Modern Vespa

OK, So I have my wonderful Vespa top case for my LX and I have a back rest from Pirate Upholstery. There are two screw holes in the backrest but there are no matching screw holes or anywhere indicated for screw holes inside the top case.

How do I measure this properly so I don't screw up the installation?

I have a Vespa topcase and Vespa back rest...
Came with a nice template, measured, centered, aligned...
Still messed it up..
My advice..
Find a place where it looks good, make sure straight / level, and that is does not interfere with opening topcase...
BTW, mine now has 4 screws holding it on...

No template supplied. I am notoriously bad at measuring things. Any suggestions that might give me a fighting chance to do it properly ... the first time?

I've applied paint or grease to the screw heads in similar situations in the past. You still may find it necessary to enlarge the holes a bit to get everything aligned. If that's the case, I would buy a couple of fender washers to go under the screw heads.

If they stick out far enough, put some red lipstick on the heads of the screws (some sort of grease would work just as well, as mentioned) and press the backrest against where you want it to sit. If they're not long enough to touch, go to the hardware store and buy 2 longer screws just for this purpose.

While you're there, buy one of these - a dial caliper:



It doesn't have to be a fancy metal one, nor do you need a digital readout. Just the simple analog gauge will do. EVERYONE needs one of these in their toolbox!

Use the caliper to measure the diameter of the shaft of the screw (i.e., the part between the threads), and use a drill bit of the same size make the hole in your topcase.

i have found that if you get the first one in the rest is easy. it helps to have someone holding the pad really tight to the case as you push on the screw. also, if you scew the screws through the topcase before adding the pad you can line it up with the screws sticking out completely and as you turn the screw it willpull the back rest back towards the case. makes it easier than trying to screw through both at the same time.

I got it done ... and on my first attempt too!

Here's what I did:

-Apply two, 2" strips of masking tape across the back of the top case. One following the bottom of the upper part of the case and one about an inch above the other.
- Find the centerpoint of the top case by measuring from either side of the hinges and draw a pen line up the center on the masking tape using a square.
- Put a piece of masking tape on the bottom of the backrest, measure and mark the centerpoint with a pen line.
- Position the backrest where you want it being sure to match the curve of the case with the curve in the backrest.
- Line up both centerlines and then check to make sure the top line of the backrest is level with the top of the case. The backrest should stick up above the case just a bit.
- Draw the outline of the bottom of the backrest onto the masking tape.
- Using a round, wooden party pick (the type they use for cocktail shrimp), cut off each end to the length of the screws supplied.
- Gently push the pointy ends of the cut off party picks into the screw holes on the backrest.
- Paint the ends of the wooden picks with nail polish or anything that will transfer onto the masking tape.
- Reapply the backrest against the top case using the bottom line as your guide, being sure it lines up properly.
- Carefully push against the top of the backrest sufficiently that your picks with leave their mark.
- Carefully drill holes where marks are on your masking tape and remove tape.
- Put screws through holes and line them up with the screw holes in the backrest, then tighten the screws.

I started taking pictures and then forgot until I was done. Sorry!

Note: I found that the two screws supplied are probably too short. The backrest is not firmly secured (at all) to the top case and in fact is very flimsy. I am going to go to the hardware store tomorrow and get four more screws which are a little longer and will try it with just two more and will add the last two if I think they are needed.

I am also planning to use automotive goop on the screws to give them some added grip. I am really surprised at how flimsy the whole set up is with just the two screws!

i also have the same backrest on the vespa topbox and i also find that the 2 screws are a bit flimsy. am just not sure whether longer screws would solve the problem but may create another problem. the longer the screw, the more likely that it will puncture the upholstery of the backrest.

anyway, will be waiting in this thread for some other options.

I was thinking about this overnight and the backrest seems reallly, really flimsy to me. I thought about getting a thin piece of wood or metal and inserting it behind the plastic and in front of the foam, using the hole in the plastic as access.

It just seems to me that even with a few more screws, there just isn't enough "bite" to hold the thing on properly. Hasn't anyone else had this problem ... or am I alone?

Do what the industry does, once you are
happy with it on add a couple more screws.
Just run the two additional screws directly
into the plastic backing. 4 hold downs are
better then two.
Yardsale 8)

Duct Tape !!!!!
Fixes everything....