Modern Vespa

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Bongiorno / Hi,
I have got a Vespa VNB /1965 that was beautifully restored by a professional some years ago and used little since.
Problem: It takes 5-6 hard kicks with full throttle to start.
It then 'spits petrol' when it finally starts.
Then it runs nicely. If the petrol switch is closed while standing, it starts faster.

I want this Vespa to run as perfectly as it looks and I do not want to have to close the pertrol switch every time I stop 2-3 minutes for a quick coffee or suchlike.

=> Reading other discussions, I suspect the float needle is the problem. Is it so?
=> Is this something I can relatively easily fix myself? or should i rather give it to a proffessional? (I would say I am technically skilled and I do have a workshop book, but I have never dismantled a carb, and I do not have too much spare time for extensive works these days).

Kind Regards

It very well may be the needle as you say.. that is pretty common..

... and YES! YOU can do it yourself..

Here is a link to some information on how to do it:

The section about the float and needle is at 1:30 of the 1st video.... but I suggest you watch the whole video..




Part 1: Part 2:

Are you using the choke when starting with a cold engine?

Thanks a lot for ultra-fast response! Will study the videos and give it a try as soon as I am at my vacation home where that vespa is located.

.....yes CHOKE, but it seems to make no big difference. I have quite much experience with starting 2 strokes (mainly boat outborder) in all temperatures so I know quite well when and how much to choke. Here the described problem always occurrs when it stands for more than 5 minutes with the petrol switch open (cold, warm, 5 minutes, 5 days) wbr