Modern Vespa

Hi!

So my LX won't start - the lights look very dim on the front panel and I can hear a kind of "whhirrrrrrrr....." when I hit the start button instead of the electrical sound! I guess the battery is dead? This is strange since it has only been sitting idle for two days!

Anyway I spent 15 minutes trying to kickstart it in frustration. Eventually it roared to life and was fine.

Can someone provide details on how to kickstart efficiently? Do I need to push the start button too? Why does it take so long to start?

I am probably doing something wrong and hammering my bike so any advice appreciated!

By all accounts the LX kickstart (at least here in the US) is more cosmetic than functional. Yes, it works, but it's not the most sturdy and/or effective kick start out there (I've heard of people snapping them off after 2 attempts).

From what I can tell the LX kickstart is more of a safety backup, not intended for actual use (like on a vintage). So I'd say the fact that it worked and you didn't snap it off means you are doing it right.

Just my opinion, others may chime in differently.

Haha! It did feel rather flimsy!

What is the likely cause of it unable to use the electric start? Is it a garage or diy job?

Also are you supposed to pull the back brake while kickstarting?

Had the same problem, when the temps just slightly dipped after the summer. Since learning about how the fuel enters the system, I havent had one problem. have posted this several times. Hope it leads to less aggravation.
OPERATION
The choke unit has a plunger that is pushed down to close off a hole at the bottom of a drilling in
the carburetor.
A wax pellet is heated electrically and expands, as it heats up it pushes out the plunger. As the
wax warms the electrical resistance measured across it increases until it becomes open circuit. In
most circumstances the choke will then remain off purely by the heat of the engine.
The time taken for the choke to turn off is controlled only by the rate at which the wax expands.
The ambient temperature will affect the time taken for the choke to turn off.
The choke is activated once the engine has started and not when the ignition is turned on.
(FROM MANUEL)
To activate pellet, turn the bugger on, kick start gently twice, wait up to 1 to 2 minutes. will start no problem. the circuit needs to open up. carburetor takes time.

Thank you - I will try that!

Fantastic info! Thanks Chombe.

RockNRoll
I have yet to find evidence that disconnecting the evap system provides usefulness in the event of hard starts. Other than increasing idle in the event of stalls, i find that disconnecting the evap system doesn't impact greatly. I agree that overfilling has the potential to send gas through to the carb but it is negligible.

I have an S150, and by all accounts that's identical to the LX. I'm getting the whirring sound when I try to start from time to time, but when I just retry, it works. I'm concerned about the whirring sound. What is that?

i get that same WHRRRRR sound to after a cold night and then try starting it the first time, but it only does it the first time i hit the start button back off and then hit the starter again and she fired right up..... sounds like no fuel was getting to the engine and its the vacuum sucking the gas in....

any experts know exactly what it is though?????

Not an expert, however...

Using standardized non-expert terminology:

Sometimes the starter bendix thingy on the 150 leader engine just doesn't engage/throw out/work properly even with a good charge on the battery. You get a whirring sound then...the starter is spinning but nothing the gear whatsis is not engaging.

If this is the case, usually a second or third try will work. If not, give the scooter a quick rock, like a jerk on the handlebars...It'll should start then.

Menhir...the other jerk on the handlebars.

I don't have the technical answer, but my LX150 does this from time to time on cold mornings, and my Honda sport bike (CBR900) used to do it too.

It's never caused a problem- I usually just give the throttle a quick little (very little) roll on the next start and it fires right up- same with the motorcycle.

The whirring sound is the starter and it does sound like its not engaging with anything. Both of my lx150s do this frequently. Its always when they are cold, usually first attempt to start them in the morning. They have always started after a few attempts. I dont consider this normal or desireable but have accepted it as one of flaws with Vespa's. None of my other 8 bikes have ever done this. The useless kickstart would be another flaw.

Many thanks for the replies - glad I am not the only one getting this problem. I think because I've only had a scooter since April I am only now experiencing the cold mornings!

This morning it started up just fine first time!

A friend of mine has also suggested letting it run idle for a minute or two before driving off and also when switching off after a journey.

My LX does this once and awhile.
What I figured out is that if I don't squeeze the brake lever before I hit the start button I get the whirring noise.
If I squeeze and press almost simultaniously I get the whirring.