New scooter project

zajaco · Post by **zajaco** » Mon May 11, 2009 9:46 pm

Hi everybody. I am new to this site and scooters in general but I love all things mechanical. My brother recently turned me on to scooters with his 86 Spree. Ever since the first ride I was hooked! I am looking to start a project and was hoping to get some advice from the experts. The reason I posted in the performance forum is because I will most likely have to do some heavy modding to reach the goals outlined below. (Admin, feel free to move this post if its not in the appropriate area)

Goals/Rules
1. Start with an 80's spree
2. Must do 55mph or greater. I want to make sure it can keep up with traffic in my area. Plus there is a pretty big hill that the scooter will need to conquer on my way to work
3. Look cool. What does that mean?? try and keep the original lines in tact. I think the older sprees are sexy as *!
4. Wheelie!!

I have found a few scooters in my area and I'm looking for advice on which one makes the most since for my project. Should I start out with a spree in good working order; 49cc 35mph? Or, does it make since to buy one that is intact but doesn't run since I will most likely be putting a whole new motor/carb on the project anyway?

I did find a 99 Elite SR with the DIO motor in it for $300. I thought that was kind of expensive for a non-running scooter. Not to mention its a 99 and breaks the first rule. But, if its a good deal rule 1 can be flexed.

Thanks for any advice and guidance that you are willing to offer.

Eft37 · Post by **Eft37** » Mon May 11, 2009 10:33 pm

$300 DIO SR non-Running. Who wants to bet that's mine. Chicago craigslist, dude?

I just checked my e-mail, yessir, that's my 1999 you're asking about.

chevyguyjay · Post by **chevyguyjay** » Mon May 11, 2009 10:37 pm

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/mcy/1163621048.html

Eft37 · Post by **Eft37** » Mon May 11, 2009 10:46 pm

Yup, that's mine.

zajaco · Post by **zajaco** » Mon May 11, 2009 10:58 pm

Eft37, I just checked my email. That is a very kind offer you shot my way. So does the elite fit into my requirements? With the DIO motor what will it take to reach 55mph?

I assume that motor & trans will fit into a donor spree?

Does it make more since to start out with a running 49cc spree?

Eft37 · Post by **Eft37** » Mon May 11, 2009 11:07 pm

Are you mechanical? I am not, hence my sale. I'm looking to pick up a better condition one, I'd like to start from a running machine rather than a fixer.
With the Dios, a gearset, speed pully & springs prolly get you to that speed, otherwise maybe those and a 70cc bore kit.
These are the things I would drop into a running machine. Assuming you're in Illinois, you'll need a titled bike, so a title Spree is needed too.

Post by **noiseguy** » Tue May 12, 2009 6:39 am

You'll be hard pressed to get 55 MPH out of a Spree engine with any amount of reliability; best case is about 40 MPH and even that's unusual. I'd pick up that Dio and a dead/undead Spree and put them together. You can part the 99 scoot if you want and get your $300 back out of the deal (or most of it) + any parts off the original Spree motor.

You can easily obtain your 55 MPH that way with mods, but even with little work will have a 45 MPH scooter that will better suit your needs.

Have fun!

teeoce · Post by **teeoce** » Tue May 12, 2009 4:27 pm

I would think that 55 mph is a bit fast on a spree. What is the fastest anyone has ever gone consistently on a spree?

zajaco · Post by **zajaco** » Tue May 12, 2009 5:26 pm

So after lurking around the forum I think I have an idea of what I want to do. I defiantly want to start with a running elite or aero. Then at least I know what I am getting into with the motor. I will mod that motor to get the speed I am looking for and then swap that motor into a spree at a later date.

What model and year of scooter should I be looking for? Is there another thread that explains what motors are in what scooters?

Post by **noiseguy** » Tue May 12, 2009 9:04 pm

zajaco wrote:What model and year of scooter should I be looking for? Is there another thread that explains what motors are in what scooters?

If you're handy, I'd jump on that '99. It will be the cheapest and easiest to mod, and has the most speed potential. You two can sort out the right price

jstone · Post by **jstone** » Tue May 12, 2009 10:52 pm

Ahh I wish I could find a dio like that closer.

Eft37 · Post by **Eft37** » Wed May 13, 2009 12:40 am

Here's salt in the wound: hitting your state all over later this week, but no room in the car to deliver.

Eft37 · Post by **Eft37** » Wed May 13, 2009 12:42 am

zajaco wrote:What model and year of scooter should I be looking for? Is there another thread that explains what motors are in what scooters?

1994-2001 Elite has the DIO.

DorkoElite303 · Post by **DorkoElite303** » Wed May 13, 2009 1:55 am

Yeah, I would say go for it. Strip it down to the block and build from the ground up. don't worry about the panel, make it a rat bike. But once you get that thing running with a nice pipe, carb, intake, bore kit and some gears. That thing will cruise at speeds 55 with room to pass up cars.

Dac · Post by **Dac** » Wed May 13, 2009 10:47 am

Gears and a pulley alone ( a $110 combo) will put that dio at 50mph.

If you starting doing bore kits, and exhaust and carb kits, your looking at crazy speeds. Just ask burnt toast, hes got a 70mph one he rides everyday.

Plus if you ever find a spree you want more you can motor swap the dio into it. The spree is lighter and you will get more speed yet!

Dude, the dio motor is like the best motor you can get for modding up and going fast. If you miss this awesome deal, your not going to find anything like it for a long time.