Modern Vespa

Hi Gang--I'm new to the mp3. I have a 2009 mp3 500 which has recently developed some excessive slop to the steering. Something, somewhere must be loose because as I accelerate from stop, the bars are at dead center, but by the time I come up to speed, they are at 11pm/1am, which is making me overly concerned. At full stop, there is considerable play in the bars before the front tires move. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Is there play in the steering?
When you block the wheels, preventing them from turning, can you move the handlebars? If there is play it is somewhere in the headbearings or steering joints.

Or are the handlebars not mounted straight?
The steer is clamped on to the steringstem, the is no keyway or anything to prevent you from misaligning it when mounting. Or preventing it from slipping when the bolt is not tightent to torque of excesive force is applied.
When at standstill it is nearly impossible to align it properly. I just install the steer by best guess. Drive the bike to verify alignment, and adjust the alignment little by litte until it is close enough for me.

The former. When the wheels are blocked, I can move the steering.

Worn steering & suspension components

How many clicks on the bike, and were the headstock bearings regreased every 5K?

26,000KM. I had the bearing greased at 24,000K when I bought it (Piaggio dealer maintained).

With a little luck maybe only tightning the bearing. I had the same when we bought ours. The center headstock was nog tightened.

Thanks all. I will try that.

Eeer.....bearing? There are 4 headstock bearings.

And were they retorqued and lubed when the bike was new and regularly thereafter?

That initial retorque and regrease at the first 1K is super critical for long and troublefree bearing life.

Sorry--I meant "bearings" (plural). Finger slipped.

I can't determine everything that happened before I showed up but thanks to you all I have a starting place.

Forget to ask, does anyone know the torque specs for the center headstock?

Maybe this

https://manuals.wotmeworry.org.uk/Piaggio/Piaggio%20MP3/Useful%20Info/Steering%20Bearing%20Adjustment%202010.pdf

Or here

https://manuals.wotmeworry.org.uk/Piaggio/Piaggio%20MP3/MP3%20500/

From the workshop manual, 50 to 55Nm.
https://manuals.wotmeworry.org.uk/Piaggio/Piaggio%20MP3/MP3%20500/