Pulley/clutch spring modification difficulty?

[relativelybenign]

First off, I want to say that I'm very impressed with your site. It's very well organized and the help that is provided is just top notch. That being said, I've just got a few questions that hopefully you'll be able to answer.

I might be getting a 85 honda spree from my friend in a few weeks. I was concerned about speed and found mods for the muffler, clutch spring and the pulley. My first question is how easy is that pulley modification? I don't have a lot of experience doing automotive repair. I was reading both the user's manuel as well as the pulley mod instructions and it seems like it's doable however some of the graphics are a bit grainy. I think I'll be able to find what I'm supposed to be grinding. For a modification like this, can you recommend any tips outside of what is in the posted document?

Also, since I don't yet have the scooter, perhaps you can explain this. If I understand this correctly, all you're doing is decreasing the spacing between the two pulley halves. It doesn't seem like you're actually adding any lenght to the belt by decreasing that distance. The washers are used to align the rear pulley but still, there doesn't seem to be any length added to the belt. Just decreasing the width. Is this something that will become apparent when i've got the thing in pieces?

And assuming I totally botch the job on my first attempt, would you have a rough guesstimate as to how much a replacement pulley half would cost?

Finally, it's noted in the forums that after the pulley mod, your low end speed takes a dive. How much of a decrease does the average user see and is that clutch spring modification something that one should look into?

Any information you could provide would be more than helpful. Thanks.

[noiseguy]

Best way to do the pulley mod is with a lathe or mill. Otherwise you may be able to use a grinder and with a bit of file/handwork get it right.

You are increasing the front pulley diameter. You'll understand what's going on when it's apart. This makes the rear clutch turn faster, so the higher stiffness clutches help move the engagement RPM back up. Also, a higher engagement RPM means more torque, helping launch. If you want a wheelie monster, just replace the rear clutch pad springs...

The longer belt is, I think, a way to deal with the center spring, which does nothing on a Spree but hold the belt in place. On Elites, it's needed to work with the front variator, and is thus more important. Haven't personally played with the belt much.

New replacement halves are $10 from Honda shop last time I checked.

[relativelybenign]

So aside from a lathe/mill/grinder, there won't be any additional tools required aside from your standard wrenches/ratchets?

Also, what's the turn around for something like this? I would think that the grinding would take the longest. Roughly how much time does it take to get these pieces apart and then back together?

[noiseguy]

With an impact wrench, about 10 min off and 10 min on. Add 10 min for each if you have to remove the engine fan to hold the other side of the crank, and more work to make a clutch holder tool.

[darat]

idk i think that the spree is just well a spree u cant really do anything to it..

[noiseguy]

But that won't keep us from messing with it anyway.

[relativelybenign]

I was just wondering what I could do if I picked up that spree. More than anything, it would be something to play with on the weekends but you never know when you might be on a city street. The last thing I want is to get creamed doing 30 in a 45 mph zone.

If my buddy comes through, I'll def look into those mods. Every little bit helps, right?

[MySpree]

welll the spree that i have is hitting 36 37 on flats and about40 on a hill