Modern Vespa

I've read a lot about how difficult it is with the spanner tool supplied so I'd like to offer up my experience to anyone having a hard time.
I put the spanner on the ring, held my back wheel with my left hand and pushed the tool handle with the palm of my left (wearing gloves, of course) I'm a bit of a mechanically challenged newbie, and only about 155 lbs.,
so it is possible.

Good old channel lock pliers work too. You might get a little scratch on the end of the shock but certainly easier on the hands, etc. Holding the scoot is important too, easy to knock one over trying to twist a shock end.

Of course it can be done... and it's a lot easier if you use a bit of spray lubricant before you try.

Adjusting the LX's single rear shock preload is much easier than adjusting the left rear shock on the GT/GTS.

Lets make this easy, go out get a 3 inch long sprinkler pipe extension, and toss it into your tool bag. It is just the right size to slip over the handle of the spanner, it provides a comfortable surface to push or pull on, it can slide out a little to give you more leverage. And most of all it works every time.
Here are some pictures, my piece is from a longer pip that broke off (aka kid hit with mower) So I cut the threads off.

Nice! That belongs in the project section!