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My new Scooter! $100 barn find...sort of

40K views 365 replies 38 participants last post by  Tripps 
#1 · (Edited)
Score! Been looking for a scooter for a few months and just picked this up for next to nothing. No title, key or paperwork or any kind but it has spark and good plastic, that's worth the money right there. Not sure of the year but it's a Honda Elite 150 so it can only be one of four years that they made them. If I can't get it running I can easily make money on the plastic and parts. 3K miles, only problem with the plastic is a scratch on the front fender and a broken turn signal which can be repaired. This the very cool, flip up headlight model. It'll be coming in the house tomorrow so I can work on it at my leisure.







I'm not worried about the lack of paperwork unless it turns out stolen. I can register it and get a title in either VT or NH not sure which but it's easy enough from what I've read.
The used exhaust will sell on eBay for more than I paid so if I can't get it running it'll be parted out. I hope I can get it running though. Sounds like it could be as simple to fix as a cheap CDI unit from what I've read online today.
 
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#174 ·
The bikes I do ride are upset, they need some love HAP. I'm not sure it's the best ad I ever wrote but if it's gone tomorrow I'll be cool with it. It's a very cool scoot and if it would behave I'd have some fun with it but holding it's hand in the garage every weekend makes me think of it as a very insecure woman. And that's why it's getting sold to the highest bidder regardless. Is that wrong....nope.
 
#187 · (Edited)
Oh Oh Oh....I might have just found my next scoot. There's an 04 Aprilia Mojito custom for sale nearby, 4K miles and in pristine condition, driven by an old man that's too sick to ride anymore. Unfortunately she's leaving town tonight but offered me first dibs when she gets back on Saturday. I'm not posting the ad because the photos aren't very good but check out the you tube, same color, etc. Screw you Honda Spacey, I'm getting a modern scoot...

http://youtu.be/g3q8MXw-6_E




Here's another you tube going top speed. He must be going down a big hill...

http://youtu.be/e8CJxflP9RM
 
#188 ·
If you are talking the 50cc 2 stroke you will be disappointed and annoying for others on the road and people you pass by on the sidewalk (or them passing you).

If you hold out for a 4 stroke 150cc scooter you will feel a little better and will not be annoying to others except the guy on your street whose hot wife keeps saying to him "I wish I had a scooter like that guy. Why don't we get a scooter?"

If you weigh more than 150 lbs you will appreciate a 250cc 4 stroke minimum.

 
#189 · (Edited)
It's the 150. Check out that second video for max speed. I have been keeping a eye out for the Sport City, that scoot has 14" wheels and gets very good mpg's but this one is priced right and I like the styling, even with all the chrome.

Talked to an independent mechanic tonight and he's willing to take a look at the Honda. He's a fair guy and I trust him, plus great rates. I'm going back out to the dungeon first though to see if there's something simple I'm overlooking, it really should fire right up. If I can get this running it's probably worth $800 which would make the Aprilia almost a wash and 20 years newer. I know it'll run, I just need more beer.
:beerchug

 
#192 · (Edited)
Honey, draw a nice hot bath, light up the candles and open that bottle of 84 Merlot...the scoot is running.:snork

Maybe it was because I had my lucky Smoky mountain Rat Raid shirt on, I don't know, but there was no way I was taking this scoot to the mechanic without having it running first. Damn thing always kicks right over. Turns out it was the same issue as before, stuck valves, I just didn't wiggle them around enough. Still have the acceleration issue but I'll let the mechanic deal with that as long as he can do it for $100 or less. I'll read up before I take it to him though and see if I can figure it out myself.
:highfive

Got the salt and grime ridden chain on the DR cleaned up nicely too. Wanted to clean the pistons on the brakes but decided to quit while I was ahead.
 
#194 ·
I stopped at Napa this morning to see what they had to fix spark plug treads. Some idiot must have stripped the threads and fixed the Honda by putting in a bigger plug, the right plug doesn't thread, too loose. The Napa guy thought they put inserts into the head that could be replaced so I called the Honda dealer and he said no, they are cast into the head. When I got home tonite I had a look and saw this....



Looks like an insert to me. It's not even flush with the head. Have any of you seen this before and is it something I should be able to pull out and replace?
 
#196 · (Edited)
Dave, plenty of beer here but Helicoil doesn't make a 12mm insert, already checked. Neither does Napa's Save a Thread. There in lies the problem. Damn tiny Japanese protrusions.:D
I'm gonna email that photo to the Honda parts guy though and see what he thinks.

I'm wondering, yes wondering...not wandering...if maybe I just need to ride it 100 miles to wear off some oil/grime I might have gotten on the clutch or belt that could be causing the slippage on acceleration. I wore glove and cleaned everything but this acceleration issue started after messing with the gears and bearings. Maybe I'll just give it a good wringing of the neck tomorrow. Ride it until it stops slipping. If I had a wife she'd probably say "Go for it" right?
The "plug" issue can wait. Every good wife understands that I think...right?
 
#198 ·
#205 ·
I was wondering about that too but didn't see any indication that it was the 50cc. I did notice it sounded different than the 150 though. Thanks for pointing that out Trumpt.
I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas to arrive having to wait until Saturday to see the scoot. Hopefully she won't sell it to one of her funeral friends while she's away.
 
#211 ·
IT'S ALIVE!!!! New belt, roller weights, lot's of new bearings, etc, etc, and this morning it finally decided to cooperate. Turns out my slow acceleration issue was due to having the airbox off after replacing rollers and messing with the carb. Needs to be connected to get the proper pressure to the engine. Now I need to decide if I sell it while it's running good and buy the Aprilia or keep the funky little bastard. I'm swaying towards the Aprilia since it's 20 years newer and in very good condition. Decisions, decisions. What would you guys do?
 
#217 ·
Ahhh, your persistence paid off, Ride. Great Ad that's reads so much better now that she's running


And yeah, you are right. The younger sexy Italian is the way to go! :)
 
#219 ·
Oh Jeez, that's hilarious. Like you want two more bikes (even if mini) two work on.

The .22 might be nice though! :)
 
#224 · (Edited)
Here's the beauty of the Honda. I rode down the street to the Blind Tiger after dropping the kids off for a beer (I know...not cool). It's a beautiful warm night so figured I'd let it sit in the lot with the for sale sign on. People were asking who's scoot that was. Then some sort of custom painted HD and an older ZRX1100 pulled in. I was inside when they came in but started talking and knew the guy with the Kawi. He asks if that's my scoot. Of course I'm in sales mode so proceed to explain all the cool funk the scoot brings to manhood. The custom HD guy says...Did you see my bike? I say, yep, it's parked next to the Kawi, the guy next to me responds accordingly and the conversation goes back to my scoot and the Kawi.
Priceless!:laughhard

If the Honda doesn't bring $800 I'll keep it just for bike nights.:jimlad
 
#225 ·
Of course I'm in sales mode so proceed to explain all the cool funk the scoot brings to manhood. The custom HD guy says...Did you see my bike? :tosser I say, yep, it's parked next to the Kawi, the guy next to me responds accordingly and the conversation goes back to my scoot and the Kawi.
Priceless!:laughhard
Fixed!

You could of sold tickets to that! :D
I woulda bought one.
 
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