Modern Vespa

Hi all,

I am new to scooting so please excuse my ignorance. I just got a 66 VBC, it has been starting up fine about 10 different occasions. Now I can't start it! I've followed the instructions and did what I did in the past to start it but nothing. It is getting power, the horn beeps. I have put the gas tap up and to the Reserve location, it is in neutral, the choke is out (i have tried several different positions on the choke from completely pulled out to semi out), i give it gas and the kick the kick start. It makes a little noise as if it is thinking about it but doesn't.

Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!!

'66 VBC, eh? Where'd you get it?

-Eric

Slowly the big cat circles his prey................................

You know my rule about "1966 VBC's"

If you read the guide, you'd know the answer....




(and i'm still going to help him, i'm just trying to see what i'm working with here )

Just kidding Eric, just kidding.

Australia. I don't know your rule and I read the guide that came with it. Still don't have a clue.

alright.

So, your engine needs 3 things ... Gas/air, spark, and compression. We'll assume it has compression since it's run recently.

Do you have spark? Remove your cowl, stick another spark plug in your spark plug wire, hold the sparky end to the engine ( try to hold the rubber boot - you'll see why ) and kick it. Do you see a regular, strong spark? Is your kill switch engaged accidentally? Sometimes they get stuck in a "kill" position so flip it back and forth to make sure it works. Your spark plug wire or boot could have come loose or unscrewed, or the lead running from your stator to your junctionbox or HT coil could have come loose.

Do you have gas ? Remove your airbox cover, airfilter, turn on the gas, pull the choke, hold the throttle wide open ( and look down the carb venturi ) and kick it. Do you see gas shooting down into the engine? It should mist out of the carburator downward like someone misting a spray bottle or something. If you stick your finger in the venturi and kick the kickstart lever, do you get gas on your finger?

if you don't you've got a fuel delivery system, and it's likely your carburator float bowl stuck in a closed position ( if i had to guess ). The rule is that 99% of "1966 VBC's" are vietnamese restored scooters that tend to be of dubious quality. You're in australia, so you're even closer to the maelstrom of shitty restorations. If you click the "how to tell if it's a vietbodge" picture in my sigfile and read that guide, does your bike look like one of the ones in the pictures?

Sorta....

It has a 2-tone paintjob, Generic chrome crashbar, and Chrome rear-seat grab bar. Everything else is a no. Oh well, crap or not, I have it now and when it did ride i loved it so...

I will try your suggestions when I get home tonight. oh btw I am in VA i got it from Aus.

Thanks for your help, I'll keep you posted.