Modern Vespa

I searched the forum on this topic and learned that JimH is the expert on this topic. So I tried to get in touch with him - the website does not seem to work. I left a voicemail on the phone number I found, but haven't heard back and also sent him an email. I realize the recommendations of the forums date way back, so things change.
That said, I will have to explain my situation:

My husband had bought a brand new Piaggio Vespa GTS 300 2020 and cared for it like it was a baby. Shockingly, he died of a heart attack suddenly and unexpectedly at the beginning of the year. I finally got it together to sell the scooter, but was just contacted by the seller that the brown key is missing. I looked everywhere but my husband never told me about it and I just don't know where to find it. Then I searched the forum and learned about JimH.

Any solid recommendations on where I can clone the key and how concerned should I be about not having the master key?

Sorry to hear about your husbands sudden passing.

I don't think you can "clone" the master key if you don't have the original to make a clone from. You can make multiple clones of the blue key you already have. That way if they lose one, they have a backup. But selling without the master key, will probably affect the value a little. There are also companies that offer a service where they can reset the ECU and provide a new master key but it costs a little $$$ and you need to remove the ECU from the scooter and send it to them.

Your husband probably put the master key someplace "safe" so it wouldn't be lost. A safe deposit box, a fireproof box in your home, in a file with all the paperwork from the scooter, etc. I bet you'll stumble across it at some point.

Many locksmiths have the equipment to clone the blue key these days. Make a few calls to local locksmiths and they should be able to help you. Selling without the master key actually happens a lot. I bought an older ET4 without the master key and just made some clones of the blue key.

-Craig

Thanks so much for your informative response.

Yes, I will keep looking - it was brand new - so it has to be somewhere.

Try taking a look where he kept the scooter, it could be in a toolbox or a workshop drawer. If he owned a motorcycle jacket, could it be in one of the pockets?

My condolences as well. I agree, with a recent purchase it's not likely the key was lost. I bought a 5 year old scooter, seller insisted there was no master key, and a month later mailed it to me!

It's no big deal to get the key cloned...IMO selling without it isn't a big deal unless the buyer is trying hard to reduce the price. We're talking, guessing, about $50 to clone, including postage?

Good luck with your search. Not to discourage you, but I'm reminded of my losing my keys for months only to find them tucked away with a pair of gloves....

if you have a key that works it can be cloned. having a master is not important

I do this myself on my bikes. and I am not a key shop.

I recommend scooter west. they can make copies of the key you have.

when you only have one key its a risk to send that one key off and the carrier looses it. then its a different more expensive situation. so if you can find someone local to do it you can avoid the worry of lost mail.



sorry for your loss.