Modern Vespa

Hello everyone, this is my first post here hoping someone can help me out. I am new to Vespa's so please bear with me on verbiage etc. I just received my father's old P125X, it's been sitting in his garage for about 15 years. Following some videos by ScooterWest I did some cleaning in the carb and replaced spark plug, engine oil and gearbox oil. Finally got it to crank up and it sounds good when idling. However when I went to engage gears I popped it into first and got nothing.

I did ensure that the selector box arm does work and I tightened the clutch cables inside the selector box. I read somewhere to prop the back up and hold the clutch in and kick the starter to see if there was any resistance. I did that and there was no resistance and flywheel didn't spin. I also attempted spinning the back wheel and selecting gears and the back wheel continues to spin freely. So now I am at a loss for what the issue could be. I'm really hoping the issue isn't too extensive as I live 2.5 hours from the closest Vespa dealer/repair shop. I would greatly appreciate any help provided. Thanks again and I'm excited to get riding! I remember how much fun my younger self had on the back when my dad took me for rides and I'm hoping to be able to do the same with my son!

Just to be clear, did you remove the selector box and check the lever inside?

If so, remove the box again, lift the rear wheel and try to go through the gears by pushing/pulling the spindle by finger while rotating the wheel back and forth.

Hey Ray! Thanks for your reply. I did remove the selector box, I moved the clutch through the gears and did ensure the arm inside works correctly.

I am about to head to the beach with my family so won't be able to check the spindle for about a week. However, when I get back I will try that and get back to you! All the best!

Just made it back from the beach yesterday. I was able to take the selector box off and switch through the gears while pushing and pulling the spindle. Put everything back on and still no action once the scooter is cranked.

Nothing at all?


Okay try this for clues:
Engine off, clutch pulled. When you roll it and go from neutral into 2nd gear are you able to hear the gears rotate?
When you then release the clutch lever does it hard brake?

So I do not hear any gears rotate and when I pop it into 2nd the wheels continue to spin freely

Double

When you went through the gears with the spindle, were you able to feel the shifting cross/cruciform bump against the gears while rotating the wheel?

When I was pushing the spindle I could feel the gears lock and, it would even stop the rear wheel from spinning freely. However, there was a lot of play between each gear and a very small window in which the shifting cross would engage. Not sure if that's how it's meant to work. I'm quite stumped

That's how it should be.

Are you installing the actuator pivot in its spindle seat as at 1:30 below?

Ray… don't think I can express how embarrassed I was watching that video

Thank you so much for all of your help. As well as your kindness dealing with a dummy!

Don't be embarrassed. This lining up of the selector box pivot doohickey with the selector rod is one of those things you have to learn by doing. I've been there and I know we're not alone.

Most of us have done it at least once.