1983 Honda Express "Deluxe"

[PolarIce]

Picked this up today for $80 on CL.

You guys are making me obsessed with these scoots. In less than a month I've picked up an 88 Elite LX, 84 Aero 80 and now this.

Using the seller's pics for now.







According to the VIN it is NOT an Iowa model. Rusty tank, missing the kick start handle and the battery cover. Wish me luck.

[PolarIce]

OH boy.. Looks like I have more work than I thought. Moved the kick start from the 88 Elite to the Express and got NO movement. So I took off the head and found this.



Any suggestions to get this "moving" again? or will I need to start a rebuild?

[Bear45-70]

Use a 50/50 mix of ATF and acetone and let it soak for a couple of days adding more of the mixture every 4 hours. If that does not do it you will either have to disassemble the engine or chisel the piston into pieces.

[PolarIce]

Use a 50/50 mix of ATF and acetone and let it soak for a couple of days adding more of the mixture every 4 hours. If that does not do it you will either have to disassemble the engine or chisel the piston into pieces.

Thanks Bear, doing that now. I'll let you know how it goes.

[PolarIce]

Is the piston supposed to move freely? I took the cover off and moved it by hand but it's really binding up.

No scoring or grooves in the piston so far.

[Bear45-70]

I would suspect that water got into the crankcase and screwed up the bearings. Pull the jug (cylinder) and see it the crank will turn over smoothly with the piston free of the cylinder.

[fatrat440]

Just to let you know, the vin number does not tell if it's an Iowa. Chcek out the attached pics. Mine is an Iowa Urban and the vin does not say I or Iowa on it. But mine is an 82, not an 83. Iowa models will have a sticker on the frame under the seat that says Iowa.

[PolarIce]

Just to let you know, the vin number does not tell if it's an Iowa. Chcek out the attached pics. Mine is an Iowa Urban and the vin does not say I or Iowa on it. But mine is an 82, not an 83. Iowa models will have a sticker on the frame under the seat that says Iowa.

thanks. Yep, I don't see an Iowa under my seat so I think I'm good. Meanwhile, I got my info from here.

NU50M Urban Express Deluxe Year Colors VIN Engine Number Product Code
1983 Century Brown Metallic, Cosomo Black Metallic JH2AB130*DK000001, JH2AB131*DK000001 (Iowa) AB13E-2100001 GC1

Looks like the Iowa's started at 131 and up?


http://www.jacksscootershop.com/honda_VIN.html

[PolarIce]

OK. Feeling pretty good today and unfortunately a little embarrassed.

I was getting ready to take the engine out and now that it is up on the lift, I finally saw this -



I got the stator cover off and wouldn't you know I got nice easy piston movement in the jug.

Looks like the "binding" was wearing on the stator -



Can anyone tell me if this looks "normal" ? That metal tab looks bent up and is probably rubbing.



Looks like I am now in the market for a stator cover. I'll apologize in advance to bear if that is not the proper terminology for that piece.

[fatrat440]

Your stator honestly looks very good on the inside, have seen much worse, rusty, grinding, crap that when cleaned up will still work just fine. Not sure if that tab is supposed to be bent like that but just make sure it's not rubbing and you'll be fine. A new cover is in order.
I have had them come through where the stator is rusted to the point it wont move, the starter is rusted so bad it will not do anything even when taken out of the bike. Evaporust goes a long way in getting these parts working again.

[PolarIce]

Trying to button up the Urban, finally got an exhaust, TJamz is sending me a gas tank... so while I wait I thought I'd see if I could get it to turn over. Fed gas through the carb with a long hose and it went straight through and leaked out of the float bowl...

My starter worked fine on the bench but now that it's mounted and back into the electrical system of the bike all I get is a clicking sound from this piece. (Circled in RED)



Tried kicking it over but still nothing, took out the spark plug and NO spark

So... now I get to chase down all of these problems -

[AtLarge]

Dude, that's your turn signal flasher that is circled. Shouldn't be clicking when you hit the starter. Right below that is the starter control. You can replace it with one from the auto parts store but you have to switch the wires around.

[PolarIce]

Got a whole bunch of parts in the mail yesterday (Thank you E-bay)...

Here's what I have installed so far...

From TrafficJamz (gas tank)



and then some before and afters of all the missing/broken parts I needed.








And finally the completely missing, hard to locate UE exhaust system with leg shield.

[PolarIce]

Well I guess I am done. I'll probably clean up the plumbing for my manual choke but otherwise she's a runner.

Here's the before



And after







Appreciation goes out to fatrat440 and bear for all the advice and insight.

[motormike]

I like it, PolarIce.....these are some sweet lookin bikes when it comes to style. Very similar to gyro lines, seat and bars especially. I would trade 2 Express I bikes for 1 Urban..................