85 spree runs but no top end

snowdaze00 · Post by **snowdaze00** » Mon May 26, 2008 4:47 pm

My sons spree runs and idles fine but it does not go very fast like it used to. Is there clutching to mess with on these? Does it have a drive belt and centrifical clutch like a snowmobile?

It has had a rough life by looking at it but it has only 4000 miles on it.

Any help or direction will be appriciated.

Thanks

Kenny_McCormic · Post by **Kenny_McCormic** » Mon May 26, 2008 5:26 pm

First do a plug chop, a lot of the time carbs and air filters/boxes plug up and mess with the fuel air mix. Under the left side engine cover there is a belt and centrifugal clutch.

smithko · Post by **smithko** » Mon May 26, 2008 7:31 pm

make sure you take out and clean the carb and if you still have problems look into replacing the pistons.

snowdaze00 · Post by **snowdaze00** » Mon May 26, 2008 8:54 pm

I have cleaned the carb and the spree ran great for several weeks this spring. I have not done a plug chop but the plug does look nice and chocolate brown just fron running.

I would have to say its in the clutching or the belt. What is the spec for the belt. Can I use calipers and measure for a minimum width.

Are there cams and rollers in these clutches..... sorry for all the questions but this is our first spree...........

thanks

Kenny_McCormic · Post by **Kenny_McCormic** » Mon May 26, 2008 9:47 pm

No rollers or anything, fixed gearing, driven pulley is spring loaded to keep belt tension and there is a minibike style clutch built into the driven pulley. The wider/shorter the belt the higher the gearing, a worn down skinny belt will make it slower (worn enough will make it slip), as will smoked clutch pads.

snowdaze00 · Post by **snowdaze00** » Mon May 26, 2008 11:03 pm

thanks for the replies, I will tear into it and see what I find.

jstone · Post by **jstone** » Tue May 27, 2008 12:56 am

The limit on the belt is 10.5mm on the thick side, as per the service manual: http://www.hondaspree.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=37

snowdaze00 · Post by **snowdaze00** » Tue May 27, 2008 5:48 pm

Thank you.

snowdaze00 · Post by **snowdaze00** » Fri May 30, 2008 9:52 pm

well I took the cover off and removed and cleaned the clutch. Pads were pretty shinny so I scuffed them up and also scuffed up the clutch faces.

Belt is pretty close to min spec as a 10mm wrench will go on with a light push and a 11mm wrench falls on.

Havent been abe to test ride it as its raining here.

If this doesn't make an improvement I think I will get a new belt as it is so easy to change. How much is a new belt???

Kenny_McCormic · Post by **Kenny_McCormic** » Fri May 30, 2008 10:07 pm

From honda ~$30 crazy price for a * metric v belt, a 1/2 inch automotive belt should work form what I have read on modding out the trans, will give a slightly higher gear ratio.

snowdaze00 · Post by **snowdaze00** » Fri May 30, 2008 11:02 pm

Kenny_McCormic wrote:From honda ~$30 crazy price for a * metric v belt, a 1/2 inch automotive belt should work form what I have read on modding out the trans, will give a slightly higher gear ratio.

sounds good - any specifics on this automotive belt? Part number or from what vehical?

Kenny_McCormic · Post by **Kenny_McCormic** » Sat May 31, 2008 12:10 am

Auto type 1/2" V belt take in the stock one and see what you can match up.

snowdaze00 · Post by **snowdaze00** » Sat May 31, 2008 1:32 pm

Got it figured out....the exhaust is pluged up. Took the pipe off and it runs great.

How do you unplug the exhaust? I usually build a large fire and set the pipe on top and let it burn. Any other ideas?

thanks

Kenny_McCormic · Post by **Kenny_McCormic** » Sat May 31, 2008 1:41 pm

Yea that works, dipping it in a lye bath for an afternoon seems to work just as good if not better.

snowdaze00 · Post by **snowdaze00** » Sat May 31, 2008 3:08 pm

Lye bath? What is lye? Is that that white powdery stuff....lol Where do I get lye?

What about gutting the inside of the pipe....... do you just loose performance?

Thanks again Kenny