86'Spree Special Edition:Need Advice on Maintenance & Repair

[homefrie]

So I just bought my first scooter! I've been wanting one for years and I finally have the time, funds and interest in bringing this thing back to its prime or better. I'm using it mostly for commuting 3 miles one way to work. I want to do most of the work myself. Not knowing much about mechanics (besides changing a flat and oil on my car) let alone the mechanics of a scooter.

1986 Honda Spree Special Edition

smaller scooter pic.jpg (162.77 KiB) Viewed 2020 times

It is relatively good condition, all parts working. a few things however:

-lots of miles! 29k
-seems to be burning a lot of oil
- it stalled a few times one morning if I released the throttle w/o pressing the brakes, took it back home and drove my car (is that normal?) I noticed it was low on oil when I got back from work. I filled the tank and it haven't had a problem since.
- takes a little to take-off... I guess I could describe it as a lag
- the idle seems a bit high... sounds like a lawnmower....back wheel seems to be going waaaaaay to fast when on the stand...

I want to make sure it's good on the inside before I start working on the aesthetics. I know very little about scooters but can, have and will do my homework and am pretty handy.

Any advice welcome!

[dun rite]

A little light reading for you. http://www.hondaspree.net/other/Spree_NQ50_84-87_1.pdf

very nice looking spree.

chapter 3 has carb adjustments for the idle

dont own a spree so not sure how zippy they are on take off, I hear there a little slow but you might check the drive belt against the specs in the book.

Welcome to the site and enjoy the scooter experience.

[Wheelman-111]

Greetings:

Welcome. Two-cycle engines usually have total-loss lubrication systems and smoke more than some Polite citizens think they should. Stalling isn't normal. 29K miles is on the high side but it may be fine. Replac the Maintenance items in the manual unless you know they're fresh. Check the 4-digit Born on dates on the tires and consider repacing if >10 years old.

[homefrie]

Thanks, that's exactly what I needed, the manual is super detailed! What kind of tires would be best? I will be mostly using it on pavement but may sometimes need to ride it on grass. I read knobbys are good for off-road, but how are they on the roads?

[swimmingfree]

a little ruff a good street tire is the best and the scooter are not made for the trails ...
swimmingfree

[patthesoundguy]

I've run knobbies on my spree since day one. They work fine on the street but can be a little rough at low speeds. But if you have to drive on the grass a lot, they are the best! I run my spree at two outdoor festivals I do in the summer, a lot of grass there, knobbies keep me from dumping on the wet grass especially. My local Honda shop sells the knobbies same price as the street tires. Another drawback of knobbies is the softer compound wears out faster.

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