Honda Spree and Elite 50 Forums

Could a Honda Spree over heat simply by not having the fan shroud installed? We drove around for about 15 minutes, top speed, and now it died, and the piston and cylinder are trash. It was still in rebuild mode, so I didn't think of putting it on. I can't think of any other reason for it to over heat. I mean, now that I think about it, it is air cooled, and with no way for it to be air cooled, then I guess what happened, would of happened. I am just wondering if that alone would of done it, or maybe something else as well. Thanks!

Yes running without shrouds could easily have done that especially if you just put in new piston and rings without doing heat cycles then running wide open. Live and learn right?

It wasn't a new piston or cylinder. It was from a parts bike, so it was already worn in. It gave about 90psi cold. I am upset, but I learned.

rogerthat wrote:Could a Honda Spree over heat simply by not having the fan shroud installed? We drove around for about 15 minutes, top speed, and now it died, and the piston and cylinder are trash. It was still in rebuild mode, so I didn't think of putting it on. I can't think of any other reason for it to over heat. I mean, now that I think about it, it is air cooled, and with no way for it to be air cooled, then I guess what happened, would of happened. I am just wondering if that alone would of done it, or maybe something else as well. Thanks!

This is like running and water cooled engine with no coolant.

Every motor with a cooling fan needs a shroud air cooled or not

The shroud helps the cooling process. Honda knew what they were doing. Sorry for your loss.

This is like running and water cooled engine with no coolant.

Yeah, I didn't think about that until after the fact. Oh well. You can bet your a** it won't happen again!

This leads me into another question now (not sure if I should start a new thread or not). Can I simply take one of these two stock cylinders I have laying around, have one of them bored out to 48mm, and then simply purchase the 48mm piston kit sold by Taz? I read you guys talking about jetting, larger carburetors, and so on, but I am not at that level yet. I just think, for the cost, it's not that much more. I also read about you guys shaving the inside of top of the head, and doing other things, but I am just wondering if it's as simple as bore the cylinder, install 48mm piston kit, and off to the races! Thanks!

Check with 'Taz to be sure. IRC a 48mm piston is to far to bore an OEM cylinder. 44mm (+3mm) may be the practical limit.