Modern Vespa

I changed my front shock today, the stock GT shock went flat at 11,500 miles. The GTS shock looks nice and is a bit more robust.

Tools you will need are...

13mm socket with a short wobble extension, 13 mm open end wrench, 6mm allen wrench to remove the front wheel and to remove the 2 lower shock bolts. Some lock-tite and some super glue to hold the washers in place when reinstalling the upper shock mount nuts.


I bought a cheap MC jack from Harbor frieght, $59.95
If you have a side stand, extend it so the jack rests flat on the underside of the scoot.

With the front wheel removed, you can access the shock mounts under the fender much easier.

The upper shock mount has a rounded end and a flat end, the flat end has the cable bracket installed on it. The bolts for the mounts are loose. The bolt heads rest in a socket to keep them from turing when they are removed and installed. They can come out

The lower shock mount showing the upper socket head bolt removed.

The new GTS shock.

The old shock with the upper mount bracket removed.

The upper shock mount on the fork. You can see the bracket for the cable is on the forward side of the mount.

Installing the upper shock mount plate to the new GTS Shock, notice the flat sides of the new shock, they should align closely with the mount holes for the bracket, it makes it a little easier to get a socket on the nuts. I used the open end 13mm wrench o

Another look at the upper shock mount point.

The flat end points forward and has the cable bracket installed on it.


Last edited by Ifixjets on Sun Aug 05, 2007 7:55 pm; edited 3 times in total

Here are more pictures of the shock replacement on the GT/GTS


The lower end of the shock has the nuts welded in place from the factory.

I used super glue to attach the lock washers to the upper mounting bracket.

The new shock installed.

It is looking nice, with the chrome spring. It matches the rest of the bike.

Here is a pic of the side stand with the single large spring. It doesnt retract unless I push it backwards. I have not had the scoot fall over yet. :)

After the installation, when I sat on the scoot, it was at least 2" taller in the front. I didnt realize how much the original shock was worn. It now rides great and is very solid. It was an easy install, well worth the price over an aftermarket shock. I just can't see spending that much on a BiTubo.

Great write-up, and well illustrated! I was wondering when mine is due. Problem with shocks is, you don't notice them deteriorating, because you get used to it. Only when they completely fail is it clear.

I wonder how long a GTS shock lasts under normal conditions.

On your top mount base, it looks as if there's a bolt missing (in the white circle). Is it?

yes, there is a bolt missing there.
it is one of three that mounts the fender to the fork. it's a small shouldered phillips top with a washered nut from the bottom.

best,
-greasy

Thanks for posting this illustrated step by step on the installation of the GTS shock on the GT. It is very helpful.

Anybody got any idea of how to strip the front shock absorber?
I would like to remove and replace the spring.
I have got the top bracket off as per ifxjets's instructions.
But now I have come to a grinding halt?
Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

Excellent write up.

Looks as though the GTS shock is a much better replacement than the original GT unit.

I have finally got around to re-assembling my front shocker. Got my new uprated spring from SP4Y (thanks Laur).

Went to get the shocker of the shelf in my garage & noticed it was lying in a pool of what smells like hydraulic oil...balls!

I assume it has leaked out whilst dis-assembled. So 3 questions for the experts out there;

Does this mean it is well & truly knackered?

Is there a quick fix?

Do I have to buy a new shocker?

Thanks in advance guys.

Where did you get the new shocks and how much were they? BTW, thanks for the detailed pics.

Also, I like the side stand, but I am curious if it gets in the way when you lean the scooter over in left turns?

Thanks,

Vince

Thanks for your excellent instructions. You know, I'm thinking that the collective teachings and personalities of MV would make a great publication, in the spirit of "How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive" (although without those great grass-fed illustrations).

As for the bitubo, I changed today from original GTS to bitubo, after 6000km, and wheee what a difference.

It's like comparing a LandRover Defender to a Citroen - now it floats over the cobblestone of Romes streets

Just also realized that I have to change the back absorbers as well, since it feels like riding a fixed tail HD now; my kidneys are killing me

I do sometimes scrape the sidestand while turning hard left, I just try not to do it too often! hehehehe.

Hey Jet Dude,

Nice one for the write up, we followed your instructions to the T, well sort of, and one thing we learn't was that London's roads are a little grubbier than the bleached runway you get to play on!


make sure you have a good tool set we nearly didn't get that right nut re-tightened.

But whats missing kids?

And it only took an hour in total

The bikes bucket makes for a surprisingly good jack.

If anyone else is enterested in doing this up grade I have a GTS front shock, in new condition. Asking $75

I just installed the 300 Super shock (56452R) and black mp3-500 wheels (649372) on my GT200. The wheels were just to make me happy but the shock made a _TREMENDOUS_ difference, the scooter feels much much more stable at speed over bumps and NYC potholes.

Thanks for posting this!

I've e-mailed Vespa twice to see if the Super's shock is improved (e.g. better damping) and if it will fit.

A few questions please:

Your 07 GT200 had the chrome shock?
How many miles when you changed shock? Old one going bad?
Ever notice a slight wobble or "floaty" feeling when cornering ~30 mph?
Did the new shock improve ride only or handling too?
No issues on install?

My GT had the chrome shock. I changed out my shock/wheels with 400 miles on the bike.

I noticed the floaty Cadillac feeling on my bike, did not notice that feeling on my buddy's 300 super and made the switch.

Having had both out of the bike it feels like the difference is in the shim stack, less un-dampened movement at small amounts of movement and a slightly stiffer rate on the spring.

It was a straight bolt up, I took the front wheel off, and used some pencil erasers to hold the nuts on the backside in place and it took me less than 15 min (not counting the other stuff).

That being said, unless you're comfortable trusting your own work, I would suggest taking it to a dealer. Any of these bolts coming loose will result in a crash, so you do need to be sure that it's done correctly (torque wrench, locktite and safety wire are your friends).

Thanks Mike!

I was hoping for a little more spring rate and rebound damping.

On my roster for scooter mods

The chrome one look much better.

I cant seem to get the top suspension mount off the factory suspension. Is there a particular trick to it? I have the factory shock off the bike but I cant secure it well enough to turn the bolt at the top of it to remove the mounting plate. Suggestions?

I found your pics and comments very useful!
I have to change my front shock absorber and browsing online to find one for a good price that ships to Malta.?
Pls help me out what else shall I get for quick fix such as: Absorber Base Plate, ... etc.??

thx,
Bridgette

I cant tell the difference as I changed the Bitubos on my build before picking her up

They are sweet thou...

82 miles now

My 2006 GTS250ie, front and rear shocks seem to be in need of replacement at 9000kms. They have always been on the softer settings and I do about 95% road riding and about 5% shingle road riding. I've seen the test they do on them at the factory (rotating barrel with a bump) which seems good but it should have indicated their shocks fail quite early. My PX200 was very similar - early failure of the front shock. I'm about to fit some 2012 GTS300ie shocks and have the feeling they will give up life in about another 9000kms.

Thank you for sharing. I'm starting to have more confidence/hope in restoring my 2006 GT200 which is in desperate need.

-CS

Hi I have Vespa LXV 150ie. How can I understand my front shock broke?

When I am turning my stear I feel so heavy.

Thank you...

Hello friends, I made a video in which I would like to present you how to quickly and easily change if you need the front shock absorber of your Vespa.
If you find the video useful I will be happy to like you on YouTube. This way I will know that my efforts to shoot and process the video were not in vain! Thanks and enjoy watching!