Modern Vespa

Another woe on my ET4. The electric start only works after the scoot has been running, and until I get that sorted I have been relying on kick starting it. However, while trying to improve my technique this evening I have somehow managed to get the kick start in to a stuck position, and I mean stuck. Absolutely no movement at all. Jammed like a sticky strawberry in a jar of sticky jam from Jamland.

This now leaves me without a scoot until I find a mechanic that I can rely on. Any idea on how to unjam it?

I've tried searching the forum, but not found anything like this.

Savo

Take the side cover off and see what's bent.about 8 or 10 screws holding the side case on .

+1

P.S. your difficulty electric starting may mean your battery is getting weak, or the autochoke isn't working great, or the pilot jet is a bit gummy, or a combo of the 3 - the fact that it electric starts when warm would be consistent with these issues being present but not severe. By contrast, a good strong kick can get a better spark and might overcome minor issues in these other areas for a successful cold start.

Once you get your kickstart unnstuck, I would do some easy things:
clean your jets, test the fuel tap to make sure it is shutting off and opening correctly, and make sure your battery is good and strong. Then look at the strength of the spark when using the electric start.

If those all check out ok you might need to test your autochoke (easiest way to be sure with that is to put a new or known working one on, although there are tests you can do on your existing one: http://www.scribd.com/doc/57483093/23744560-Vespa-ET2-ET4-Technical-Manual)

Good luck

Thanks for the reply. Some good tips there. I was going to take the cover off at the weekend to blow out the clutch to stop my shuddery starts, so will include these checks as well.

Look at me ma, I'm a mechanic!

I experienced the exact same issue when my kick start. Locked in place disabling the scoot. Mine turned out to be two teeth in the kick start lever gear(pictured). After reading all the horror stories of cvt cover damage from the kick start I disabled the kick start by taking out the castle gear.

Ouch!