Modern Vespa

Well the basic backrest is not too bad, looks good and reasonably well made. The thing does not completely cover the area that is left bare when the original Vespa part is removed though and looks crude I think.
That is all I can say that is positive unfortunately.

The instructions are horrible, firstly they instruct one to remove two screws (the wrong two I should add !) and they do not mention the hidden screw that is located under the light unit in the rear trunk.

Being fairly mechanically inclined it wasn't hard to see where the problems were but for anyone with lesser mechanical abilities it would be almost impossible to remove the original Vespa part.

Basically as you look into the rear trunk area there are two rubber plugs that cover two screws on the back wall (upper area) one on left and one on right, remove the plugs and screws, then carefully pry out (downwards) the lighting unit and peering deep inside the cavity left behind you will see a Phillips screw head, remove that screw too.
Then carefully lift the original trim forward and off the bike.

Refit the new backrest by inserting the two tabs and pushing it backwards into position, then reinsert the two screws on the upper back wall area of the trunk and refit the two rubber plugs.

The poor design does not allow for the third screw to be refitted so although the backrest is secure as you push (lean) back on it, it it were to be pulled forward by mistake as in taking the bike on and off the centre stand the backrest will be pulled out of place as the two small plastic tabs are simply too weak to hold it in place.

All in all, it's a nice piece but poorly thought out and it does in my mind need the third screw to make it secure.

I will drill it and insert a self tapping screw. This is not easy and cannot be done on the bike as it needs a long drill bit to reach.

Just a few thoughts.
Dave

please post some pics so we can see this. thanks

Yes pictures would make it easier I will try and find time today.
Dave

OK I have two pictures that should aid in installing a Givi TB106 Backrest on an MP3
My only complaint is the missing threaded hole for the third screw that is on the original Piaggio part you have by now removed.
I ended up drilling the new backrest (its got a steel plate inside the foam and needs to be drilled out 4mm and tapped 5mm and a long 5mm bolt inserted to capture and hold the part securely as the original part was.
So in my mind this is a serious flaw in Givi's design ! Yes the part will stay on the bike but is not secure in the forward direction at all !

I will gladly forward the pics if you want them as I can't post them due to size.
Dave