Being offered a vintage RED Reflex Honda - 3 Scooters!!?

[Stig / Major Tom]

In town for coffee the other day and my coffee village scooter riding friend approached me about taking over ownership of his old Reflex.
Joe knows I've had a crush on his Reflex for a number of years! It is the "Premium" version of the two versions offered.
Goodness knows we've parked next to one of my scooters many times over the years!








He has a few reasons why he doesn't ride it often, these days. He lives maybe 5 blocks from Dino's - so it's not a long commute!
Joe has a thing about 'patina'....remember his "We Buy Dead Stock" 1930's something Ford tow-truck? But is very diligent about filters and oils, etc.

I love the thing!....but:
a) 3 scooters in my garage?
b) do I have the energy these days to bring it up to my standards of appearance and maintenance?
c) most importantly - it has been in Joe's possession for years - and I think he'd miss it if it wasn't always waiting for him out there in his garage - even if he only rides it a dozen times a year.

So, before we ever talk seriously about me taking this classic RED Honda home - I'm going to at least talk "seller's remorse" with him. and ask if there's anything I can do to help him hold onto it! If he needs me to roll it out of his storage shed every season - oil changes - tire installs - stuff like that. We've worked on it a few times together. He hasn't a world of patience with some mechanical things!
I'm pretty sure my family would be OK with me bringing it home - they know Joe and know of my crush on his RED Honda!

We'll see - but - I think Joe needs that scooter more than I do.

(Hawk - you came to mind.....obviously)

Stig

[Stig / Major Tom]

I fell in love with these scooters years ago -  before I even owned a scooter.
Why?

That simple valve adjustment!

Stig

[Iahawk]

is this a serendipitous moment?  The stars, moon and planets are aligning....all signs point to Stig taking over the care and feeding of a beautiful, red, needy and helpless HONDA scooter...red...Honda...scooter.

do it (he whispers in his ear)...do it, do it, do it!

[Neil955i]

But it's RED Stig... 

It's a sign.  Maybe you could house it and he could ride it whenever he wanted to address the cognitive dissonance / seller's remorse?

[Iahawk]

OK, I may have had a few beers last night prior to reading and responding to your post.. .. but I still think this is meant to be. How many times have you talked about maybe someday looking for another big, red Honda scooter?  Look at it as more of a caretaking assignment...a beautiful but somewhat neglected (cosmetically) scooter needs a new home and someone to care for her...you are just the guy to do it. Your scooters and cars are always very clean and meticulously maintained...doesn't the pretty red Honda deserve the same type of treatment and a good home? And she'll be RIDDEN! Maybe only every 3rd day, now, but still ridden!

Please, please adopt her,,take her home,,,clean her up and feed her! (and please clean up those handlebar control cables and dash instruments!! Can't...look...at...the...dirt!) 

[Stig / Major Tom]

you can purchase a genuine Honda service manual for the REFLEX for @$45 - $50.
I still have mine from the Forza - these things are very detailed - and often speak to you when you must use caution for some things. Very useful - very helpful. @400pgs

Just sayin'


https://www.ebay.com/itm/224109871259?itmmeta=01J1ZAWE94RSQZP6MP17794R4K&hash=item342dfd409b:g:dboAAOSwmfhX470y&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA8BXy8Xtd5fD79LpN1GEeimkjvIlBOKDbA6rAs7W7lWEn6zned0HQe62ewZCTx09%2B%2BulFMJycomOgg0Bz2r4aj1fwQhFTwIcDzF9oiwmbf2TTeIzEdaEO%2FR7ZX60mk96H8XpqXazgtJHEVVtWvSJhDmchvJDgKTtLF4Rz8KT1GIOiv%2BtRqox%2B%2BXGCtkvMC5QqsmVSdU8tt60ph0HJ8ZnYKjFAZvW0ngKEmnSCoqO2DCgSLLeu57n5s1UEbGE1mFch9lpqkMmVbf6q9HS6RT%2FYF0lsIYUs5rD5sRot5sVeaF8KxX06ZkipzWZFY4HLDgt2MA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABFBM1OTx6o9k

Stig

[Iahawk]

researching the availability of a Forza (edit - meant REFLEX!) service manual is a positive sign!!

I just went for a 35 mile ride around town, out by the lake and on winding country roads on the Helix...that sweet little 250cc thumper pulls so smoothly and the bike is so comfortable....doesn't everyone need a red Honda scooter?! Really, don't they?? Hint, hint...

[Stig / Major Tom]

researching the availability of a Forza service manual is a positive sign!!

I just went for a 35 mile ride around town, out by the lake and on winding country roads on the Helix...that sweet little 250cc thumper pulls so smoothly and the bike is so comfortable....doesn't everyone need a red Honda scooter?! Really, don't they?? Hint, hint...

I've read a couple of places that Honda USA tried to phase out the Helix as they brought in the Reflex. But the outcry to keep the Helix was such that for a time Honda caved in and sold them both here. Also read that the Helix was sold for a very long time in Japan! A very long time.
I am some weird - today I watched Mitch do a coolant change on a Forza. He not only shows you what to take off - but most importantly, when dealing with panels, he demonstrates which way to pull them to get them apart, to avoid breakage! THAT you cannot get from most manuals! (you ought to see the Italian manual on servicing a Liberty!! Every page should have a Header, "Good'a luck!")

Stig

[Neil955i]

So what's the verdict Stig, you going to take the plunge?  Reflex Rosso on the horizon?

[Iahawk]

I sure hope Stig pulls the trigger and saves that sweet old scooter! Imagine how nice that would look with polished up paint? A nice coating of ACF-50 before each Winter riding season...update all the maintenance items on the scoot.. the smile you'd have on your face when staring at it in your garage??

[Neil955i]

You’re right Hawk, he needs a winter project…