Modern Vespa

Although I'm no sissy, I do want one. I have fond memories from my youth (I was about 27 at the time) of my first big bike, a new 1972 Honda 750, on which I installed a rather tall sissy bar. I rarely rode two up, but I really enjoyed that sissy bar myself. I'd put the bike on its center stand, then sit back on the seat against the sissy bar with my legs up on the tank. It was so relaxing and fun. I spent lots of time that way just watching the world go by. It was like having my own portable lounge chair where ever I went.

But, I don't want to encumber my scooter with a permanently attached sissy bar. Nor do I want a top trunk. I'm thinking about an easily removable temporary sissy bar that simply slides down over the upright part of the stock Vespa rear rack on my GTV 300. I measured it, and if I make it right, when off the rack it could be stowed by attaching it to the underside of the seat. It would be completely out of the way there.

I don't want to reinvent the wheel here. So if any of you know of an existing sissy bar similar to what I've described, please let me know. And, if any of you have suggestions as to how it could be made, I'd like to hear that too.

Closest I know of is that Cuppini one I use during the summer (seen here with a cheap leather cover that faded quickly). It can be taken off with just a couple wrenches, but usually requires at least one or two swear words thrown in for good measure.



If you come up with something half as interesting as you describe you want, I bet you'd have quite a few folks asking you for their own.

Yeah, the Cuppini is about the height I was thinking about. But I'm talking about something that slides right over the existing upright part of the stock rack, fitting like a glove. Slip it on, slip it off. It wouldn't even necessarily have to be locked in place, although that shouldn't be too hard to do.

look at the harley stuff, they have quick removal-able stuff like that. maybe you could get an idea or 2 from them.

This may not be what you want George but if you want a functioning backrest that you can install and remove easily then you may want to look into the Utopia backrest. The only drawback that I see is that you have to cut a hole in your seat. It may be worth a look.

http://www.utpr.com/vespa.html

A bit of 1/2" cold rolled mild steel, some elbow grease for bending and a bit of welding and you can make your own custom sissy bar.

-Craig

I knew this post would draw out the wags!

OK, I went ahead and ordered the Cuppini back rest. It looks like it will do the job for me. I will have to get a brown cover for the pad. I hate to order something that I know will have to be "fixed" right out of the box. But in this case there doesn't appear to be a choice.

Welcome to the world of Vespa accessories

Show us some pics when you get it installed and re-covered.

Most things I get these days fit into that category.

Maybe I'm just getting more particular in my late middle age.

Be sure to let us know when you slip into early old age, eh?

I don't have a sissy bar so I can't help you. But good luck on your quest for the perfect sissy [bar] accessory.

Wow, Nice one. I recently saw this forum and realise that many of them don't want sissy bars. Perhaps, it's your own choice what you want but I do personally like sissy bars. It gives the them best look and also the best for the backrest.