





OP
Member
![]() MP3 400
Joined: Mon, 07 Apr 2014 14:09:13 +0000
Posts: 16 Location: Armuchee, Georgia |
Sat, 19 Apr 2014 20:57:20 +0000
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Due to my old age and comfort needs, I had to add a backrest to my Piaggio MP3 400. Searching our Vespa group did not result in anything suitable to me, so I created my own. The photos should show how I did it. Okay, it's a bit crude, but it was easy, inexpensive, adjustable, and is very comfortable - adjustable tilt and forward/backward. Here is what you see - a Schwinn comfort bicycle seat, adjustable in tilt ($20 at WalMart); various 1/2" PVC water pipe pieces and fittings (elbows, tee, cross from Lowes at $16); 1" hold-down straps from an old come-along; aluminum grips for the straps made from 2 x 2 aluminum angle (had in my junk pile). The straps hold the assembly down and the length of the PVC pipe sets the rear against the rear case.
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Positive
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![]() Sat, 19 Apr 2014 21:25:47 +0000
Ossessionato
'09 Mp3-500 - Gone Now
Joined: Thu, 19 Feb 2009 19:11:21 +0000
Posts: 2065 Location: Happy Valley, Oregon |
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Ossessionato
![]() '09 Mp3-500 - Gone Now
Joined: Thu, 19 Feb 2009 19:11:21 +0000
Posts: 2065 Location: Happy Valley, Oregon |
![]() Sun, 20 Apr 2014 00:29:18 +0000
Molto Verboso
MP3 500 (2) MotoGuzzi California 1400
Joined: Tue, 27 Mar 2012 03:37:35 +0000
Posts: 1675 Location: SF Bay/Roseville CA |
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Molto Verboso
![]() MP3 500 (2) MotoGuzzi California 1400
Joined: Tue, 27 Mar 2012 03:37:35 +0000
Posts: 1675 Location: SF Bay/Roseville CA |
Hooked
![]() Vespa Marietta
Joined: Wed, 20 Oct 2010 01:44:43 +0000
Posts: 254 Location: Marietta, Ga. |
Sun, 20 Apr 2014 12:17:49 +0000
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Crafty!
It looks like it doesn't get in the way when you open the seat - is that right? |
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Sun, 20 Apr 2014 12:38:34 +0000
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backrest
If I didn't already have a RevRider backrest(which I love) I would copy and install yours.Great inovation
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OP
Member
![]() MP3 400
Joined: Mon, 07 Apr 2014 14:09:13 +0000
Posts: 16 Location: Armuchee, Georgia |
Sun, 20 Apr 2014 13:03:50 +0000
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Wade wrote: Crafty! It looks like it doesn't get in the way when you open the seat - is that right? |
Molto Verboso
![]() '12 GTS 300 Super
Joined: Mon, 25 Feb 2013 19:33:40 +0000
Posts: 1248 Location: Austin TX |
Mon, 21 Apr 2014 17:16:33 +0000
Ossessionato
Scarabeo 500GT(hers), `07 250 MP3, `09 400 MP3
Joined: Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:29:46 +0000
Posts: 2592 Location: Kingman, Az. |
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Ossessionato
Scarabeo 500GT(hers), `07 250 MP3, `09 400 MP3
Joined: Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:29:46 +0000
Posts: 2592 Location: Kingman, Az. |
Mon, 21 Apr 2014 17:16:33 +0000
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I've done a simiiar design with wood and the foam behind your seat that I use for 3 scooters. Sorry, no pics.
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![]() Mon, 21 Apr 2014 18:24:06 +0000
Moderatus Rana
MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s
Joined: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 17:56:22 +0000
Posts: 22427 Location: Nashville, Indiana |
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Moderatus Rana
![]() MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s
Joined: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 17:56:22 +0000
Posts: 22427 Location: Nashville, Indiana |
Mon, 21 Apr 2014 18:24:06 +0000
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I know duct tape and wd-40 get all the press but pvc is right up there. Nice job. May try it though on a 500 I would have to do some modification to your design as I would need to butt up against the top case.
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Molto Verboso
![]() 2007 Piaggio MP3 250 (sold) and 2009 MP3 400 (sold) 2011 CanAm Spyder RSS
Joined: Wed, 30 Jun 2010 12:49:55 +0000
Posts: 1843 Location: Floyds Knobs IN |
Mon, 21 Apr 2014 20:48:01 +0000
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stickyfrog wrote: I know duct tape and wd-40 get all the press but pvc is right up there. Nice job. May try it though on a 500 I would have to do some modification to your design as I would need to butt up against the top case. Is this a new way to ride? ![]() |
![]() Mon, 21 Apr 2014 21:22:54 +0000
Molto Verboso
MP3 500 (2) MotoGuzzi California 1400
Joined: Tue, 27 Mar 2012 03:37:35 +0000
Posts: 1675 Location: SF Bay/Roseville CA |
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Molto Verboso
![]() MP3 500 (2) MotoGuzzi California 1400
Joined: Tue, 27 Mar 2012 03:37:35 +0000
Posts: 1675 Location: SF Bay/Roseville CA |
Mon, 21 Apr 2014 21:22:54 +0000
quote
hollybry wrote: your butt up against the top case? Is this a new way to ride? ![]() |
OP
Member
![]() MP3 400
Joined: Mon, 07 Apr 2014 14:09:13 +0000
Posts: 16 Location: Armuchee, Georgia |
Mon, 21 Apr 2014 21:33:59 +0000
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Now,now, Honeybadger, I posted this thread for educational purposes. We'll need photos for "hauling ass". And, no nudity, please.
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![]() Mon, 21 Apr 2014 21:40:16 +0000
Molto Verboso
MP3 500 (2) MotoGuzzi California 1400
Joined: Tue, 27 Mar 2012 03:37:35 +0000
Posts: 1675 Location: SF Bay/Roseville CA |
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Molto Verboso
![]() MP3 500 (2) MotoGuzzi California 1400
Joined: Tue, 27 Mar 2012 03:37:35 +0000
Posts: 1675 Location: SF Bay/Roseville CA |
Mon, 21 Apr 2014 21:40:16 +0000
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Bikeguy wrote: We'll need photos for "hauling ass". And, no nudity, please. ![]() |
Addicted
![]() NIU Electric Moped
Joined: Mon, 08 Dec 2008 09:26:03 +0000
Posts: 900 Location: Seaham UK |
Tue, 22 Apr 2014 13:02:23 +0000
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Sheer genius!
Please will you indicate the width of the seat - I've Googled for it but those seats don't seem to be available in the UK so I'll hunt for something similar in size - and can you confirm the diameter of the plastic pipe please. I think it's bigger than half-an-inch. Thank you. |
OP
Member
![]() MP3 400
Joined: Mon, 07 Apr 2014 14:09:13 +0000
Posts: 16 Location: Armuchee, Georgia |
Tue, 22 Apr 2014 13:15:55 +0000
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MikeO - the seat is 11" wide x 7 1/2" tall; the plastic pipe is standard schedule 40 PVC, 1/2"size, and the actual diameter in 0.84".
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![]() Tue, 22 Apr 2014 13:35:13 +0000
Moderatus Rana
MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s
Joined: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 17:56:22 +0000
Posts: 22427 Location: Nashville, Indiana |
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Moderatus Rana
![]() MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s
Joined: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 17:56:22 +0000
Posts: 22427 Location: Nashville, Indiana |
Tue, 22 Apr 2014 13:35:13 +0000
quote
hollybry wrote: stickyfrog wrote: I know duct tape and wd-40 get all the press but pvc is right up there. Nice job. May try it though on a 500 I would have to do some modification to your design as I would need to butt up against the top case. Is this a new way to ride? ![]() |
Addicted
![]() NIU Electric Moped
Joined: Mon, 08 Dec 2008 09:26:03 +0000
Posts: 900 Location: Seaham UK |
![]() Thu, 16 Mar 2023 07:22:43 +0000
Lurker
bv 350
Joined: Sat, 30 May 2015 19:28:31 +0000
Posts: 2 Location: ohio |
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Thu, 16 Mar 2023 07:22:43 +0000
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Very smart. This can work on just about ANY scooter, and it's adjustable and waaay cheaper.
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