Modern Vespa

Jim
Thanks for the information. My husband can put a home remedy on it and we'll have the dealer look at it when I take it in for the 3000 mile checkup.

Is there a website that lists Piaggio recalls?

Diane

Not that I know of. There have been very few anyway over the years - and they get publicised very well on forums like this.

I took it into the shop and they will see if it can be covered on warranty. After all, it is a new bike and it came from the factory like that.

What is the first year the 500s came to the states? Is it the 2009s?

Diane

Just a note of thanks to all who posted (and re-posted) about this issue. I took my MP3 500 into Jim and James at Il Motorino in Santa Cruz, the dealership where I bought, and I had the problem and they did a quick fix this past weekend.

Glad we can help, and I'm glad your dealership helped you too.

Just checked my 2009 500 with 47 miles on it, already being cut in to, manufactured 10/08. Have to do the fix on it, not handled during PDI. Thanks for the heads up!

Alex

I just checked my new Jan 2009 built MP3 500, and no hose issue.

Hi, Ray

Could you please take a nice, sharp, large (maybe 800-pixel-wide), close-up photo of the hose area so we can see what improvement has been made by Piaggio?

Thanks in advance!

I'm not very good at taking clear pictures. I did take a close look, and I can't see anything specific that would account for the difference. I just know that the hose is now about 3/4" away from the fan motor. There are no zip ties or anything holding it there. My best guess is that they're using a different hose.

I'll see what I can do about a photo, but it may be a few days.

That's fine. I guess Piaggio must have figured out a way to fix it. Maybe I will just cruise down to the dealer and take some close-ups.

Bought my MP3 last week, I have the very same problem

What's the manufacture month/year of your 500?
Same question for Ray R, too.

Just checked, manufactured July 2008!!

Mine was May/2008, also had the problem.

"I just checked my new Jan 2009 built MP3 500, and no hose issue."

I think that means Jan of 2009.

After all this time and a few thousand miles, I checked both bikes. The one I stuck a washer in between the tire and the hose was still there and just fine.
The one I put the ties on had stretched almost back to the original position.
I just stuck a washer between that one too! Simple seems to be best.

Well after 48 hours of owning a used mp3 500, told the dealer to check it out before I picked it up. They ty wrapped it, and lied about no rubbing. Looked at it closer today. The outer rubber shell is "Peeling off", or could this be the thin piece some are having there. Even have the extended warranty of three more years! Service like this, could make a person cry.

I just took mine in to Vespa San Diego for its 600+ mile check up. Mentioned it to the mechanic and he said it was a recall, so your dealer should fix this for you.

I'd shoved a small piece of cardboard in between the fan casing and the pipe to stop any further wear.

Use something else. Cardboard could be a dangerous combo in there.

I checked for this issue when I first brought Loretta home and there was no indication of contact. I thought perhaps since this Mp3 was an '09 the problem had been rectified in production... I checked again a couple times since then, albeit halfheartedly, and there still seemed to be no problem. But yesterday, after a scooter club meeting the night before where a member was chatting about mysterious coolant loss in her Honda, I decided to look again more thoroughly. Lo and behold, the hose was not only in contact with the fan cover but a nice groove was well worn into it. I see no evidence of actual cut but its only a question of time. Poor design.

I cut a 1-1/2 x 1-1/2 piece of heavy reinforced skirt rubber and slid it in between the hose and cover along with some contact adhesive on the hose side, then used a zip-tie to hold it in place. Between the zip-tie, pressure in place and the adhesive I think the 'patch' will hold up fine.

But it just shows ta go ya, every 500 needs to be checked and probably preemptively repaired.

Hi All,

My new '09 500 is scheduled for delivery late next week. The dealer is located in northern California and they're to meet me in Roseburg, OR where I will take possession of the scoot and trailer it home.

So here's my question, should I call them and request that they check for this problem before delivery? It seems a bit difficult to put into words so maybe I could refer them to this thread? I'm a bit hesitant to ask them to invest their time chasing down a problem that may not even exist.

Thanks in advance for your help,

LL

If they're on the ball they will have checked already - but it's not a 'biggie' - easily dealt with yourself if it exists. Personally I'd prefer my own 'bodge' to a dealer's.

Definitely referring them to this thread can't hurt. Although in my opinion any savvy dealer should all ready be reading the MP3 and online scooter forums. I was shocked to find out the dealer I got my husbands MP3 500 from was not aware of this forum or like 1/2 of the stuff he needed to do for a PDI. I mean what the heck is Piaggio teaching them when they send them out to California for training...how to change the freakin' oil?

We have the same problem in France, We put a collar that allows the hose to remove the engine, like you.

I found on my 2007 that the dealer has previously fitted the factory update cable tie with cold heat shrink. Unfortunately the cable tie was still too loose and rubbing still visible through the outer protective sheath on the radiator hose, possibly from before the fix, but currently was still making contact.

I pulled the cable tighter 15mm to the limit of the pliers/cable allowed, and I will continue to monitor it.
Thanks for the pics at the start of this thread, made it easy to find, and is a critical bit of info.

After waiting for an appointment for our MP3 500 to get rewired ( will explain under the "extreme mod"). I took the time to read the thread. I checked and found they used the zip solution but my dealer had no clue so either it was done right from the factory or the guys at the other store fixed it when they "uncrated it." either way it's fixed on a 2009 w/ 860 KM on it, no rubbing issues but will keep an eye on it 

Same here in ontario. Not sure if canadian product is different, but no wear at all after 1000km service. Grin!

Just an update--11,000 miles, and the washer I stuck in between is still there doing its job. Truly, a simple fix.

Yep just checked my new one. Touching the fan motor and a slight ding. Pulled it away with zip tie.

Wanted to thank everyone who contributed on this thread (and on the forum in general)...checked my scoot last night and found the same issue...zip-tied it to the steel frame and all looks good for the moment. I'll ask about a recall when we go in for our first major check-up about 500 miles from now. Thanks again...

I purchased my MP3 500 4 weeks ago in Louisville. I printed a post from this forum and showed it to my mechanic when I got the 600 mile service. My hose had not been repaired at the factory, and did in fact have a deep gash. He ordered a replacement and it was fixed this past week. I guess the point is do not assume it has been taken care of. I am glad I didn't.

I checked my few month old 2009 500 and the lower hose was in contact with the fan and indented (not cut) about 3/16 inch so I guess those who found theirs re-routed had it done at prep-time. Only 550 miles on it so I can't imagine the hose could have survived too much longer. I used 2 tie wraps - 1 to the tube and the other to the plastic assembly surrounding the hoses, kind of like a sling. I now have 1/4 inch clearance.

My new to me bike has the zip tie, but it is loose and does nothing:



Bike is still under warranty so a dealer visit is in the offing...

Here's a view of my brand new 2009 MP3 500. Only 32 miles on it and none of them mine, due to snow and ice. The hoses have plenty of clearance to the fan motor and I see no sign of ties.

My 2009 MP3 500ie has the zip tie, same thing, it is hanging there loose and the hose is against the fan housing. Thanks for the heads up, the outer hose has been cut through.

Luckily I bought a 3 year warranty.

After all this time and all these posts, you might think they would do something to fix this issue. You would be wrong I suppose.

Just picked up my 500 today riding home in the rain, still I'm a lot dryer that on my Lambretta. Anyway first thing tomorrow I'll be checking my 2010 out and let you know the results. Hoping for the best!

Cheers,
Tross

Wow , what a difference almost 4 weeks makes. I've been into vintage scooters for more than 25 years, so I know my way around scoots. Thanks to this forum which helped me decide on the model which was really between a GTS 300 and the MP3, and once I purchased the scooter, getting up to speed. As to the hose issue, it seems that during the production run they upgraded this hose to a stronger more formed hose, (luckily I've seemed to get the later) but I still tie\fuel line wrapped it. Other things this forum has helped me with:

Great rear tire deal and easy instructions on how to change it.

How to adjust my Givi windshield.

Those great foot-peg holders by rjeffb, those are going to be of great use going to PVSC band-camp next week.

Knowing that a 55lt Givi top case isn't to big for the MP3

and too many more to count. Just wanted to give you guys on the forum a great thank you and keep it up. Maybe one of these day's I meet up with a few of you!

Cheers,
Tross

I had my hose replaced under warranty since it was worn through pretty deeply. The new hose is shaped differently so as to not contact the fan motor housing. Chaffing will no longer be an issue.

Had my new Fuoco back in April, a 2011 build and still the problem persists, had the dealer tie it back at the 1st service, but still keep a eye on it...I did tell them to check before they delivered but i guess they missed it !!

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