Modern Vespa

My first post and hoping for some help. Vespa had an attempted theft. Bad timing (week before Christmas) so shops are closed and getting parts are not possible. My husband is quite handy and hoping that he may be able to pull apart and make it a project. There are no wires cut, they couldn't get it started and left it about 400m from where it was stolen Any ideas where to start? Any ideas about getting the damaged panel in order? will a dent remover to the trick. I'm not too worried about the cosmetic look, less attractive, the less it may be wanted second time round. The rest of the bike is perfect..they just bent it to remove horn cover and pushed in lock

I read this days ago, and I see you've had no response. That damage to the front may be fatal. The Vespa is a monocoque construction which means it is one piece and is entirely necessary. That may be a total loss damage for insurance purposes.

I expect that could be pulled out by a competent body shop. As there was no impact damage (as in a collision at speed) I doubt the structural integrity has been badly compromised. In the UK that'd be considered repairable - and not too expensively.

Getting the wiring sorted out is another matter. Again, a good Vespa dealer should be able to sort it within an hour or two - plus parts such as a new ignition switch (the barrel looks OK).

Wait a couple of days and see if you get some other responses.

That dent may be fixable, but you'll probably need a professional to pull it out. Good luck.


As long as the backbone and belly pan are undamaged, you might be okay.

After looking at the photos this is not terminal. I had a Vespa couple years back that I got hit on and pretty much bent/twisted the body of it. Other bigger bike would break but my old scoot held up. My point is that this can be an easy fix for a shop with a welder and hand puller. Insurance might want to total it but I suggest you buy it back and part out or sell whole-that is what I did. If you plan to keep it get a shop to pull it out and if paint cracks cover it up. Will not be perfect-if you want smooth bondo and respray will be needed. From my area (Chicago) this is a $900-1200 job if done right. Quick around half of that. If husband wants to make a trip to Harbor Freight it can be done at home for less than $200 in tools. Hope this helps.

I took a look at my LX project when I got home. Took a picture of the front end, since it's apart.

Looks like you'll need to remove and re-seat the glovebox, and get a new ignition switch and immobilizer antenna. You may be able to loosen the two screws an the bottom of the glovebox where it meets the floor and shift it over to the right to gain a cess to the lock cylinder. The green bit is the back of your ignition switch. It's held in with a clip (visible from the top of the cylinder). Lift the clip with needle nose pliers and the rest of the switch should come out.

Ignition Switch

Immobilizer Antenna

You may be able to pop the dent out from the backside when you take the glove box off of the bike. A dead-blow or shot mallet may do the job.

P.S. SMorris did a good wiki article that covers the glovebox removal. Check it out here.

LX and LXV should be similar, you don't have that front touring rack so that's 1 less piece to remove. Next is probably open the glove box, and there's at least 3 screws there to remove, that whole piece comes off, it's fiddling and bad words might be said, I always end up saying them. I confess to having to take darn near the entire front apart…something about smashing up that darn front fender, you drop that front tire/steering to remove and replace so that means handlebars get removed and you take off that darn glovebox and entire panel to do that job..even uglier words said, most my son who was drafted helper…

So…a bit of progress. Key barrel has come out and is all okay! Now the back of the lock up to the ignition we can't get out. The metal around the lock has been broken, also.
I've included photos …any help with getting this bit out? I've circled in yellow on the second photo the bit we can't get out. I think its called the lock block.

From your first picture, it looks like the lock support cracked from the corners of the slot that the keyswitch clip protrudes from. The support is available as a replacement part (Piaggio # 298604). Haven't found a part number for the steering lock actuator yet. If it was to come out, it would have to come out the front of the scoot due to the reduced dimension of the support on the keyswitch end.

There is a clip that goes through that cylinder in the keyswitch end. I had to lift mine to remove the key tumbler, but didn't remove it filly due to cautions around reinstalling it. I think that bit keeps the actuator in place too. I can't tell from your pictures if it was removed of not. I'm guessing the clip straddling the tumbler in your pictures if for retaining the electrical switch.

I'll take another look at my LX later today.