New Elite 150 Rider (Amateur Mechanic)

Sharpp · 06-10-2012, 12:16 AM

Hi Forum! I'm the new owner of a 1987 Honda Elite 150. This scooter spent its life (so the story goes) strapped to a motor home and was used sparingly - about 500 miles in 25 years! I'm happy to report that since I started riding it this April, I've put over 1500 miles on it. This machine likes to go!

I've done a little bit of weekend wrenching: a couple of oil changes, new tires (Michelin S1's, great tire) dug in to check out the belt and variator, new battery, new iridium spark plug. That plug BTW, really makes a difference! My fuel mileage has gone up 4-5%, and the scooter starts immediately and idles smoothly. Once I added a Givi E30 top case, the practicality of a scooter as my primary means of transportation was realized.

Thanks for the many helpful posts. The scooter community is the most helpful bunch I've ever seen!

Sharpp

=retread= · 06-10-2012, 04:18 PM

sounds great, all we need is some pics !!!!

Wentwest · 06-10-2012, 09:06 PM

A fine motor vehicle. One of the best.

hayasakiman · 06-11-2012, 06:31 AM

I wish I could've said the same with my Riva purchase. It run OK for 300 miles, then it started giving me a bunch of problems. I like working on them but riding is much more fun.

Good luck with your Honda.

btcn · 06-12-2012, 11:31 AM

You'll enjoy this scoot!

At first you'll very likely have to do a bunch of little things. Replace your intake manifold right now, read up on all these on this here forum. Its $30 that'll possibly save your engine!
CDI could be a PITA, read my forums on it if you ever experence carb like intermittent power issues!

Once these issues are sorted out, it'll be one rock solid, reliable as an f150, classic scoot! Its full of that 80s style! I find watching it ride around the block make it look like 20 years ago! You either hate of love the style. I didn't like it at first, but I've grown to love it!

The engine is water cooled, and will last a very very long time if you take good care of it, which sounds like you are. I've seed these with over 100K miles still running strong! Change the oil every 1K miles, or you can go about 2K or so with a good motorcycle synthetic 10W40 oil.

You should be able to do 64+ MPH in decent conditions [flat road, no wind/or tail wind] given enough time. My stock Elite 150 maxes out at around 66 MPH in good conditions, maybe a little tail wind. Into the wind I can hold about 55-58 MPH.

BTW, the speedos on these are dead on accurate! Unlike nearly all Japenese motorcycles and scooters. Most Honda scoots are accurate, while there old CBs are often over 10-15% optimistic! I GPS mine to be within +/- 1 MPH!

Don't be afraid to hit the highway! Stay in the right lane, and watch out for Beemers at 85+ MPH fixin to exit!

But you'll be fine. These cruise great at 55 MPH. Hell I rode 20 miles on the freeway with my friend totaling about 400+ pounds combined weight! Slowed to 53 MPH on the steep hills into the wind, but I don't give a fuck if anybody minds!

Anyway enjoy it! And please ask any questions you have! Theres a few experts here that'll guide you in the right direction.

Sharpp · 06-15-2012, 02:58 AM

Btcn, I haven't looked at the intake manifold yet. I've read about it on here though and will keep it in mind. In Las Vegas, you have to schedule maintenance with the weather in mind. The next week has daily highs of 105 (41-42 Celsius) or so! I used to live in Monterey, so I'm acclimated to a much cooler climate!

BTW, back in the day, I used to go hang gliding in Morgan Hill. A friend had access to some high ground above Anderson Lake. We would launch out over the lake and land in a field by the old Nut Tree Restaurant.

I haven't scooted on the big road. The drivers here are pretty scary! I'm looking to add a Burgman or Silverwing for touring capability. My daily commute takes my up Boulder Highway in 45 to 55 mph zones. The Elite keeps up with traffic and wants to pull away at the lights if I let it.

My favorite piece of gear these days is my "Neck Buddy" by BodyCool. This bandana has some kind of crystals sewn in that can absorb an incredible amount of water. Soak it for a few minutes then tie it around your neck. It works fantastic in this dry climate!

windburn · 06-17-2012, 05:44 AM

+1 on the intake. It cost me an engine.

06-10-2012, 12:16 AM	#1
Sharpp ^OP n00b Joined: Jun 2012 Oddometer: 2	New Elite 150 Rider (Amateur Mechanic) Hi Forum! I'm the new owner of a 1987 Honda Elite 150. This scooter spent its life (so the story goes) strapped to a motor home and was used sparingly - about 500 miles in 25 years! I'm happy to report that since I started riding it this April, I've put over 1500 miles on it. This machine likes to go! I've done a little bit of weekend wrenching: a couple of oil changes, new tires (Michelin S1's, great tire) dug in to check out the belt and variator, new battery, new iridium spark plug. That plug BTW, really makes a difference! My fuel mileage has gone up 4-5%, and the scooter starts immediately and idles smoothly. Once I added a Givi E30 top case, the practicality of a scooter as my primary means of transportation was realized. Thanks for the many helpful posts. The scooter community is the most helpful bunch I've ever seen! Sharpp

06-12-2012, 11:31 AM	#5
btcn Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2010 Location: Morgan Hill CA Oddometer: 2,835	You'll enjoy this scoot! At first you'll very likely have to do a bunch of little things. Replace your intake manifold right now, read up on all these on this here forum. Its $30 that'll possibly save your engine! CDI could be a PITA, read my forums on it if you ever experence carb like intermittent power issues! Once these issues are sorted out, it'll be one rock solid, reliable as an f150, classic scoot! Its full of that 80s style! I find watching it ride around the block make it look like 20 years ago! You either hate of love the style. I didn't like it at first, but I've grown to love it! The engine is water cooled, and will last a very very long time if you take good care of it, which sounds like you are. I've seed these with over 100K miles still running strong! Change the oil every 1K miles, or you can go about 2K or so with a good motorcycle synthetic 10W40 oil. You should be able to do 64+ MPH in decent conditions [flat road, no wind/or tail wind] given enough time. My stock Elite 150 maxes out at around 66 MPH in good conditions, maybe a little tail wind. Into the wind I can hold about 55-58 MPH. BTW, the speedos on these are dead on accurate! Unlike nearly all Japenese motorcycles and scooters. Most Honda scoots are accurate, while there old CBs are often over 10-15% optimistic! I GPS mine to be within +/- 1 MPH! Don't be afraid to hit the highway! Stay in the right lane, and watch out for Beemers at 85+ MPH fixin to exit! But you'll be fine. These cruise great at 55 MPH. Hell I rode 20 miles on the freeway with my friend totaling about 400+ pounds combined weight! Slowed to 53 MPH on the steep hills into the wind, but I don't give a fuck if anybody minds! Anyway enjoy it! And please ask any questions you have! Theres a few experts here that'll guide you in the right direction. __________________ 85 Honda Shadow 700, 86 Honda Elite 150 deluxe, 2001 Honda Elite 80, 07 CRF 100, 07 CRF 50, 07 DRZ 250, 78 CB 400 Automatic [Project Bike]

06-15-2012, 02:58 AM	#6
Sharpp ^OP n00b Joined: Jun 2012 Oddometer: 2	Btcn, I haven't looked at the intake manifold yet. I've read about it on here though and will keep it in mind. In Las Vegas, you have to schedule maintenance with the weather in mind. The next week has daily highs of 105 (41-42 Celsius) or so! I used to live in Monterey, so I'm acclimated to a much cooler climate! BTW, back in the day, I used to go hang gliding in Morgan Hill. A friend had access to some high ground above Anderson Lake. We would launch out over the lake and land in a field by the old Nut Tree Restaurant. I haven't scooted on the big road. The drivers here are pretty scary! I'm looking to add a Burgman or Silverwing for touring capability. My daily commute takes my up Boulder Highway in 45 to 55 mph zones. The Elite keeps up with traffic and wants to pull away at the lights if I let it. My favorite piece of gear these days is my "Neck Buddy" by BodyCool. This bandana has some kind of crystals sewn in that can absorb an incredible amount of water. Soak it for a few minutes then tie it around your neck. It works fantastic in this dry climate! Sharpp screwed with this post 06-16-2012 at 11:36 AM Reason: Added signature

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06-10-2012, 04:18 PM	#2
=retread= more MPG Joined: Sep 2010 Location: to far north Oddometer: 124	sounds great, all we need is some pics !!!!

06-10-2012, 09:06 PM	#3
Wentwest Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Feb 2007 Location: Northern California Oddometer: 166	A fine motor vehicle. One of the best.

06-11-2012, 06:31 AM	#4
hayasakiman Gnarly Adventurer Joined: May 2012 Location: WPB, FL, USA Oddometer: 136	I wish I could've said the same with my Riva purchase. It run OK for 300 miles, then it started giving me a bunch of problems. I like working on them but riding is much more fun. Good luck with your Honda.

06-17-2012, 05:44 AM	#7
windburn Beastly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2007 Location: A Corn Field in Enon. Ohio Oddometer: 1,135	+1 on the intake. It cost me an engine.