LOW COMPRESSION ON FRANKENSPREE

Trying to get your Spree/Elite to run, or run better? Post your questions here.

Moderator: Moderator

jmcginn68
Noob
Noob
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Aug 14, 2012 3:43 pm
Location: ann arbor mi

LOW COMPRESSION ON FRANKENSPREE

Post by jmcginn68 »

hi,i purchased an 85 spree basket case,guy said it siezed+he broke new ring assembling it.it came w new DOMED PISTON+HEAD (old ones were flat)i measured cylinder its within specs,honed it but ring would not colapse enogh w expansion ring under it.(i notice aftermarket pistons dont have the third octagon ring)so i omitted expansion ring.the lettering was correct the ex on piston is pointing to exhaust,the lawn mower guy said"thats a tight fit you will have high compression"im getting a whopping 30 lbs. + it wont stay running.i put new head+ base gaskets+sprayed soapy water+no bubbles.IM STUMPED.is the crank,stroke,or connecting rod different on early + later sprees.i want to put new reed valves but dealer said discontinued.does anyone know a repudable place to get them?last resort crank seals,i dont want to go there.thanx for any feedback.
User avatar
Bear45-70
CBR1000RR
CBR1000RR
Posts: 9682
Joined: Mon Jul 23, 1973 10:24 am
Location: Union, WA.

Re: LOW COMPRESSION ON FRANKENSPREE

Post by Bear45-70 »

Actually the original '85 Spree had a dished piston, not a flat piston. The domed piston is the factory replacement and running the original '85 head with the domed piston is a performance enhancer, more compression. And the rest of the engine is the same, late and early. Have you confirmed on a running engine that the compression gauge is good?
Bear 45/70
Image

'83 Aero 80 X 3
'84 Aero 80 X 3

'85 Aero 80
'84 Aero 125 X 2
'84 Aero 125
'84 Aero 125 X 2
'85 Aero 50
'85 Spree
jmcginn68
Noob
Noob
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Aug 14, 2012 3:43 pm
Location: ann arbor mi

Re: LOW COMPRESSION ON FRANKENSPREE

Post by jmcginn68 »

THANK YOU so much for your thoughts bear.the original pisto n is "dished" sorry for calling it flat.im leery of running flat head w dome piston due to piston hitting head.would every thing else withstand more compression having 25 yrs+2000k?have not confirmed tester is good but when i gave it the "cuban thumbprint plug hole test"it showed little force on my thumb.i have to eyedrop gas in plug hole to start+it wont run long,not enough power to pull my pot belly.thanx for any more ideas !!!
User avatar
Bear45-70
CBR1000RR
CBR1000RR
Posts: 9682
Joined: Mon Jul 23, 1973 10:24 am
Location: Union, WA.

Re: LOW COMPRESSION ON FRANKENSPREE

Post by Bear45-70 »

It will work just fine and no the piston will not hit the head.

If the engine starts with primer in the plug hole, your compression is not

30 PSI because these engines will not fire at less than 70 PSI.

Clean the carb per instructions in Wikispreedia.
Bear 45/70
Image

'83 Aero 80 X 3
'84 Aero 80 X 3

'85 Aero 80
'84 Aero 125 X 2
'84 Aero 125
'84 Aero 125 X 2
'85 Aero 50
'85 Spree
jmcginn68
Noob
Noob
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Aug 14, 2012 3:43 pm
Location: ann arbor mi

Re: LOW COMPRESSION ON FRANKENSPREE

Post by jmcginn68 »

carb was cleaned thoroughly
User avatar
Bear45-70
CBR1000RR
CBR1000RR
Posts: 9682
Joined: Mon Jul 23, 1973 10:24 am
Location: Union, WA.

Re: LOW COMPRESSION ON FRANKENSPREE

Post by Bear45-70 »

Once is not enough with these carb. The average noobee takes 3 tries before getting it right. Clean the carb per the instructions in Wikispreedia.
Bear 45/70
Image

'83 Aero 80 X 3
'84 Aero 80 X 3

'85 Aero 80
'84 Aero 125 X 2
'84 Aero 125
'84 Aero 125 X 2
'85 Aero 50
'85 Spree
jmcginn68
Noob
Noob
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Aug 14, 2012 3:43 pm
Location: ann arbor mi

Re: LOW COMPRESSION ON FRANKENSPREE

Post by jmcginn68 »

soaked it all in acetone for 2 weeks,pushed out the "main jet? thing w the little holes blew air + carb clean every wich way ,even that hole in bowl bottom.
jmcginn68
Noob
Noob
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Aug 14, 2012 3:43 pm
Location: ann arbor mi

Re: LOW COMPRESSION ON FRANKENSPREE

Post by jmcginn68 »

i also put all new seals+float needle
User avatar
noiseguy
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 4419
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2004 8:00 pm
Location: South Florida
Contact:

Re: LOW COMPRESSION ON FRANKENSPREE

Post by noiseguy »

Bear45-70 wrote:Once is not enough with these carb. The average noobee takes 3 tries before getting it right. Clean the carb per the instructions in Wikispreedia.
Heck, I've got a carb on my SA50 that I've had apart 6 times and it's still not right ;)
Admin, Hondaspree.net

Buy air filters and gaskets here (Ebay): http://stores.ebay.com/noiseguysstore
Buy air filters and gaskets here (Amazon): www.amazon.com/shops/spreepower
Buy a t-shirt here: https://teespring.com/stores/spree-powersport-products
User avatar
noiseguy
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 4419
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2004 8:00 pm
Location: South Florida
Contact:

Re: LOW COMPRESSION ON FRANKENSPREE

Post by noiseguy »

jmcginn68 wrote:soaked it all in acetone for 2 weeks,pushed out the "main jet? thing w the little holes blew air + carb clean every wich way ,even that hole in bowl bottom.
I don't hear mention specifically of the idle jet... it won't idle with this plugged... and it's always plugged.
Admin, Hondaspree.net

Buy air filters and gaskets here (Ebay): http://stores.ebay.com/noiseguysstore
Buy air filters and gaskets here (Amazon): www.amazon.com/shops/spreepower
Buy a t-shirt here: https://teespring.com/stores/spree-powersport-products
User avatar
Bear45-70
CBR1000RR
CBR1000RR
Posts: 9682
Joined: Mon Jul 23, 1973 10:24 am
Location: Union, WA.

Re: LOW COMPRESSION ON FRANKENSPREE

Post by Bear45-70 »

jmcginn68 wrote:soaked it all in acetone for 2 weeks,pushed out the "main jet? thing w the little holes blew air + carb clean every wich way ,even that hole in bowl bottom.
Acetone is NOT carb cleaner and is nowhere near caustic enough to clean a carb, especially one with very little plugged passages, AKA the idle or pilot circuit.
Bear 45/70
Image

'83 Aero 80 X 3
'84 Aero 80 X 3

'85 Aero 80
'84 Aero 125 X 2
'84 Aero 125
'84 Aero 125 X 2
'85 Aero 50
'85 Spree
abreen89
CB900F
CB900F
Posts: 1324
Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2012 7:32 pm
Location: Graham,WA
Contact:

Re: LOW COMPRESSION ON FRANKENSPREE

Post by abreen89 »

jmcginn68 wrote:soaked it all in acetone for 2 weeks,pushed out the "main jet? thing w the little holes blew air + carb clean every wich way ,even that hole in bowl bottom.
You need this http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detai ... &ppt=C0126
'89 Honda Elite SB50p STOCK
'85 Honda Spree NQ50 STOCK sold
'85 Honda Spree NQ50 48mm bbk, taz gears, 18mm carb w/ ct intake
'86 Honda Aero NB50 Stock In The Works ;)
'86 Honda Aero NB50 Stock
User avatar
martynkim
Board Supporter
Board Supporter
Posts: 2899
Joined: Tue Jan 05, 2010 10:22 pm
Location: Tacoma, Washington

Re: LOW COMPRESSION ON FRANKENSPREE

Post by martynkim »

abreen89 wrote:
jmcginn68 wrote:soaked it all in acetone for 2 weeks,pushed out the "main jet? thing w the little holes blew air + carb clean every wich way ,even that hole in bowl bottom.
You need this http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detai ... &ppt=C0126
Not needed. $ on something that works but, an added cost. $2 can of carb cleaner will do. Just follow the instructions.
Need parts? Parting out Spree Aero and Elite!
What people share about buying from me http://www.hondaspree.net/phpBB3/viewto ... =1&t=15559
PM me with your needs Cheap Parts
User avatar
Bear45-70
CBR1000RR
CBR1000RR
Posts: 9682
Joined: Mon Jul 23, 1973 10:24 am
Location: Union, WA.

Re: LOW COMPRESSION ON FRANKENSPREE

Post by Bear45-70 »

martynkim wrote:
abreen89 wrote:
jmcginn68 wrote:soaked it all in acetone for 2 weeks,pushed out the "main jet? thing w the little holes blew air + carb clean every wich way ,even that hole in bowl bottom.
You need this http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detai ... &ppt=C0126
Not needed. $ on something that works but, an added cost. $2 can of carb cleaner will do. Just follow the instructions.
Over the years I have had poor performance from the spray carb cleaners and years of crap in the carb. The dip has always worked in the end.
Bear 45/70
Image

'83 Aero 80 X 3
'84 Aero 80 X 3

'85 Aero 80
'84 Aero 125 X 2
'84 Aero 125
'84 Aero 125 X 2
'85 Aero 50
'85 Spree
abreen89
CB900F
CB900F
Posts: 1324
Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2012 7:32 pm
Location: Graham,WA
Contact:

LOW COMPRESSION ON FRANKENSPREE

Post by abreen89 »

Is carb clean cheaper in Tacoma in graham I pay 4+ a can
'89 Honda Elite SB50p STOCK
'85 Honda Spree NQ50 STOCK sold
'85 Honda Spree NQ50 48mm bbk, taz gears, 18mm carb w/ ct intake
'86 Honda Aero NB50 Stock In The Works ;)
'86 Honda Aero NB50 Stock
Post Reply