Free Spree!

"Mercedes Streeter" (smart) 02/10/2020 at 15:27 • Filed to: None

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Recently I indicated that I’ll be receiving two free scooters. One is the 150cc GY6 fake Ruckus I parted ways with long ago. The other is a Honda Spree. It already runs and rides, it would in theory just need a title issue resolved.

The idea is that one gets sold while the other becomes my two wheel Gambler companion. I shoved the Spree into the back of the Passat on Saturday night.

This thing is so lightweight and so tiny that I carried it up two flights of stairs to my apartment all by myself. Likewise, it can be laid on its side and stuffed into the Passat’s rear end without folding any seats!

In theory, this makes it perfect for my Gambler duties. It already runs and rides, it doesn’t require a trailer to haul it around, I can carry it, it’s tiny, and since it’s technically written off (stolen then later recovered), it’s practically worthless.

But I gave it a light cleaning and sorta put the side covers back on...and darn is this thing so cuuuuute! In fact, so cute that offroading it should be a federal crime.

Alrighty then, the Chuckus is the one heading to Tennessee with me next month. It’s heavier and bigger, but at least it has more power and nobody will care if a Chinese bike gets hurt. The Spree’s going to chill in my living room for a bit while I figure out what to do with it before I sell it. It could be a neat way to teach Miss Beetle some basic vehicle mechanics and teach myself how to confidently crack a scooter engine open. Not often I get the opportunity to learn vehicle stuff from the comfort of a climate controlled space.

The Vespa project is also getting axed. It’s easier to take a scoot that’s already running and riding and offroad that rather than getting that thing even close to ready. I could profit off it but nah, I’d rather just see it go to a good home.

Meanwhile, I went to IMS Chicago over the weekend and was delighted to see Janus Motorcycles. They’re an outfit from Indiana that hand builds these bikes that look straight out of a time machine. I quite liked their fit and finish and they put a lot of detail into these things. Like other motorcycle startups, they source their engines from China and said engines are 250cc or lower thumpers. So...don’t expect to get anywhere quick.

The number plate is actually the bike model’s serial number. This Phoenix 250 is the 33rd Phoenix built.

I also attempted a wheelie at the IMS wheelie demo. I wasn’t great, but not nearly as bad as some of the dudes there. Someone came down so hard they threw themselves off the bike! RIP those fork seals...

Nibby > Mercedes Streeter 02/10/2020 at 15:29

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scoot scoot

For Sweden > Nibby 02/10/2020 at 15:32

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Junkrat aka Rick Sanchez: Fury Road Edition > Mercedes Streeter 02/10/2020 at 15:45

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I have a Spree that I use for a pit bike at the drag races. Almost 30 years of service between my dad and I. I think he put a carb on it and I changed the spark plugs in that time.

facw > For Sweden 02/10/2020 at 15:46

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THE DOOM-BRINGER!

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Mercedes Streeter 02/10/2020 at 16:03

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You have impeccable taste in living room decor 

i86hotdogs > Mercedes Streeter 02/10/2020 at 16:05

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I wanted to take my ruck out gambling a year ago, but feared the 49cc engine and variator trans would deem it too weak out there. I imagine the spree would fare a little bit better having it be so much lighter. I think my Ruck weighs about 215lbs with fluids in it.

If you do decide to fix it up and sell it. I may want to buy that off you for the missus. Her chinese Jonway scoot I got her (for free) has more issues than I thought. And, of course, this model was a one year production before they updated it again. So parts are slim to none.

Mercedes Streeter > i86hotdogs 02/10/2020 at 16:11

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The “Scooter Gang” I’ll be riding offroad with in Tennesee will consist of a few Rucks, among others. One of them was Gambling with me at last year’s Tennessee event. It won’t climb hills without you flintstoning it but that aside it did quite well!

What kind of Jonway are we talking about, here? lol

Mercedes Streeter > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 02/10/2020 at 16:13

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Ford hubcaps, multiple scooter carburetors, a side panel from that Elite I rode last year, a smart logo banner, and now an entire scooter! *Nervous laugh*

i86hotdogs > Mercedes Streeter 02/10/2020 at 16:32

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I don’t have it written down near me, but I believe it was a YY series. I’ve been searching for replacement light assemblies and some body panels. I thought I found the right ones, but they would not fit. It runs, but barely can get to 20, and the rear light assembly is all busted up, so technically not road safe. 

EL_ULY > Mercedes Streeter 02/10/2020 at 18:30

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rad!

shop-teacher > Mercedes Streeter 02/10/2020 at 20:07

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The Spree is adorable! I want to try riding it, just to see how slow it is with me on it.

I’m still on the fence about the Vespa project. On paper, it all makes sense, but 50k miles on a scooter is a LOOOOOOOT of miles. I'm guessing the reason the guy bought an extra engine, is because it probably needs it. I'm not officially saying no yet, but don't hold it any longer for me. I want it, but I'm having a hard time justifying it in my head ... And then I have to sell the idea to Mrs Shop Teacher ....

CalzoneGolem > Mercedes Streeter 02/12/2020 at 09:16

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That S pree would look so awesome on the trails. I think we can all agree on that.

Mercedes Streeter > shop-teacher 02/12/2020 at 13:36

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I’m probably going to steal the extra rear spring from the box of Vespa parts and try to see if I can mount it to the Spree. I basically bottom it out sitting still! I wouldn’t expect top speed to be much better with me on it. lol

So as I’m getting older, a little wiser about the projects I should and shouldn’t take on, and with less time, you could eventually safer assume when I say something needs a lot of work, it probably needs a lot of work.

If the Vespa ever gets used as a scooter again it would probably be best as a “beater” bike or like my original plan to offroad it. The PO really thrashed the little thing hard over the alleged 50k miles. I suppose one could do a restore but at that point you may as well just buy one that doesn’t need that kind of work. lol So yeah, I can’t blame ya for being on the fence. :)

shop-teacher > Mercedes Streeter 02/12/2020 at 14:00

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Oh, that’s a good idea.

Time is definitely something you learn to value more, as you get older. I’d love to have the Vespa for a beater. It’d be a perfect Idiot Fest scooter.  I’m just trying to evaluate the time/money/what I’d have left in the end factor.