Scooter runs good but very hard to start

[Minkota]

I have a 2011 scooter that was sitting for about a year. It would not start so I cleaned the carb and flushed the fuel tank and cleaned the fuel pump. When I try to start it I have to pump/twist the throttle very fast while the engine is turning over by the starter, after about 45-60 seconds the engine will start. It will do this if the engine is hot or cold. Can anyone help me figure this out. Thank you.

[inuyasha]

Hi
Welcome aboard
Pleased to meet you
Check and if necessary adjust your valves
Hard starting is one symptom of valves being out of adjustment
Try that first if it doesn't help we try can explore other options
Take care and ride safely
Yours Hank

[Minkota]

Originally Posted by inuyasha

Hi
Welcome aboard
Pleased to meet you
Check and if necessary adjust your valves
Hard starting is one symptom of valves being out of adjustment
Try that first if it doesn't help we try can explore other options
Take care and ride safely
Yours Hank

Ok, thank you for the reply. I will try and do the valves tonight if it stops raining. But I do have a question, the motor was running fine when we parked it, it just sat unused for a while. Would the valves go out of adjustment from sitting? I did notice that when I try to choke it with my hand that it will cover my hand with a lot of fuel does this suggest something else? Thanks again and I'll let you know when I do the valves.

[mmsscooters]

How long did the bike sit without running? Inuyasha is right, if the valves are not at the correct spacing the bike will be very hard to start, if the bike sat for more than a couple weeks empty the carbs bowl by loosening the drain screw on the left side. If it has sat for months youll need to drain the tank and carburetor and use fresh fuel.