Modern Vespa

Try one more time to post this. I've had timing issues with my p200 for quite a while. I changed out the ignition, and stoator, and next may be the fly wheel, or send to a mechanic. My timing is advanced and the engine seems to be pinging. It also hesitates/bogs upon exceloration. I opened the slots up on my old stator to get more adjustment. No matter what I do, the timing doesnt seem to adjust. I've tried spraying carb cleaner around the air box, and the clyinder but doesnt affect rpm's.

Are using a static timing light or a strobe?

Im using a strobe. It doesnt have any features that advance the strobe for tdc or any thing like that. Just put it on a 12v supply and put the pick up on the ht lead and press the button to make it strobe. Every thing is stock on the engine. I holed the piston a while back and havent gotten it able to run right after replacing the top end.

Dang. And no matter where you turn the stator the timing appears to not change?

Thats correct. I've got a seal kit coming and plan to change all seals and gaskets, thinking maybe that could help. And I'm acually wondering now, If moving the stator would even affect how the flywheel marks and stator marks appear under a strobe.

Okay. It appears you are looking at the wrong marks. Please describe or provide a picture of what marks you are referring to. Just a pic of the marks in normal light without the engine running.

These are what I'm guessing are the witness marks for timing.

No, don't use those marks. You need to assume the worker who made those parts was wasted or taking a smoke break.

Find TDC using a stop and a degree wheel. Make new marks on the flywheel and case. Then do your timing check with the strobe light again.

If you look you can see a shade of a line on the flywheel where I've already done so. I think maybe I have a euro spec flywheel on an american P200 engine if that makes sense.

If you have already put TDC mark on flywheel (with a corresponding mark on the engine case) and used a degree wheel to mark the case the appropriate degrees before (anti-clockwise from) the TDC mark - why are you looking at the factory marks at the cut-out in the flywheel? Stop using those and use the ones you put on.

Looks like a PX150 flywheel anyway, so that casting mark on the rotor is moot.

The line you put on the flywheel and the pickup seem to being lining up though.

Lining up on a static picture. Meaning that you have to assume the camera is timed with the strobe and taking a picture at the precise moment the ignition fires, which is unlikely.

Obviously. Was just point it out.

You don't need a timing lght to set timing on an P-series that has that bean hole cut out. When the two hash marks on the flywheel line up with the two marks on the black pick up box on the stator the CDI will fire always regardless of flywheel or where you set the stator. You need to use a find top dead center with a top dead center tool. To do this remove spark plug and insert TDC tool in the spark plug hole. Turn the flywheel until it stops, make a mark on the flywheel and on the case. Now turn the flywheel the other way until it stops again, now mark the flywheel even with your previous mark on the case. Now remove the tool. Now find a half way mark between those two marks on the flywheel, that is TDC. Now measure with a degree wheel 23 degrees before top dead center and make a mark. That mark when lined up with the mark you made on the case is when the stator's black box lines and the hash marks on the flywheel should line up. If it doesn't you will rotate the stator until the hash marks and black box marks line up and the 23 degree BTDC mark and the case mark all line up at the same time.

Oh, ha.👍

The early p125/150 had the keyway in a different position than the p200. Makes timing it a bitch if you mix them.

And that flywheel in the photo looks like a P125. Unless it's on a Rally or a late PX, your timing is going to be way off.

The hash marks on the flywheel and the marks on the black box will always line up when it fires even with mismatched flywheel from a P125X. If you follow the earlier timing instructions you will be able to have correct timing. If you flywheel is from a P125X or P150X the cam will have been rivited on one notch out so you will have to drill the stator to rotate it far enough to line up the hash marks.

Dang. My pony picture didn't show up. This iphone5 shit is lame.

If you have a 125 or a 150 flywheel on a200 motor your wasting your time and it also explains why when you hit it with the timing light nothing changes. The keyway for a 200 is in a different position then the 125 or 150 flywheels

There are no hinderances to installing a P200 stator on a P125/150 engine.

As long as you also change the flywheel too. Or drill the stator and do a major offset. The early P125 flywheels are the problem/determining factor.

How can I identify the differnt flywheels. The engine runs, but not like it should. I'm going to double check my marks with the degree wheel one more time.

You, me, Jimbo and a couple others hashed this out previously, if I recall. Timing ends up being about 28˚-30˚ advanced from TDC.