Modern Vespa

I'm hoping I've posted this in the right place...

My neighbour owns a Gilera Fuoco 500cc 2010 that needs a front head bearing replacement and he is under the impression you need a very specific tool to do it. I'm a guy with a lot of tools so I'm wondering if someone could direct me to what tool I might need for it in case something I have might work.

I did a bit of searching on Google for what the process is to replace the bearing and several of the results pointed to people in this forum replacing the bearings on their scooters, so I hope its OK to ask here for a bit of guidance on what needs doing.

Download a manual from www.manuals.wotmeworry.org.uk which will tell you everything.There is a special tool for the top nut but it isn''t really necessary and make up a 10 mm bolt with a grease nipple to prevent it happening again

Also see:

Short term fix for "notch"? - It works...

Thanks guys. I'll pass the short term fix onto him. Having looked at the service manual it doesn't look too hard to make a permanent repair, just time consuming. The tool "needed" is £16.99 on ebay, is it enough of a headache doing it without that to be worth spending the money?

Spend the money on the correct tool. The one linked below is the correct one and saves the time and aggrevation to warrant spending a couple of bucks.

Buzzetti makes quality tools at great value (vs. the mafia prices for original Piaggio tools) for these little bikes.

Bonus: You can use this same tool to loosen the coolant expansion tank cap which tends to get stuck.

https://www.easyparts.nl/Balhoofdmoersleutel-BUZZETTI-Piaggio-Gilera-p16278421

Would the below tool work just as well? It's cheaper and in the UK so will get here quicker

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/163673197062

That fleaBay auction does not say it is for Piaggio products.

In addition, those pins looks thinner/flimsier than the Buzzetti tool.

Also, that fleaBay tool might be too tall to be of much use.

Bottom line, spend a couple of extra quid and buy the correct tool for the job.

Thanks, I'll let him know to get the wrench type one. I wasn't expecting these to be so easily available, let alone having them coming in different styles. When I saw the repair manual I was ready to make one by taking a grinder to a socket 😂

Since you're tackling the Achilles heel of the MP3 (headstock bearings), be sure to order the grease bolt (see link) to lube the new bearings (using a standard grease gun) after install and then at a minimum with each 5-6K mi/8-10K km or preferably every 3K mi/ 5K km. See attached official Piaggio TSB

Since Piaggio uses open bearings that are exposed to the elements (yes, a stupid idea but they'll probably never change it) the grease is the only barrier to protect the bearings from contamination (water, dirt, dust)

https://www.easyparts.com/Greasing-Screw-PIAGGIO-MP3-Suspension-p26243586

https://www.vespaforum.com/manuals/Piaggio%20MP3/Random/3%20wheel%20grease%20tool.pdf

Any idea what the thread is on the bolt?

M10-1.5 x 30mm

Thanks, I'll get one ordered

the ebay one works better then the Buzetti one i've made my own out of a old 24 or 27mm socket don't remeber the size but works great

I guess it's probably one of those personal preference things. I think my neighbour has already ordered the spanner style one but I'll let him know the other one should also work. I'm making him the grease nipples because he has 2 of these scooters and a pack of bolts and a pack of 6mm grease nipples to fit to them is cheaper. Also I haven't had an excuse to try my new pillar drill out on metal yet, so this seems like as good a reason as any.