Modern Vespa

What's the magic trick to securing the lock body ignition lock A (Part no.: PI298581) to the lock bar ignition lock B (PI298903)? Nothing I do manages to engage the pin into the shallow channel. What am I missing? Info on this seems to be tough to find, I presume because of giving thieves info, (which they clearly already have). I can't find anything helpful even in my HAYNES manual.

2 years ago my ET2 was stolen in Philly and through some miracle- recovered. I'm finally getting around to finishing all the repairs from the theft damage. I had to have a new "lock holding: PI298604" welded into place, and I'm now trying to install the new lock / ignition parts

I can only surmise that somehow A isn't getting quite deep enough into B in order for the pin to engage the shallow channel, unless there's some trick to it, or I'm simply not doing this correctly. I'm just doing my best deductions here.

Thanks to anyone who can point me in the direction of this elusive info. You are Beautiful!

clean up A, makes sure the groove has all the gunk out. use some light grease like dielectric and get both sides. make sure the clip in B is fully out and slide the 2 halves together and part a few times , then put them together and install the clip

I'm sorry. I should have mentioned I have brand new, gunk-free parts. I used this photo from someone else as a more illustrative example of the part types, and my B part is installed.

Thanks for your reply. I try a light lubricator to try to get these parts closer. My pin is also completely out when I begin this process.

I've now done this procedure a dozen times. I've had to occasionally re-shape the pin, but it still looks like the image of the new part and inserts easily.

I get these two parts (A+B) as closely inserted as humanly possible. Insert the pin. Everything feels like it should be in place where it's suppose to be.

I pull gently on the switch (A) and it seems like it's generally in place, but a slight tug more and it's off. It actually feels like i's being held by the pins, but manages to spring free from them, which honestly doesn't seem like it would be hard at all given how shallow the channel is.

Am I missing something here? Shouldn't these be locked together more securely?

If there's any info out there on this, I'd love the link. Thanks to anyone.

are you pushing the retaining clip ALL the way in so the loop is almost not exposed.?

Thank you very much for your reply!

I believe the pin is fully seated. See photo.

I'm wondering if my expectations are the problem. How secure is this pin suppose to hold everything together?

I'm expecting it to be "next to impossible to remove",
but the best I have been able to achieved is "secured, but still removable".

I ordered a new pin in case the one I have has maybe lost some of it's spring tension.

i seem to recall putting the retainer pin on the OUTSIDE of that lock housing on the frame....the flat/straight part goes in that slot you see in the bottom picture that davidandora have pictured....i believe the opening faces down....

first, clean all the gunk out of it. second, the clip probably got bent. so remove it and bend the legs back. when you drop the lock body in the clip should TIGHT TIGHT to get on there. like you'll need a screwdriver to push it into place.

also you appear to be missing the small rubber buffer on the lock body. this may present a problem.

but keep in mind: insert the lock body, THEN snap the clip on. if you already have the clip in place and jam the lock body in, that'll stretch the clip and make it slip right back out.

it's a pain in the ass, but i'm sure you'll get it sorted.

-g

Thanks for the insight!

From what I can surmise, my clip just needs to be replaced in spite of bending it back into shape and tightening it up. I'd already been following these suggestions, and the only thing that gives us pause over here is how everyone (everywhere) says it's a pain in the butt to install the clip, which hasn't been our experience:

Holding the right leg of the pin with needle nose pliers, we drop the left (far) leg into it's hole and gently pull with the pliers to insert the right (closer) leg, then push the top down a bit with our free hand. It is fairly tight, requiring the needle nose plier to push in, followed with a screwdriver to finish it off. It's a quick and painless process.

Again, the lock's pretty secure, just not impossible to remove.

Scooterwest didn't mention a rubber buffer on the lock body, so I'll have to investigate further. Thank you!

I'll report back once I get the replacement spring pin on Friday. Thanks again for your time!