Honda Spree and Elite 50 Forums

I am the owner on an '86 Spree that I just picked up about two weeks ago. It has about 4000 miles on it, of which we've put on about 75 of those. It runs good overall, just needs the carb cleaned and a new sparkplug.

The other day, my girlfriend had ridden it about 5 miles and shut it off. About 20 minutes later, she started it back up to leave. The bike started, but she has no headlight or tail/brake light. About 10 seconds later, it stalled and will not restart.

The bike does crank, does have turn signals and horn. The headlight and brake/tail is out.

I checked the battery and that is ok. What I did find, and I'm new to this whole moped thing, is that the right hand (front wheel) brake light switch is inop. When I tested, the rear passed current through when the lever was pulled as designed. The front does not do this. Does this have anything to do with the no-start situation???

I have downloaded the service manual and have been reading up on it. Any input is GREATLY appreciated.

Diller
'86 Spree

The front and rear brake switches are in the circuit which energizes the starter relay. Either switch closed (brake applied) will allow the starter to run.

Since you wrote that the scooter cranks, you don't have to fix the front brake switch to get it to start.

The headlight will not light unless the engine is running.

The rear stop light should turn on with the key on and the brake lever pulled.

Looking at the Starting system schematic, and aside from you need to engage the rear brake to get the scooter to crank, everything looks ok with the starting system.

Ideas: Check for spark, and even though you just cleaned the carb - fuel.

I was thinking along the lines of a bad rectifier. I have voltage at the hot pin going in, but have no voltage on the yellow and white wires coming out. The ground side works, so this is what I'm guessing. But again, I'm new to mopeds!!

Diller
'86 Spree

Well, today I found what the problem. I had spark, fuel and air getting in, so passed the "fire triangle." I went to do a compression test, but couldn't get any air out of the sparkplug hole. Upon removing the cylinder head, I found the connecting rod pin that holds the top of the piston on, was missing it's retainer. Low and behold, it was jammed between the picton and the cylinder wall. It did make quite a gouge in the cylinder wall. It looks like I'll be replaing the jug, piston, and piston pin retainer. I was glad to not find the piston melted to the jug.


Diller
'86 Spree