Modern Vespa

Started my 500 and got the horn blaring, so as a
member of this forum I knew what the deal was.
Told the mechanics what that meant, and to look for
a leak, but they found none (?). However the fluid
was quite low. Doesn't there HAVE to be a leak then?
The bike has 3500 miles so far.
Not happy to have issues, but I do think its freaking
COOL that the bike honks at you to tell you there is a
problem!!
I could live with filling it up on fluid every 3500 miles,
but these things always get worse with time. Glad I
bought a 3 year extended warrantee from the shop!

The places I have seen a 'weep' are at the front of the suspension lock units, behind the rubber covers. As this is pressurised only at a standstill or very low speed, any drips just fall on the ground. Pull the covers off and wipe with a clean rag. This should show any signs of leakage. One of mine leaks very slightly on the Fuoco - but so little that the fluid remains within the right level. I'll get it changed under warranty at the next service.

Thanks Jim, i will have a look!

I found mine was low when I put a Fabbri on at around 1000 miles. I recently checked it again 3500 miles later and it was still full. I have never seen any leaks so I assume it was that way from the beginning.

Assuming the brake fluid was full when new and there are no leaks, then the fluid goes down from brake pad wear. So I would look at said pads and see how much they have decreased from original size, if any.

There are no brake pads involved in this little bit of high-tech...

I should have stated that it is the front end Hydrolic's we are talking about.
Not the brakes.
If your horn starts blowing when starting it, thats the culprit.

How about when the horn starts blowing while your at a light and the suspension is locked? This happened to me 3 times today, all on the same single trip home. Trying to figure why exactly this happened.

Yep - that sounds like it alright. You should get it checked Chris.

Will do. I'll swing by Vespa Austin tomorrow and see if they won't at least just check the hydraulic fluid level and make sure its where it needs to be.

chris

Do you refill the hydraulic reservoir with the same DOT 4 fluid, as the brake fluid?

Yes