Modern Vespa

I read the post in the tech section, which is 100 times better than the service manual, but I am still doing something wrong when I remove the front headset cover from my GTS. No matter how I lift, after the side tabs release and I flex the sides over the resevoirs, the top center tab will not release. It eventually lets go with a snap that sounds like it is being broken off, and the cover tries flying out of my hands. Sooner or later I fear I will break off that top tab. What am I doing wrong?

Did u remove the horn cover?

Yes. The problem is that the thing gets stuck on that one central tab. At that point it is disengaged at every other point.

Is this the tech article you are using? GT/GTS: Headset Cover Removal

Read and follow Step #6 very carefully.

Yes--that would be it. In his thread, Jess says nothing in Step 6 about bending and pulling to no avail, cursing up a storm, wishing nothing but bad karma on the designer of this part, and finally having the tab let go with a snap and the headset cover leaping out of your grip. Happens on both of my GTSs. I really have to be soing something wrong.

As a shameless new, non-geek type owner of a GTS 250 who looked at the tech article and still doesn't understand, can someone explain what the 'headset cover' *IS*, what it's there for, and why people want to remove it?

Thanks,

Karen

It is the thing your headlight is attached to and must be removed to change the bulb or do any maintenance or troubleshooting on your handlebar switches.

Thanks, Apex.

Karen

I can't possibly be the only GTS owner (other than Jess) who has actually removed a front headset cover. There is a thread around here discussing the installation of a Comagination headlight modulator on a GTS, but in that thread the writer had the same issue as me and actually broke the tab trying to get it to release. No matter how "carefully" I read step 6 in Jess' tutorial, that freaking tab still hangs on for dear life. So as much as I appreciate tips from those who have not removed the cover from a GTS, I sure would like to know if anyone has successfully and easily actually done it. I have done it several times but it is always a fight with that front tab.

Sorry, wish I could help but mine comes off quite easily and I really can't understand why you are having trouble with two different scooters. Maybe try this:

When you are getting the cover to go over the brake reservoirs, instead of lifting up from the bottom of the cover work you fingers along the top side split towards the center of the cover. The plastic is very flexible and will withstand some flexing.

Dave

Figured it out this weekend. Once again I needed to remove the front headset covers on my 2 GTSs--this time to install headlight modulators. After wtrestling off the first one I took a close look and it turns out the front tab is not just a slip-together fit; rather, the front cover has a hook and the rear cover has a receptacle that the hook literally snaps into. You can hear the snap when you reinstall the front cover. So when I did the second one, after getting the top sides separated, I took a plastic vinyl squeegie and slipped it between the 2 halves from one side and slid it towards the top middle. This literally lifted the front cover straight up from the rear cover and the hook released with a small click. If you pull on the bottom of the front cover you are really making the top tab engage harder rather than releasing it. The squeegie is pretty soft plastic and though it gets cut a bit, it does no damage to the headset cover halves. Do not use anything hard (like a screwdriver) as you are guaranteed to damage paint. If you don't have a vinyl squeegie, you can get one at NAPA for about $1. I have attached a photo of the squeegie and where it is used when the halves are split, although the picture was taken when it was all put back together.
Jeff