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Is this a good deal? 1985 Honda spree
Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2014 1:37 am
by jaznl
Sorry forum this is my first post ever so excuse me if Im breaking and rules but I have a major question to ask. Im looking into getting a 1985 honda spree and was wondering if this was a good deal. I dont have any pictures but its got 2800 original miles on it and 100 miles on a new rebuilt engine. Physically, the color is fading and their are white marks. Here are the specifications he listed:
for $550
1985 Red Honda Spree 50cc Two Stroke Engine
- 100 miles on the newly rebuilt engine, 2800 miles on the rest of the scooter. Purchased scooter at 2700 miles before restoration project.
- When I bought the scooter I took the entire scooter completely apart, cleaned all body panels, engine parts, oil/gas tank, carburetor, etc.
- Added a kickstart (1984-1985 Honda Sprees did not originally come with a kickstart)
- New cylinder, new piston, new piston rings
- New rear brakes
- New fuel filter
- New spark plug
- New belt
- New battery
- Replaced all missing hardware (nuts/bolts)
- Decarbonized exhaust/muffler
- Cleaned oil reservoir, oil filter, oil lines
- Cleaned fuel tank, fuel filter, fuel lines
Cons
- No Title, will provide bill of sale if requested
- No Key/Use any key or screw driver to turn it on
- Could use new tires
- Slightly ripped seat
also, if theres no title, will registering this be difficult or easy? he claims he has most of the paper work filled out and bill of sales and VINs
thanks you guys if you could help
Re: Is this a good deal? 1985 Honda spree
Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2014 9:26 am
by Wheelman-111
Greetings:
You might find a better scooter WITH the paperwork done for the same price at this time of year. The seller is dumping the work on You, promising "It'll all work out." Sometimes it doesn't. Check the VIN number through CarFax or the like, and make sure it hasn't been stolen, for starters. Sometimes sellers lie for money.
Re: Is this a good deal? 1985 Honda spree
Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2014 10:19 am
by Rip_City_Spree
I only buy bikes with titles if I plan on using them for drivers. That's just me though. make sure it's not stolen.
Re: Is this a good deal? 1985 Honda spree
Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2014 4:34 pm
by motormike
In California...don't touch any scooter without title... 
This Spree is OVER-priced...by a whole lot.
Be smart and PASS on this one.
Save your $$ until something with a future comes along, like an Aero or Elite... 
Buy a Spree, and be sorry later when you realize it just won't GO... 
Re: Is this a good deal? 1985 Honda spree
Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2014 6:40 pm
by jaznl
this is all true but i feel that because i live in california the prices are higher than the your guy's locations. He also offered parts as well such as a carboertor set , gaskets, etc. but idk if he would budge anymore on the price... Also this is my first scooter ever so i thought a honda spree would be a nice fit...
Re: Is this a good deal? 1985 Honda spree
Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2014 6:46 pm
by Rip_City_Spree
How fast do you need to go to be safe on the streets. That should be your question. Sprees just aren't that fast. I loved mine but only needed to go 30-35 with it so I was good. After driving my elite I'll never go back. Sprees are great first scooters as long as you are safely traveling on roads that are 35 and under.
Re: Is this a good deal? 1985 Honda spree
Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2014 7:09 pm
by motormike
jaznl wrote:this is all true but i feel that because i live in california the prices are higher than the your guy's locations. He also offered parts as well such as a carboertor set , gaskets, etc. but idk if he would budge anymore on the price... Also this is my first scooter ever so i thought a honda spree would be a nice fit...
I understand that California is STRICT about vehicle registrations.
If you want a POSITIVE experience buying and owning your first scooter,
this deal is screaming at you ..."RUN AWAY"
NO TITLE bikes are absolutely NOT easy to overcome, in any state, let alone one of the strictest.
I can tell by your statement that you are still tempted to buy this Spree.
You asked for some opinions.
I give you mine in all honesty and candor...RUN AWAY ! !
and find one with good, clean title...and Spree is a good bike, but S-L-O-W as a snail in OEM form.
You would be better off with an Urban Express, Aero, Elite, Jog, or anything with a variator...
EDIT : most importantly, the answer to your question is NO, this is a terrible deal... 
Re: Is this a good deal? 1985 Honda spree
Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2014 7:33 pm
by jaznl
motormike wrote:jaznl wrote:this is all true but i feel that because i live in california the prices are higher than the your guy's locations. He also offered parts as well such as a carboertor set , gaskets, etc. but idk if he would budge anymore on the price... Also this is my first scooter ever so i thought a honda spree would be a nice fit...
I understand that California is STRICT about vehicle registrations.
If you want a POSITIVE experience buying and owning your first scooter,
this deal is screaming at you ..."RUN AWAY"
NO TITLE bikes are absolutely NOT easy to overcome, in any state, let alone one of the strictest.
I can tell by your statement that you are still tempted to buy this Spree.
You asked for some opinions.
I give you mine in all honesty and candor...RUN AWAY ! !
and find one with good, clean title...and Spree is a good bike, but S-L-O-W as a snail in OEM form.
You would be better off with an Urban Express, Aero, Elite, Jog, or anything with a variator...
EDIT : most importantly, the answer to your question is NO, this is a terrible deal...
i understand motor mike, i really do appreciate the input. and idk i really am still tempted..... i checked through carfax and it says there 0 history of it.... is that good or bad?....
Re: Is this a good deal? 1985 Honda spree
Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2014 7:34 pm
by jaznl
also my town's max speed on the main strip is 35mph and pretty much that all the way throughout the town lol.
Re: Is this a good deal? 1985 Honda spree
Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2014 7:55 pm
by Wheelman-111
Greetings:
Aside from the stiff asking price and the real possibility that you won't be able to make it Legal and get a license plate, the Spree has issues. Faded ABS plastic isn't easy or cheap to restore. Then consider it unlikely that you will ever see 30MPH, and even that comes up in no particular hurry.
Honda made the Spree to sell cheap, Really cheap. By omitting a variator, the little power the engine has struggles to start off, gains speed gradually, and tops out at 30. Guys here mainly swap engines to get a city traffic capable scooter. Assuming you are willing to mod, figure another $400 added to the price. For that kind of money, there are better machines.
Re: Is this a good deal? 1985 Honda spree
Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2014 8:14 pm
by motormike
jaznl wrote:also my town's max speed on the main strip is 35mphand pretty much that all the way throughout the town lol.
In 35 mph zones, most vehicles are going to drive at least 40 mph. Fact.
Those vehicles will weigh several thousand pounds and the drivers will be texting on their I-phone.
A stock Spree with a rider weighing 150 pounds will barely achieve 30 mph at it's VERY FASTEST.
You will not be traveling along with traffic under these circumstances.
You will more likely be getting passed on both sides, being honked at, and being the target of water bottles and assorted sundry items.
Your only chance for survival on city streets is quickness and agility.
Spree has one of those.
Not to be completely hate-full towards Spree, they are fun in the appropriate setting... 
No title = No sale
Re: Is this a good deal? 1985 Honda spree
Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2014 10:55 pm
by jaznl
Oh thanks for the input everyone!! Really do appreciated it, but can you guys answer this now, how come having no title is a bad sign for just overall sale??! I'm really curious and confused.
Re: Is this a good deal? 1985 Honda spree
Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2014 10:56 pm
by jaznl
It's not stolen or anything.... On carfax it shows 0 history records....
Re: Is this a good deal? 1985 Honda spree
Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2014 11:03 pm
by Rip_City_Spree
Can be really really hard to get it licsensed to make it legal to drive on the street. Just a big paperweight if you can't drive it. not saying it will be hard to do but you won't know till you do. I just don't waste my time without a title. Been burned and it's not worth my time. Would rather pass on a "deal" and wait to find the better "deal". listen to the guys on here. Great advice there are plenty of scooters out there.
Re: Is this a good deal? 1985 Honda spree
Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2014 11:05 pm
by jaznl
I might ask for 400 or 450...