Question about valve adjustment on a 150cc scooter

[lizardrock]

Sorry for the long story, but I figure the more detailed the better--

The scooter is a 2006 Tank 150cc scooter all stock parts.

This is my first ever scooter and I am very excited to get it tagged and start driving it to work. However I have a very difficult time starting it when it is cold. This is the 2nd day I've owned it and once it is warmed up it starts much easier, but still takes some time cranking. Even if I let it sit 5 minutes after driving it for over 30 minutes in my neighborhood it just seems like it won't start. The kick start is not functional right now and I was a good 3 miles from my house when I shut it off to stop at a local convenience store. I had been running it around for 30 minutes driving at varying speeds. When I went back to the scooter after being in the store maybe 5 minutes I tried starting it till the battery was starting to die, thankfully it started and I was able to ride it home. My goal is to ride this about 15 miles to work each day, but without a kick start, I want to make sure I can get it started easily. It has a brand new carb, which I've adjusted the idle and air/fuel mixture. Could it be a simple valve adjustment. I've seen many youtube videos of the same scooter that turns over with just a simple push of the starter.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Attachments:

[tour96se]

there are plenty of how-tos and videos on the web about valve adjusting. its a simple task. you need some feeler gauges, 9mm wrench and a 8mm socket. takes like 6.5 minutes

[lizardrock]

Oh yes, I am aware of all the how-to videos, I was asking if anyone who has one of these bikes experienced problems like mine, if so, did a valve adjustment fix it?

[tour96se]

seems like a common problem when the valves are too tight. .004 and .005 i/e valve settings.

[lizardrock]

I doubt the valves have ever been adjusted since it was built. I will stop at the local hardware store and get some feeler gauges this evening. My ultimate goal is to press the starter button for less than a second and hear the engine start right up. I know many scooters start with ease, I just hope this will help it. I have the idle turned way up just to keep it from stalling. But it's too high and the clutch is starting to engage.

Does the valve adjustment need to be done on a cold engine or a hot engine? I've found conflicting statements about that.

[sprocket]

Cold engine... on the GY6

[lizardrock]

Thanks, I'll try it tonight when I get home from work. Can't wait for easy starting and can't wait to start riding it everyday!

[lizardrock]

Okay, I'm in trouble! I adjusted the valves intake .004 exhaust .005. Both the valves were at 0.00. I guess they have never been adjusted. I must have excellent compression because my starter barely turns even when using my car battery. Got it started much easier, however the idle is up and down. Also my headlights just went out. No dash lights either. All the other lights, horn etc work. UGH! Help Please.

[lizardrock]

I take that back, I forgot to reconnect the pickup coil all the way. I had taken the fan shroud apart to make sure I was at TDC. Lights work and it starts with just one simple push of the starter and it idles much better now. Much higher compression for sure. Now to tackle the charging issues.

[lizardrock]

NEED ADVICE ASAP!

I did the valve adjustment and the scooter starts up with ease. However now that I've done the valve adjustment I hear a rather noticeable tapping. It's not so bad that it vibrates and it does get louder with engine speed. I almost swear it's coming from the exhaust. I'm afraid to drive it much because I don't want to damage my valves. I triple checked the clearances and they are at spec 004 and 005. Just curious if others have had the same issue with the tapping. Should I readjust them to a different spec? I don't want to break the valves.

[sprocket]

Some engines are like that...drop the settings back to .003 and .004... it should reduce the tapping...