Vespatude - A Vespa Blog: Caught in the Vespa's clutches

My parts came today! I had been looking for them to be delivered by UPS. However, the parts were small enough to be shipped by regular mail. They came by USPS. That is why it took so long.

I had the Vespa up on jacks by 8:30 p.m. and by 10:00 p.m. I had the cables adjusted, the plunger and pressure plate replaced and things buttoned up. I was real excited about getting the scooter preped to ride to work in the morning.

Not so fast, scooter boy!

I pushed the bike through the gears using the clutch to help move it along. One, neutral, two, three and four - a couple of adjustments and there I was shifting right along. Now, time to start it up and test it under power.

WHHIIIIZZZZZZ

I pushed down on the kick start again, WHHIIIIZZZZZZZZ

What on earth?!

Okay, so I'll just push start it. Push, push, push, let the clutch out... nothing... no sound of compression. Kick start again, WHHIIIIZZZZZZZZZ...

It would appear that the plunger is somehow continuing to put pressure on the pressure pad even when the clutch is disengaged. It is just enough to keep the kick start gears from engaging. At least that is my theory. I'll have to wait to find out... I don't want to go digging back under that thing again tonight!