OP
@bikeguy avatar
UTC

Member
MP3 400
Joined: UTC
Posts: 16
Location: Armuchee, Georgia
 
Member
@bikeguy avatar
MP3 400
Joined: UTC
Posts: 16
Location: Armuchee, Georgia
UTC 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.
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
@bravotwofour avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
'09 Mp3-500 - Gone Now
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2065
Location: Happy Valley, Oregon
 
Ossessionato
@bravotwofour avatar
'09 Mp3-500 - Gone Now
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2065
Location: Happy Valley, Oregon
UTC quote
That's pretty darn clever!


. . . .
@honeybadger avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
MP3 500 (2) MotoGuzzi California 1400
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1675
Location: SF Bay/Roseville CA
 
Molto Verboso
@honeybadger avatar
MP3 500 (2) MotoGuzzi California 1400
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1675
Location: SF Bay/Roseville CA
UTC quote
Very cool!
@wade avatar
UTC

Hooked
Vespa Marietta
Joined: UTC
Posts: 254
Location: Marietta, Ga.
 
Hooked
@wade avatar
Vespa Marietta
Joined: UTC
Posts: 254
Location: Marietta, Ga.
UTC quote
Crafty!
It looks like it doesn't get in the way when you open the seat - is that right?
@uncletony avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
mp3 400ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 71
Location: PA
 
Enthusiast
@uncletony avatar
mp3 400ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 71
Location: PA
UTC quote
backrest
If I didn't already have a RevRider backrest(which I love) I would copy and install yours.Great inovation
OP
@bikeguy avatar
UTC

Member
MP3 400
Joined: UTC
Posts: 16
Location: Armuchee, Georgia
 
Member
@bikeguy avatar
MP3 400
Joined: UTC
Posts: 16
Location: Armuchee, Georgia
UTC 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 avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
'12 GTS 300 Super
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1248
Location: Austin TX
 
Molto Verboso
@vespinado avatar
'12 GTS 300 Super
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1248
Location: Austin TX
UTC quote
Really nicely done. It's giving me ideas for mine...
UTC

Ossessionato
Scarabeo 500GT(hers), `07 250 MP3, `09 400 MP3
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2592
Location: Kingman, Az.
 
Ossessionato
Scarabeo 500GT(hers), `07 250 MP3, `09 400 MP3
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2592
Location: Kingman, Az.
UTC quote
I've done a simiiar design with wood and the foam behind your seat that I use for 3 scooters. Sorry, no pics. Crying or Very sad emoticon
@stickyfrog avatar
UTC

Moderatus Rana
MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22664
Location: Nashville, Indiana
 
Moderatus Rana
@stickyfrog avatar
MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22664
Location: Nashville, Indiana
UTC 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 avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
2007 Piaggio MP3 250 (sold) and 2009 MP3 400 (sold) 2011 CanAm Spyder RSS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1843
Location: Floyds Knobs IN
 
Molto Verboso
@hollybry avatar
2007 Piaggio MP3 250 (sold) and 2009 MP3 400 (sold) 2011 CanAm Spyder RSS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1843
Location: Floyds Knobs IN
UTC 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?
Razz emoticon
@honeybadger avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
MP3 500 (2) MotoGuzzi California 1400
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1675
Location: SF Bay/Roseville CA
 
Molto Verboso
@honeybadger avatar
MP3 500 (2) MotoGuzzi California 1400
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1675
Location: SF Bay/Roseville CA
UTC quote
hollybry wrote:
your butt up against the top case?
Is this a new way to ride?
Razz emoticon
I put my butt against the topcase when I need to haul ass....

OP
@bikeguy avatar
UTC

Member
MP3 400
Joined: UTC
Posts: 16
Location: Armuchee, Georgia
 
Member
@bikeguy avatar
MP3 400
Joined: UTC
Posts: 16
Location: Armuchee, Georgia
UTC quote
Now,now, Honeybadger, I posted this thread for educational purposes. We'll need photos for "hauling ass". And, no nudity, please.
@honeybadger avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
MP3 500 (2) MotoGuzzi California 1400
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1675
Location: SF Bay/Roseville CA
 
Molto Verboso
@honeybadger avatar
MP3 500 (2) MotoGuzzi California 1400
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1675
Location: SF Bay/Roseville CA
UTC quote
Bikeguy wrote:
We'll need photos for "hauling ass". And, no nudity, please.
Challenge accepted.
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
@mikeo avatar
UTC

Addicted
Honda Forza 350 / Honda Vision 110
Joined: UTC
Posts: 900
Location: Seaham UK
 
Addicted
@mikeo avatar
Honda Forza 350 / Honda Vision 110
Joined: UTC
Posts: 900
Location: Seaham UK
UTC 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 avatar
UTC

Member
MP3 400
Joined: UTC
Posts: 16
Location: Armuchee, Georgia
 
Member
@bikeguy avatar
MP3 400
Joined: UTC
Posts: 16
Location: Armuchee, Georgia
UTC 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 avatar
UTC

Moderatus Rana
MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22664
Location: Nashville, Indiana
 
Moderatus Rana
@stickyfrog avatar
MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22664
Location: Nashville, Indiana
UTC 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?
Razz emoticon
To keep my skirt from blowing up. Silly.
@mikeo avatar
UTC

Addicted
Honda Forza 350 / Honda Vision 110
Joined: UTC
Posts: 900
Location: Seaham UK
 
Addicted
@mikeo avatar
Honda Forza 350 / Honda Vision 110
Joined: UTC
Posts: 900
Location: Seaham UK
UTC quote
Bikeguy, a thousand thanks. I'm truly grateful.
⬆️    About 9 years elapsed    ⬇️
@danielw7452 avatar
UTC

Lurker
bv 350
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3
Location: ohio
 
Lurker
@danielw7452 avatar
bv 350
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3
Location: ohio
UTC quote
Very smart. This can work on just about ANY scooter, and it's adjustable and waaay cheaper.

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