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Drivetrain bound up on me 20Mph

Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 10:10 pm
by MrChimpo
So today I was riding my bone stock 1986 Honda Spree 49cc (8500 miles) and at about 20Mph the drivetrain bound and made a friction [metal on composite? (clutch?)] sound that lasted until the scoot got down to 5mph. I am a 170lb rider and there was no extra weight on the scoot, level ground, half throttle... I was able to go up to 15Mph without it binding, and limped it home.

Recently I have noticed the clutch slipping more than I feel a MoPed should (getting up to 15Mph would take 20-25 seconds). This is my first scoot, but I have seen other 49cc scoots do just fine. I have the manual for the scoot and I am mechanically inclined therefore working on it shouldn't be an issue. Please post back any advice, direction, or knowledge You may have to get my Honda back on the road. Thanks in advance

Re: Drivetrain bound up on me 20Mph

Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 10:57 pm
by zuphilius
Take the side cover off and have a look. Hopefully its something simple.

Download the manual if you havent already.

Re: Drivetrain bound up on me 20Mph

Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 11:00 pm
by martynkim
Remove the cover Inspect the belt. However, what you are describing sounds to be a clutch possibly. If nothing looks askew remove the bell in the back and inspect the clutch lining.

Re: Drivetrain bound up on me 20Mph

Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 1:15 am
by fastplastic
Don't forget to checks/change trans fluid its probley over due anyways

Re: Drivetrain bound up on me 20Mph

Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 11:13 am
by MrChimpo
Thanks for the quick responses - I am going to pull off the side cover this morning and have a look at what is amiss inside. I watched a good amount of YouTube videos of a guy changing the clutch and variator on his elite 50 to get an idea of what to expect. Does the Spree have a variator?

Fluid? Trans fluid? I didn't know these sprees had that. Could someone please direct me to a download of the service manual pdf? (mine is on the other linux PC not here) I am dedicating the day to research, learning, and wrenching to get on top of this setback... Happy Motoring :coolcruise:

Re: Drivetrain bound up on me 20Mph

Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 11:18 am
by charleswymer
u can get the manual here


viewtopic.php?nomobile=1&f=11&t=999

Re: Drivetrain bound up on me 20Mph

Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 11:36 am
by MrChimpo
Just got the manual. As a point of reference, how different are the honda elite 50 and honda spree 50 drivetrains? I am looking to understand the concepts of the parts used to transfer power.

Re: Drivetrain bound up on me 20Mph

Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 11:42 am
by swimmingfree
spree do not have variator .. look at chapter 8
swimmingfree

Re: Drivetrain bound up on me 20Mph

Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 1:10 pm
by MrChimpo
I just pulled off the main left side case cover (clutch & belt metal cover) and noticed that the transmission cover has the oil check bolt removed (I assume oil has leaked out) and the etching AF05-E on it. The rear tire has alot of wobble to it (free play side to side) and I did not see a drain hole for the transmission fluid. From my research the AF05-E isnt the stock transmission? Any other serial / model numbers to look for to get to the bottom of this?

Re: Drivetrain bound up on me 20Mph

Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 1:23 pm
by charleswymer
since it has the af05e motor it should have a variator to

Re: Drivetrain bound up on me 20Mph

Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 1:45 pm
by MrChimpo
I am going down to the hardware store to buy a replacement oil level check bolt (the 12mm one) but don't know the thread pitch or length of it -- without going to a Honda or Motorcycle parts supplier does anyone know what the dimensions of this bolt are? I am going to refill the final reduction (transmission) compartment with the recommended 10-40w that the manual calls for. I hope that this gets me back on track without having to remove the clutch / V-Belt.

Re: Drivetrain bound up on me 20Mph

Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 11:01 pm
by MrChimpo
OK I got most of the drivetrain to disassemble - the front gear off as well as the drive belt. I ordered one from the autoparts store (Goodyear AX-24) and I am going to clean up the pulley surfaces with emery tape before the new belt goes in. I also bought a can of carburetor cleaner, disassembling the carb for cleaning, bought a new NGK plug, and I am filling the dry transmission with 10-40w oil as manual calls for. I also fixed a HUGE exhaust leak near the flange mating surface of the head / exhaust....

I will be out tomorrow riding hoping that this drivetrain issue is resolved so that I can focus on improving the looks of the bike... Honda has always been a great brand to me thus far in reliability and ease of maintenance - this Scoot should be a great pillar to that when finished ;-)

Re: Drivetrain bound up on me 20Mph

Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 11:32 pm
by Bear45-70
charleswymer wrote:since it has the af05e motor it should have a variator to
Wrong, the Spree has the AF05E as does the SB50 Elites yet neither has a variator.

Re: Drivetrain bound up on me 20Mph

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 12:00 am
by martynkim
The way to easily tell the difference is the direction of the kickstart. Counterclockwise, Spree AFO5E. Clockwise variated AFO5E. :surprise:

Re: Drivetrain bound up on me 20Mph

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 10:02 am
by MrChimpo
It does not have the variator, just the front gear for kickstart (counterclockwise) which serves as a stationary drive pulley. I had the autoparts store measure my Bando belt and it was .38 - .39 so I purchased a Goodyear AX-24. Will this belt perform well with a (suspected) half-worn clutch??? Ill find out this afternoon when it all goes back together. :coolcruise: