Don't mean to insult your mechanical intelligence, but when troubleshooting one should never assume anything. You have already performed the VERY BASIC maintenance procedures of checking intake and exhaust valve lash, and cylinder compression . . RIGHT!
No I didn't check the valve clearances, engine sounded ok so didn’t bother, (yes I agree assumptions are a big problem in trouble shooting and I'm guilty as charged) so after ur suggestion Tortoise I have now:
IN: 0.12mm or 0.0047244 in
EX: 0.11mm or 0.0043307 in
I figured they are pretty close to spec. 0.12mm and wouldn't be the source of the prob so I didn't change anything (correct me if I'm wrong).
I don’t have a pressure gauge so the compression test is a bit difficult for me. I imagine if the pressure is too high there would most likely be too much carbon build up around the combustion chamber. I'll see if I can buy/borrow a gauge.
The reason I'm here is firstly to learn more about engines/scooters because I enjoy it and secondly to fix the scooter. So don't be worried about insulting intelligences, that’s just a roadblock to learning. The best way to solve these problems is for me to give the right info (and not to make assumptions) and get the right advice. (even if it is hard to take, at least we get to the heart of the problem). My mechanical ability is ok, I've been through a few bikes in my time and did a lot of maintenance and repairs on them, but I still have a lot to learn and hope I'm in the right place to learn it.
I'm enjoying working on this scooter and hope that what I've learnt (which might be rather basic) will help other people in similar situations.