Modern Vespa

I have just registered a Gilera Fuoco as a trike.
I Fitted aluminum wheel spacers bought on eBay.I bought a footbrake assembly complete with bracket and welded the bracket to the foot rear lugs on the frame.
Icut the foot board for the pedal.
I then used two Piaggio brake compensator valves front and rear all plumbed in with Venhill brake line components.
Brackets for the valves made with galvanised joist hangers from builders merchant.
Bike had MOT, sent weight cert from weighbridge pics and technical report written by myself explain that I had replicated the LT version with the exception of needing spacers to achieve the track width. Inc tax payment and receipts for parts. V10 plus detail change slip from logbook.
have pics if anyone is attempting same. Possibly rear indicators should be extended but I haven't.

An excellent, helpful first post!

At last someone who has gone and done it and let everone know . THANK YOU. Did you not have to get it inspected or was it just paper work sent to swansea . I'm still not covinced you have to have a footbrake because of the year of reg. The other thing is i've been told by 2 different source's that they had to do some thing to the parking brake lever which i think is some means of holding in on just like a cars. I am looking at a fuoco parking brake lever thats on ebay uk at the moment that looks like it has a ratchet arrangement and completely different to mp3 LT parking brake levers that are shown on ebay uk.

As the bike is over ten years old it was just paperwork to Swansea. I agree about the footbrake I think it is only required in the EU countries.
I always have difficulty with the handbrake on MOT's with other LTs I have owned as it has an over centre action it snaps on. My class 3 MOT tester is very thorough but he is wary of the bike and insists that I sit on it not him.
Have to be careful with the rolling road it can shoot you off by screwing the front wheels along if they are not straight ahead.
I am considering taking the pedal off now to make room on the footboard, I would certainly not use it as a brake. If you do need to put out your right leg the way you press the brake tends to lock you foot to it.
I was surprised to weigh in at 280 kgs half fuelled and empty top box.
Have added more pics.

Front compensator valve

Plumbed in front compensator valve

The foot brake reservoir lives opposite the fuse compartment i.e. lefthand side.
No room above the fuses to get the lid off. Just some extra rubber pipe required sleeved it in case of abrasion on the frame.

Spacers from Isle of Man obtained by a lucky Ebay search.
A brake light with is on the footbrake which needs connecting as well.

The bike did go back together to the surprise of onlookers.
Ready to ride, with silly footbrake in place and wheels akimbo.
Some S/S washers under mud guards to lift them away from tyres.
Of course it is much easier to do your bike test but I like a challenge!

Refer to the post on how to bleed abs brakes for a circuit diagram. Mine is not abs but you can follow the brake line route through the abs unit on the diagram.
If buying a footbrake from a breakers be sure to buy the non abs one. They have different diameter pistons and hence apply different pressures.

You work on brakes at risk to yourself and others do not take it on lightly and do be meticulous.

Spacers eBay £48, Venhill brake lines £145, footbrake assembly eBay £28, Footbrake pedal £12, brake fluid £8, extra bleed nipples scattered about to speed bleeding £10. Joist hangers £6.

TOTAL £257 and 4 days of fun.

Bargain!

The footbrake is the one thing i'm convinced is not required here in the UK as you think. I did see the wheel spacers a while back on ebay . I don't need to convert mine but i had thought about converting it only for the reason if i came to sell it ,it may be easier if it's reg as a trike. Not sure if you have seen my fuoco photo's on the forum, i fitted 13" front wheels with the slightly narrower tyres from a LT and it's improved low speed handleing especialy when turning . I was going to machine up some wheel spacers for a wider track to see what if any difference it would make to handleing, but as you have done it ,have you noticed any difference in handleing of any kind ? I know what you mean about taking for the MOT as the first time i took it to mine the tester nearly dropped it, it's a good job he's a strong bloke LOL. Now he knows what not to do LOL.
The one thing that does realy bug me with the fuoco is the stupid amount of self tapping screws of different sizes and types crazy.

The spacers seem to affect very low speed turns as in the slalom cones on a bike test or a tight U turn. Steering feels stiffer and needs hefty counter steer to change course. After 10mph I cant notice any difference. Tempting to remove them now all paperwork done and put them in the top box with the excuse that I am limping home after a blowout and will pop them back on immediately if anyone even notices. I have put nice "LT" badges on the bike now. Shh!
The footbrake thing is so obscure and could be deemed unnecessary due to age of vehicle or UK law. It could even be interpreted that a linked braking system, lever operated fulfils the requirement.
I refer to bike to trike conversions as in true motorcycle conversions. If under 10 years old the conversion would probably require single vehicle approval as when building a kit car. Over ten years old it is not eligible for this route.
Makes your head hurt. No one has sat back and reviewed the situation, bits of legislation are applied without reference to the whole picture.

You seem just like me ,nobody would have a clue if you removed the brake or spacers ,nobody cares or would even know not even the mot.O and i forgot to say thanks for all the photo's. Get some 13" wheels and the slightly only very thiner tyres OR i'm wondering if just slightly thinner tyres on the 12" wheels would have the same effect of improving low speed turns.

I did the same with a 2008 Mp3 400ie but never fitted a foot brake, it went straight through a class 3 mot and was re classified by dvla as a trike ( which doubles your road tax )
I had the spacers made by Watfield engineering in Barnsley for £85 delivered.

Did you have to do owt to the parking brake.

No the parking brake on the LT is exactly the same as on the 400ie so no need to touch it

These are the spacers used

I don't know how different a LT brake is from my 2008 fuoco which i would have thought was the same as your 2008 400 . On the fuoco you just lift up the lever and it sort of go's over centre then to take it off you just shove the lever down ,theres no ratchet or anything ,is yours the same ?

Last edited by 3legsofman on Tue, 17 Mar 2020 21:48:50 +0000; edited 1 time

They look nice .proper job.

Fantastic for £85 delivered with the bolts to secure them to the hubs

With regard to low speed handling I have now fitted 13 inch wheels from a Yourban with 100/70/13 tyres narrower but similar rolling diameter to the 12's with chunkier tyres. Handling is back as at was pre spacers and I can do tight turns and slalom at lower than walking pace again.
If you do this re registering as a trike it is a good idea to have plenty of MOT on the bike because you have to send the tax money as part of the application. The resulting letter says the bike MOT is acceptable then for it's duration and it doesn't need a class 3 until it runs out.
Handbrake on Fuoco same as all models inc LT's so no probs there. Always a bit awkward on the rolling road because they snap on with and over centre action best not adjusted to tight so it applies drag but not lockup.

Nice to know that my findings of putting the 13" wheel and slightly narrower tyre is a positive improvement. I only fitted the 13" as i liked the snow flake design over the fuocos silver cross pram wheels. Have you changed the rear shocks yet? if not DO IT.I fitted some koni dial a rides that i rebuilt which came off the guzzi i have, just had to fit softer springs you will notice a diference. I like the fact i can alter the damping although i'd like a finer adjustment but the konis were to hand and make a big difference. The front shocks are my next project . Also have a look on ebay uk item number 274011643079 it says off a fuoco 500ie 2012 it's nowt like any other handbrakes that i've seen for the fuoco and mp3's.

take off the spacers install them only for a MOT it will save the bearings

O you naughty boy ,you can't do that

Though as long as you don't try riding with no helmet (legal on an LT) there's no reason why anyone would question it.

Can you tell me what the dimension of the spacers are?? Looking at them I would guess 25mm each?? Making a 50mm difference to the wheel track is that correct??

20mm by memory I will put a mic on them Sat 13th morning and post revision if incorrect.

Ok thanks or could you point me in the direction of the make/type of the spacers and/or what vehicle they are designed for?

those spacers are specialy designed for the mp3/fuoco

3ppp pedalo sell a complet kit

https://3ppp.de/shop/dreiraeder/piaggio-mp3/349/piaggio-mp3-250-rl-umruestung?c=404

and this kit is chaeper then using oem parts only front legs of a LT are 1200.- euro a set

But investigate if its still possible to do a convertion to the l5e its a european law now that the brexit is afact

Last edited by Maksor on Sat, 13 Mar 2021 11:47:24 +0000; edited 1 time

Ah ok I thought they were modified car ones. Trouble is the genuine ones are very rare.

you cant buy undemaged secondhand lt front legs

most of them were crashed in the front

and never buy the legs that are take off the bike on the photo you can't see if they are bent then so my 2 cents are Buy front legs new

Hello l have just brought a 2010 mp3 250 panel damaged now repaired for the mrs to ride on her car licence .Log book had to be applied for,now recieved but logbook says wheelplan,,,,2 wheel. Body type motorcycle. Tax class bicycle.
l have tried to read up but cant make out the legal jargon if she can ride it or not or we have to do mods and change the logbook etc.
You seem to know your stuff.
Karl

I'm afraid she can't ride it on a car licence as it's classed as a motorcycle.
The early ones were classed as motorcycles as the front wheels were too close together.
You need any version with LT eg 400 lt etc.
An easy way to spot one is they have a foot brake pedal and also the front built in indicators are blanked off and motorcycle type indicators fitted.
Probably best to sell it and get one already registered as a tricycle or 3 wheels. It'll probably fetch more than you paid for it??
Be aware early 300/400's can be motorcycles as well.
Always check what the v5 says as some early ones have been converted by fitting wheel spacers and reregistered as trikes. I appreciate in this case you couldn't do that.
I believe it can be re registered as a trike by fitting wheel spacers,get it weighed, and take it to a class 3 MOT tester. A reliant MOT type tester.
Once that is done you fill in a form or apply to change the wheelplan and wait until they send out an inspector to check it for vin numbers etc and that's it.
Only problem is it will take a couple of months or maybe longer with covid.
Don't rely on owners saying you can ride them on a car licence as some people get confused and unknowingly ride them on a car licence and legally they can't.
I was thinking of getting another and doing the conversion as the bike versions are cheaper. I had a 250 years ago.
Other quick option would be the 125 with L plates or the tricity 125.

For anyone in the UK who is interested I contacted the firm that makes these wheel spacers and the cost is £95 inc Postage as of March 2021
The spacers were made up to specs by daze67 and the company holds the patterns and will machine to order.
As I understand it in the UK all you are doing is altering the wheel plan of the vehicle just as you would do with a motorcycle trike conversion.
If any conversion is bolt on and not a permanent fixture eg the vehicle can be easily returned to original then an MSVA is not required.
You have to get it weighed, then an MOT at a 3 wheeler MOT station(class3) maybe take some pics and send off the appropriate form to DVLA with a fee You cannot just change the v5 as you would do with a colour change.
You then have to wait until they can send out an inspector who will visually inspect the vin numbers but it's not a mechanical check.
This may take some time especially with covid.
Some years ago I made a diesel motorcycle and they asked for an inspection to be written on headed paper from an engineer. I don't know if it would apply here but I got my MOT tester to write out a note to confirm the conversion and vin numbers and that was fine.
Here is the company site

https://www.watfields.com/

Thanks for that info. Will order some spacers soon. Think l read somewhere that if the vehicle is over 10yrs old it wont need an inspection ??? Tried to ring Swansea to confirm but very busy and after 10 mins waiting l hung up. Just want to speed the process up so that when lockdown is over and the weather gets better the Mrs can get out on it.
Thanks Karl

Yeah in the UK if the vehicle you are converting is/was already on the road the EU type regulations only apply to NEW vehicles.
I have a Yamaha 650 Dragstar that was converted to a trike and there was no
big inspection as all the components(basically it's a swinging arm conversion) are easilly removed. It's a bit like bolting on a sidecar but in that case it stays a motorcycle but you need a sidecar MOT.
If there is any delay I should imagine it will be on the inspection side of things.
If there is any doubt try a class 3 MOT station and see if the tester is friendly and he may confirm it all.
I have seen some posts about the parking brake and rollers.
I don't believe it has to go on the rollers as it's a PARKING brake not like a car where it's also an emergency brake.
On my trike it only operates on one wheel and all he did was give it a shove to make sure it didn't move lol
If you ever get over Kettering way when you get it sorted drop by.

This is gold! I was looking for such detailed explanation everywhere. Recently I bought Fuoco 500ie and it is not LT version. I am so happy that I can convert it to tricycle.

Let us know what happens and if/when you order the spacers what the cost is as the original post is a few years old now.

Will do.
I can't find any official requirement for tricycle foot brake. Is it really required? As I hate that pedal it is very uncomfortable to have it always under your foot! And it costs a lot to install it.

As far as I am aware no you don't need the footbrake. That only came in app 2013/14 as part of the EU rules.
All I believe you need and this is what the original poster did was get it weighed at a public weighbridge. This is to ensure it complies with UK trike legislation and it's well under so no problem there.
It's the same max weight as Reliants and I think app 410kgs?? but well under anyway.
Your next step, after fitting the spacers, would be the MOT at a trike MOT garage any one that does class 3 or reliants etc.
After that you need to apply to change the taxation class and probably include your paperwork although with everything being on line these days I'm not sure of the procedure.
Once you do that DVLa will decide what they want to do. They might send someone out just to check everything is as you have declared OR they may just ask for an engineers report on headed paper.
When I changed an MZ to diesel I got my MOT man to declare it was as said but it wasn't an engineering inspection they just want confirmation that the frame/engine/reg is as you said and it conforms to trike regs (MOT proves this)
Back when they first brought the MP3 out the spacers could be ordered from the factory and some police/public services did this to allow car drivers to use them.
The only thing that makes it a trike is the width of the front wheels and this is measured centre to centre of the tyres.
I won't bore you with the reason for this but it goes back to early 3 wheel bubble cars. The Germans started to bring them in with 2 close together rear wheels instead of a single wheel and there was some argument about it having 4 wheels so should be classed as a car or trike/bike.
The UK made it law that the wheels had to be a certain distance apart to be a trike. I believe it has to be 460mm minimum. but you can measure yours to see??
As far as a footbrake goes this is the UK and we are under different rules if you convert a bike to a trike all it needs is independant brakes to each wheel ( 2 on the handlebars) and a parking brake which it has already. I have a car type handbrake on my yamaha trike and as it's a PARKING brake not an emergency brake as in cars it is only connected to one rear wheel to stop it running away.
It doesn't go on the rollers for the PARKING brake but does for the others.
Anyway apart from the cost of the spacers nothing will be lost apart from a little time and effort.
It used to be form v70 which you can print off and include weight certificate and MOT but they will know that as the MOT is done online these days. Also the fee and new road tax but probably enquiring at DVLA might help.