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General => Technical | How To => Topic started by: surfskatemoto on June 20, 2024, 07:37:32 PM

Title: Kymco People 150 not starting?
Post by: surfskatemoto on June 20, 2024, 07:37:32 PM
Greetings fellow Kymco enthusiasts. I have been riding a 2007 Kymco People 150 for about 5 years. NEVER, ever thought I would own a scooter but a buddy gave it to me with 2.9K miles, and now it has 9K. This thing is a serious ripper off the line, pretty much undefeated on the PCH here. (honestly, most folks cant ride) Thing always starts right up and purrs like a kitten. Kymco speedo says I hit 75 mph but it's not GPS verified, and feels more like 60mph. Anyhow last Saturday fired her up, rip up the coast to check waves, blast back home, purring like a kitten. Sunday morning, first time EVER, it will not start?? Just tried to jump it and it cranks and cranks but will not start. I know, gas, air, spark. Well it's got gas, new air filter, and I don't even know where the sparkplug is for this thing? I know how to work on cars, and rebuild a 2 stroke, but never worked on a scooter before. Any help or ideas would be appreciated. Go fast, and keep the rubber side down.
Title: Re: Kymco People 150 not starting?
Post by: Stig / Major Tom on June 21, 2024, 01:03:03 PM
Welcome to the forum!
We've all done it.....Kill Switch in correct position?

Key on, brake light on when brake lever pulled?
Hear fuel pump when key first on?
Spark plug, under front of seat...a panel there? Helps to remove underseat bucket to see things.
Hard to start can be valves need adjustment.....but your scooter refuses to start, so?
You do need to look at the plug, and plug cap, cheap to replace. 
Others more skilled with carbed scooters will jump in here.
(Lucky man...to get to ride the PCH! Superb road. I walked &  hitch-hiked it twice in '67. Big Sur!!)
Again,  Welcome here.
Stig
Title: Re: Kymco People 150 not starting?
Post by: Iahawk on June 21, 2024, 01:11:04 PM
Stig hit many good points...I'd add that your scoot is likely carbureted, not fuel injected, so no fuel pump to run when key is on.

Kill switch on..definitely check spark plug, we've heard many stories of loose spark plug caps or even loose spark plugs! Give the motor a good look over to make sure nothing important has come loose or unhooked. Youtube has all kinds of videos on 150cc scooter engine maintenance (spark plugs, oil changes, carb cleaning, etc.) Good luck and let us know what you find!
Title: Re: Kymco People 150 not starting?
Post by: Stig / Major Tom on June 21, 2024, 01:25:38 PM
Youtube...search
Kymco People 150 (Exspresso) spark plug change

Easy Peasey
Stig
Title: Re: Kymco People 150 not starting?
Post by: surfskatemoto on June 21, 2024, 03:59:26 PM
Welcome to the forum!
We've all done it.....Kill Switch in correct position?


(Lucky man...to get to ride the PCH! Superb road. I walked &  hitch-hiked it twice in '67. Big Sur!!)
Again,  Welcome here.
Stig

Whelp, umm..   it's back to running like a raped ape...   Thanks for your help fellas!
Title: Re: Kymco People 150 not starting?
Post by: Stig / Major Tom on June 21, 2024, 05:04:54 PM
Whelp, umm..   it's back to running like a raped ape...   Thanks for your help fellas!
Will take a couple of pix of your kymco on the PCH as payment🙂
Be well!
Stig
Title: Re: Kymco People 150 not starting?
Post by: Iahawk on June 22, 2024, 02:14:54 PM
Whelp, umm..   it's back to running like a raped ape...   Thanks for your help fellas!

so it was the dreaded 'kill switch'??
Title: Re: Kymco People 150 not starting?
Post by: Neil955i on June 23, 2024, 08:08:06 AM
so it was the dreaded 'kill switch'??

Wouldn't that be a hoot?
Title: Re: Kymco People 150 not starting?
Post by: surfskatemoto on June 24, 2024, 11:12:46 PM
so it was the dreaded 'kill switch'??

YES! That is some Kook of the day sh1t right there! Better that then chasing down a coil, loose wire connection, etc.

Hey, does anyone know where to get a super bright headlight for this thing? Stock lamp burns yellow and dim, time for a freshie.

Title: Re: Kymco People 150 not starting?
Post by: Stig / Major Tom on June 25, 2024, 12:07:28 AM
YES! That is some Kook of the day sh1t right there! Better that then chasing down a coil, loose wire connection, etc.

Hey, does anyone know where to get a super bright headlight for this thing? Stock lamp burns yellow and dim, time for a freshie.
Some go to an LED bulb...and swear by them.
Hopefully it won't flood a poorly focused bright blue/white mess at the road and other drivers.
Stig
Title: Re: Kymco People 150 not starting?
Post by: mrmike on June 25, 2024, 08:09:35 AM
  In my opinion definitely go with a LED bulb. I changed out my X-Town 300i lights to LED, and the difference was unbelievable. I also had a People 150 back in 2010. I didn't change that light bulb, but I remember that getting the plastics apart on it was a pain. It would be worth the effort though. There are many different Led bulbs available on Amazon or E-Bay. Once you get the plastic apart it is a plug and play job. When I had my 2010 People apart, I installed amber Bulbs as running lights in the European turn signal locations. Once you get your new LED headlight adjusted properly, you will love it.
Title: Re: Kymco People 150 not starting?
Post by: surfskatemoto on June 25, 2024, 02:16:04 PM
  In my opinion definitely go with a LED bulb. I changed out my X-Town 300i lights to LED, and the difference was unbelievable. I also had a People 150 back in 2010. I didn't change that light bulb, but I remember that getting the plastics apart on it was a pain. It would be worth the effort though. There are many different Led bulbs available on Amazon or E-Bay. Once you get the plastic apart it is a plug and play job. When I had my 2010 People apart, I installed amber Bulbs as running lights in the European turn signal locations. Once you get your new LED headlight adjusted properly, you will love it.

LED lamp, Thanks for that guys. Mr Mike, you don't have a brother Jonathan do you? Also, is there anyway to improve the worthless rear drum brake? Or, it is what it is. Front brake is good enough. Thanks again guys. Stig, still i owe you some pics.
Title: Re: Kymco People 150 not starting?
Post by: Iahawk on June 25, 2024, 02:16:11 PM
I installed an obnoxiously bright led bulb in my Honda Helix...but I don't ride at night, so no concern with blinding others. I did it for my own increased visibility to others. Bright lights up front and a Brake Free helmet mounted led tail / brake light keeps the cagers away!
Title: Re: Kymco People 150 not starting?
Post by: Stig / Major Tom on June 25, 2024, 02:31:58 PM
LED lamp, Thanks for that guys. Mr Mike, you don't have a brother Jonathan do you? Also, is there anyway to improve the worthless rear drum brake? Or, it is what it is. Front brake is good enough. Thanks again guys. Stig, still i owe you some pics.
Just factor "rear drum" into your riding habits/distances. That's what I do🙂
Stig
Title: Re: Kymco People 150 not starting?
Post by: surfskatemoto on June 27, 2024, 06:07:43 PM
I installed an obnoxiously bright led bulb in my Honda Helix...but I don't ride at night, so no concern with blinding others. I did it for my own increased visibility to others. Bright lights up front and a Brake Free helmet mounted led tail / brake light keeps the cagers away!

Is there an LED headlight that will be plug and play with the People 150? (no relays,etc)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/395407770698?fits=Submodel%3A150%7CModel%3APeople%7CMake%3AKYMCO&itmmeta=01J1DCDGEXK6Z2MJ7TTP6K2WP4&hash=item5c1023c44a:g:byQAAOSwUIpmRXYJ&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA0NEItrrK5DAfB6bgsW4Cm1G8OJ6c4cqzY7N91e1zsZ4I3LVmCh%2BHwqBlvsQlrI7RTst2O2yeqVjZy3qFlKNlvz0nffwX8TC0jYe2qxz8fqv3f4OF%2FTLylihwUZDYvELyCaYqsRl6oeckO3348suZGBGTV4Py3Cy0GXThtOFbBs05segi7HmQ1HWP82XId7qauFj2ktfQTSkO1ygHIUQJFtnP6RispiZ4%2BiMdLhUI08B8QmMWOMTAFd3HO5Ef416dNyPlmEY2isWWM7tkSbFEFSo%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR8aHtqyLZA

Looks like a 3 pin plug?

https://www.kymcoforum.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=20116de4538147305d9f5f042e1f861b&topic=30695.0

This seems hella complicated..
 
Title: Re: Kymco People 150 not starting?
Post by: Iahawk on June 28, 2024, 12:25:28 PM
led bulbs are typically just plug and play...just find the type of bulb you have in your scoot and get the led equivalent. The bigger pain can be accessing your bulb ...some are easy, others are....not so easy.
Title: Re: Kymco People 150 not starting?
Post by: mrmike on June 28, 2024, 09:27:03 PM
Just factor "rear drum" into your riding habits/distances. That's what I do🙂
Stig


    I'm not sure, but does the rear "drum" have a adjustment on the cable to adjust as the shoes wear?
Title: Re: Kymco People 150 not starting?
Post by: Stig / Major Tom on June 29, 2024, 02:27:19 AM

    I'm not sure, but does the rear "drum" have a adjustment on the cable to adjust as the shoes wear?
Yes.
Look right down where the cable pulls a lever at the rear wheel. On my Piaggio it is on the left side ...cable runs under the belt cover.
You'll see that you can effectively shorten/tighten the pull of the cable by tightening a nut there (hex nut or thumb or wing nut)
Drum brakes reportedly last a long time. Adjust at the rear by drum, with less than 1/2 " of pull on the lever.
Owner's manual doesn't illustrate this??
Stig