility

http://www.hondaspree.net/phpBB3/viewto ... =3&t=37956