87 SE50 "Elite S" project..piece by piece

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Meatball
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87 SE50 "Elite S" project..piece by piece

Post by Meatball »

So I picked up an 87' SE50 with 2k mi from a guy that dumped it then let it sit for a few years and doesnt run. After a degreasing, a carb clean, new filter/plug/battery it came to life and runs very well. Tank was rusty so I scored a good one from a local bro (thx, benji). It has decent acceleration and tops out about 39-ish on a flat with my 185lb body. Ive put maybe 700mi of problem-free riding on it until Winter weather took over. Now the wrenching begins....

pics from the day I brought it home...
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Re: 87 SE50 "Elite S" project..piece by piece

Post by Meatball »

I started with repairing the broken lens and glovebox area by doing some plastic welding. Basically, pushing the cracks tight and melting together with a soldering gun followed by epoxy. All grey plastics are faded and beat up but will be painted.

First project was replacing the stem/forks with that from a 2006 Metropolitan. Details on this swap can be seen in another thread with pics and info. I also scored a sweet set of Metro wheels from a fellow forum member. I tossed a fresh set of EBC pads in there for good measure. Wheels will also be painted later when the new tires get squeezed on.
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Re: 87 SE50 "Elite S" project..piece by piece

Post by Meatball »

Next to go on was a SSS Slick Willy pipe. Some fresh new exhaust gaskets arrived from Noiseguy so I put the pipe on and checked for fitment....like a glove. I haven't been able to give it a full test yet since the weather is snow/rain/snow/rain here in December. The stock main jet was #82 so I upjetted to #85 to better agree with the new Willy pipe. Will play with jetting more later.

Wheels painted gloss black and new rubber installed.
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Last edited by Meatball on Sun Jan 15, 2017 4:35 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: 87 SE50 "Elite S" project..piece by piece

Post by Meatball »

Next up is a Polini Variator and belt. Fit was perfect. Again, I haven't had a chance for a test ride yet but I started it in the garage and it spins the tire like it should so I know the install was a success. Also, the Willy pipe has a deep tone and sounds real mean. Cant wait to get this set-up dialed in.
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Re: 87 SE50 "Elite S" project..piece by piece

Post by Meatball »

After the current set-up is dialed in, next on the list is a set of Malossi gears. They are on the shelf with a fresh gasket and oil on stand-by.
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Re: 87 SE50 "Elite S" project..piece by piece

Post by Meatball »

Down the road, the bike has BBK, carb/intake in its future. Then clutch upgrades and possibly a front disk system. Stay tuned..... :peace:
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Re: 87 SE50 "Elite S" project..piece by piece

Post by Meatball »

After a 3mi test run, results are in.

Bone stock: Decent acceleration with top speed around 39-40

Polini vari/belt and Slick Willy installed: Seemed to lose some acceleration and top speed was 41.1

Stock Main Jet was #82 and I bumped up to an #85 when the new pipe went on. Will try a #90-#92 and post results.
Rollers are currently 6.3g.
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Re: 87 SE50 "Elite S" project..piece by piece

Post by Kustomkarma »

When I went to the Slick Willy pipe on my stock SE50, I only went up one jet size. My carb is off of a SA50 1990 something. I felt like I lost low end, but it did seem to pick up some power in the mid range. I've never had it over 35mph, so not sure on the top end.
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Re: 87 SE50 "Elite S" project..piece by piece

Post by Meatball »

2nd test run: Acceleration from a stop and mid-range is a dog. Stock was better. All that was changed was vari/belt and pipe. I will put the stock pipe back on and see if things improve. I was able to hit a slight hill briefly until traffic held me up. Uphill topped out at 27mph whereas in stock form was around 35.(same hill Ive traveled 100 times) Downhill was a different story...typically tops out at 43 but this time it jumped up to 45 before I had a car in my way. I think it would've done much more if I had a clear path.

I know what youre thinking...LIGHTER ROLLERS. Currently have 6.3g in there now. Will try pipe swap first since I have that on hand. Rollers will need to be ordered.
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Re: 87 SE50 "Elite S" project..piece by piece

Post by Meatball »

Current road tests have been done with lack luster results...

Bone Stock - decent acceleration, top speed 40.1

Add Polini Variator with 6.3g rollers - same acceleration, top speed 40.6

Add Slick Willy pipe and changed Main Jet to #87 - LOST acceleration, top speed 40.9

Changed Rollers from 6.3g to 5.3g - Brought acceleration back to stock-ish, top speed still 40.9

Tried Stock Exhaust just to try it with the new Vari/rollers/#87 main - Feels like better-than-stock acceleration, top speed 39.9

The results are just not there. Any thoughts?
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Re: 87 SE50 "Elite S" project..piece by piece

Post by Wheelman-111 »

Greetings:

The Slick Willie pipe may be oversized if you're at 50cc. That'll kill low- and mid-range, and by the time the revs are high enough, the engine can't breathe enough. Can Graphie still get the Malossi 47mm cylinder kit? Maybe there's a Polini for AF05 on a dusty Italian shelf somewhere??
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"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
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Re: 87 SE50 "Elite S" project..piece by piece

Post by Meatball »

Can I run the Malossi kit SSS has with my stock carb?
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Re: 87 SE50 "Elite S" project..piece by piece

Post by Wheelman-111 »

Greetings:

I did for a week on F2, with upjet to 90 or 92, can't exactly recall.
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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
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Re: 87 SE50 "Elite S" project..piece by piece

Post by benji »

I would swap your clutch springs out for stronger ones, and your contra spring too. If it's stock it's probably week and allowing slippage. These mods will raise your rpm on take-off and during acceleration. You'll need to do clutch springs and a contra spring anyways w the bbk.
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Re: 87 SE50 "Elite S" project..piece by piece

Post by benji »

And I can get you the polini bbk if you want it. Yes you can run stock carb w upjet but I suggest a new carb w changeable idle jets.
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