Honda Spree and Elite 50 Forums

This is a great forum and I have found a lot of useful information and direction here.

I bought a 1986 Spree three weeks ago and finally got all the parts in to get it running. I found when I first got the Spree that it would not stay on. I had to start it with Staring fluid and once that burns off, it dies. If I give it a little throttle, it dies faster.

I took the carb apart and found that the float was broken and there was a screw missing in the float bowl. I ordered the parts and a carb gasket kit. I replaced everything and still have the same problem. I figured that a dead battery was a possible culprit, but a new battery was installed and still I have the same problem.

I downloaded the shop manual, but don't know what to try next. Oh, with the new battery, the starter button does not work, that's another issue to resolve. I bought this scooter very cheap, it only has 300 miles so I figured it could not be that bad.

Any direction or help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Dan

same thing happened to me the idle screw should be turned in quite a bit, turn it in so that when you take the throttle slide out you can see just under 1/4 inch of the needle it it worked for me then once its running turn it out to the desired idle speed but i would let it warm up first because when the choke is on you may get a fast idle eny ways.
hope that works

minihondaclub wrote:
I took the carb apart and found that the float was broken and there was a screw missing in the float bowl. I ordered the parts and a carb gasket kit. I replaced everything and still have the same problem. I figured that a dead battery was a possible culprit, but a new battery was installed and still I have the same problem.



Thanks,
Dan

So when you had the carb apart you cleaned the heck out of it I am assuming? You made sure that you could blow air or carb cleaner through all the holes without any problems?

Did you make sure the petcock is working? - you should get a steady flow of gas when drawing a vacuum on the vacuum line.

If the petcock is OK, I would remove the carb again and make sure the pilot jet (the skinny non-removable brass tube) is really clear of debris. The jet hole is very small and gets blocked easily.

Also, make sure the bystarter is properly sealed onto the carb body.

Try starting with your hand over the air cleaner vent.

Clive.

Alright, I had already cleaned the carburetor thoroughly when the scooter would not start. I found I had a bad float and ordered a new one along with a gasket set. I should have ordered a new needle / jet kit but I did not (possible mistake, I'll explain later).

Parts came in and I cleaned carb again and put new gaskets in. Still had the same problem. I always made sure I had gas in the tank. I would try to start it and found that gas was coming out of the float bowl drain hose, after about an hour of trying to start the scooter.

I could not get to the scooter after I last posted until today. I tried all the suggestions in the postings and on other posts. I found that I was not getting any gas. Tank had gone empty! My own fault. I cleaned the petcock because the carb was so dirty the first time I cleaned it, I figured the petcock could use a cleaning too. It needed it. Now gas could pour freely and clean.

I now filled the tank and verified fuel was getting into the carb again. I tried to fire the scooter up, but still nothing. I added some starting fluid and got it to start, but it only stayed on until the fluid burned off. I used the two finger method to manual restrict air to the carb, "choke it" literally. I was able to get it started and get it to stay on, so long as I choked the opening of the carb.

Now for my question:
How do I keep it on?
I backed the air screw out to the recommended turning per the factory manual and I seem to be having a problem with the throttle cable. I cleaned and verified it was to factory specs, but it does not feel like my other Honda bikes. I does not move as smoothly and feels like it has too much play. I have reduced the play from the adjustment at the handle bars, but it did not work.

Question #2:
Working with the engine finally running for longer that the burn-off of the starting fluid, I came across another problem. My air screw does not stay in the position I leave it in. I suspected that the screw needed to be replaced, but upon looking it up online I saw that a spring goes in the hole along with the screw. Is this true, does a spring go with the air screw too. The throttle screw has one that is exposed. I guess the air screw spring in hidden in the carb. Now if that's the case, the guy who had this scooter really sucks for not putting the parts back together correctly.

I hope that helps resolve some of my problems, hopefully some of you fine and experienced Spree owners could verify the spring and point me in the right direction for keeping this fine scooter on the road.


Thanks in Advance
Dan

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Do I need to check the exhaust too?

Man this little scooter is a lot of work.

I have other Honda bikes that are a lot easier to get running!


:

minihondaclub wrote:
I saw that a spring goes in the hole along with the screw. Is this true,

Dan

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Yes. Without that spring the screw won't stay seated and will likely fall out from engine vibrations.

If you can't find it, you'll probably have to order a new screw with a spring; they're not sold seperately that I know of.

Here's a source I recently used:

http://www.powersportspro.com/pages/par ... Honda.aspx

Regarding your throttle cable: be sure the slide is correctly seated in the carb. It only goes in ONE way - with the notch towards the engine, slide dropped all the way down in the carb. If the throttle grip doesn't snap back after you open it, that's likely the problem.

CaptDan

First, Starting fluid and 2 strokes is a bad thing. The fluid can blow your reeds out of the engine and it really won't start then.

Second, Brake has to be on before starter will crank. That's why there is a catch to hold the brake on.

Third, Did you squirt either spray carb cleaner, brake cleaner or WD-40 thru all the passages in the carb to verify they are clear?

Thanks for the advice.

1. find spring,

2. try starter with lever on catch,

3. make sure to seat part correctly into carb.

I'll try all these things once the weather warms up a bit. It's a cold day in Texas today!

Thanks for all the help, I'll let you know what happens.

Dan:

You not only need a spring - there are also a small washer and o-ring that go in there too.

These often stay in the air screw hole when the screw is removed, later to drop out in the carb cleaner, never to be seen again.

It's important to put back in a washer and o-ring, otherwise air leaks past the screw and plays havoc with the air mix.

Clive.

minihondaclub wrote:Do I need to check the exhaust too?

Man this little scooter is a lot of work.

I have other Honda bikes that are a lot easier to get running!


:

Those others would be 4 strokes. 2 stokes take a lot of care, feeding and attention. They are really a lot like women.

So Bear:

what would 4 strokes be like!

Clivester wrote:So Bear:

what would 4 strokes be like!

Buy one and find out.

You didn't read my signature!!

Just wondering what your perspective was

Clive.

Clivester wrote:You didn't read my signature!!

Just wondering what your perspective was

Clive.

OK, my perspective is that 4 strokes. As long as they are not emissionized to the extreme, are way less tempermental. Start easier and weather changes, both short term and seasonal have less effect on their performance. The 4 stroke normally has a longer life between rebuilds than 2 strokes (not always, but usually). That's why 2 strokes have taken a back seat to the 4 stoke for everyday life usage. For top power per CID, 2 strokes are king, but it come at a price.