Modern Vespa

Hi folks

Just returned to my 300 to find the steering free even though I locked it.

Was in a bike park on private ground and I'm thinking someone gave it a bash as they moved their bike.

The mirror was loose too.

But the ignition is still in the locked position and my key won't move it. Won't budge.

No idea what to do and I don't have a friend with a van or breakdown cover.

Cheers for any help. My cheap 20 minute commute is now going to be an arduous hour at least on public transport.

Are the bars free but the wheel is still over to the left? Or is the wheel still perpendicular to the bars and free to turn with them either way?

If the lock barrel is really well and truly stuck, pretty much the only solution is to drill it out and fit a new lockset, which comes with two new keys. Just swap out the RFID chip from the old brown key into the new one, and go through the programming precedure to teach the ECU the new blue key code.

If you no longer have the original brown master key, then you're into getting the ECU 'virginised' so it can be re-programmed to the new keys.

Thanks

This is the second lockset due to the bike previously being stolen, for a year, and badly damaged, so I do have the brown key.

I was hoping that if I took the fairing cover off today it maybe obvious what's stopping the ignition from turning and then starting the bike to get it home.

Drilling out the lock whilst in a carpark doesn't sound fun.

The previous replacement of the lock assembly was a nightmare due to the damage back then.

Cheers.

I took the inner fairing off and the whole lock assembly just fell out. The metal tube that holds it completely mangled.

Damage started with the first theft.

So I can start it with a screw driver and the key taped to the immobilizer ring.

Means I can get it home slowly as the wheel points in a different direction to the bars.

I think it's the end as rewelding a new tube and fixing the bodywork is beyond me and I'm sure it'll be an eye watering bill.

Sadly the bloody thieves have me beat after 40 odd years of riding.

I only ride it to 'safe' work parking but if the scrotes can get past the heavy security here......well.

Snug the wheel up against the kerb and give the bars a decent nudge to align them.

Like in the days of my old Raleigh Chopper lol

I did try against a tree but now too far the other way. Worrying that it moves so easily especially if I'm doing 70mph.

Use your legs to hold the front wheel and your body facing the headlight. That will give you more control.

Cheers Max

They haven't beaten you. They've only succeeded to be shitty shitheads.
If they were winning, they wouldn't be trying to steal your bike, they'd have an even better one.
My first scoot (first vehicle ever) was stolen. Don't let the bastards get you down.

I agree that repairs won't be cheap, but hard to believe that the cost would exceed the value of a 300 GTS. And that is not to mention insurance. As the old saying goes - "Illegitimi non carborundum est", i.e. don't let the bastards wear you down.

Well done getting it going. You'll need a new lock surround welded on:
https://www.sip-scootershop.com/en/search/298604

Hopefully your insurance will cover it without too much of a hit on excess and NCB.

Living in London it's only 3rd party insurance for me.

I've jury rigged the ignition with lots of gaffer tape.

Rode it home last night after getting it started with a screwdriver then took the fairing off and managed to put the ignition barrel in a position to engage the switch.

Put the fairing back but by then the barrel had shifted.

Took everything off and went to town with the stickiest gaffer tape.

Who needs welding eh lol.

The original key was broken when I first tried the ignition after the attempted theft so now using the Brown key.

Need to get a Blue key blank.

Does anyone know if your usual High Street key place would be able to cut it?

Cheers.

Any key-cutter will be able to cut a new blank.