Modern Vespa

If you have a flat 'S curved' tool, use a spark-plug box-spanner to give that extra grip! Also spray some ACF-50 or white grease onto the turning bits so they don't seize while un-turned for a while, and make sure you *do* give them a little twist back'n'forth every so often to prevent seizure.

Jimc said "if you have a flat 'S curved' tool". The tool I was given with my bike is not flat, but bent at a 90 degree angle, so when I use the tool I have no leverage. The tool tends to give at the 90 degree bend and I just can't use the tool. I used channel locks to hold the tool right at the bend to make it work. Is it possible I don't have the same tool as Jimc and others? Could Piaggio have changed the tool? The one I have is bogus without channel locks. I did go on line and buy the tool suggested by jfredrik: http://www.whitehorsepress.com/product_info.php?products_id=3594, but it does not work...don't buy it! The span is not right for our bikes. It's not jfredrik's fault, from the pic it does look like it should work. If you all have a tool that is flat and I have a different tool then how do I go about getting the flat one?

John

All my X9's had flat tools - my 500 has a '90 degree' tool, and that has a hole through the vertical (when in use) shaft. A screwdriver through that does the job. If yours is similar but no hole, just drill one...

I think you helped me realize the problem... Piaggio either changed from the C-spaner tool the an S curved handle (what I have and is impossible to use on the right shock adjustment ) to the 90 degr., hole in the handle, version that Jim C described.

Anyone have a photo of what the correct tool looks like?

I think I will call the dealer or Piaggio USA customer service to get the 90 degree version.

I am 6'1", 220 lbs, and I want to ride two up with my wife but won't do it until I can adjust the shock off the first notch.

I greatly appreciate your help!

Edit: Removed content which could mislead a casual reader.

Agree - the suspension adjustment tool from WhiteHorse does not work.

Oh snap! Missed that, my bad. Thanx for the highlight.

That's exactly what came with my 400. Personally I don't know what all the angst is about - it's really a simple adjustment.

Mystery solved...I went to the dealer today and they had put the wrong C span tool in my tool kit when they delivered my MP3 500 to me.
Today, they gave me the correct, 90 degree C-spanner with hole for leverage and it works. It helps if you have the right tool for the job. Not sure how the dealer or Piaggio managed to put the wrong, flat, S curved C-spanner in the tool kit.
Glad that is over!
This forum helped me to realize I had the wrong tool in my kit. Thanks for your patience with a newbee.

After reading this thread, I have decided to change the height of my absorber.Haven't done anything to it all this past 7.5 months.I used the wrench that came with the bike and was glad that I did not have any problem with it. Now, when I am riding single,I hike it up one notch and 2 notches when my wife is behind.And the differences is very sastisfactory! Thanks for the information, without it I would't have done anything to my absorber! Cheers!

i adjusted the rear shocks' preload tonight. as detailed in this thread the lefthand one was no problem with a crescent wrench for leverage. in fact i was somewhat surprised at how easily it moved between detents.

the right shock was a pain due to clearance issues. none of my available tools seemed to let me achieve a full detent's rotation: 6" crescent, 12" crescent, 10" robogrips (self-adjusting pliers). the combination of the brake's hose and the proximity of the muffler made it very challenging. i imagine 400 and 500 owners don't have this particular problem as the brake is on the left, no?

then i stumbled upon the solution, and used my fingers alone. it was a bit difficult but not painful, and now i'm comfortably adjusted at the 3rd detent (with the 1st being the least amount of preload possible). i chose the 3rd since i'm somewhere in the region of 90 kg and already have scraped the centerstand during a lefthand turn!

I just changed my preload for the first time. I used the included wrench and I also placed the end of the screwdriver through the hole on the setting tool. Mine went right in to place to level 2 with no problems at all. I think it may be a bit tougher to go to 3 or 4 as there would be much more resistance.

glad it worked for you. just as an fyi. this thread is over 2 years old. we call a post like yours a necropost. no big deal really just letting you know...many of us have done it Welcome to MV btw.

I recently put mine to the highest setting. Seems right for my 230+lbs.