Modern Vespa

My VBB had an advisory at its last MoT regarding play in the headset bearings whilst braking. (For non-UK folk, that means a warning but not a fail.)

I've adjusted the bearings before but thought I would just buy a complete new set (nuts, washer, bearings and cup) because they're fairly cheap.

According to videos I've seen, the lowest part (cup or housing, see photo) should just pry off with a screwdriver or similar. Mine is absolutely rock solid - the chipped paint shows my attempts to remove it.

Does anyone have any tips how to get the wretched thing off?

Top and bottom bearing races are pressed in there solid. You'll need to beat them out of there. I've never tried it but I heard a while ago to get a broom stick or black pipe, and hammer that to force it up/down and out. Same thing works for the bottom bearing race.

If it looks ok and the bearing rides in there fine, leave it alone. As MR MJ mentioned pipes, heat and a heavy hammer is involved in removing unless you have profession tools to remove.

As stated, it has to be punched up and out from inside the tube. SIP has the tool you need for about $25.

I am also looking for the full kit, but read somewhere no one makes top and lower cup anymore. so i may leave the cup alone, also cant find full kit in SIP as well for my VBB model in SIP

Many thanks for the advice - decided to leave it alone and hope I've not dislodged it.

Taken aback by the number of specialist tools on SIP's website - it's taken me years to get a proper flywheel extractor and fuel tap removal spanner and I thought I was well-equipped at that!

I'm generally a "right tool for the job" guy, but I still don't have a proper flywheel holding tool, though I did finally get a clutch holding tool a month or so ago. I'd tried to order one at least four or five times over the years and it was always on backorder from wherever I tried to buy it.

Now that I have it, I will never go back to my big-ass screwdriver (the same one that I used to fix my fork stop, as a matter of fact).