So the challenge I had with the smallie followed me to Victoria only worse. The scoot would not start at all after numerous kicks, it would then back fire 1 - 3 times and then start. Once started it ran like a dream. When I would turn it off and start it again after a short wait period (rest stops) it would do the same thing.
When I got back to Calgary and unloaded the scoot, it started on the second kick with no back fires.
Well today was the first day I have had a chance to ride the smallie and guess what ... no start, back fire and then start, except now it seems to be bogging down when I'm riding it. At one point it actually bogged right down so low that it stopped running. 2 kicks later and it is running as if nothing had happened.
Oh and one of the times it bogged down, it backfired while riding and then started running fine again.
Sean Stewart had a quick look at it (no time to take it apart) in Victoria and thinks it might be the timing.
Any suggestions?
Shannon
Smallie advice
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Smallie advice
"The real danger is not that machines will begin to think like men, but that men will begin to think like machines." Sydney J. Harris
What fuel are you running?
You should use an ethanol free premium fuel (no Mohawk and no Husky).
I recommend that we check the stator for faults (both physically and electrically), swap CDi units (I have a new one on the shelf) and check the timing. I doubt it is the timing as otherwise the troubles would be constant and not just limited to starting.
After that, we would look at the carb, exhaust, etc...
You should use an ethanol free premium fuel (no Mohawk and no Husky).
I recommend that we check the stator for faults (both physically and electrically), swap CDi units (I have a new one on the shelf) and check the timing. I doubt it is the timing as otherwise the troubles would be constant and not just limited to starting.
After that, we would look at the carb, exhaust, etc...
Eeeep! I was hoping it was a simple fix. That sounds like a lot of work. 
I'm not using gas with ethanol, no Husky or Mowhawk.
Thanks for getting back to me John.
Shannon
I'm not using gas with ethanol, no Husky or Mowhawk.
Thanks for getting back to me John.
Shannon
"The real danger is not that machines will begin to think like men, but that men will begin to think like machines." Sydney J. Harris
Don't feel bad Kevin, it is all in the experience of owning a shifty scoot. She is a reliable scoot, she is just cranky right now. I'm loving every moment with the scooter and wouldn't trade a second of it. It is my plan to one day be able to do all the repairs myself. I just need to learn how to do them. 
I'm looking at this as a learning experience. It will give me a chance to learn more about the scoot. I'm sure it is fixable. So no worries.
I'm in no rush to get it fixed as I'm moving to a new place downtown at the end of the month, so all my time is being devoted to that and all the "fun" stuff teachers need to do for the end of the year. My time becomes a lot more open after the July long weekend.
Shannon
I'm looking at this as a learning experience. It will give me a chance to learn more about the scoot. I'm sure it is fixable. So no worries.
I'm in no rush to get it fixed as I'm moving to a new place downtown at the end of the month, so all my time is being devoted to that and all the "fun" stuff teachers need to do for the end of the year. My time becomes a lot more open after the July long weekend.
Shannon
"The real danger is not that machines will begin to think like men, but that men will begin to think like machines." Sydney J. Harris
Woo hoo! The smallie is up and running thanks to Kevin. Wrong gap in the spark plug was the issue. It seems that the curse of the spark plugs has claimed another one of my scoots. 
Thanks again Kevin for taking care of Tiki for me.
Shannon
Thanks again Kevin for taking care of Tiki for me.
Shannon
"The real danger is not that machines will begin to think like men, but that men will begin to think like machines." Sydney J. Harris
I picked up Shannons scoot last night and brought er home to diagnose.
I pulled the plug from Shannons scoot this morning to have a look. It was grimy from all the misfiring, stuttering and crappy running its been doing as of late. So first thing was to replace the plug.
I had two of these neato spark plug gap tools that i have acquired over the years.
I gapped a plug and put it on the bench. Then got distracted by a work call.
20 minutes later I'm back. I grab the gap tool and check a second time before i plug er back into Shannons scoot.
Ummm..
Pretty sure i just gapped it and it wasn't that.
Held the two up side by side and they looked different. Got my caliper and measured.
Yup, they were different. Shut the front door you dirty trucker.
Put the now good plug into the scoot and it fired up first kick. Blaster er around the block more than a couple times to confirm if its good or bad.
Seems all good, perfect and fine.
I must have used the bad tool when i put in a plug this spring before Shannon picked up the scoot. It then ran like shit after it got gummed up a little bit with a weak spark.
I pulled the plug from Shannons scoot this morning to have a look. It was grimy from all the misfiring, stuttering and crappy running its been doing as of late. So first thing was to replace the plug.
I had two of these neato spark plug gap tools that i have acquired over the years.
I gapped a plug and put it on the bench. Then got distracted by a work call.
20 minutes later I'm back. I grab the gap tool and check a second time before i plug er back into Shannons scoot.
Ummm..
Pretty sure i just gapped it and it wasn't that.
Held the two up side by side and they looked different. Got my caliper and measured.
Yup, they were different. Shut the front door you dirty trucker.
Put the now good plug into the scoot and it fired up first kick. Blaster er around the block more than a couple times to confirm if its good or bad.
Seems all good, perfect and fine.
I must have used the bad tool when i put in a plug this spring before Shannon picked up the scoot. It then ran like shit after it got gummed up a little bit with a weak spark.