Modern Vespa

Hello folks,

I need to change the Disc Rotor on my ET 4, but the Bitubo Shock hinders me in accessing the upper hex bolt for the Brake Saddle Housing. I am uneasy with loosening the two Bitubo Shock bolts holding the whole assembly to the front fork, as this seems to be looking for trouble and perhaps more expertise than I bargained for.

Does anyone here have experience with how I can otherwise access the regular Brake Saddle Hex bolts? The Bitubo adjustment cylinder hinders free access.

This Front Brake Saddle assembly needs to be removed so that I can remove the scarred brake rotor.

Thanks in advance, should anyone care to reply.

robertsfun

you'll need to remove the two bottom bolts and move the shock out of the way, you can then get at the caliper bracket to remove the caliper.

also, removing the speedo drive pinion helps in getting the rotor off.

best,
-greasy

Thank you Greasy,

My worry is, won't this entail some tricky reassembly?

Won't the shock need to be compressed to reinstall?

A Ducati mechanic said no, but he smirked a little while looking at my ET.

He is Italian, but the "smirk" has me wondering.

"No Signore", means to me, perhaps?

LOL.

robert

not really. you'll need to man-handle it a little but it'll go back together.

best,
-greasy

Okay this sounds do-able.

I'll tackle it on Saturday.

Thanks for the feedback!

Shall I fax you a beer?

robert

I'm in the same boat - my upper caliper bolt backed out , so just to be clear, you mean the lower two bolts holding the Bitubo in place, right? And no need to fool with the virtually inaccessible upper bolt?

This forum is the best!

Hi Michael Moore,

Yes, the bottom two hex bolts of the Bitubo Shock have to be removed. This should enable us to swing the Bitubo out of the way somewhat, to make the other two hex bolts on the caliper housing accessible.

The Bitubo deal seems to handle nicely, and looks real cool too.

Just a pita right now!

(I'm still biting my nails, pondering problems getting the Bitubo mounted again!).

Thanks, I'm going to give it a go today. Will let you know how it works out.

OK, I was able to get at the caliper bolt by swinging out the shock.

BUT - I wouldn't have been able to get the lower two shock bolts out if I hadn't had some "mini" hex sockets. What with the articulated arm in the way, there's not much room to get the lower bolt out. I also used one of those spring handles to get the last bit out. What a PITA. If they'd just used a regular bolt it would have been NBD, but the hex head makes it a challenge.

Anyway, problem solved, caliper bolts back in with loctite, all is good.

Thanks for the help everyone!

Excellent news! Very good.

Did you have great difficulties in man-handling the Bitubo back to it's proper place?

Loctite forever!

I am waiting for the rest of the ordered parts to arrive.

Brake shoes, rear cable, and tires.

Thanks for the input, and good luck further.

robert

No, it wasn't too bad. I did jack up the front end so the wheel was off the ground, which made it easier.