I have a 2004 Piaggio zip and the kcik start does not work. Everything else does - I regularly use it to and from work starting via eclectirc start.

The kick start level will push down but does not spring up (in actuall fact it was a hard to move ack into the proper position). What could be wrong with it? It doesn't start the engine either,

TmS, June 2010

My kickstart half cog doesn't line up with the ones inside and it hangs loose all the time. HELP!!!

sho_stackz, January 2014

gearing plate otherwise known as doh tooth, its the little funny shaped drive gear that your kickstart engages , it sits in the middle odf the front drive pulley in your transmission, its in plain sight and you take it off by removing the 15mm nut on the crankshaft

m, June 2010

what the hell is a gearing plate ?

TmS, June 2010

The problem is most likely going to be that the gearing plate has worn thin which will cause the kick start to go up and down but not start the engine or it could be a worn kick starter

adam smith bike and car mechanic, June 2010

the problem will more then lilkley just be the fact that it needs cleaning inside the transmission cover,the return spring and small intermediate kickstart gear get covered in rubber dust from the wearing drive belt and jam up,simply take the cover off (leaving the lever in situ)and clean the kickstart quadrant and spring and gear with petrol and a brush dry it off and lubricate it all with some light oil like 3 in one.work it up and down until its free again and refit it.this is a very common problem with auto scooters.check the gears are not damaged when its apart and if it is then replace any damaged parts.

adam bike doctor, June 2010