Modern Vespa

I'm having an issue removing what I think is the cover on the clutch to get at the drive belt assembly. All of the videos I've seen suggest it should just pull off, but it won't shift. Am I missing something really obvious?

Further detail in this video I've made so you can see what I'm on about https://youtu.be/-_GvdJm246k?si=uFtwisyKsQlDPAgH

Try Mitch's Scooter stuff for how-to videos for the Mp3. This series covers the older Mp3 series but the engine and major components are largely unchanged through the years.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLt2M_Fbbcf03hRIiBRxeDrrfTGbng9y3D

Yeah they're decent videos, but 2 of his videos are ones I've seen where that cover looks like it just slides off 😂

Simon is working on my 2010 Fuoco - v low mileage, so this seems to be first belt change in 13 years, previous owner, age 91 when he sold it to me,
seems to have developed a very slight "clutch slip" at 6,000m
Belt show no sign of inner surface cracking

width the same as new one, thickness - 0.7mm thinner - but belts seem to vary this seems to be an original 2010 belt. Any clues on this nuisance clutch cover non release problem appreciated. Have spent over an hour watching every single MP3 clutch video. My other Fuoco (2008) running fine at 15,000m, the cover just comes off in your hand...

If you're confident you got all the bolts out, you may have to pry it off with a small bar, like a screwdriver wrapped in a rag or wedge of wood, so as not to scratch the metal.

The cases can get stuck on their locator dowels at each end, so pry a little at each end until it starts to move. There are opposing tabs on the clutch end of the cover you can pry between to force the cases apart, but a gradual approach at alternating ends will eventually work.

Managed to improvise a puller from some straps, a ladder clamp and a socket. It worked!

I misunderstood your original post, but I like you idea of using the straps through the holes. Good picture.

I recently worked on a 2007 GTS 250 where the clutch cover was very hard to slide off. I worked it off with some penetrant, pulling and hammer. First time I have encountered one like this.

When I got it off, I inspected the splines on the shaft and mating part of cover and all looked good, so must be extremely tight tolerances on this part on this particular scoot I was working on. I cleaned the surfaces thoroughly, lubed it and it was still tight and hard to slide back on. Had to tap with a hammer to ease it back on.