OP
@quintinp avatar
UTC

Lurker
1973 Vespa Sprint 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4
Location: Oklahoma, U.S.
 
Lurker
@quintinp avatar
1973 Vespa Sprint 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4
Location: Oklahoma, U.S.
UTC quote
So, my first Vespa and I decide I want something super sweet looking, so I go with Vintage. It has rode great the first few days, but now I'm dealing with a kickstart that won't turn the engine over. Fortunately I wasn't too far from home when this happened, It still springs back up, but it is almost as if it doesn't catch when being kicked down. It goes down very easily without trying to start the engine.

Again, I don't know much of anything about motors, especially a Vespa motor.

I'm thinking it may be related to something called an 'kickstart cog' that is either stripped, or not catching. Please help if you know about this. Thanks in advance!
@xantufrog avatar
UTC

Moderibbit
1980 P200E - "Old Rusty", 1976 ET3 Primavera
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8891
Location: Atlanta, GA
 
Moderibbit
@xantufrog avatar
1980 P200E - "Old Rusty", 1976 ET3 Primavera
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8891
Location: Atlanta, GA
UTC quote
Welcome!

Could you post pics of your scooter?

One possibility is your clutch is slipping. Either due to a clutch problem, or simply the clutch cable being too tight. The other possibility you already touched on - there is a little gear that pushes towards the guts of the motor and creates a link between your kick and the top end. If that is stripped or otherwise not engaging, then...

Could you tell us more about how the kickstart feels when it drops? Any soft "mushyness" to it, or does it feel like there is no resistance whatsoever?
OP
@quintinp avatar
UTC

Lurker
1973 Vespa Sprint 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4
Location: Oklahoma, U.S.
 
Lurker
@quintinp avatar
1973 Vespa Sprint 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4
Location: Oklahoma, U.S.
UTC quote
I attached an image. It is a 1973 Vespa Sprint 150. The lever has a lot of give, but I guess you could say it feels 'mushy.' It has mostly give, and like I said, it sprang back up into place. When this started, I was leaving work and in the process of starting it, when on the 3rd kick, I kind of 'double-kicked' and it stopped catching the big fan wheel altogether.
@starreem avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
07 GTS250(RIP), 07 LX150, Several Lambrettas
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2832
Location: Raleigh, NC
 
Ossessionato
@starreem avatar
07 GTS250(RIP), 07 LX150, Several Lambrettas
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2832
Location: Raleigh, NC
UTC quote
Is the image you attached your avatar pic? Please upload or link to some larger photos. That avatar is way too small to see any detail.

How about some history of your purchase? Did you buy it from a shop or and individual? EBay? Who restored it?
OP
@quintinp avatar
UTC

Lurker
1973 Vespa Sprint 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4
Location: Oklahoma, U.S.
 
Lurker
@quintinp avatar
1973 Vespa Sprint 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4
Location: Oklahoma, U.S.
UTC quote
Yes, I wasn't able to attach a picture with my phone. The picture in my avatar is the Scooter I'm speaking of. I bought the scooter from a man a couple of hours away from me. It has had work done to it at a nearby scooter shop. I'm actually bringing the scooter to a professional this coming Sunday to be checked out. Thanks for your replies!
@moto64 avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
'64 Motovespa 150S (177) , '65 VBB, '66 Allstate SF, '66 180SS, '58 LD 125 (150)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1990
Location: S.Salem, NY
 
Molto Verboso
@moto64 avatar
'64 Motovespa 150S (177) , '65 VBB, '66 Allstate SF, '66 180SS, '58 LD 125 (150)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1990
Location: S.Salem, NY
UTC quote
Though it seems like more work, I find it easier to turn the motor over when it is out of the frame.
OP
@quintinp avatar
UTC

Lurker
1973 Vespa Sprint 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4
Location: Oklahoma, U.S.
 
Lurker
@quintinp avatar
1973 Vespa Sprint 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4
Location: Oklahoma, U.S.
UTC quote
Ba ha ha
@tommylittlescooter avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
BV200, P200E (2),V90 and now a Big Ruckus
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1667
Location: Mims, Florida USA
 
Molto Verboso
@tommylittlescooter avatar
BV200, P200E (2),V90 and now a Big Ruckus
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1667
Location: Mims, Florida USA
UTC quote
Be grateful for that tractor light, a fairly good indicator that your bike didn't come from S.E. Asia
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