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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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#49 ·
Got the scoot running!:D
Used the starter fluid and was able to keep it running for 3-4 minutes. Very cool. The exhaust is shot but "It's Alive"! Tomorrow the carb comes off and maybe, just maybe I can ride it around the block once the carb is cleaned out. Stay tuned!
 
#52 · (Edited)
I'm hoping to take it on the road tomorrow. We'll see. Right now it seems not to like throttle. I'll have none of that behavior.
I think I'll have to clean the carb before it'll haul my butt up the hill but it's running and that's making me smile bigtime!

It's Alive Master....It's Alive:party
 
#65 · (Edited)
The exhaust is going to be a problem. Not easy to replace but Honda still has them available for $360, more than I want to spend.
I was going to take it out for a a short spin today but I think I have to go through the drive system first. It moves but not well and I don't want to damage it further. Belt looks good so I'll pull the bearings and have a look at those and change the fluid at the same time.

Update: Lubed the brake cables and got them free'd up a bit, the rear wheel started spinning better with throttle...so I took it up the road a block. Goes along ok I guess, don't really have anything in my background to compare it to. Loud sucker though.
 
#66 ·
Decided to pull the exhaust, it was hanging on there loose anyhow but the bolts were still in place. Obviously no seal and the flange that fastens to the header is bent and cracked.







There may be hope for fixing it, I'll take it to a welder and see what he can do. I don't see any rusted through spots on the exhaust. The last screw on the heat shield stripped and I decided to call it a night.
 
#70 · (Edited)
Spent the night changing fluids and making a gasket for the exhaust. Still need a better bolt for the fixed exhaust bolt but the homemade gaskets seemed to quiet it down quite a bit, I think the exhaust is ok. I just took a hammer and tapped the flange back into place, no need to weld anything.

Check it out...

before...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VbcPVuXns4&feature=youtu.be

and after...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuyFi1bWR1c&feature=youtu.be

The oil looked good but changed it anyhow, the tranny fluid looked good also but changed that as well. Didn't tear off the plastic to do the coolant but that also looks good so I'll do that at my leasure.

Not sure how much you can tell from the video but the goat poop on a tin roof sound is gone. I think the exhaust is fine.

This weekend I'll take it for a spin and let one of my kids take a vid of it on the side street. The wheel is spinning much better and I think it'll move along pretty good now. (No question Roxy, this beats a Sportster in a box hands down every day of the week) Stay tuned....

Just sent in a check to Vermont DMV. Let's see if I can get this thing registered.
 
#72 · (Edited)
After reading more today this is the way the VT thing works. I think it's basically for bikes 15 years old or older under 300cc. VT will or should issue me a VT registration and plates, they don't title small bikes and scooters. Once I have the registration I can transfer it to NY and NY will issue me a title. Other states are aware of VT's deal on the registration and don't really care as long as they get a legal registration. I'll post up how it goes. I should have the plates in about 10 days.
BTW, I could have done the paper work and paid all the fee in NY for a new title but it would take months and cost a lot more.
 
#77 ·
Nice ride, Ride!
 
#79 · (Edited)
Electrical help?

To all you electrical guru's out there. I just got my new ignition switch in the mail. Good fit and should work fine once I figure out which wires to hook up. The plug is different on the new one but both use 5 wires. I'll have to cut and splice the old plug on the new switch.

The old switch has a separate wire and a 4 wire plug. The separate wire is black with white stripe. The 4 wires in the other plug are red, brown (green stripe), green and black.



The new switch has a 5 wire plug. Colors are green (2), brown, red, black with white stripe.



I'm guessing the black (white stripe) on each connect, same with the brown and red. That leaves 2 green on the new and the green and brown/green on the old. Would both of those be grounds? Here's how it's labeled on the old switch schematic.

Brown-Bat(2?) can't read the number
Red -Bat(1?) can't read the number
Black-Bat(3?) can't read the number
Green-E(ngine)
B/W-IG(nition)

On the new switch (for a 50cc Spree) the wiring diagram only shows 4 wires even though there are 5 wires on the switch. The schematic labels them...

Black-Battery
B/W-Ignition
Green-E(ngine?) There are two green wires but only one mentioned and shown in the drawing
Red-BA1
 
#80 ·
Good deal gettin that scooter going Ride! Don't know what to say about the wiring. The best thing would be to look at wiring schematics of both. The adventurous way would be trial and error.

Not so lucky with my recent purchase. I am slowly turning it into a basket case like Lefty's Duc. Maybe we can have a contest to see who can't get their's running first.
 
#82 ·
I've got schematics for both switches. The new one (for the Spree 50) is where I'm confused as it only shows 4 wires instead of five. I'll let the electrical genius's at work figure that out.
Tomorrow I'm going to check the valves and see if they're in spec. My fear is that it may need rings. Never done that type of work and would have to hire it done. I'm way below my break even point so that wouldn't break the bank on this project.

The scoot is running so maybe I'm winning? Or does that mean I'm losing the race to being the first to fail???:confused:
 
#86 ·
I'd say so. Hey if it gets you around town, whats a little smoke hurt? Pretend its one of those two strokes.
Yeah, you could hook up a sound system that plays the exhaust note of an old GP racer like an RG500 Gamma or something. That would be cool.
 
#87 · (Edited)
Took the logical approach and wired up the new switch. My only real concern were the two green wires on the new and the green green/brown on the old switch so I just randomly connected those wires (figuring they were both grounds) and the switch works.:clap Now I can reinstall it and use the keys! I also got the locks for the seat and glove box with this kit ($16 on ebay, new, two keys). The glovebox lock fit, the seat lock didn't. I can get the seat off without the key so no big deal.
Also adjusted the valves and installed the proper exhaust gasket this morning.
Great to be able to use a key and not pliers to start the scoot.
 
#88 ·
You know, for some of us, there is a huge amount of satisfaction in getting a machine running. Any machine. I dig this thread, Ride. Really cool.
 
#89 ·
Luckily it didn't take much to get it running. Getting it legal could be another story though. I'm enjoying messing with it and look forward to using it as a commuter. Glad you guys are following along.

Found a rubber air line loose in the chassis this morning, not sure what that's supposed to be attached to. Time to start digging through exploded views in the service manual.
 
#91 · (Edited)
Go get it Tremor.

OK, pulling the front plastic off this thing is like pulling your own teeth.:eek: It's all in fairly good shape but some fastening points are broken and the left turn signal part is busted off. Got all the plastic bits inside now and will repair what I can, replace rusted screws and start buffing out imperfections and give them all a coat of wax.
Note: if my registration fails and this turns out to be hot (I ran the VIN and nothing came up) I'm gonna be P!$$ed.



Lot's of beer in the fridge, time to put some tunes on and polish my plastic bits.:cool:

Note: These bikes often get the broken plastic removed and ridden naked, they call them Skellies. Don't think that thought isn't crossing my mind after removing the plastic. Here's a fine example...



$$ spent so far...around $100 and that includes $50 for registration and plates in VT.
 
#93 · (Edited)
You got that right Denis...what do you think I'm up to here anyhow? I'm thinking Clair. You should have seen her eyes light up when I showed her a pic of "The Beast"



You just know she's scooter friendly.:D

BTW, for Denis's lady friend (we need a name here please), Denis never even said hello to this girl and always diverted his eyes to every barmaid in the establishment. Welcome to the US. We need pics of you in the side car.
 
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