Honda Spree and Elite 50 Forums

I just got an 89 elite sb50p and it wont go past 17-20mph, it gets a little faster when it warms up it's like the ignition keeps cutting out at high rpm. I've changed the jets from 68 to 65, changed 3 plugs and experimented with different plug gaps. I've got a good battery, I rebuilt the carb, fresh high octane gas, good compression (95lbs), and it runs the same way w/o the battery.
Any suggestions?

Between this and your other thread, it sounds to me like you are a newby to the scooter world, with two new acquisitions. WELCOME. That means I'm no longer the newby! I can relate. I bought two small scooters within a month's time and every day has been a learning experience. But I love it.

If you think it's in the ignition, pull the covers and run it on its stands in the dark. You just might see spark jumping. How great that would be. Then you would just have to replace the plug wire and that would be it. But life is not always that easy.

These little carbs are very demanding for cleanliness and removal of varnish and carbon. Let me share a personal experience. Remember, I'm a newby. One of my new scooters is just like yours, except just an SB50, not SB50P. By the way, there may be something in there to remove the "P" restriction. I haven't experienced that yet. Ask that as a separate question.

Back to my story. I had a problem with original carb which eventually led to its death and funeral. Long story. I bought a carb off eBay. Idled okay, but bogged on throttle. I cleaned, even soaked in Gunk solution which you don't dare stick your hand in. Then it was explained to me. As you look at the carb with the bowl off, you see the main jet in the middle, and a small pipe next to it. Turn it back to top, and look down from throttle valve side. You see the main jet hole in the middle and near the parameter, you will see a little bitty hole which correlates to that pipe you see on the bowl side. If that hole is plugged, you will not have any secondary or high end performance. It takes a #13 guitar string or piano string to clean it out My son says it's the "E" string. Work at it until you are able to squirt carburetor cleaner through it. Varnish can be tough so don't give up until you are sure it is clear.

This may not be your problem, but it's worth considering. When you're done, unless you have reason to believe you are over jetted, put the 68 back in.

BTW, there is a good thread in this forum on how to properly clean the carb. It doesn't have the issue I'm talking about yet, but I think its author is in process of adding it. We've talked about it.

mccain, something else I just thought about and believe it deserves saying. If you are getting any power at all above idle, there could be something else to consider. That secondary passage may not be fully plugged. Add "Sea Foam" additive to the gas tank. It's available at most parts stores. It won't take much, so don't dump the whole can in. There are instructions on amount to add. It is an excellent cleaner. If your problem is in the carburetor, the Sea Foam will cut the varnish and you will see a gradual improvement in performance. It may take a tank, maybe two, but you should see a gradual improvement.

Thanks, it just so happens I have a can of Sea Foam in my cabinet that I haven't tried yet (didn't even think of it).

I just check the spark in the dark like you suggested and saw no jumping spark. After I posted this thread I also tried swapping the coil from my spree with no joy then swapped the CDI boxes too. Again, no joy. Im gonna' try the Sea Foam and cleaning the carb a little better.

The plug fouled out and the scooter stopped running. The plug was very wet and dirty so I poked a hole in one of the baffles and removed the air filter and now it runs like a champ, 30mph+. I drove a few miles and checked the plug...it looks PERFECT!

Does anyone know why?

mccain wrote:The plug fouled out and the scooter stopped running. The plug was very wet and dirty so I poked a hole in one of the baffles and removed the air filter and now it runs like a champ, 30mph+. I drove a few miles and checked the plug...it looks PERFECT!

Does anyone know why?

your exhaust was probably clogged?

Is there something else I could do to unclog the muffler?

Throw it in a barbecue grill or some such! or plug one end, and let draino sit in it for about 3 days?!

I have Draino Gel, would that work?

Lunytune wrote:You see the main jet hole in the middle and near the parameter, you will see a little bitty hole which correlates to that pipe you see on the bowl side. If that hole is plugged, you will not have any secondary or high end performance. It takes a #13 guitar string or piano string to clean it out My son says it's the "E" string. Work at it until you are able to squirt carburetor cleaner through it. Varnish can be tough so don't give up until you are sure it is clear.

Okay, I honestly believe this exact clog is my problem. I have carb cleanered it to the moon and back and I absolutely cannot get carb cleaner to go through it! I have used canned air also. I have filled the little hole (from the throttle side)with carb cleaner constantly hoping it would eat at the varnish. Every hour or so I worked at it with guitar string but nothing! Should I buy the carb type dip for this little passage or is there another approach?

christle wrote:

Lunytune wrote:You see the main jet hole in the middle and near the parameter, you will see a little bitty hole which correlates to that pipe you see on the bowl side. If that hole is plugged, you will not have any secondary or high end performance. It takes a #13 guitar string or piano string to clean it out My son says it's the "E" string. Work at it until you are able to squirt carburetor cleaner through it. Varnish can be tough so don't give up until you are sure it is clear.

Okay, I honestly believe this exact clog is my problem. I have carb cleanered it to the moon and back and I absolutely cannot get carb cleaner to go through it! I have used canned air also. I have filled the little hole (from the throttle side)with carb cleaner constantly hoping it would eat at the varnish. Every hour or so I worked at it with guitar string but nothing! Should I buy the carb type dip for this little passage or is there another approach?

Don't give up. If you can't get anything through it, you've found your problem. It took me a while too, but persistance pays off.

mccain wrote:I have Draino Gel, would that work?

I've heard that the gel doesn't work as well as the original. Something to do with it being gel and some of the key ingredients that decarbonize you muffler are let out in gel form. Spend the few bucks and get a gallon of the original.

Brrrr! You guys scare me talking about Drano. I was burned severely almost 40 years ago with industrial strength caustic and worked with industrial ammonia every day, and I still vividly remember the pain. But then, it's no more dangerous than pouring gasoline in the muffler and throwing it in the fire.