Well after tossing the idea of a motor swap and other various things for my Spree, I decided to just purchase an Elite altogether. This past weekend I went and looked at a 2001 Honda Elite S with only 3500 miles. The scooter was in excellent shape with only a few scratches. I am proud to say I only had to shell out $675 for it
Now this leads me to a few questions....
This weekend I will be un-restricting the scooter and would also like to do some clutch work to it. From what I've read an aftermarket vari and some heavier springs/lighter rollers are just what I need to haul my 235lb butt around?
I found the seller "Autotech355" on eBay who has VERY reasonably priced parts. I would appreciate opinions from people in the "know" on the following two links. Thanks!
Great score on the '01! You won't need heavier than 8s, even with the stock spring. Start thinking about swapping springs if you get down to 4s and 3s, which you probably won't with stock gears. Otherwise, postpone dismantling that clutch pack. It's a PIA unless you have the right tools.
I ordered something from that eBay seller a few months ago - can't remember exactly what. They're alright, but took a long time to arrive.
Wheelman-111
Most of my money is spent on scooterparts. The rest is just wasted.
"ISO": '03 Vespa ET4 Malossi187 74MPH
Flash 9: 2001 Elite SR Contesta 72 ZX Tran, 9:1 Gears, Stock Airbox/Carb/Pipe 58.8 MPH
Punkin: 2010 Vespa/Malossi S78, 61MPH
Great score on the '01! You won't need heavier than 8s, even with the stock spring. Start thinking about swapping springs if you get down to 4s and 3s, which you probably won't with stock gears. Otherwise, postpone dismantling that clutch pack. It's a PIA unless you have the right tools.
I ordered something from that eBay seller a few months ago - can't remember exactly what. They're alright, but took a long time to arrive.
electric impact plus 1.5in socket and adapter make it cake, 2min to clutch teardown
So you can whack a 1.5 on? I thought you needed 1-9/16...
Anyway I got the requisite proper 39mm socket online at the tool seller noted in Docuements. Works like a charm, but beware decapitation if you let that spring loose unexpectedly.
Wheelman-111
Most of my money is spent on scooterparts. The rest is just wasted.
"ISO": '03 Vespa ET4 Malossi187 74MPH
Flash 9: 2001 Elite SR Contesta 72 ZX Tran, 9:1 Gears, Stock Airbox/Carb/Pipe 58.8 MPH
Punkin: 2010 Vespa/Malossi S78, 61MPH
Wheelman-111 wrote:You won't need heavier than 8s, even with the stock spring. Start thinking about swapping springs if you get down to 4s and 3s, which you probably won't with stock gears. Otherwise, postpone dismantling that clutch pack. It's a PIA unless you have the right tools.
I'll take note of this....
I took my Spree clutch to a local dealer I frequently buy parts from and they popped it apart for me for free. I simply used a BF crescent wrench to reassemble it.
If i was looking to hit 50mph (or as close as possible) would a pipe or 9:1 gears be a better choice?
Di-Owners will pipe up quickly to opine. If your stock 50cc bore is capable of 50 MPH with stock gears, it will be at the expense of very high engine RPM available with a pipe. Not so good for engine longevity. Taller gears without a pipe will easily reach 50, but take longer to get there. Doing both is the recommended solution, but budgetary concerns may preclude.
Regardless of your decision, you can probably run 25+ lbs tire pressure (up to the sidewall limit on the tires) and still have decent traction. This will ensure less rolling resistance and ultimately higher top speed than Factory specs, which I suspect are predicated on a 110-lb rider. Bigger folks like ourselves can keep decent traction with pressures far higher than the Manual specifies. I've settled on 28 front and rear.
Wheelman-111
Most of my money is spent on scooterparts. The rest is just wasted.
"ISO": '03 Vespa ET4 Malossi187 74MPH
Flash 9: 2001 Elite SR Contesta 72 ZX Tran, 9:1 Gears, Stock Airbox/Carb/Pipe 58.8 MPH
Punkin: 2010 Vespa/Malossi S78, 61MPH
After doing some more research, I'm thinking about getting the Keli variator, 1000rpm Polini grab springs and the 9.1:1 gears.
This leads me to wonder if I'll need something lighter than the provided 9g rollers with the Keli kit? Insight would be appreciated, as I don't want to lose any more acceleration than I have to!
The Keli works well with the stock ramp plate, better with the OKO. DayWot has a super-secret plate he wanted me to try with it, but I got a Polini variator that had its own. Polini also makes a more robust clutch.
Leave the contra spring alone. Install the +1000 grab trio and find some cheap 6-7-8 rollers and try combos until you're satisfied. Then get the Polini rollers in the weight you decide. Make all 6 the same.
Wheelman-111
Most of my money is spent on scooterparts. The rest is just wasted.
"ISO": '03 Vespa ET4 Malossi187 74MPH
Flash 9: 2001 Elite SR Contesta 72 ZX Tran, 9:1 Gears, Stock Airbox/Carb/Pipe 58.8 MPH
Punkin: 2010 Vespa/Malossi S78, 61MPH
If your stock 50cc bore is capable of 50 MPH with stock gears, it will be at the expense of very high engine RPM available with a pipe. Not so good for engine longevity. Taller gears without a pipe will easily reach 50, but take longer to get there. Doing both is the recommended solution, but budgetary concerns may preclude.