Modern Vespa

My First post here, so greetings and hope it helps for newbies...

I had trouble finding how to ADJUST PARKING BRAKE on this vehicle (PIAGGIO MP3). When I went to a local NON-VESPA mechanic here he seemed unsure and fiddled with the brake CABLE.

I had found some postings here about adjustment to the parking brake along with some confusion as to what to adjust so the scooter doesn't roll when on a hill (I don't advise parking on a STEEP hill anyway without the central stand being applied).

I liked to engage the lock for keeping the bike from tilting and then simply using the parking brake (without using the central stand). The bike, however would roll back so this was a hindrance (unless parking on a horizontal surface).

I needed the parking brake to hold on a gradient. The solution was to:-

1. Release the parking brake (*lever down)
2. Put the bike on its central stand so the back wheel rotates freely (off the ground).
3. Visualize the threaded screw with flat sections on end located behind the brake calliper. (See images of back wheel; location points SCREW WITH FLATS (marked 1) & NUT (marked 2)).
4. Loosen the NUT several turns (anti-clockwise) on this assembly with a wrench (size 12) then turn the SCREW clockwise to the point where it 'bears' on the wheel (you will feel resistance on the wheel and it will no longer turn). (See image of wrenches on adjustment locations).
5. When you find this point take a mini-wrench (5/6) or mini pliers and place it so it fits in to (or grips) the flats on the screw. You can now turn the screw back only 1/4 of a turn. Now rotate the wheel to make sure it's free from the calliper's grip and the wheel should turn easily.
6. You can now tighten the nut so the screw can no longer turn with bike in motion (vibration). When proceeding make sure the position of the screw has not moved (keep the mini-wrench on it so it doesn't turn when you tighten the nut.
7. Remove the central stand and test the bike so that it engages the brake when on a slope.

*If this adjustment did not work for you then look for new pads or issues with the cable etc. NOTE: The cable should be slack when you proceed with the above.

Hello rissorowog,
I am having trouble visualizing this, is it at all possible you could post some pictures to aid the description.

Thanks for the guide. I did manage to adjust my parking break so it actually stopped my MP3 from rolling away. I think the pictures are good but I didn't understand what function screw number one had. I only unscrewed screw number two on the picture and turned the pin with my fingers until the wheel was complete still. Then I adjusted the pin so the wheel was free and fastened the screw.

Greetings Robert!
The threaded bolt (screw) with flat sections on end is to adjust the proximity to the brake disc. I understand you adjusted #2 (the nut)? If you can adjust without needing to rotate then ok.
However there may be an adjustment required if the brake lever on front is not tight enough. The explanation describes rotating the wheel so it doesn't catch on the disc ( as it rotates) when the lever is down (brake off position). My last adjustment now allows the bike not to roll - even when it's on a steep hill - so be sure that you test this adjustment as too tight will make the lever difficult to pull up (though should be somewhat tight), and too loose and the bike will roll back or forward when on an incline. Hope this helps!

Hi!

Now I see what number one stands for on the pictures. I thought it was for the screw down below but I am definitely blind.

I did adjust the threaded bolt (screw) after I managed to unscrew number two. First I tightened it so that the wheel couldn't spin and then I loosened it until the wheel could spin and there was no sound of the brake disk touching the wheel. Then I tightened number two and after that I checked the lever and saw that it was easy to lift up and the bike is standing still with no possibility to move.

You got it! Now between both of our explanations folks should find the solution hopefully 🤔😆Cheers !

You guys are awesome. I dug up this old topic and it saved me!