Modern Vespa

Hello! Bob here...new member from Michigan...already needing help! Just bought a 2007 GT 200, tough starting in the cold. I see the carb accelerator pump rubber protector is loosey goosey and the tiny clamp is not seated on the bottom, as it appears it should be. I have just fought with it for over an hour trying to seat the clamp onto the rubber protector in its correct position..for the life of me..I cannot get it done. tried needle nose pliers, my fingers, screwdrivers...is there some magic trick to seating this tiny pain in the ass clamp onto the rubber protector? THANKS! Hoping to enjoy this new scooter!

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the only way to do it without going mad is with the carb removed. yes, seriously.

however, the loose boot shouldn't have any effect on the starting or running of the bike.

tough starting in cold could be any number of things and depending on service history it could be a laundry list or something fairly straight forward.

I'd check the auto choke first though. then decide where to go from there.

Remember when cars all had carburetors, and what a joy it was to get one started and idling in Winter?

The clamp is upside down, so the part that is bent is hitting the carb before you get the clamp to where it needs to be. You should be able to loosen the carb at the air filter boot and intake manifold, then turn the carburetor onto it's side so it's easier to get to. Reach in with something like a hemostat, and remove the clamp. Then turn it over, clamp it open with the hemostat, and put it back on. It should then slip right down.

Where can you purchase the small rubber boot, mine has corroded away, but I still have the clamp in place?

I couldn't find one last time I needed one. I substituted the same boot from a Harley-Davidson CV40 carburetor.

You can buy it here: https://cv-performance.com/harley-accelerator-pump-boot-seal-2731176