Sitting, Won't Start

[nickoneill]

Transplant from the MV forums here. I'm looking to get a Buddy (on top of the GT200...) and I think I found one in my area that I like. However, it's been sitting for a year and it won't start.

I'm going to visit today and see if the battery has any charge on it, but I'd like to know what my options are. I figure I've gotta drain the gas ASAP, but is it harmful to *try* to kick start it? Anything else I should know about a sitting Buddy?

[Ed Hit]

Carbs are probably gummed up, might bring some seafoam to run through if you do get it started. otherwise it will likely need a cleaning.

I assume you know to check the tires (pressure and flat spots), but I see no reason to not try kick starting it. Leave the battery in while you do.

[TVB]

is it harmful to *try* to kick start it?

Well, you might tip it over.

Anything else I should know about a sitting Buddy?

They're easily startled by loud sudden noises, and don't like to be mounted from the right.

[ericalm]

If it's been sitting for a year with gas in it and no prep done before it was idle, chances are even Seafoam won't clean out the carb.

It will kickstart without the battery. You may even get it to start and idle, but it probably won't run. (Unlike the modern Vespas, the Buddys kick start pretty easily and you won't break your tranny case trying!)

You can also start it off the battery from your GT if you want to go through the trouble.

So chances are it'll need a new battery and service on the carb.

If nothing was wrong with it before it sat for a year, it shouldn't take much to get it running again.