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Honda spree only starts with starting fluid
Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2022 10:40 pm
by 80's vibes
Hey guys. I'm picking up a 1985 honda spree on Wednesday and i've never owned a scooter so i need some advice. The guy i'm buying it from says it runs good without issues but he said it needs starting fluid to fire up. What should i look for to fix this issue? Thanks
Re: Honda spree only starts with starting fluid
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2022 12:04 am
by motormike
Welcome to this forum 80's vibes... 
The typical problem with most any bike that sits for a while is the fuel evaporates from the carburetor,
leaving behind a film of varnish that plugs the jets and passages and mucks up the whole inside.
By your description of how the scooter is said to run, I'd say the pilot jet is plugged, and/or the "bystarter" could be stuck or bad.
You need to spend some time learning about the function of the bystarter.
If you know how to clean a carburetor, great !...but if you don't, you will need to learn.
It is not easy to find anyone who will work on the bike, and expensive labor rates can kill the value of the bike.
Good luck, but sounds like a good buy if you are willing to do some work.
Re: Honda spree only starts with starting fluid
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2022 7:46 am
by 80's vibes
Thanks for getting back to me. For the lots of research and limited youtube videos that's those are the only things i could think of as well so by the end of the week i'll give you an update
Re: Honda spree only starts with starting fluid
Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2022 1:21 am
by 80's vibes
Ok so i got the scooter today and it turns on and runs great. It get's up and moves no problem but it just doesn't want to idle on it's own...and advice on that one?
Re: Honda spree only starts with starting fluid
Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2022 8:56 am
by IvyOperator
80's vibes wrote: ↑Thu Jul 07, 2022 1:21 am
Ok so i got the scooter today and it turns on and runs great. It get's up and moves no problem but it just doesn't want to idle on it's own...and advice on that one?
You'll have to adjust the idle screw. It's on the side of the carb. Should be a Phillip's head with a spring under it. Mess around with that in small adjustments until you get it to idle on its own.
Re: Honda spree only starts with starting fluid
Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2022 9:11 pm
by 80's vibes
Hey everyone. You'll never guess what was wrong. I was messing with the idle screw but nothing really changed so i decided to adjust the air mix screw and it was almost closed. She idles on her own just fine now. The only thing that's happening now is it bogs at full throttle. If you don't go full throttle it speeds up fine but won't go past 25. I'm guessing i'll probably have to clean the carb
Re: Honda spree only starts with starting fluid
Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2022 9:33 pm
by motormike
I am sorry I didn't tell you to start by setting the adjustments to spec. as a first step.
Good work on diagnosing and fixing it.