Mystery of the Vibrating Scooter - Honda Elite 250

While restoring a 1986 Honda Elite 250, the engine was found to be excessively vibrating and sounds pretty bad when revving. What do you think is causing the vibrations and sound?

[@uziXwraith]

also check for overfilled oil... will cause a huge shake. and not run well. Will also make a flopping splashing sound

[@uziXwraith]

did you check the rocker valve clearance? main bearing journal free play? up and down? ANY PLAY means you need a bottom end engine rebuild. sounds like a bent valve maybe

[@bigwheelsturning]

Put a dial Gage on the output shaft and make sure it's not moving around. To me it sounds like you have bad rod bearings or the wist pin on the piston is shot.

[@sauldean6430]

Your rear breaks must have been really tight, causing the wheel to not move freely, so that engine pressure could have been the cause of vibration.

[@leroy5006]

Engine hanger bolts are too tight or need grease

[@TheDjsmasha]

Hello Brad, I got the same bike, you should probably check the engine mount. The liquid crystal on my Honda is also wash out, where did you get your replacement. Thx.

[@BradStone-1]

Hi, Rafael, I repaired my faded display by replacing the sun bleached polarized film that covers the liquid crystal display. Doing so isn't for the faint of heart, but it can restore the display to a like-new condition. In the CH250HondaElite Yahoo Group, I posted a document in the Files section that describes how to replace the polarizing film for the clock display. The speedometer display is similar, but on a bigger scale. drive.google.com/file/d/1q7nMIvNl0JQFgwjXDrcbQ7X478IQjm63/ ... Also, I used Photoshop to create a new image that can be printed on transparency to replace the lines on the speedometer display. Here is a link to a .pdf file that should be the right size. If it is off, it is because of some translation from Photoshop to .pdf. drive.google.com/file/d/1YLYpbJ-3HL2op7vVdfBgEIgZfJeL7kdo/ Take pictures during disassembly and be very careful when removing the old polarizing filter with a razor blade. Also, be sure to buy new, high-temperature polarizing film so that it will stand up to the sun better. A link to this type of film is in the document. Good luck!

[@uziXwraith]

You can Get them from the dealer, for alot of $$$ ...replace the entire dash with a 1988 elite ch250. there is no 80s LCD on that model

[@ruscular]

I had the same problem, which is not yours as the vibration continue even when on the center stand. But mine was because I lost a rubber cushion for the centerstand and was vibrating against the engine variator cover. I had an older model that had the same vibration and it turn out to be the missing bushing for the engine mount and had to buy a used one to fit it in there.

[@BradStone-1]

Hi, Russell. Where exactly is the bushing for the engine mount? I looked on a parts diagram, but couldn't find it.

[@AlvaroSanchezChile]

Maybe engine mounts?

[@cadewhite8670]

Hey brad could you tell us how you repaired the screen mph gauge. I just bought my Elite CH250 and mine is really fading. I have to wear polarized glasses just to barley make it out. Thank!

[@BradStone-1]

Hi, Cade, I repaired the faded display on my Elite 250 by replacing the sun bleached polarized film that covers the liquid crystal display. Doing so isn't for the faint of heart, but it can restore the display to a like-new condition. In the CH250HondaElite Yahoo Group, I posted a document in the Files section that describes how to replace the polarizing film for the clock display. The speedometer display is similar, but on a bigger scale. [Link broken. See updated link in the reply below.] Take pictures during disassembly and be very careful when removing the old polarizing filter with a razor blade. Also, be sure to buy new, high-temperature polarizing film so that it will stand up to the sun better. A link to this type of film is in the document. Good luck!

[@2ndstrokeworkshop]

@@BradStone-1 Hello, Brad! Can you please send this document again? This link is not working anymore :C

[@BradStone-1]

@@2ndstrokeworkshop, Yes, the demise of Yahoo Groups took down one of the best CH250 archives on the Internet. Here is an updated link to my Google Drive for the document that describes how to replace the polarizing film for the clock display. The speedometer display is similar, but on a bigger scale.. drive.google.com/file/d/1q7nMIvNl0JQFgwjXDrcbQ7X478IQjm63/ ... Also, I used Photoshop to create a new image that can be printed on transparency to replace the lines on the speedometer display. Here is a link to a .pdf file that should be the right size. If it is off, it is because of some translation from Photoshop to .pdf. drive.google.com/file/d/1YLYpbJ-3HL2op7vVdfBgEIgZfJeL7kdo/ Just remember to take it slow. Enjoy!

[@2ndstrokeworkshop]

@@BradStone-1 Thank You very much!!! This is really helpful! So sad that those archives do not longer exist. Good luck!

[@abuabdirrahmon649]

Mine is also having the same problem. I changed the rear bearing but the vibration still continue. I have also checked many other things yet the problem still persist. What i intend doing now is to check the engine rubbers next month

[@analyticalhabitrails9857]

So was it the rubber engine mount the source of your problem?

[@denysdennys6385]

Good afternoon. I have the same scooter and the problem is the same, have you already discovered the cause of the sound?

[@BradStone-1]

Not yet. Planning to tear into it this coming summer when the weather gets warmer.

[@serpentza]

Pivot bushings

[@shaunsunderland7223]

My 2006 Yamaha Vino 35,000 km does this just body panels vibrating I would not be concerned good video

[@bendignard]

Finally found what caused the same vibration on mine.....it was a crankshaft bearing which was seized and the outer bearing was spinning in the crankcase....

[@analyticalhabitrails9857]

Where is this crankshaft bearings and "the outer bearings was spinning in the crankcase"??

[@abuabdirrahmon649]

The vibration is from the engine seater. All you need to do is to change the damaged rubbers of the engine seater.

[@BradStone-1]

Thanks for your comments. Exactly where is the rubber that causes the problem and what are the steps to replace it? Thanks in advance!

[@analyticalhabitrails9857]

You ever found out what was the cause of that vibration and whats the solution?

[@BradStone-1]

Yes, the rubber engine mounts were fused solid. It is a bit of a project to pull out the engine and replace them, but that is what worked for us.

[@analyticalhabitrails9857]

@@BradStone-1 Do you have a video on how to replace the rubber engine mounts step by step??

[@BradStone-1]

@@analyticalhabitrails9857 Sorry, I don't. You will want to get the CH250 Honda Service Manual which will tell you exactly how to do that. There used to be a copy on the old Yahoo group, but that has shut down. Try Googling to find it. Our CH250s were sold a couple of years ago, so unfortunately this topic isn't one that I follow anymore. All the best!

[@abuabdirrahmon649]

Alhamdullillah. The vibrating problem is bye gone. The problem was the engine rubber. So we cut some rubber in the place of the bad ones

[@BradStone-1]

Congratulations on fixing your vibration problem. That is exciting! Exactly where is the rubber that was causing the problem and what are the steps that you took to replace it?

[@SuperReallyNice]

Sounds like valves out of adjustment.. could cause rough engine and poor performance. I have an 86 with over 30k on it. Easy way to do it is with the engine hot, manually set the valves to where they just barely stop clacking. Might be hard if both intake AND exhaust are off, do one at a time. Google how to set valves on a ch250 for procedure. 🛵🛵🛵

[@BradStone-1]

Thanks for taking the time to post your comment. I was hoping it was a valve alignment issue too and am familiar with the process. It actually helped a little bit, but it is clear that there is something else significantly wrong. Now that it is warming up, I may find time to dig into it.

[@SuperReallyNice]

Brad Stone Really hope it works out, had me a sweet ride yesterday! Please post the solution when you get it

[@analyticalhabitrails9857]

@@BradStone-1 You ever found the problem(s) and solution?