Modern Vespa

Has anyone successfully removed the EVAP Canister and related system from a 2016 or new Mp3 500 series? Where there any changes or issues performance or fuel handling?

Instead of fully removing it, could it be repositioned to be less obtrusive? Perhaps in the gap between the outer side panels and the under seat storage might work. Legally only the charcoal collector is needed, the rest is just equipment to protect against tip-overs, etc.

I'm going on a trip and want more space in the interior under seat storage.

The existing documentation in the forum and WIKI is for the older series MP3 or other Piaggio models. According to local law all I legally need is the EVAP canister but even then its a stretch as the shops that service the bike never check for it and the DMV never checks for it.

Basically it is one of those things the manufacturer has to comply with but no one, last I heard, checks to see if the system is intact once it is sold.

I have done a few on older model but I assume it is the same crappy system. It consists of a hose from the intake manifold to the charcoal canister. Another hose from the charcoal canister to the rollover valve and then another hose from there to the gas tank.

The hose from the gas tank to the rollover valve can be cut on the tank side at the rollover valve and pushed down through the frame towards the ground.

The hose from the intake manifold can be cut and sealed with a nut or some kind of plug with a hose clamp. The rest of the crap can be removed and yeeted into the sun.

Thank you for the reply, it sounds like its not too different on the newer models vs the older hardware. The components look the same so the hoses are then presumably also the same.

I will make the attempt to remove it in the next few days and do my best to document the process for others.

There were long discussions on this in the Beemer R1100 forums in the early 2000s. Nobody saw any adverse effects from removing those silly California things. I'll look into removing mine too.

That would be great. You can add it to the wiki.

Some preliminary research prior to starting the project.

Mitch's Scooter Stuff has a good video of removal based on the Piaggio Fly. Looks to be the same components and system used on the Mp3. Its worth a watch on how to bypass the system and minimize post removal problems.

The service manual for the 2016 series Mp3 describes it as "Anti-evaporation system" and is found on pages 49 - 52. Not much information other than it gives a view of the hoses and components. Those hoses and components match up with the video (above) and the existing documentation on the Mp3 Wiki.

Next step
* Buy some components: 1/4 x 1/4 inch Vacuum Connectors, 1/4 inch Vacuum Caps, hose clamps, some 1/4 in plastic tubbing and foam for a filter.
* Start the process and document steps with photos when I next have about 4 hours free time.

I did it. (MP3 500 2018 (USA)). A tank vent valve must be installed in the hose that is connected to the fuel tank. It allows air to enter the fuel tank. But prevents fuel from spilling out when the scooter capsizes. Also, gasoline vapors do not come out of the tank. I wouldn't "yeeted into the sun" .....

Actually a vent valve is not necessary as long as the vent hose is run to the bottom of the frame but as long as it works correctly and allows the tank to breath I guess it is fine.

On my first removal I put an full filter in the hose as a precaution to not allow dust into the tank but I think that was overkill so on my second two I just left the hose open. I have had two instances where I have ended up on my side with an MP3 and never spilled a drop of gas.

Hi Folks
Task completed, took only a couple hours as I was being cautious and careful. Turns out I did not have to completely remove the side plastic body panel; just loosen it so I can reach through with tools.

I'll formulate and post a WiKi how later but the task was honestly allot easier than expected. I did not remove the input / output hoses. Rather I just removed the canister and rest of the EVAP system then joined the two hoses with a 1/4 vacuum connectors to close the circuit.

Gained almost a cubic foot of space and reduced the weight by 1.2 Lbs.

I've kept all the parts incase I need to put it back together for a fix-it ticket. When going to the dealer or a shop for work I'll just put the plastic cover back on even though there is nothing under it.

Wow. I have to do this!

Update. The bike refused to start this morning.

In a bit of a "Duh" moment I realized my mistake. Its a "Vacuum" system so when I joined the two separate cables together with the 1/4in vacuum connector it changed the dynamics of the system. The bike would not start because the air fuel mixture was all wrong.

When I separated the hoses a bit of gas leaked out due to the suction in the system . In hindsight this was foretold and telegraphed by others but some how I didn't quite connect the dots.

With the hoses separated and able to breath the bike coughed to life burning the excess fuel in the system and is now running fine.

Next steps..... First, figure out a way to re-join the charcoal cannister to capture any fuel or vapors in the line. Second, find a way to mount it outside the storage compartment. Having the charcoal canister re-added also makes the bike CA-Legal so I don't have to worry about a fix-it ticket if I'm caught. Third, an outside vent with filter (1/4in vacuum T-joint?) so the system doesn't have the same problem again.

Gasoline vapors burn very well. I can't afford to take that risk.

So you don't recommend eliminating it? seems a bit gain in storage space, and I have never once heard of anyone having to fix it. Same with catalysts on motorcycles.

I'm not going back to having the EVAP stuff in the storage compartment, thats for sure. I like the massive increase in under seat storage too much. But when with the hoses joined together and fuel being present where I didn't expect it, I need to investigate further and find a solution. A solution that does not involve taking half the bike apart or lots of plastic off, I just don't have the confidence or expertise or time for something that deep.

Letting it remain open to the air and just put a filter over it to keep dust out is one possibility. I believe some of the others have done exactly this and it worked fine. The other hose without the filter just gets plugged with a spare machine screw.

But ideally I would re-introduce the evap canister which would solve the fuel issue if fuel is getting up in there and also make the bike CA-legal again.

I'll dig more into it this weekend and update this thread with how it goes. Once everything is finished I'll write a Wiki on it. But for today, with the hoses just hanging open loose, the bike runs fine.

People have been riding motorcycles for decades without rollover valves and very rarely do you hear about a bike burning up from a crash. When they do it is usually the gas tank or gas line rupturing or electronics catching fire.

Indeed. I'd pay for it! Your phase 2 looks amazing storage wise!

Follow up as promised. EVAP canister will not be re-installed anywhere on bike and the two hoses are sealed off.

I was not able to find a safe and stable refit the EVAP canister to the bike. The tolerances between the plastic shell where too tight to fit the charcoal canister in between the frame. Fitting it in the air-gap between the engine and storage was a non-option as thats the space the engine moves into when the shock absorbers are compressed. If I had installed it in that air-gap above the engine its likely to be crushed between the engine and storage compartment if I went over a large bump with the shock absorbers under load.

In the end, I just sealed off the two hoses and zip-tied them to the bike frame. If there is a fix-it ticket or problem I'll just splice in a sufficient length of 1/4 in fuel rated hose and re-install it long enough to pass the fix-it citation. Ran the bike at idle for 15 minutes this time to make sure it was stable with the two hoses sealed off, bike ran fine, no trouble. Should the hoses become a problem they are positioned so I can easily reach them without having to remove plastic panels.

So for now, project EVAP canister removal is completed.

Even if one out of a thousand motorcycles catches fire, why put yourself at risk? You just need to buy and connect a valve to the pipeline, which costs $ 2.

Because the risk is very slight and the roll over valve can stick. It happened on my first MP3 250.

Since I am finally thinking about doing this to gain a little space... from the second pic it looks like you could complete the operation in the seat compartment by connecting the hoses with a "tank vent valve", and then simply taping on the side to leave it alone... is that accurate? I want to avoid messing with body panels...

Hi PabloLie
Its been a couple years now and still no issues or regrets after removing it. My backpack with laptop, water-bottles, etc all fit much better under the seat.

What I would do different is to properly mark and label which tube is which. I failed to do this so now I've no idea which black hose formerly connected to what. So now its guess n check if I ever need to re-install it or have an issue.

Both hoses on mine are fully capped and have been for 2 years now. I'm told this was supposed to cause problems but I have experienced none after many road trips and weather conditions. Putting a "tank vent valve" in there is probably a better solution to mine so would be a good idea to install. Do not join the hoses, when I connected mine together the engine wouldn't start until I separated and plugged the two hoses.

You can leave them loose in the storage compartment but it just leaves dangly pipes in the way. Also if the Tank Vent valve fails or have problems then everything leaks into the cargo compartment instead of to atmosphere. Loosening the plastic enough to push the pipes through is relatively low risk and makes for a cleaner result. Just secure them with zip-ties to the frame under the plastic and out of the weather.

The lowest effort evap removal I could figure
I drilled the screws on the mounting bracket, from inside the pet carrier
One screw head dropped out, the other fell out a couple of days later
Cut both hoses enough to remove the canister & valve
Started the bike, put my finger over each hose, to determine which had vacuum & screwed a 12mm bolt into that hose, I shoved it until it is flush with the pet carrier
The other hose I shoved between the panels so the tank can breath, it doesn't need a filter or restriction. The low tank of an mp3 would need to be upside down to leak through the hose

No taking apart the bike, just more storage