Modern Vespa

Anyone! I have a 2013 BV350 ... the steering is locked and my only key is accidentally locked in the underseat storage! I'm at home, but the nearest dealer is 125mi away in Toronto. Does anyone know how to get to the cable release without a chainsaw, or any other non-destructive fix ... maybe like installing a new ignition switch from the locked position? Thanks!

See if you can get the side of the seat open enough to get a magnet on a string in there.

Roll up a towel or two. Lift up the seat on one side and place a rolled up towel between the seat and the frame. Reach in and remove the key. Lift up the seat and remove the towel.
If your arms are thick enough that you can't reach in and find the key, you can either turn the bike completely upside down and shake it until the key falls out, or find someone with thinner arms to reach in and get the key. I strongly recommend the latter option.

Just find the cable for the manual release - somewhere underneath up the side - and give it a tug.

Thanks Breaknwind, Motovista, and DMC!! I'll try the magnet first, then the towel, then the strongarm shake!
Farmer John

I like the magnet idea but the seat really doesn't lift much; it's a 4000mi bike so I don't want to deform something.

If I take the panel off the handlebars, can I apply 12V to something to activate the cable. As said above, the handlebars are locked with my only key locked under the seat. (the dealer refused to phone talk me through any recovery even though I spent $2200 there last week for major refits after 4yrs Covid idle) 😪

JimC, is the seat lock solenoid near the latch or in the handlebar. If there is a sheathed cable run, tugging on that wouldn't help, would it? This little accident is turning into a train wreck!

The far end of the outer just rests against an end-stop. Tugging on the sheathed cable will pull both inner and outer. Just try it - it's been the known way to get in for years on bikes with both manual and solenoid operated seat openers.

Use a mirror to find the cable...

Good suggestion, but my key at least, is non-magnetic.

Thanks Jimc! I will have a look up one side or the other. Had an invasive heart procedure a few days ago; I won't be standing on my head! ❤️

It's on the left hand side.
Take a look at the parts diagram, which you can find on Jim's page, which is linked in the wiki:
Workshop Manuals

Thanks Der

I'm out now on a cell ... I'll respect the suggestion to download just once when I get home. Cheers! John🇨🇦🌲🍁🐎🐴

In Jim's files go to: https://manuals.wotmeworry.org.uk/Beverley/BV350/BV350%20Parts%20Manual%20%28USA%29.pdf and then go to page 49.
I think the cable Jim is referring to is part 23. You should find it fixed to the frame at the left side under the saddle. You can also find the solenoid there, part 19, at the left side.

As far as reaching under the seat, I've been pretty lucky with a small 4-pronged grabber. May take a bit of flailing around unless you can actually see it, but it's a lot thinner than an arm.

Well, Fledermaus, I can borrow a lighted endoscope with a camera which links to my phone and a grapple attachment, so can make that kind of try. Maybe that's number one.

I got down on my back with a good light and had a long hunt down the left side and near the lock mechanism. The sightlines are not good, and are blocked by shroud and frame elements, and all the wiring and harnesses and clips for the L & H and Center running, brake and plate lamps.

If the endo doesn't cut it (the seat and rain seal are not exactly flexible), then I'm going to pop the driver facing side of the handlebar cover and see if I can't hotwire the ignition (on full kickstand with rear wheel elevated, just in case I bypass the various interlocks) and/or the release button ... I just need to get 12V to the grounded solenoid (if it's activated by 12V; I'll have to check) ... the activation click is pretty unmistakable ... 🤗

If the endoscope gets it, I'm a bit doubtful that I can pull the ignition key, the rear tote compartment key, the ring and the leather BV350 dongle over the seat rim gap ... a stretch, literally!

Thanks all so far

John 🇨🇦🌲🍁🐎🐴

Thats a great resource and clearly a fair bit of tiMe populating it. Thanks Jim C for your efforts

Steve

Success!! With the help of JimC's manual archive, and suggestions in the comments, and some teaching about fairing and shroud disassembly from Robot at the YouTube channel Vespa Motorsport, I got the appropriate left side panels off and yanked the cable ... presto!! My precious!!

Here's the link to Robot's tutorial on removal of every panel, fairing and decorative element on a BV350

?si=O42vt3pl1itCIxzb

Thanks all!!

John

Now add ' - Solved!' to the title.