Scooter ran perfect, won't start after quick stop

[harveyspencer]

I drove through Epping Forest (large forest outside London) with my scooter (Yamaha Vity 125, 30.000 km), it was running smooth. I stopped briefly at a parking lot, returned after 5 minutes and wanted to ride on. Scooter wouldn't start (tries to, doesn't kick in).

By that I mean:
1) Engine light goes on, then off when turning ignition as it should
2) Headlight goes on, I press brakes + ignition, it tries to start (the starter motor runs). It just doesn't kick in. It tries and tries, doesn't kick.
3) With what I had (I had nothing on me), I checked the spark plug, there's a spark, but it's rather small and orange. Not sure if that's the cause.
4) With the spark plug removed, I can clearly hear the starter motor compressing.
5) I checked the fuse, which obviously works as there is power to the starter motor and plug, I replaced it with the spare one anyways.
6) I am at about 15-20% gas left, opened the gas tank, could clearly see the gas liquid floating around, plenty left. I left the gas tank cap open for one or two attempts to see if there was an air pressure issue. No.
7) I bought the scooter 2 months ago (from first owner), it has 30.000km, I filled it up with oil (maybe a bit too much, it's over the top (between the two ideal spots) of the oil indicator), but there's oil in it (which a mechanic told me, is the only thing I need to seriously take care of on these machines and they will go forever).
8) It has always (!) started on first attempt, right after pusing the ignition.
9) A few days ago, it was kicked (violently) by someone who tried to steal it I supposed and then realized I had a disc lock and large chain hidden underneath the back wheel as well. They broke off the air filter plastic container, but the filter is still on there and working.
10) The sound has changed to a much lower sound lately, pretty much after the air filter containment outside was broken.

Also, damn Yamaha scooter has no kick start and no way to turn off headlight.

That's all I have guys. I had to walk to a train station from within the forest, I am not even sure how to get back there. The scooter is chained to a tree and I've taken the battery with me, in case it's lost power.

I need your most likely speculation here. I am hoping to return only ONCE and drive the scooter off the lot there once fixed on spot. I will buy a new spark plug, possibly have the battery recharged (where?) and hope this fixes the problem.

Any other ideas? It ran quite well before that, only parked for 5 minutes, never had an issue like this before, didn't gradually go slower or anything, worked like a power horse (with an oddly deeper sound) up until the last second.

Thanks, I'm out of ideas.

[map]

Might have overheated and nipped up the piston from those symptoms.

Daughter's Vespa had that problem when the elastic band that turned stuff to drip oil into the fuel broke.

Your issue may be not getting the right fuel/oil/air mixture due to damage on air filter (too much air maybe?).

Maybe now it's cool go back (with a van to collect) and try it again.

If nipped up then top end rebuild job. Which isn't unusual (and shouldn't be extortionately expensive) for a 2 stroke.
____________________
...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[Bunny Lingus]

Do you have an immobiliser? I must confess, I don't know much about scooters but I have 'fixed' a non-starting Peugeot Speedfight Two which had a problem identical to yours. Had to strip all the plastic off to discover the immobiliser. Peugeot issue a red key which resets it. Do you have any of this?
You must return to the forest & liberate your bike as its on open order. If the park filth see it they will impound it. Joe public might call old filthy & you might be the subject of a full scale manhunt or the local Leytonstone kiddies will rob your bits.
Take a mate & push the little sod out if ness. Forests & scooters are incompatible. Once out, put a couple of quids worth of petrol in just to eliminate that. Once back at your place, whip the spark plug out, check your gap & turn the starter over a couple of times to clear out any shit & replace.
I had air filter issues once. A small piece of sponge came adrift & wedged itself under my inlet valve. It was a real bitch to find & I had already tried just about everything else before I stripped it. I would rather use nothing than a sponge filter now. Good luck
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Bunny Lingus & The Flipside Faggots

[harveyspencer]

great ideas so far guys, thanks. I've informed the rangers there that I am not in the forest anymore and I am about to recover the vehicle soon, so not to report it abandoned. so that's at least sorted.

might drive up there with a new spark plug today and see if that fixes the problem. not sure if the battery has enough power, might have that checked in a shop. will also bring more tools this time, had nothing on me when it broke down.

any more ideas very, very welcome. thanks.

[harveyspencer]

Just wanted to give an update:

Drove back to the scooter, with a van. Asked in a motorcycle shop for advice, they, like me, also suspected the spark plug and that it might be showing a spark, but it being too weak. So I got a new spark plug, had the battery checked and drove out all the way to the forest again. Scooter was still there, replaced the spark, hit the igniton. ROAAARRRRR and it ran. What a feeling.

So, thanks for the advice all, it was (as often) much simpler than I thought it would be.

[Bunny Lingus]