Modern Vespa

I just recently started to notice this play in the steering. The bike has about 18,500 miles on it and had the bearings replaced (notch issue) at 7900 miles.

It does NOT feel notchy as of right now... I'm commuting about 78 miles a day so I'm relying on this bike to get to and from work safely. From the 2 videos I posted below, can anyone tell me if I should be worried about this thing falling apart anytime soon while I'm on the highway?

Thanks!

Very nice video, now to worry. Take off the top center plastic cover, believe there is a nut to tighten there. Do not know the torque specs off hand. How do you even consider this "safe to ride". Hope that is the only issue ?

Thanks for helping! I'm worried about removing that plastic assembly without first knowing the torque specs for the four hex bolts and any other bolts I may come across... Looks like there is quite a bit more than just popping off a plastic cover.

I don't think there should be torque specs to worry about on the bolts for the plastic cover...just fasten them down finger/hand tight and stop when they give resistance.

Do check the torque on the steering though as it is a hollow tube and over torque will deform it.

What Fuzzy said.
And the plastic cover bolts just need to be tight, they just hold the plastic on.

http://www.scootermanuals.us/manuals/ should get you to the manuals I mirror form JimC's UK site.

Wayne B

If you go looking for manuals, don't forget that you ride a Fuoco.

Chapter 2 - the saga continues...

Thanks for helping everyone. I don't think that pinch bold is the problem. It checks out as far as torque goes and the bar does NOT slip at all around the tube.

The issue I think is down under the bike. The first video below shows the slop the best. If you look closely, you can see a gap open and close at the bottom of the fat center tube as I shake the steering assembly back and forth.

This seems pretty bad to me... Also, you can hear the clunking sound in all the vids if you turn them up.

Should I bring this in for service at this point?

This thread:

He ain't notchy, he gone sloppy!

...seems to describe what my issue is. The thread is about a 250 though. Are those instructions good for a 500 as well? I also do not know what a "drift" is... I don't think I have the right tools or the know-how to tackle it anyway.

the nut at the bottom of the steering tube/column might need snugging up some. like Fay did in the other thread.

So I was able to get the plastic cover off and get to the center bearing. I used a punch to loosen the upper locking ring then used the punch to turn the lower ring about a turn and a half (until the play disappeared). Then I just snugged up the top ring good and tight.

Hope I didn't over torque anything or screw something up, I just did it by feel.

I test rode it and it feels great. No more slop.

Thanks and Happy Easter everyone!

The top nut should not be tight, check the specs. Get it too tight and you'll get scolding of the race and bearing.