Modern Vespa

The new (to me) MP3 sits unridden, waiting for fixes, and burning a hole in my pocket.

There's a thread, Troubleshoot: Scooter can't pass inspection, where I've been asking questions about the problems that have come up with the scooter since it was delivered. It needs to pass state inspection, and I couldn't even get it down the road.

In the course of getting it inspection worthy, I noticed the brake fluid reservoirs. The fluid in the left brake is discolored, and there's a medal cutout disc covering the window. I can't see anything in the right brake reservoir, and it doesn't have a disc. Is this normal? The YouTube videos say that brake fluid is clear, so it's time for a change in the left reservoir; what's the deal with the right reservoir?

Thanks!

Open it up to check if it's either empty (unlikely if the brakes work) or merely dark and discoloured (likely, and merely means it's time to flush and bleed).

What is the disc that is visible in the left reservoir but not the right? Should I be concerned about the difference?

No worries - IIRC they're different models of cylinder, if not different manufacturers.

Do check on previous threads concerning bleeding the front brakes - you have to reverse fill using a Mityvac or similar.

Can we put the instructions in an MP3 wiki or FAQ somewhere? Most of what I'm finding is the for the GTs or LX scoots. Much is generic, but not everything.

Since the front brake fluid is either very low or nonexistent, I need to do this maintenance pretty soon. I can probably do it while I'm waiting for the replacement brake switches (mentioned in another thread), which should arrive Monday.

I've heard that the line splits on the front brake, making it a bit more of a challenge. I search, but it doesn't jump out at me.

Break fluid is clear.After time it absorbs water and turns yellow.Test strips are made for checking the fluid.Fluid has a 2 year limit of safe use.

MP3-500: HELP, Bleed Front Brakes

MP3_500: How2 Bleed Tilt Lock

Reverse-bleeding (from caliper upwards) is the way to go for the tilt-lock... I'll be doing it that way also, the next time I do the brakes.

Thanks, Alex! Obviously, you've run into the same problem that I have. And thanks for the heads up about the tilt lock fluid; I hadn't even thought about it.

brake fluid with moisture in it turns milky. Also the top of the resv. cover will probably have corrosion build up on it and needs to be cleaned as well.

http://www.motorweek.org/features/goss_garage/brake_fluid_basics

This is from a customers scoot recently.

Good pics, OAD! I looked for images of brake fluid the other day, and saw some that were pretty nasty. Your images give me a good idea of what it should look like when it's spent. It's not just discolored, it' murky.

That's for sure
Oh yah ,I've seen it so old it was milky.If I remember right it floats on top if not disturbed. I keep a log book ,too much to remember .