Modern Vespa

Hello all. I'm new here and just bought a 2008 MP3 500 in non-running condition. Appearance wise, it looks great, but the engine won't run and the front tilt mech. won't lock. But that's an entirely different kettle of fish to fry.

Anyway, the rear shocks are looking pretty well worn out and I wanted to lower the scoot anyway since I'm kinda short. I was looking around this forum for ideas. I ran across the Hagon shock thread, but it turns out Hagon USA no longer exists. Looks like there are other vendors in the US that handle Hagon so I may look into them, but in the meantime, I ran into this on Ebay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/365805840587?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20231107084023%26meid%3D6cbbfdb57d2a4a159d8c4c9e68bee25b%26pid%3D101875%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D255902822938%26itm%3D365805840587%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2332490%26algv%3DSimVIDwebV3WithCPCExpansionEmbeddingSearchQuerySemanticBroadMatchSingularityRecallReplaceKnnV4WithVectorDbNsOptHotPlRecallCIICentroidCoviewCPCAuto&_trksid=p2332490.c101875.m1851&itmprp=cksum%3A3658058405876cbbfdb57d2a4a159d8c4c9e68bee25b%7Cenc%3AAQAKAAABgG96wQ16jds4VFcrhy1F3d4mbwZUJI9Fs%252BgdXYAHIzlX2e3YaNh7x%252BEnKA3G%252BCqSl1Xn4McfcWFK1GytmS2qxJ87mtE8Gm3iR1Ja4WBwh0hNHJrJx3Ki5mp04ow4CO7lP%252BooCybZDDU%252BbbSwmg7CbTin%252BBzBzbCYVnbjvyQAHu6--HI4MB7SvJl5IJqlyvomgoLMlgT6qAJzX0SANJhty2eBcwCiWaCz7OwzPLgMrDb51XIQL%252FJGKf6ddDde%252FWbo4ZoJghS5qqAvbLyAO0IJr1DfRddzvGW0AuKUOuvf3ippCcMs0u5DmZmfA%252BQBjpZvSKh19YlKh0jwUA9w%252Fifc0bhk%252BkJ%252BZecuFj6k7pPBoZ9N4CUXRZiNH8Sz75xgcC1jJmRFOXwVR6gTlYmQ%252F2Dm%252FkfigsveD5%252FaIrvBaEkNkkuJ%252FboUySgfbqO4lVb5Xs94GEc95cUCQrW7MmDuQYLW7%252FKF0hw2zS4cw8wc9rILNM7NaHmkdr%252FvaQg1FLg0tA0VxA%253D%253D%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2332490&epid=14039286165&itmmeta=01K49N96A2DAG93DYJ71PPY0CA

Sorry, I don't know how to shorten the link.

Being a short rider (5'6"), these 360mm shocks look really interesting, particularly their price. Adjustable preload and dampening also. They include 10mm, 12mm, and 14mm bushings to fit different bikes. Not sure how thick their mounting eyes are though. The spring is rated for a big Kawasaki motorcycle so it should work fairly well on the heavy 500. Since the stock shocks are 410mm long, these should lower the scoot about 2", which would make life a lot easier for me.

Does anyone know if the oil/gas canister will clear everything around the upper mount?
Anyone have other suggestions for a shorter rear shock in the 360mm - 370mm range?

Bitubo shocks are excellent, the single best upgrade for any MP3

To deal with just that point - with Amazon or Ebay links, just delete everything after the item number, including the first question mark, thus:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/365805840587

HTH.

Thanks for the tip on shortening the link.

Yes, I looked at the Biturbo shocks, but the cost plus shipping from Italy is a little too much for me to handle, hence the search for something more affordable.

I have a YSS shock on my Genuine Buddy and love it. Made a huge difference in handling and the scoot no longer bottoms out. YSS makes some cheap shocks and some really good ones. Mine is one of the better ones.
Unfortunately, they don't seem to make one specifically for the MP3 500, but they do have one for the Royal Enfield 650 Interceptor that has an eye-to-eye spacing of 360mm. The thickness of the eye is my main worry. This would drop the MP3 2" which would be perfect, but I'd be a little concerned about losing that much suspension travel. Guess I could learn to avoid big pot holes and small children.

I got "Malossi Rear Shock Absorbers for Piaggio MP3 (4614789)" on my 2016 Mp3 500ie Sport.

Immediately improved right quality and the rear tire lasted longer. The way I was riding my Mp3, the factory shocks where often bottoming out and even allowing the wheel to leave the road. New shocks put a stop to that and ride handling on rough twisty roads improved dramatically.

I don't know if they're sold anymore, Scooter Parts Co used to have them but you might be able to find similar spec shocks.

Thanks. I looked into those but it seems they're no longer available. Luckily, shocks are more or less universal. I just have to find the correct length, match the mounting eye sizes, and find one intended for a bike with similar weight. And even if the eye sizes aren't exact, that can be compensated for with shims, spacers, or custom made inserts. The top and bottom mounting holes on the MP3 are different sizes.
I found a 370mm (40mm shorter than stock) YSS meant for a Yamaha XT500 that looks like it'd fit, but it doesn't have rebound dampening adjustment. It appears very well made though.

Errr...no. That is like saying that any record player can play any record.

While that is physically possible, the outcome usually leaves a lot to be desired.

Suspension tuning is a fine art and balanced act. All of my bikes, except the mp3, have custom tailored suspension matched to me and my bike and the difference is like nothing else. Believe me, I've tried anything and everything out there suspension related. This process took several years, ranging from different internal springs, valving, fork oil weights to finally find the setup that is a all rounder regardless of the road conditions.

There was no single off the shelf product that fit the bill for me. The mp3 is handicapped in this regard since the front forks are not adjustable nor rebuildable and the rear suspension is plain awful utilizing the stereo shock setup like every cheap scooter.