Modern Vespa

That bendix needs removal and cleaning. They are very simple devices...

Get the variator tool.

without the side cover supporting the bendix it should jump forward and jam into the gear on the 1/2 pulley. so I'd say that the bendix is definitely suspect. also, the teeth on it look hammered, so that may be a contributing factor to the engagement.

I took it off with a smaller 50cc variation tool and poor mans impact. So I'll have to order a variator tool to reassemble.

But ya the bendix looks and feels fine. It moves like all the YouTube videos when they are inspecting theirs

can you post a detailed pic of the teeth? I'd clean it and lube it while you have it out.

while it's all apart you can inspect the rollers.

I guess they aren't perfect. But again no idea why it's not engaging. Is it possible the starter isn't spinning it fast enough?

yeah I'd replace that.

I know your battery is new-ish, but have you load tested it?

odd question when it tries to start (when everything is together) does it just go: ZZZzzzzzZZZZZzzzz? or does it turn over really slow: chuga, chuga, chuga?

Battery good. And right now since I niches with start it goes zzzzz

Side note I'm wondering if this is my current problem

Vespa GT200 starter motor installation problem? Help needed.

Because my starter spins clockwise

I would absolutely check the install of the starter. however, generally the Zzzzz means that the bendix is spinning, but not engaging. so this may be the bendix is bad or the battery isn't supplying enough juice to the starter to turn the bendix properly.

Have you had the starter apart? You say you had it out to clean it. Could you have installed it with the frame and magnets upside down, or the brushes reversed? The starter should spin anti-clockwise as seen from the bendix end. The bendix should spin clockwise, throwing itself out to engage with the driven pulley, which should turn anti-clockwise.

Are these on/off stand issues though?

No but...

It's not going to start at all like this, so lets get the starter actually turning the engine first.

No… I have pivoted so much and y'all have been super patient.

That said the starter is spinning on and off stand now nmsjnce I cleaned the starter HOWEVER it's not the biggest glimmer of hope because it always had a bit of power off the stand (not enough to start the engine though) and needless to say it takes very little power to spin freely.

I did clean it and after taking it out and aback in three times and taking apart 15 times it's all back it and NOW spins counter clockwise. No idea what I did right this time but it's in.

I tested the bendix by holding my finger in it. I know I'm horrible. And it works. So I just need to find a stator removal tool to reassemble and then I can test again!

Well I quickly stitched it back together and its started. both off and on the center stand.

I think the mystery current loss still exists, but with a fully charged battery and clean starter I have enough of an advantage to get it started. so I will count this as a win. I just have to order the one time use nut etc to re-assemble properly.

If anyone else has the SAME problem, I never resolved it, but cleaning the starter seemed to help.

Thanks for all the help! you guys really satisfied my feeling of isolation when tackling this stuff alone.

Well done!