Words from the wise?

Un1t3dp1aya · Post by **Un1t3dp1aya** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 9:55 pm

Ive been using my honda spree to get to and from work. I bought it used with less then 2500 miles, for the first couple weeks it ran great. Just recently the engine died on me coming home from work, and it would not start after that. The spree has gas, oil, and a fully charged battery, but it will not start.

Im concidering taking the engine apart and doing a tune up (cleaning the carb, replacing the spark plugs, ect.) I have never taken an engine apart so im a little hesitant because I dont want to mess up the engine for good. But another part of me is saying i wont learn unless I try, and I cant ride the scooter anyways because It wont start...

my question:
Is the spree engine too complicated to dissasemble and re-assemble for a person with few or no mechanical skills?

CharlotteSpreeRider · Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:05 pm

Spree engine is about the least complicated engine around. Everything is big and obvious. The shop manual (available in PDF format on this site) has everything you need to know, and if it doesn't, there's always this forums.

(BTW, the Spree only has 1 cylinder so only 1 spark plug.)

Assuming it cranks freely when you try to start it, my guess would be you have lost all compression.

-aseigler

Dac · Post by **Dac** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:07 pm

you should be able to do it.

Changing the plug takes but a second. Cleaning the carb is kinda simple, but just be careful not to loose anything. Main thing in a carb that needs cleaning in the main jet.Its on the end of a tube in the bottom of the carb. Make sure that is clean.

Un1t3dp1aya · Post by **Un1t3dp1aya** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:20 pm

very good, thank you guys for the motovation. One other question i had, more or less, how long do you think the time frame would be to clean everything and put it back together? Im just curious so I can plan how long i'll be bus'in it again.

Dac · Post by **Dac** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:34 pm

umm, i have never really worked on a spree much, but i work on my elite allot so i can give a good guess.

Spark plug. - under 5 minutes. Super fast. Super easy.

Cleaning carb.- under an hour. I can clean a carb. in like 15 minutes. But my first time took my like half an hour. I know some people go super slow to make sure not to loose anything, and make sure it is super clean. But going slow as i can think i cant see it taking over 45 minutes.

Un1t3dp1aya · Post by **Un1t3dp1aya** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:46 pm

thank you very much, i appriciate the help.

Dac · Post by **Dac** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:51 pm

Un1t3dp1aya wrote:thank you very much, i appriciate the help.

is what this site is here for.

Ask any questions you want. We will do our best to help you.

Also, if you can you should download the spree manual. It is very helpful.

GIJoeBob · Post by **GIJoeBob** » Thu May 01, 2008 12:24 am

Dac wrote:umm, i have never really worked on a spree much, but i work on my elite allot so i can give a good guess.

Spark plug. - under 5 minutes. Super fast. Super easy.

Cleaning carb.- under an hour. I can clean a carb. in like 15 minutes. But my first time took my like half an hour. I know some people go super slow to make sure not to loose anything, and make sure it is super clean. But going slow as i can think i cant see it taking over 45 minutes.

Yeah, take this opportunity to reassemble the carb a few times for practice. I can do a carb in about 10 or 15 minutes now as well.

Un1t3dp1aya · Post by **Un1t3dp1aya** » Thu May 01, 2008 12:48 am

I actually do have a hard copy of the manual. The person I bought the spree from referred me to this forum, he printed the manual and placed it in a binder. I've been reading it this week, and yes, it is very helpful.

I will practice that, thanks for the tips.

dukemartini · Post by **dukemartini** » Thu May 01, 2008 10:18 am

just take your time and be very organized and thorough, check the manual alot and if you run into problems, use the search feature on the site because 99.9% of the time you aren't the first person to have that problem.

you should have no problems working on your scoot, *, you might even enjoy it.

Un1t3dp1aya · Post by **Un1t3dp1aya** » Fri May 02, 2008 12:28 am

its amazing what you can find by simply removing the body panels...I took off both sides of the body and the floor panel today, and start preping them for paint. When I took a break to look at the engine, I noticed the heat insulator was hanging down

I had been riding the spree this whole time with only one bolt connecting the carb and the air cleaner band.

Im assuming too much air was getting in, therefore not allowing the engine to start. I placed another bolt which was the same as the other, only longer, to hold the insulator in place. I hit the starter and sure enough the engine started.

I'm heading to Lowes tomorrow to find a exact match so I can mount the pieces back together.

uspmale · Post by **uspmale** » Fri May 02, 2008 1:32 am

If it's the outside bolt, make sure it isn't to long or you can crush the by-starter cylinder. I've seen it happen more than I care to count.

I carry thousands of Spree parts in stock, as well.
All are guaranteed!!

Let me know, greg

Dac · Post by **Dac** » Fri May 02, 2008 9:40 am

uspmale wrote:If it's the outside bolt, make sure it isn't to long or you can crush the by-starter cylinder. I've seen it happen more than I care to count.

I carry thousands of Spree parts in stock, as well.
All are guaranteed!!

Let me know, greg

Un1T3dp1aya, if you are looking for parts go tho' this guy. He has tons of good stuff for cheap. And super fast shipping.

Un1t3dp1aya · Post by **Un1t3dp1aya** » Wed May 07, 2008 3:11 am

So I was not able to find the right size bolt for the carb. I found some that are the right thread size and metric size, but they're too long...I called a honda dealer today...they were no help. I was told the year was to old to get those specific bolts....

Im gettin very impaciant, it got to the point where I was concidering using zip ties to hold it together

I was thinking just using the longer bolt with a spacer, or a few washers....bad idea?

mopedman · Post by **mopedman** » Wed May 07, 2008 6:00 am

uspmale wrote:If it's the outside bolt, make sure it isn't to long or you can crush the by-starter cylinder. I've seen it happen more than I care to count.

I carry thousands of Spree parts in stock, as well.
All are guaranteed!!

Let me know, greg

that would work but i would order it up from uspmale, it wont be more then a few bucks, then u know its the right one