Modern Vespa

I have included this in the general forum (not in the tech library & project reports) as it is more about my experience than a detailed description of the installation. I am not electrically competent to even begin to explain the steps or what exactly was done! Moderators please move this thread to the right location if someone would want to write up the details from what they see and can explain .... or just remove it!

I wanted both horns and so he used the plastic that covered an unused spot in the horn cast to stick a switch in. It took me a half hour to take it apart; he took around an hour do his part and then another half hour for me to put it back together. The cost for his labour and all parts was 20euros ($28USD), which was money well spent! He did a great job! I have taken some photos. Oh, I numbered the photos so you can see the progression, but at first he had it wired so that it would work whether or not the scooter was turned on. He changed something! and it only works when it is running. I scanned a copy of a diagram that was included in a Stebel installation tutorial and he drew in what he had done. Some numbered photos are not included as I reached the attachment limit and needed to remove ones that were more or less repeats. I apologize that the photos start with the end and go to the finish!

Nice! The schematic diagram is incomplete, Mateo. How does it work? Is the new switch the Stebel or original horn? Can't do it that way in the US, as that "unused" position is occupied.

you can make space for a new button! hehe


Question: Could This be done with the ET4 I wonder?

Not a good idea to have a separate switch.

Wayne b

Care to elaborate on that?

How does it work?
---------
Hhhmmm, I honestly can't tell you, but it does!

Is the new switch the Stebel or original horn?
---------
The new switch is for the Stebel horn.

Question: Could This be done with the ET4 I wonder?[/quote]

I can't tell you about space for the horn under the leg shield, nor if there is an unused spot like the 2008 LX, but the unused spot in the LX is the same size as the on/off switch for the ET4 light. The Piaggio dealer gave me an ET4 light switch for that spot on my LX hoping it would work for the horn (which it wouldn't very well as you'd have to manually turn off the horn with the 3 way position of the ET4 on/off light switch). ...if that makes sense.

Jess,

If you have two switches, your brain is going to lock up for a sec trying to determine which switch to hit. Had that problem in an old '66 bronco that I had. And during the sec your brain does lock up, that can also slow down your reaction to hit the brakes as your brain is working on the horn issue.

It's all about muscle memory and repetitive actions.

Wayne B

Thats a lot of work for a horn. Installing mine took 30 min and I only had to remove the front horn cover.

The 300 got a new horn today and it's not a Stebel !

If you have two switches, your brain is going to lock up for a sec trying to determine which switch to hit. Had that problem in an old '66 bronco that I had. And during the sec your brain does lock up, that can also slow down your reaction to hit the brakes as your brain is working on the horn issue.

It's all about muscle memory and repetitive actions.
-------
That makes sense I agree that could happen, but I now find that when I ride down certain streets that has constant j walkers, cars parking along the sides (exiting & entering) and round abouts every other intersection that I ride with my right hand positioned to keep one finger on the Stebel horn at all times as it is much easier to get to than the original. The original is just sentimental for me now and blown for fun - not for any real action. I agree, keep two horns, but get in the habit of using just one of them.

Well I understand what you're saying, but I'm going to have to respectfully disagree.

Scenario 1

I'm riding down the street in a non stressful situation and see someone I know it's a nice little beep beep.

Scenario 2

I'm riding down the street and some asshat pulls out in front of me, hey it's a no brainier which horn I'm going to use.


I'm also a little lost as to why chukstr say's it won't work on US models.

From looking at the pictures the MATEO's horn is where my kill switch is and my horn is on the left side.

Looking at my horn button, it looks to me that it would work better as the added button would be more to the left.

Or am I missing something?

So I'm guessing everyone's too busy discussing Karma or playing the word game to answer the question.

I was simply referring to the fact that Mateo used a blank panel where the kill switch is on a US model. Obviously, you can add a button somewhere else, and it will wok.

On my comment on the schematic, it is a marked up Stebel schematic, which shows the original horn connections disconnected. In Mateo's case, the installer did not disconnect anything, and the Stebel was added independently. (My conclusion, I haven't seen Mateo's scooter.)

edit: I don't think the added lines which are shown to go to the original horn wires are there. They sort of screw things up.

I will be doing something similar with my BV250 sometime next week (I hope). There's already an existing button spot to the left of my stock horn. It should be fairly easy to do. I'll take pictures and draw a full schematic.

It's hard to tell from the pictures... but it looks like a relay may have been added so the horn only works with the engine running.
My question is.... why put the new horn on the right side next to the throttle? Wouldn't that be confusing... If you need to use your horn you likely will have to slow down and prepare to hit the brakes. How can you hit the horn, maintain throttle control, and be ready to break- all with one hand?

Also that switch will wear out and corrode very quickly if you don't add a rubber boot cover to prevent moisture from getting into the contacts of the switch.
Great idea... but not very ergonomic. IMHO

--------
Maybe I have funky shaped hands .... but I have found it ergonomic for me to have two fingers on the brake, two fingers & my palm on the throttle and my thumb on the horn. I ride this way as I travel down certain streets and I have been able to honk, brake, decelerate or accelerate in a comfortable manner, actually easier than trying to reach down low on the left with the original horn.

SORRY, I am not competent to better explain what the electrician drew on the schematic or explain what he did!

Here is my comfortable, though probably not MSF endorsed, had postion when going down chaotic streets (traveling around 20-40km/hr). I wear gloves, except when taking photos of my hands!