Modern Vespa

I have a 2009 Vespa GTS 250 (US model), and have a chip on the lower rear side panel of my scoot that I'd like to touch up. Unfortunately, accessing the chip is hindered by my right side reflector. As a result, I need to remove the reflector so I can touch up the chip with some paint. I was hoping to get some sort of instructions on how to "carefully" remove, and then re-attach, this reflector. It's probably pretty easy. There appears to be a clip on each of the ends of the reflector screws that have to be removed from the inside of the side panel in order to pull the old reflector out through the screw holes, but didn't know if there were any "words of wisdom" from any of you on how to do that - the clips seem to be a little hard to remove from the screw. I don't want to end up damaging anything - either my scoot or the reflector. Any guidance anyone can provide - even pictures! - would be appreciated.

I can't seem to find anything online.

I would just go and get a replacement reflector from your dealer. You'll probably need it. It's one of the cheaper parts, luckily.

I have heard of people occasionally getting a reflector off, intact, but not very often. Most of the time they break in the process. Even dealers usually end up breaking them if they need to install crash bars that get in the way of the reflectors.

Sorry I can't really offer more help. The reflectors are afterthought parts just put there to comply with the US DOT. Most other countries don't even have the holes for them.

Break it off. The lock washers that hold it on actually dig in to the plastic prongs of the reflector.

BUT KEEP THE WASHERS. New reflectors do NOT come with them. The best way to do this is get some pliers back there and break off any excess plastic prong jutting out from the washer. Then, pull the refletor side to side and it should come off. Also, place a towel beneath the area to catch the washers... they're a bitch to find on the asphalt.

They use what I call a speed nut. Its a stamped piece of sheet metal with a hole in it. If you use a thin screw driver and loosen it a bit you can take a pair of pliers and rotate it off counter-clockwise. When I got my crash bars that how I took both reflectors off without breaking the nubs off.

I had to take mine off the LX 150 when I put the crash bars on and my dealer told me to just break 'em off.

Nope.. I took some needle nose pliers and with a little persuasion got the washers off just fine. Now I've got an extra set if I need 'em.

I'll do the same thing when I replace the front fender ones on my GTV with LED lights.

Dutch how is the shoulder doing?

I think some double sided tape will hold them in place if the posts do snap.

I picked up a set of Italian flag ones to replace my rear reflectors & that's how they're attached.

Not my scooter, Jettin's stock photo:



Harvey

Just fine. And my broken elbow healed up too.

Going to Scoot a Que in Columbus in a couple of weeks but can't wait to get back to WKRP next spring !

You've probably seen I've got a GTV now. Great scooter and I love the retro look.

Now if I can just sell the BV 200

I have removed all the reflectors from both my scoots, and a word of caution to you CPHutchins. If you just break the posts off, you are going to damage your paint under the edge of the reflector housing. When I gave up trying to pry the speed nut off, or spin it off. I used a pair of side cutters. (they are a pair of wire cutters that are designed to cut close to a surface. ) Once I did that the speed nuts came right off. But on the outside of the fender, just under the edge of the reflector the paint was gouged by the edge of the reflector. The housing is hollow, and has sharp edges, so it will cut into your paint.
I tried to rig a way to put them back on my LX150 so I could pass a safety inspection for the Experienced Riders Course. For that I cut the stems off so they would be flush with the underside of the fender, while having a little peg to hold them in place. I then drilled a tiny hole down the center of the stud, and used tiny brass washer and a screw to hold them on. this worked for the class but I lost a screw within a few days, so this is not a permanate solution unless you glue the screws in.
On my GTS 250 I took great care to clip them off, and replace them with surface mounted LED strips, and rigged them as running lights, and used a module to make them flash when the turn signals came on.
Here is what I did on the GTS 250:
https://modernvespa.com/forum/topic47506?highlight=