Honda Spree and Elite 50 Forums

bkitchen1015 wrote:I have an 85 Spree with two different problems. The first is that it does not like to idle very much. Once I start it, it will run well for about 30 seconds then it starts to die. If I give it just a little throttle it stays running but its not exactly idling. I have cleaned the carb a dozen times and it hasn't made a difference. Am I supposed to be able to see light through the smaller idle jet? Yes, but you need a very bright light like a LED flashligh and a dark room, hole is he size of a pin tip. I have tried to spray carb cleaner through it and I think some gets through but If I try to look down it I see no light, is something probably stuck? If so how can I get it out? DO NOT ATTEMPT REMOVAL The second problem is that at speed sometimes it will bog down. If I am cruising with the throttle all the way open she may run great, then I will hit a little bump and suddenly it loses power and I have to let off the throttle to about half power then she will come back up. Its never consistent in this problem and it can even happen if I dont hit a bump although its more likely to happen if I do. It doesnt always let me come back up to full power either, sometimes it wont let me get past half power but if I shut it off and wait a half hour it runs fine again. Do a plug chop. I actually have a third issue thats not really a problem but may help someone figure out what my problem is. When I first start it, I have to be on a decline so I can run down the hill and get speed. If I dont then it will barely put any power to to the wheels before it dies. Once it gets up to 10 mph or so it has great power but until I do it that once when it first starts I'm going nowhere. Thats called warm up.

Anson3 wrote:Interesting but I have the same problems. As Kenny said, check the plug for condition. Mine will run at idle forever but once I crack the throttle it will bog and die. I have rebuilt (and reassembled) the carb several times just to verify settings and condition, have replaced the auto-bystarter (which I think is a fancy term for auto-choke), check the coil resistance, changed hoses, replaced the fuel valve all to no avail. I am beginning to think that the engine is just tired and not producing enough vacuum. The plug is always black and wet and I see no way of lowering the float level as the tang is plastic. UGH! Good luck, one of these items may be your problem... I may have a parts bike here soon.

bkitchen1015 wrote:I did a plug chop and it was a cocoa color. The carb is clean, I was able to see a little light through that hole. It has a few leaky gaskets so I am going to try and replace the gaskets as well as the piston rings. It looks like the head gasket has some oil/gas mix leaking from it. Once I replace those I'll update if it helped.