Modern Vespa

First thing to say is that Im so glad I found this forum, as I am a forum guy and visit them daily, this one is full of great advices.

I just bought a 2015 MP3 300LT Sport, it was totally unintended, friend needed the cash and offered me this bike, until last night I never thought I would ride a 3 wheel bike. He approached to me last night, I googled a little and decided to do the deal.

Today we meet and I tried the bike, and pretty much loved it. I have two 50ccm scooters that I barely use, but the main reason they are to weak to carry me with 100kg. I was thinking of getting some maxi scooter but at 36 I'm just too lazy to go and get a bike license, so the MP3 sounded perfect for me.

The bike is is overall good condition mechanically, there are some cosmetic issues, a few scratches here and there, but for the price I got it is just fine.

Now I have some questions, and I'm constantly reading to try to find the answers on my own. So please excuse me if some of the things are obvious.

1. I found tons of manuals offline, but it is for similar models and not mine, if someone has one and also the one for the service? Probably having one would answer some of my following questions.

2. The service icon is on, I guess its time to do it. Is it something that can be a DIY and what is usually changed on the service. I'm usually good with the tools, and on one of my 50ccm I did al of the work myself including changing of belts, rollers, pistons, crankshaft etc... It has 54.000km on the clock, what should I check? I do not have any service history unfortunately.

3. I got the bike with the 2 main keys and two other keys, that I'm not sure what are they used for as there is no any kind of lock anywhere. I checked the behind/around seat and no lock there. I saw under the seat that it might be the place for the lock, but I don't have one.

4. The seat locks just fine, and it's unlocked on a button under the main dash. Now what is weird is that the button works even if the bike is locked and the main key is out. Im pretty sure that this is some kind of a bug, since anyone passing my bike could just click it and lift up the seat.

5. I read somewhere that Sport versions have Bluetooth and that you need a Piaggio Multimedia Platform app, but that app does not exist anymore, there is a new one that do not have my bike listed in it, so I cant connect. Is there a place where I can download the apple version of the older app. And how do I even know that my bike has Bluetooth?

6. There is an USB port in small compartment under the windscreen, is it used only for charging the devices or has some other features?

7. It has a parking brake that is not working, I checked the back where where the cable goes its not moving when I pull the handle up, so I guess it is something related to the handle but I didn't had time to disassemble all of the covers to get to it today.

A few photos:

I found the instrucitons manual for same year but 500 and it looks like it all applies to my bike, so to answer myself on a few points:

1. Found the manual here: https://cdnmedia.endeavorsuite.com/images/organizations/05211b9c-b6c7-4840-8e84-2970c2318c24/2016%20MP3%20500%20Sport.pdf

2. I found the maintenance table on a few places, so I gues for this first time, I will just take it to service so they can check everything and replace, grece, inspect what is necessary.

3. TBD

4. Looks like I never locked the handlebar in the full left/right position so this might be working as expected.

5. TBD

6. I found the explanation in the manual, its just a USB charger.

7. TBD

Keys will probably be master key that you should keep safe and normal key for everyday use, maybe post a picture of keys will be easier to decide.

5. PMP requires the optional module as well as the PMP application. Module install behind the dashboard.

7. Parking brake cable is probably broken. Replace with a new one.

If you have no service history, retorque and grease the 4 headstock bearings, flush the tilt lock fluid, flush the brake system, install a new belt, air filter, and do a engine oil & filter service, and flush the rear diff.

Thank you so much, exactly the answer I was hoping for!

Thank I think I got it, the brow is master, the other is normal, but I do have two more smaller, will take the photo as soon as im home.

Ok cool, smaller keys I can only imagine come from a topcase that may not be on the scoot anymore, my topcase has 2 smaller keys, once picture posted will be easier to see.

Yeah the keys are probablly from some extra case.

And I cant exactly find the belt and roller spces like size and weight. Its not in the manual.

The black one with the notch is the same as my original Piaggio topcase, I imagine the other one is the 2nd topcase key, if it is cut the same, maybe your friend forgot or lost topcase, you can see key and topcase in link below.


https://www.piaggio-vespa-rwn.de/piaggio-zubehoer/mp3-500-sport-advance-hpe/top-case/36934/top-case-50-l-no-schwarz-matt-93/b-inkl.-rueckenpolster-fuer-piaggio-mp3-500-sport-advance-hpe

rollers are probably these

https://www.sip-scootershop.com/en/product/variator-roll-piaggio-21x17-mm-13-6g-849480-for-aprilia-gilera-piaggio-vespa-atlantic-scarabeo-nexus-beverly-carnaby-mp3-gts-super-gts-super-sport-gtv-300ccm_PI849480

Today I did engine oil, filter, air filter and spark plug.

There was too much oil in the engine, since i flushed more than 1.5l…

I also opened belt cover and checked the belt, it doesn't look bad, but I'm really not sure.

What do you think, is this ready for replacement?

Belt condition should never be judged visually, but this one looks like it is well past its sell by date

Unless you have service records proving the belt was done in the last 6K mi/10K km, just assume that the belt service is due now

It is not a item you just want to roll the dice on

Yeah, I agree. I did the engine oil first just to familiarize myself with the bike. Next week I'll order belt, rollers and sliders and replace them when I get time.

I also transferred it to my name and did the registration and insurance, it is 200€ total.

Do you usually replace all 3 tires at a same time?

Front one looks ok, but back not so:

Are the treadwear indicators showing???

If not, then it probably still has some life left in it

typically 2 rear changes to 1 front

Its normal for the two front tires to last significantly longer than the rear tires. The rear tire is where the power is applied as well as most of the weight so its going to experience abrasion much faster. Just make sure everything is properly inflated, suspension pre-set for weight is correct, and be more gentile on the throttle to make the rear last longer.

As others noted, its not unusual to replace the rear tire twice for every one time the front tires are changed.

Great, thank you!

There is treadware that is not yet reached.