Simple fix.......or so I thought!

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fraserp200e
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Posts: 82
Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2011 1:25 pm
Main scooter: 1988 MotoVespa TX200
Location: Helensburgh
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My scooter (bog standard TX200) has been getting progressively harder to start when cold, it's my daily driver so gets used every day. Once started it runs fine and once warmed up ticks over fine, BUT to get it started from cold takes fooking LOADS of kicks (about 50+). It used to start first or second kick every time.

Thought it would be something simple as it runs fine when when warm. So I checked;

The Plug - all good, but changed it for a new one anyway.
The HT cap - all good, but changed it anyway.
HT lead - looked good but cut 1cm of each end and reconnected to CDI / HT cap.
Jets - looked clear but cleaned them.
Getting a good spark.
Fuel getting to throttle slide in the carb ok.
Compression is good.

I've tried all combinations of choke / no choke / throttle wide open / throttle shut and everything in between when trying to start it and bumping it. It does start eventually and when it does it runs fine.

Am I missing something basic before I go down the line of changing carbs etc??
1983 Vespa PX125
1984 MotoVespa P200E
1988 MotoVespa TX200
bristolmod
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Main scooter: Lambretta TV175 S3- what else!
Location: Bali-Hai bar, Locarno Ballroom Bristol, 1967!- mines a Brown Split!!
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I'm not a Vespa "person" at all, but to me it looks like the choke area. Is the choke actually working?

Chris
Scootering since 1968.
fraserp200e
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Posts: 82
Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2011 1:25 pm
Main scooter: 1988 MotoVespa TX200
Location: Helensburgh
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I assume so. The arm is moving freely in the carb when the choke is pulled / released. When it's warm and ticking over if you pull the choke it bogs down so I think it's working ok.

Have also tried not using the choke at all and just leaning it over on the engine side for 10 secs and starting that way (an old vespa trick - don't know if it works on Lammys!) that has no effect, which worked fine previously.
1983 Vespa PX125
1984 MotoVespa P200E
1988 MotoVespa TX200
bristolmod
registered user
Posts: 1741
Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2009 8:42 am
Main scooter: Lambretta TV175 S3- what else!
Location: Bali-Hai bar, Locarno Ballroom Bristol, 1967!- mines a Brown Split!!
Contact:

On a Lambretta you can whip off the rubber air intake and place your hand over the carb intake area as you kick it over- this tends to work if the choke is U/S. Can you so the same on your Vespa?
Scootering since 1968.
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HxPaul
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Main scooter: lambretta Li 150
Location: Halifax,Yorkshire
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Try changing the HT lead,cutting 1cm off each end may not be the answer,especially if there is a break in the middle.The break might be small enough to let the spark jump across,but under load it might break down.
paul d
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Main scooter: T5 172 Tv 240
Location: Galway Ireland
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I had the same issue. I changed the float needle jet, problem solved. I can't remember if it's got a black or a red tip but I do know that one or the other is better for modern fuels. Good luck with it!
ducksta
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Have you been tinkering before this problem ie changing or cleaning anything if so back track.
Start from scratch
Plug- ht lead- fuel- ignition will it bump off?
live life your a long time dead
ducksta
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Is the flywheel still on the woodruff key or has it sheared.
live life your a long time dead
fraserp200e
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Posts: 82
Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2011 1:25 pm
Main scooter: 1988 MotoVespa TX200
Location: Helensburgh
Contact:

Cheers for all the replies. No, I've not been tinkering before it's happened it's just got progressively harder to start over the last few months.

Flywheel woodruff key is good.

It does bump eventually, but it's the same as kicking it it takes a while, which all my work mates seem to find entertaining for some reason!! I'll change the HT lead and and float needle with my other (working!) P2 and see if that helps.....I'll post up if that sorts it.
1983 Vespa PX125
1984 MotoVespa P200E
1988 MotoVespa TX200
ducksta
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Take petrol pipe off carb end see what the flow is like
live life your a long time dead
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