Modern Vespa

My 1981 P200E has been running perfectly -- starts, idles, good power -- but lately the kickstarter has migrated lower and I cannot get as many of the teeth to engage and start as before. The result is basically that I have a shorter throw when I start the bike.

I remember now that there have been a couple of instances in which I tried to kick it, and it felt like something gave way -- snapped -- and the lever went through without engaging, but it would still engage again.

My guess is that the kickstart spring has either snapped or disengaged from the shaft/case. Either way, I will have to open it up.

Any other ideas?

Saga of my life.

A couple things.

Have you ever ridden two up? Passengers can sometimes hit the kickstart lever and run the gears down - sucks

Are you using fluid push when starting? if you are kicking the dickens out of it - the teeth can wear out.

If you decide to dissemble the engine, check for a few things, go ahead and replace the spring (super cheap) the gear (also cheap) and the teeth on your cush drive. these can get worn out if any of the above has occurred and will need to be replaced.

Don't try and cut any corners when you do this, or you'll have to rebuild again - if it looks a little worn replace it.

Also if the first instance is the cause of your issue (as was mine) I'd suggest investing in some foot pegs.

Which part of the gearing is "run down" by the passenger hitting the kickstarter? The quadrant or the little sprag gear (or both)?

Cush drive was just rebuilt -- that should be fine.

http://www.scooterwest.com/items/?_pageCCS=t#page=/item_details/Kickstart-Gear-P125X/4533

this little guy engages with the cush and is probably the culprit

so it doesn't matter if your cush was recently rebuilt, if the gear has been worn down since, it's been worn down, you won't know till you open it up and take a look.

Carefull with that. Mine did the same 2 years ago. The problem was a crack into the kickstart shaft. It can be the kickstart rubber buffer located inside the engine too.

Problem solved. As embarrassed as I am to admit this, it was just a loose bolt on the kickstarter that caused the lever to rotate on the shaft. Cranked the bolt and it works fine.

lol

an easy fix. Well done on getting to the bottom of it.
Good job

HA! It's the simple things that we're too blind to see. Glad you got it sorted.

I hate starting a new tread when a similar topic is fresh on everyone's mind but I'm having a problem with my kick-starter, too.

I've been tuning and breaking in my Sprint and today after a short ride, stopped and checked spark plug and carb. Went to kick start but it is not engaging...at all. The only thing I hear is a ratcheting noise. Pull flywheel and put wood ruff key in place (it usually comes off while pulling the flywheel so don't know if it was off before). Loosened the clutch screw (now the left handle clutch does not move clutch lever at bottom of scooter). Still same ratcheting noise but not engaging or flywheel turning.

I just rebuilt the engine (first time ever...duh) witth new seals, kick starter quadrant, bearings, and the whole rampant. The engine has about a hundred miles since the build. It seems I will need to split the case again but want to make sure I covered all the precautions first. What else should I do before I get down and dirty with spitting the case? If/when I split the case, what should I replace or fix. I'm assuming it is the cross or another kick starter quadrant.

Hmm. Given that you were riding it, can I safely assume that the kickstarter was working before today? If that is the case, something has clearly become disengaged (probably the sprag gear, if there is one) and you will have to open it up.

Others with more spring experience may have better sense of this, but it sounds like the pawl has become disengaged somehow. Will it bump start and, if so, do you hear any noise from the motor while it is running (apart from the usual running noises)?

I don't think it is the quadrant, they are pretty tough. It may be the kickstart gear since it is a wear part. Or the spring that acts against it broke or came loose. You'll know a minute after you split the case halves.