Honda Spree and Elite 50 Forums

!983 urbane express in neglected shape, but purchased by friend anyway. The problem is getting it started and to continue running. I checked compression with the Pep Boys cheap kit and got only 75 lbs. using kick starter. Don't know if this is accurate. Another thing was finding oily, greasy sludge in the variator. Could this be an indication of a leaking crankcase bearing on the left side of the engine causing the problem with starting? I did all the normal "try to get it going things" like clean the gas tank, check fuel delivery, clean the carb, new air filter sponge, new plug, new belt, cleaned the clutch and variator, etc. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Buckeroo Bob wrote:!983 urbane express in neglected shape, but purchased by friend anyway. The problem is getting it started and to continue running. I checked compression with the Pep Boys cheap kit and got only 75 lbs. using kick starter. Don't know if this is accurate. Another thing was finding oily, greasy sludge in the variator. Could this be an indication of a leaking crankcase bearing on the left side of the engine causing the problem with starting? I did all the normal "try to get it going things" like clean the gas tank, check fuel delivery, clean the carb, new air filter sponge, new plug, new belt, cleaned the clutch and variator, etc. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

I'm a newbie also, but I'll suggest reeds... damage to, as in.

honda used to pack the variator with grease.

low compression is probably your starting issue.

Really? They packed the variator with grease? Seems like a recipe for slipping belts, etc. Well, I cleaned it all out since it was black and combined with rubber and did not lubricate it in any way. The drive belt was only 60% of its original width. Guess I'll just have to pull the head and cylinder and go from there. Thanks for the insight.