Modern Vespa

If you know me, you won't try to convince me to not do this job myself.

I need to replace my top and bottom steering bearings. I just visited with the mechanic, he has all the fantastic factory tools. It would be fantastic to have all of those tools at my ready. Of course, I'm not a repair shop, so I don't. Any do-it-yourself ideas out there?

"Rent" his tools for some alcohol?

Harv

Scooterwest has a wrench for the upper nut. Have not used it yet. Will have to guess on torque setting. Post your comments after doing the job.
See the wiki in modern vespa forum.

With bearings i have always gone with "feel".
Tighten everything down just so you have smooth notch free movement.
And tighten it up a little more if it is "loose" or "sloppy".
Be patient listen to with your fingers. This method has never failed me and use a good quality grease.

I don't know what the proper torque value is.

Proper tool are everything.

Here is where I need special tool. Grrrr.

I've been periodically searching for "the' tool. So far unobtanium. Someone is bound to have several work arounds. I'm in the right tool for the job camp of amateurs. Maybe I can learn something here. Good thread chef! Oh and nice to see you.

Side note; Got some super fine WW flour that is really low in tannins. I'll smile and think of you when I bake it out!

That tool is easy! I've loaned out and never got back that tool at least 6 times. As a result there has to be at least 7 of them in the bay area.

You can borrow #7 if you like.

Maroy helped from afar. I have them off. At first the top bearing looked fine, but once off, it looks own out. There are several gaps. In some places, it is rather tight, in another area, not so much. See the gap?

Would you mind IDing the source?

Tools of persuasion. If you mess up the lock nut, and you bought the whole assembly, there's no need to worry about it. But, the tools of persuasion, didn't mess a thing up. They are low torqued.

Onward

Now that's neat! If you weren't a chef I believe you could be a tech, easily!

Why did you think it needed the bearings, how did it feel ? It did need them from the looks of them. Not that old of a scooter.

Good thing I had that styrofoam from the Akra to catch the disk brake if it all came crashing down!

Second use. Reappointed.

Keeping it green, people... Keeping it green... Minus the styrofoam and the Akra exhaust

I was riding Shebalba's GTS and his steering felt off. He thought my steering felt off. I accused him of taking up the crack pipe. Turns out I was just so used to the way my notched steering that it felt right. Jess confirmed that my steering was notched. Once he showed me what it felt like, it could not be ignored. So, here we go.

Ready to drop the front end.

Brake line! Guess I'll learn to bleed brakes too!

fyi, pipe wrench works really well on the castle nut

This may be it for the night. Beer and food are calling.

Poor 19. She can't dance.....

Done for now

The tool you need for the steering stem is called a "hook" spanner.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=hook+spanner&qpvt=hook+spanner&FORM=IGRE
Most MC shops would let you borrow one perhaps with a small deposit.
A flare nut wrench is designed to remove and reinstall the brake line. Sears Craftsman sells them.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=flare+nut+wrench&qpvt=flare+nut+wrench&FORM=IGRE

this just makes me too sad...

I have the tool, with the nut on the end for a torque wrench. Still, I'd do it by feel. Actually, I would have Patrick do it by feel before I would try it myself.

I'll ride up tomorrow if you need it.

I've always wondered what that 'special' tool looks like... It's not that special... Go to just about any bicycle shop and they will have something that will work (or you can buy one for $20 or so) It is usually used for loosening the adjustable cup on an old school bicycle bottom bracket.

Best wishes putting her back together again!

Desi B.

No, the "real" tool looks like a giant socket with prongs. The hook spanner can't take a torque wrench.

So.......do you have Patrick's tool?

Gotcha... The hook spanner would just work to loosen/remove the ring then.

There are bicycle versions like what you are mentioning as well - a socket (usually 1/2 drive) with internal prongs. Probably not the same size, but one never knows until they try (Check out Park Tools for one...) Might get lucky on the sizing, though then you might have an issue with the depth of the socket as well...

Desi B.

Nope. Bought my own after hunting down the part number. I seem to remember that it was mislabeled online, but the part number was right, so I took a chance.

I've always done them by 'feel'. No need to disconnect the brake line, just remove the caliper from the suspension and support it with some string if tension relief for the brake line is felt necessary.

Removing the upper (internal) race for the lower bearing can also need a 'special tool' - a length of 10mm steel rod with an appropriate bend and a bit of shaping works fine from above to knock it out; also some pullers can be used from underneath.

Once the lower ring is torqued to the bearing it might be wise to hold it in place with a hook spanner while the lock ring is torqued to it.

Hi Scoot Chef... I'm very impressed (but not particularly surprised) that you are doing this yourself. It is, in part, because of your pre-CB posts that I started doing some of my work (under my mechanic's supervision).

Nothing to add to this thread except to mention that you've had a PM from me waiting in your inbox since, let's see, April 2nd.

I guess checking MV from your phone you didn't notice it.

Hope all is well.

David

the mp3's have a special tool from piaggio just for torque wrenchs. Used on the steering tubes

They didn't have the hook spanner tools for the first several years the mp3 was out, so if you wanted to torque the bearings you had to undo all the banjo fittings!

Adjusting steering head bearings on a 250 GTS

this is the one I use but I also have a modified shock preload tool that works well. In fact the first factory tool (#1 that I lost) looked exactly like the preload tool.

http://www.scooterwest.com/items/?_pageCCS=t#page=/item_details/Vespa-Castle-Steering-Fork-Nut-Tool/4141



Let me know if you need a hand with that today.

By the way, the notch you are looking for will be in the bottom race, most likely the cone on the fork.

Owning two GT's lets me see the subtle differences. In steering it is not so subtle as my black one, with 52,000 miles on it, has a seriously notched steering. I never paid much attention to it until I bought the white one from my brother. It has the smoothest, easiest steering you have ever seen. The difference is huge. Now I remain comfortable with the black scoot, but I can't let anyone else ride it.

We'll let you know. After coffee and a little breakfast, off to the garage!

Now, how to remove the lower race without destroying the cup....

Patrick says, "you don't" Here it goes

That's not your hand...freckles ID'd.