Driver Backrest - Crude, but Comfy
OP
Bikeguy
Sat, 19 Apr 2014 20:57:20 +0000
Member
MP3 400
Joined: Mon, 07 Apr 2014 14:09:13 +0000
Posts: 16
Location: Armuchee, Georgia
 
OP
Bikeguy
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 quote
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.













Positive
BravoTwoFour
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
 
BravoTwoFour
Ossessionato
'09 Mp3-500 - Gone Now
Joined: Thu, 19 Feb 2009 19:11:21 +0000
Posts: 2065
Location: Happy Valley, Oregon
Sat, 19 Apr 2014 21:25:47 +0000 quote
That's pretty darn clever!


. . . .
HoneyBadger
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
 
HoneyBadger
Molto Verboso
MP3 500 (2) MotoGuzzi California 1400
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Location: SF Bay/Roseville CA
Sun, 20 Apr 2014 00:29:18 +0000 quote
Very cool!
Wade
Sun, 20 Apr 2014 12:17:49 +0000
Hooked
Vespa Marietta
Joined: Wed, 20 Oct 2010 01:44:43 +0000
Posts: 254
Location: Marietta, Ga.
 
Wade
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 quote
Crafty!
It looks like it doesn't get in the way when you open the seat - is that right?
uncletony
Sun, 20 Apr 2014 12:38:34 +0000
Enthusiast
mp3 400ie
Joined: Sat, 23 Jun 2012 01:01:38 +0000
Posts: 71
Location: PA
 
uncletony
Enthusiast
mp3 400ie
Joined: Sat, 23 Jun 2012 01:01:38 +0000
Posts: 71
Location: PA
Sun, 20 Apr 2014 12:38:34 +0000 quote
backrest
If I didn't already have a RevRider backrest(which I love) I would copy and install yours.Great inovation
OP
Bikeguy
Sun, 20 Apr 2014 13:03:50 +0000
Member
MP3 400
Joined: Mon, 07 Apr 2014 14:09:13 +0000
Posts: 16
Location: Armuchee, Georgia
 
OP
Bikeguy
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 quote
Wade wrote:
Crafty!
It looks like it doesn't get in the way when you open the seat - is that right?
Not in the way. As a matter of fact, it gives me a handle to use to open the seat.
vespinado
Mon, 21 Apr 2014 14:55:21 +0000
Molto Verboso
'12 GTS 300 Super
Joined: Mon, 25 Feb 2013 19:33:40 +0000
Posts: 1248
Location: Austin TX
 
vespinado
Molto Verboso
'12 GTS 300 Super
Joined: Mon, 25 Feb 2013 19:33:40 +0000
Posts: 1248
Location: Austin TX
Mon, 21 Apr 2014 14:55:21 +0000 quote
Really nicely done. It's giving me ideas for mine...
norCal Randy
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
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Location: Kingman, Az.
 
norCal Randy
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 quote
I've done a simiiar design with wood and the foam behind your seat that I use for 3 scooters. Sorry, no pics.
stickyfrog
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
 
stickyfrog
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MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s
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Location: Nashville, Indiana
Mon, 21 Apr 2014 18:24:06 +0000 quote
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.
hollybry
Mon, 21 Apr 2014 20:48:01 +0000
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
 
hollybry
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 quote
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.
Sticky, why do you need your butt up against the top case?
Is this a new way to ride?
HoneyBadger
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
 
HoneyBadger
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?
I put my butt against the topcase when I need to haul ass....
OP
Bikeguy
Mon, 21 Apr 2014 21:33:59 +0000
Member
MP3 400
Joined: Mon, 07 Apr 2014 14:09:13 +0000
Posts: 16
Location: Armuchee, Georgia
 
OP
Bikeguy
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 quote
Now,now, Honeybadger, I posted this thread for educational purposes. We'll need photos for "hauling ass". And, no nudity, please.
HoneyBadger
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
 
HoneyBadger
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 quote
Bikeguy wrote:
We'll need photos for "hauling ass". And, no nudity, please.
Challenge accepted.



MikeO
Tue, 22 Apr 2014 13:02:23 +0000
Addicted
NIU Electric Moped
Joined: Mon, 08 Dec 2008 09:26:03 +0000
Posts: 900
Location: Seaham UK
 
MikeO
Addicted
NIU Electric Moped
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Location: Seaham UK
Tue, 22 Apr 2014 13:02:23 +0000 quote
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
Bikeguy
Tue, 22 Apr 2014 13:15:55 +0000
Member
MP3 400
Joined: Mon, 07 Apr 2014 14:09:13 +0000
Posts: 16
Location: Armuchee, Georgia
 
OP
Bikeguy
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 quote
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".
stickyfrog
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
 
stickyfrog
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.
Sticky, why do you need your butt up against the top case?
Is this a new way to ride?
To keep my skirt from blowing up. Silly.
MikeO
Tue, 22 Apr 2014 15:12:53 +0000
Addicted
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MikeO
Addicted
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Location: Seaham UK
Tue, 22 Apr 2014 15:12:53 +0000 quote
Bikeguy, a thousand thanks. I'm truly grateful.
⬆️    About 9y elapsed between posts    ⬇️
danielw7452
Thu, 16 Mar 2023 07:22:43 +0000
Lurker
bv 350
Joined: Sat, 30 May 2015 19:28:31 +0000
Posts: 2
Location: ohio
 
danielw7452
Lurker
bv 350
Joined: Sat, 30 May 2015 19:28:31 +0000
Posts: 2
Location: ohio
Thu, 16 Mar 2023 07:22:43 +0000 quote
Very smart. This can work on just about ANY scooter, and it's adjustable and waaay cheaper.
  DoubleGood Design  
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