Modern Buddy

Hello again - I have some more questions regarding to prepping Lil' Abby for spring. Got such good responses on the last post.

1. Would it affect anything if I removed the evap system? I'd also like to replace the air cleaner box with a K&N air filter/cleaner. Would that affect anything?

I prefer a more cleaner look. (I like the naked scooter look, and often ride with out side panels.)

2. Is it possible to swap out tire rims with one from another make/model with similar tire sizes? Are the wheel rims universal or specific to each model?

There is a scooter salvage yard not far from me and I was thinking of getting some good looking rims to replace my rusty ones.

Thanks -

RT

RoaringTodd wrote:Would it affect anything if I removed the evap system?

Does a 1987 Honda Elite have an evap system? (a 2007 Buddy does not)

RoaringTodd wrote:Hello again - I have some more questions regarding to prepping Lil' Abby for spring. Got such good responses on the last post.

1. Would it affect anything if I removed the evap system? I'd also like to replace the air cleaner box with a K&N air filter/cleaner. Would that affect anything?

I prefer a more cleaner look. (I like the naked scooter look, and often ride with out side panels.)

2. Is it possible to swap out tire rims with one from another make/model with similar tire sizes? Are the wheel rims universal or specific to each model?

There is a scooter salvage yard not far from me and I was thinking of getting some good looking rims to replace my rusty ones.

Thanks -

RT

1) As far as I know, the only CH80s with an evap system were California models. There is a crankcase breather assembly under the nose of the seat, behind the center panel. You should probably keep that. Just empty the tube that runs down from it to the centerstand area; it accumulates scuzzy oil and can hinder performance when full. If you have an evap, it's mounted between the rear shock and the taillamp. If you have one and choose to remove it, be sure to cap off the vacuum ports and tank connection.

Skip the K&N, unless you want to re-jet the bike. Take the stock filter and cut the paper element out of it. Buy a sheet of UNI green foam and cut a piece to fit around the cage of the old filter. Glue the edges in with Seal-All. Oil with UNI spray-on filter oil and you're good to go. Won't need a rejet and will breathe better at higher RPMs.

If you insist on trying a K&N, the Battlescooter Store sells a jetting kit for the CH80.

2) I think the front wheel is interchangeable with the CH125 and CH150. The rear wheel is specific to the CH80 in the US because of the brake drum diameter. Any year CH80 wheel will fit (85-'07). I think the rims from an Aero 80 (NH80) can fit, but they're pretty uncommon. If you can't find anything good, I might have a spare set of '94 rims in good order.

Dooglas wrote:

RoaringTodd wrote:Would it affect anything if I removed the evap system?

Does a 1987 Honda Elite have an evap system? (a 2007 Buddy does not)

It sure does!

Thanks for the responses -

AZ - My thought was that the charcoal canister under the seat was the evap system. I see tubes going from the fuel tank, air cleaner, and feeding into that canister, and yes, draining out through the tube. Perhaps the simplest thing would be to detach the tubes and see how that affects the performance before actually pulling the whole unit out.

My intention was to "clean up the naked look".

When I bought the scoot, I ran it for about a week unaware the air cleaner box was separated from the carb. I did not notice any difference in performance. Again, maybe the best thing to do would be to "just try it".

6 weeks left until spring... (yes I'm a cold weather wuss).

Todd,

Double check the hose routing from that canister. There's a line to the air box, a line that runs down to the centerstand and should have a plug in the bottom, and a line that looks like it goes to the tank, but actually plugs into the port coming out of the cylinder head, which just pokes through the cooling shrouds below the fuel tank. That's more of an crankcase gasses recirculation system.

The 4-cycle CH80 is more tolerant of a manifold air leak than a 2-stroke bike, so an air leak won't wont cause it to seize. However, the open plenum will cause low performance due to a lean mixture and will impact operation of the CV carburetor. It also allows the motor to ingest dust and dirt, which isn't terribly good for the cylinder walls and piston.

No sure what sort of performance you get out of Li'l Abby, but my '87 CH80 can haul my 250lb self down the road at (verified) 46-47mph all day. I made up the filter I described, switched the roller weights to 8gr ones from 10gr, installed a fresh belt and set the valve clearance to spec. The rollers moved the shift point up to almost 27mph and made accelerating in traffic more liveable. Best run I ever got out of it was on a flat, freshly-paved road with no wind: I got to see a real 50mph on the speedometer! The engine's currently out and apart, as it was ruined when I last loaned it out. I'm working on a few ideas to upgrade the engine displacement and squeeze a bit more speed out of it; 55mph, here I come!

AZ - Keep me updated on the engine mods. Thanks -

RT