Difficulty starting. Ruling out the easy stuff first..

[mick1]

What engine/kit is it ?
What carb' is it ?
What electrics are involved (advance/retard ?)

Stuck rings may be an option ?

[YAMLAM]

are you using a cable operated choke or flip up ?
I had a very similar problem and it was choke related.

[EddieStone]

I wouldn't bother with a compression tester - as long as you have some compression. Put your finger over the spark plug hole and you should feel some pressure.

I'm wondering if the kickstart is actually turning the crank? I suppose it must be if you're getting a spark but it's worth checking. You wouldn't be the first. It's a possibility you haven't tightened the sprocket bolt and it's slipping.

The other thing to check is that there definitely is fuel and it's not gone below the reserve level. You wouldn't be the first to do that either!

If you've worked on the gearbox then you must be reasonably capable, but it's easy to overlook the obvious when you're in your position!

[mr mugello]

If it fires up after easy start. Might be old fuel issue.

[mr mugello]

Flywheel nut loose, causing woodruff key to shear on crankshaft. Can show spark still if flywheel catching on loose shaft.

[Chris in Margate]

Now I would start with the compression test for peace of mind. Rings stick or break and you'll have the devil's own job getting it to start if that were the case. You'll still feel compression at the plug hole but it won't be sufficient.

3 elements; no 4 !

Integrity of Compression (air leaks etc.)

Ignition

Fuel.

You've got to eliminate each element.

Oh and fourthly: technique. Don't wring the throttle wide open when kicking over.

Good luck

[Snails]

well I nipped out to Halfords on my lunch hour and purchased some Easy Start.
Gave it a go, without touching anything else - after 3 kicks it made a firing noise and kicked out a small puff of smoke from the pipe (i'd not got the box on as removed it to see if that would help) but then nothing. 10 more kicks - nothing. Another spray and 10 kicks - nothing. As the Easy Start is going all over the garage floor as I dont have the box on and I'm out of time I leave it until after work.

This evening I check the plug gap and correct it as its a little large, fit the box and give it another go without using any more Easy Start. Its trying to go from the off and starts after 5 kicks. I run it for 40 seconds or so and it runs out of fuel. Bone dry. Nip to petrol station, fill her up and try again. Starts second kick and is fine.

All a bit inconclusive as to the cause unfortunately. I was trying to only change one thing at a time...however I'm happy its going. I'll be even happier if it starts tomorrow evening without too much trouble.

Thanks for all the suggestions and advice. Much appreciated. I was ready to stick all my scooters on ebay last saturday after having an absolute mare but with a bit of luck I might just get two of them back on the road for spring - after a year without a road going scoot.

Just one more to go and that I have a plan for at least.

[dave411]

So are you saying it was out of fuel?

[Chris in Margate]

g

Priceless !!

[Snails]

So are you saying it was out of fuel?

No ha ha. There was definitely fuel when I was trying to start it as I could see it in the fuel pipe when I was trying to start it. Also the plug was getting wet.


Personally I think it might have been a combination of badly set spark plug gap and old petrol - it was at least a year old.

I will know tonight if it works as really those are the only two things that I will have changed.