Honda Spree and Elite 50 Forums

Hi guys!
While helping my new neighbors move in I noticed what looked like a pile of Scooter parts already in his garage and asked what was up with it? Turned out to be an '88 Honda Elite ES sb50 (or would be after I got it together), that a friend had sold to him back in 1992 for $100 before he left for the Army. He got as far as taking it apart (to clean it), bought a new battery for it (dead now after sitting for 8 years), and never got it back together nor was he planning on putting it back together. SO, I offered him $150 for it (gotta make a profit right?), and now it's MINE! lol
So far with the help of the online manual I got it back together, cleaned the carb and gas tank, drained the oil and put in new stuff. Tried the kick start (since the battery is dead after I had it on a charger and made sure all the lights and turn signals worked), and it fired right up! Only ran for 30 seconds or so, but at least it wasn't seized up.
Now all it needs is a set of new tires, a battery and it should be good to go, if the new battery will solve the only running for 30 seconds at a time that is.
I've had my share of motorcycles and dirt bikes but this is my first Scooter and I'm looking forward to riding again!

The new battery will not improve the amount of time it runs.
The float bowl may not be completely finished with cleaning.
Possibly the idle jet too.
Make sure the small pinhole that feeds gas into the "bystarter well" is fully open
and the idle jet will allow spray cleaner through into the carb throat.
Of course, the main jet needs to open too.
ALWAYS wear safety glasses when spraying carb-cleaner.
Often times 3 and 4 cleanings will be required to get it right...don't be discouraged...
btw,...Airbox and filter are very important to the tuning of these small 2-strkoe scooters...

Thanks RideRed! I was afraid I would need to do some more cleaning, but I'll give it a go and see what happens.

Welcome and congrats on the scooter purchase. Sounds like that thing doesn't have far to go to be a good time

Welcome to the addiction of scoots

Still working on the carb cleaning but in the meantime I found out a little more about this scooter.
According to the VIN # and the stickers on the frame this IS a 1988 Honda Elite ES SB50. What I've read about it also says that it is a fairly rare scooter with not many sold in the US at all. So does this mean that after I get it running I can sell/ trade it in for a BAZILLION dollars?

You wish.....Those have the spree motor with the addition of a variator driven belt set up.
I think they were only marketed for 3 yrs in north america.
Small frame like the spree, they were only unique in body styling/lighting and fuel tank location/seat and storage differences. Not a lot of performance upgrades available for it either. So not too popular with the speed seekers. Nice looking however, but you can find more on it here: http://www.motorscooterguide.net/Honda/ ... eSB50.html
Good luck with your new venture and hope to see you around on the forum.
There's tons of information here.

Greetings:

Hate to disagree with Bones, but I'm pretty sure the SB has no variator. Better intake and pipe than the Spree, though, so the ES reputedly ran 35 The Pal got the variator. Unfortunately not more power, so not much faster.

Wheelman-111 wrote:Greetings:

Hate to disagree with Bones, but I'm pretty sure the SB has no variator. Better intake and pipe than the Spree, though, so the ES reputedly ran 35 The Pal got the variator. Unfortunately not more power, so not much faster.

...lol....my bad. I got it mixed up. I've only worked on one sb50 before. ...Dude, swap in a dio.

LOL! Well I guess I'm not going to get rich, but I'm at least riding again! Thanks for the info!

A Great big THANKS! To RideRed and the rest who have given me advice on getting my SB50 going!
Today after the 6th Fuel System cleaning, (I plan on doing a few more in the future, this thing was sitting for 23 years), the results are:
No more fuel leaks
Runs quieter
No more big billowy clouds of smoke from the exaust (oil is feeding properly after system clean)
Accelerates to top speed of 35 mph within a block or so,(scooter designed for up to 180# and my son is 6' and weighs 247#)
Odometer now has 935 miles on it!
Investment so far:

Scooter - $200.00
Can of Carb Cleaner - $ 3.99
New back tire and innertube - $ 27.00
Title replacement, registration and insurance yet to go.

Thanks again!