Modern Vespa

Steve, Mine was about 3/4" long in the exact same spot. How was your kick start quadrant buffer? I'd prefer not to go inside but if its a likely problem, I've already dropped the engine.

I don't remember it being too bad, actually. I ended up replacing it of course because I needed to take everything apart anyway, though.

The recommissioning is coming along nicely. Ended up replacing most of the consumable stuff, Brake shoes, rubber parts, rebuilt the clutch, etc. and major corrosion eradication.

Next step is onto the electrical. The headlight works, and the Killswitch works. That's about it.

One question I have is, I had to replace the speedometer because the guts were all rusted and seized up. I got an aftermarket from India. If I spin the cable by hand in one direction, the needle will move, but when it's hooked up to the front wheel, it doesn't. I'm wondering if there's a clockwise and counterclockwise speedometer drive gear?

You may have tightened that bottom connection too much. I had issues with that. I just backed the cable out a little bit at a time until it worked finally.