Remove rear view mirrors, after loosening the brake reservoir covers.
Remove horn cover by removing screw under Piaggio badge. (Carefully prise badge off with small screwdriver.)
Remove screw under headlight.
Remove two screws on either side of handlebar cover. (Refer to photos).
The front cover can now be removed. This can take some wiggling and persuading!
Unplug the headlight connections and set the cover aside.
Locate and remove the 4 screws holding the rear cover on (refer to photos) as well as the small nut and bolt at the bottom of the instrument housing.
Unscrew the speedo cable from the instrument panel.
The cover can then be moved out of the way. (It is still attached by the wiring harness).
Remove the handlebar clamp bolt. (It's a tight bugger!)
The handlebars can now be pulled off the steering stem and carefully hung behind the legshield. Use a shop rag to prevent scratches to the paintwork.
Lift off the black plastic cover and finally get to see the steering head ring nuts, spacer washer and bearings!
Remove the top ring nut with the special tool, then the spacer.
Torque the lower ring nut to 12-14Nm.
Replace the spacer and locking ring nut, torquing it to 35-40Nm.
That's it! All that remains is to reassemble the whole mess in the reverse order. The handlebar clamp bolt should be torqued to 45-50Nm. refitting the handlebar covers is a royal pain, but with a bit of patience and wiggling it can be done. Make sure the locating tabs are in the right places. I recommend stuffing a shop rag down the open tunnel below the steering assembly early in the proceedings, to prevent nuts, bolts and screws from disappearing down there! I also test that the speedo cable is properly connected by raising the front end of the bike and spinning the front wheel by hand and checking the speedo needle for movement. This requires a helper!
At this point I have a confession to make - I don't have the special tool to remove the ring nuts, so I have to improvise. Because I don't advise this procedure, I won't describe it, other than to say that it involves a hammer and screwdriver! The important thing to remember is that the handlebars should turn freely and smoothly, with no binding. On the other hand, there should be no play in the steering head at all. This can be checked by raising the front end and pulling on the wheel.
Although the whole procedure sounds tedious, and it is, it only takes me about an hour from start to finish. I hope this is of some help to those wanting to give it a try. I heartily encourage any corrections or additional information that anyone might want to offer.
Cheers,
Bob

Removing brake reservoir screws

Removing rear view mirrors

Removing one of three screws in front cover

Removing screws at each end of front cover

Cover removed, showing headlight connectors

One of four screws to be removed

The other rear cover screw

Remaining fasteners to be removed

Handlebars removed, showing black plastic cover

Finally, a look at the steering head upper bearings!