Not Enough Spark?

[ToddB]

I just bought a 2005 People 50 that did not run. I have tried to start it but i cannot even get it to pop. Battery is dead so I kick start it.
I put in a new plug and when I test the plug with kickstarting, some kicks it wont even spark, other kicks it sparks very little. I have taken the plug out, squirted in a little starting fluid, replaced the plug, and still get nothing when I kick it. It doesn't turn over, doesn't pop, doesn't try to turn over at all.
I have cleaned the carb due it to being dirty from sitting so long.
I would like to fix this thing as inexpensively as possible.
Any ideas or suggestion would be highly appreciated!!!

[naughty lee]

Try charging the battery

[ToddB]

That was another question I had. If I put a new battery in it, will it create more spark than just kick starting it?

[claynine]

Buying a new battery may or may not solve the spark issue.  But you can check it out by simply hooking up a battery charger and trying it like naughty lee said.  Borrow one or by one.  Chargers are a good investment.  Good luck.

[ToddB]

Got new battery and I have a nice big blue spark.
Now, I think I am getting to much fuel. I have fuel spilling out of my carb intake and even some coming out my exhaust.

Any idea what may be causing this?

[MaryK]

The needle valve on the carb's float bowl is not shutting off the flow of fuel.
They can hang open if the fuel is allowed to evaporate in the float bowls (long time sitting).
Try tapping the float bowl area with a chunk of wood or plastic (not metal... don't want any sparks)

If you cannot get it to stop overflowing, you will have to remove the float-bowl and clean the needle valve.
There may be trash from the gas tank keeping it open.

Also a good idea to run SeaFoam or Techron fuel system cleaner in the gas for 3 or 4 tanks full to get rid of varnishes from stale gasoline.
Use in the amounts stated on the labels  (1 oz/gal)

scoot safely,

[naughty lee]

Remove the spark plug and leave it out overnight. It's possible that you have flooded the bike trying to start it. Gap the plug to between 0.71 and 0.9 mm then refit it the following morning when all the fuel has evaporated.
This time when you try to start it, do so using the kickstart ( if fitted) with a CLOSED throttle.
You never know, it just might start!
My son is famous for pressing the starter and holding the throttle open trying to start the scoot in a hurry. The result is often a flooded/ fouled plug.

[ToddB]

I did make a little progress. I let it sit overnight without the plug. Tried starting it with the kickstarter this morning and it popped twice. As I continued to kick it would continue to pop once or twice but that's all the further it would go. It does want to start just a little, but it won't. Any other suggestions?

[ToddB]

Even beter, I got it to run for about 2 seconds. One problem I am having is I always end up with fuel coming out of my carb intake. I have thoroughly cleaned the carb and the needle seems to move just fine. I wonder though if the tab on the float is bent making the float not shut off fuel??

Anyways, I was wondering if anyone knows where I can buy the correct float and needle for this 2005 people 50 and if I buy one will that metal tab on the float be bent to the correct position?

Also, I was wondering how many turns out the throttle stop screw and air screw should be??

Thanks for all the help so far. I am driving myself crazy trying to get this thing to run.

 

[tortoise]

Any other suggestions?

Have you inspected the reeds and verified exhaust is not obstructed?

[ToddB]

I will try that! Where are the reeds located?
Also, I am getting it to turn over and run for a couple seconds nearly every time I kick it.
It seems to be idling pretty low, and as soon as I turn the throttle, even the slightest bit, it dies.

Any more suggestions?

Thanks for all the help so far. I consider this some major progress since the thing didn't even run when I bought it.

[ToddB]

Reeds looked good! But, I did find a red straw from a WD-40 can or something similar down where the reeds are. Took that out of course!!

Now, I have backtracked! Back to square one, I have spark, fuel, and air but it won't pop or turn over.

[ToddB]

I got it up and running this morning!!
Runs really smooth!
Goes 35 up my big hill and 40mph down a short stretch of flat road.

[tortoise]

I got it up and running this morning!

What was the deficiency?

[ToddB]

Well, it was my own fault. After I cleaned the carb I crossed the fuel line and the over flow line.
I switched them to where they are supposed to be and it fired right up. It's been running excellent even since.
I even took a picture of the carb before I took it off the moped for reference. I was in such a hurry to put it back together I didn't even look at the pic.

So, basically the theming just needed a carb cleaning!!!

Let that be a reminder to everyone to slow down, stop, and think!!
Thanks for all the suggestions and help!