Modern Vespa

My engine (or gearbox) makes a "bang"noise and my scooter jumps forward a little bit when I put the engine into gear. It feels like I am not pulling the clutch all the way in and I am forcing the it into gear. Also, it is not smooth to shift gear once the scooter in motion, either.

I have tried to adjust the clutch cable by unscrewing the adjusting bolt to increase the tension. It helped a lot and I reached the point when it was smooth when I put the engine into gear while the engine was running. However the problem is that I can't kick start the engine at this position. It is like kicking "air" because the clutch cable is so tense so as if the clutch is pulled in. When I try to kick start it it it feels like the clutch is pulled half in and the engine doesn't turn. I had to screw the adjusting bolt somewhat back in to make sure that I can kick start the scooter.

I have to force it into one. It jumps a little bit and it clicks. It fells like I want to force it into gear one without pulling the clutch lever...

Does this make sense?

What should I do?

Thanks so much!

Really what you describe sounds pretty normal to me. If anything it sounds like the idle might be a little high -- not a clutch problem. It would probably be good to post a short video of what is happening.

For sure don't leave the clutch cable too tight. It will drag and wreck the cork plates in no time.

You should have about 1/2 inch of pull on the level before you even begin to pull on the cable itself and at least another 1/2 inch before the clutch begins to disengage.

Thanks so much! It is possible that I am not really used to the reality of owning an vintage vehicle... I have had only modern scooters.

I will adjust the idle tomorrow and let's see what happens. I will try to record a video!
Thanks so much!

"Chunk" sound is norm for me especially when shifting into 1st ( with clutch from neutral ) ! Nothing to panic about just yet ! My 2 cents worth !
willc.

warped clutch plates or a weak cable can make a clutch act like that (doesn't disengage all the way until the cable is over adjusted...)

Please do!

I think Kaveman may be onto it.. it's not like a modern, and going into 1st can give you a little "clunk" don't worry... YET! get on that camera! ACTION!!!

Now you've got me worried. Both of my running scooters have tight clutch cables with no play, and CLUNK through all of the gears. Any looser and it won't shift at all.

I was thinking they need to be tighter, but when tightened more, the kicker disengages. I'm right on the threshold of working and not working.

I wonder what my issue is?

The jump and clank is normal for me, when I needed a cable adjust the bike would either stall immediately or if I was on a decline or rolling forward as I meshed into first gear the gears would engage and push me forward with some throttle. If your scoot is not trying to ride off when you put it in first or stalling then it should be OK.

Thanks so much! It think everything normal then. I never had a 50 year old machine and I still have to get used to the technology of the 1960s.
THANKS!!!!

Yeah, I know.

... a half inch before there is any tension on the cable? mine certainly wouldn't work well like that. mine has a couple mm motion and it disengages about half way to lever fully depressed

Yeah... 1-2mm of free play in the handle before the clutch begijs to disengage is good.. 1/2 inch = too much.... if you have a 1/2 inch or more in you freeplay on your handle Miami, tighten the clutch cable (down at the cable adjuster... turn it counter clockwise (out) to tighten it... if you don't have enough threads on the adjuster to get it tight enough, you' have to reset the pinch bolt.. (If you do reset the pinch bolt, make sure to screw your adjuster about 3/4 in, so you'll have room to tighten later if need be)
Shoot so me video of that too! I just love moving pictures!

I love this community!

It's normal. Welcome to the club of PX masochists.

I always push my scoot a little forward with my feet before going into 1st

don't down shift until your going the right speed for that gear

engine braking is a bad idea = this is a scooter and not a motorcycle

pull clutch in while going down long steep hills so the top end stays cool and don't shift to neutral unless your about to stop fully.

2mm or lever play before cable is under tension helps the cable from getting old and snapping up at the headset which happens a lot when people have the adjuster too tight = keeping the cable always taunt.

also if that cable is adjusted too tight the brass plunger that actuates the clutch center pressure plate would be in constant contact = get way hot and deform... this happened to a pal last year on very fast 166 malossi P

be safe

1/2 inch as measured at the END of the lever. I guess I should have been more clear but I was going for: Better too loose than too tight.

Hello

I find it helps prior to starting to pull in the clutch and kick it over a few times to free off the plates, once started pull in the clutch for a few seconds to allow oil to splash in between the plates, seems to get rid of the clunk when going into first.

Grumpy

Thanks Grumpy, this completely solved my lurching/stalling problem!

Love when this happens.. read, follow, perfect results! I just gave grump a thumb for you!

More than PX owners here . . . a lot of 50's, 60's & early 70's "older classic" owners.

You are welcome, that is what I love about these scoots there is little to go wrong (if it is standard) and we all suffer the same problems.

Grumpy

By the way, here is the scooter:

Lovely looking bike!!