1964 vespa 90 won't start!

[gregbazinet]

Hello all, i am new to the world of scooters so bare with me. I recently bought a 64 90cc small frame that won't start. I have a decent spark from the plug and i am spraying directly into the carb with starter fluid. and kicking it over but nothing is happening. the compresion is good. tail light works when kicked over. am i missing something? Is the timing so off that it won't fire up for a few seconds? I am not sure what the switches near the throttle do. Round button is horn, but what are the other two three way switches for? My scooter does not appear to have turn signals. Any ideas?

[bryno]

Should at least fire if you are seeing a good spark, is there a problem with the fuel system hence you are using the starter fluid?

Hmm, not been on a Vespa 90 since 1984 ;D but IIRC you have lights on switch next to the throttle with on/off, side and main beam, (another switch for dipped and full?) then a small square (?) button for the engine kill switch, the key below the headset only locks the steeing, so the ignition is on all the time, you hold in the kill switch until it dies.. can be a bit of a pain when people work that out and randomly start your scooter up and leave it running as happened to me, best fit a seperate ignition switch/key or hide an ignition break switch behind the side panel door as I did.

[gregbazinet]

There is a problem with my fuel system... The gas tank is not currently connected, i am looking for a replacement for it. original one was badly rotted. I'm just trying to get it to fire over on starter fluid. still won't though...

Thanks for the help with the switches!

Does vespa reproduce a replacement frame that will fit an early small frame scooter?

[andy1]

hi greg,think i might have an original tank if u want it?-think im right in saying its the one with the big filter thingy on the bottom?,ive just repaired a scoot that had the same symptoms,turned out the rings had gone,i was still getin a little compression so thought they were ok,best to take the head off and have a look,only take a minute or ten to take it off,if they are ok then fine,at least youve ruled it out

[andy1]

as far as the frame goes-its usually the floors that go first,you can buy replacement floor sections,think a replacement frame might be a little harder to source,but im sure someone will have one,but like i say if its the floor that needs doin it should be a doddle!!!!

[gregbazinet]

Could you help me out with a link to a site that sells replacement floors? I've been surfing the net trying to find some for a few days now to no avail.

The floors are a "doodle", does that mean they're hard?

[bryno]

If you are having trouble finding anything on the 'net, grab a copy of Scootering magazine, all the big dealers advertise in that, all the bits you could ever need.. and loads you never knew you needed . In the Nov issue it mentions that www.ve-uk.com are selling floor sections for V90's.

[Smallframe]

if you are going for a total rebuild, then hang fire, make a list and get it all from SIP, you'll save money that way and they have absolutely everything you'll need.

[gregbazinet]

thanks for the link!

[andy1]

sorry i havent got back to you my friend but the wife has been in hospital,let me know about the tank,and yes the floor would be an easy repair to a half decent welder.

[gregbazinet]

No worries, let me know how much you want for the tank. Sorry to hear about yoru wife.

[andy1]

hi,sorry i havent got back to you sooner,the wife is out of hospital now,still poorly but doin ok cheers,the tank is yours mate,just cover p+p,would think £5 would cover it if that sounds ok?let me know and i'll get your address and send it to you.