Modern Vespa

Hi Folks
This is a wonderfully detailed thread on the Mono mod for removing components of the tilt lock system and results of such changes. Readme1st ! : Modern Vespa Wiki

It might be worth putting a cleaned up summary on procedure, the photos, risks, and benefits into the Modern Vespa wiki.

Someday my own Mp3 tilt-lock system will suffer similar issues and such a refined procedure on the wiki system would make a decision on repair vs Mono Mod would be useful.

There was nothing wrong with my part of the tilt lock system ,it was just ( for me) something i thought might improve the fuoco/mp500 and it doe's . I'll take some photo's showing what i did.

Here is what i did i replaced the rod that bolts to the bottom of the front shocker that is clamped (when the tilt lock is activated )with a 10mm x 135mm stainless stud threaded at both ends .Both nuts were treated with loctite i could have used nyloc nuts but was out of stock. I left the metalastic bush in situ as the spacer for the mudguard fixing you can just see it in the picture. Later on i removed it and replaced it with a plain alloy spacer . I did not fully tighten the nuts up i just left some free play just so i could revolve the stud by hand this was so the hydraulic clamps could move as intended but of coarce they are not actually having any effect on the tilt lock system. If i was to change the suspension bearings i would just remove both clamp units and there pipe work and junk them. Would i recommend doing the mono mod ? YES . If i'd known about it are was clever enough to have come up with the idea before ( THANK YOU MONO) i would not have dropped the bike twice early on in my ownership and come close to dropping the bike a few times since.

Just a little bit Off topic:
I see there have been a lot of tilt lock experts in this topic.
Can any body help me with my problem?

See my topic:
https://modernvespa.com/forum/topic192948

Interesting older post! The Piaggio engineers "Can't see the trees in the forest anymore". I inspected the roll-lock system in its totality and took the whole thing apart and came to the conclusion the roll-lock electric motor is the disaster part. As they use the Fiat Punto wiper motor, how much pressure has a wiper motor to endure, only the wind pressure of two wipers. The pressure in the roll-lock system is much higher. The electric motor (wiper motor) gear box consist of a small steel worm gear (shaft) and a larger fiber gear, which after wear will cause the problem through the constant high pressure on this gear.
I bought a 2008 mp3 with the roll-lock jammed (only has 12K km), multiple operations of the unlock switch didn't work, also inserted a screw driver in the bottom of the roll-lock electric motor of no use. Then I removed the electric roll-lock motor and opened the gear box and noticed the wear on the large fiber gear which got jammed by the small worm gear. I'm young enough to remember that brass gears where much stronger and wear less but weigh heavier then the fiber gears. After reassembly I tested the electric motor assembly forward and reverse manually and worked OK. So reassembled the motor back in the roll-lock system and yes it toke twice of the unlock switch to release and yes every time I locked. It means this motor cannot be trusted anymore and needs replacement. Now for around Cad. 100.00 I can buy a Fiat Punto wiper motor and take the gear out otherwise I have to exchange the output gear shaft to fit the roll-lock assembly. But it would be only a temporary fix till it wears again. Yes, go to scooterwest.com and see that the Piaggio roll-lock wiper motor cost over USD 700.00 (yes, the motor only) It is a shame on the engineers from the Piaggio company to put out this crap without fully testing this system, yes, the buyers did at what cost? They send a letter out to the Dutch dealers saying what? Just imagining the dead stop from that small steel worm gear on the larger fiber gear! The engineers of Piaggio must have known this weak link. The sad part is, here in Canada we pay Cad$ over 3K more for an mp3 than for the more comfortable Suzuki Burgman 400 with more dealers and parts available. Is the extra wheel with the roll-lock system worth that extra money? Well soon I can do a test ride after all my parts are in and the thoroughly conditioned 2008 Piaggio mp3 400 with 12.7K km can hit the pavement again, but that will be my next story. My first ride this year will be probably the 23 Suzuki Burgman 400 this year, as parts for the mp3 would be faster from Europe than the USA. My fault - Should have known that, as I come from Europe. Smile!

Thanks for the tip about the Fiat Punto wiper motor. I've been trying to figure out why the tilt lock in my MP3 500 won't lock for awhile now. Found a leaking pressure sensor causing fluid drain. After replacing said sensor and flushing/bleeding of the hydraulic system, it didn't fix the problem. The gearbox motor never moved. I was able to find a brand new Punto motor/gearbox on eBay for US$32 so I bought it. Anxious to see if that will fix the problem. Being a shorter, smaller guy, the ability to lock the front suspension would be very helpful.