Modern Vespa

Hi All ,
Thanks in advance of any help proffered - in a nut shell -
May 2023 - bought a 2012 Vespa LX50 2T Touring for teen son - has approx 2500 kilometres on it and obviously been stood somewhere - mileage now at approx 5500 kilometres
April /May - had a couple of instances where the Vespa died and after an hour or so would restart or with help from a change of spark plug .
New battery fitted
Intermittently over the last few months ( since October ish ) Vespa is ridden approx 3 miles to school and runs with no issues at all for almost 2 weeks - then one day it dies , it won't restart , left a few hours then restarts - runs spot on for another 10 days or so - does the same again , dies near enough in the same area , won't restart - recovered home - next day fires up and runs normal again then approx week later same place breaks down again - back home drain fuel tank , fit a new fuel tap , fuel line , vacuum line and it runs great for another 10 days - same place , dies again - won't restart left for two days - restarts and runs . Fit a new cdi unit - runs spot on for approx 10 days ,
same place dies again won't restart - next day runs - two day's later same place dies again , replaced the auto choke , runs then dies next day - this last week have had a local garage recover it and take a look - carb removed and fuel float chamber dry also a blockage in the carb discovered - they fitted a new fuel line with a filter fitted - scooter fired up and ran , garage said they gave a few test rides and all was good then it was ridden home - two days later start scooter ride to school , same place dies again won't restart ...thats today...
When the scooter dies 8 times out of 10 it shuts off straight away , or a couple of times it blips on throttle as though a lack of fuel before dying .

Sometimes if the electric start doesn't work only one or two kicks of kickstart is required for it to start - once it dies no amount of kicking will get it to start although sometimes it will fire and run for one or two seconds then dies .

It seems to be fuel related in how it won't restart , but it's how it will then run fine for several days that is the curve ball ...


Given that the scooter dies after approx the same distance in a morning through rush hour traffic I assume it may be heat/ temperature related but what ?? Could it be wiring related - is it possible to evaporate its own fuel and starve itself ...on a couple of occasions when trying restart and checking for spark the plug has been dry on removal - then with lots of cranking it starts - any help much appreciated - a frustrated DAD

First thought is an intermittent sticking float or needle in the carb, causing fuel starvation.