New Member with some questions regarding her ET4!

[studentonavespa]

Hello everyone,

I am the new owner of a Vespa ET4 1998 in London (my first ever scooter, let alone vehicle  ) I will be using the Vespa to commute to uni each day once i've passed the CBT and so on. I wanted to ask for some advice/recommendations on a few of the parts I am looking to restore. The bike isn't in the best condition but as a new rider it's probably better for me!

The problems: 

1. Front mud guard which has shattered - is it possible to fit an older/newer mudguard than the 1998 model. For example an ET4 2001 mudguard on my 1998?

2. Seat lock - now I know this sounds dodgy but no, I am not trying to steal!! My seat opens however it cannot lock due to the framework below being     broken. How does one go about fixing this? 

3. Top box - it's so difficult to open, I managed once but then it got jammed when I tried to lock it again SO rather than struggle I want to replace the lock and key barrel completely. If possible, how? 

4. Seat cover - this one is fairly obvious but I wanted to know if anyone has personally stapled a new cover to their seat and how that turned out? Mine has a few holes here and there which just makes it look scruffy.

5. Dashboard/speedometer plastic (?) - functionally, it's working fine it's just a case of the plastic covering that has a crack. Does anyone know if that plastic screen which covers each of the dials is replaceable instead of buying a whole new dashboard? 

I think that's it for now.
Thank you in advance to anyone who replies - as you can probably tell, i'm new to this! 

Natalie

[henri]

aah london eh ,thats why ya insewerants is 300.
1 dont know for sure ,but dont think there were any major changes to forks/muddys so should fit.
2 sounds like a welding job if the catch isnt bolted on .
3 is it a piaggio genuine 1 . i wouldnt worry about locking it ,dont ever leave anything in it when parked in london,if its locked they will just lever it open an break it .leave it empty/unlocked .
4 re-doing a seat covers fairly easy ,but you need a heavy duty upholsterers staple gun . the trick is to warm the new cover with a hair dryer before fitting so as it cools/shrinks any small wrinkles will stretch out . note how the old ones folded/fitted an re-create that ,an get the best quality seat cover you can .some cheapy ones will never fit right .
5 the plastic speedo covers on newer piaggios are a nightmare ,they suffer badly from UV damage an cracking ,ive never found a supplier in this country but believe "sip scooter shop" in germany might sell them . H

[raf]

Hi,

I may know answer to number 2. as I had to sort that out for my scooter as it has dodgy piece of metal screwed in at the moment. For seat lock do you mean this:

www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Vespa-Piaggio-/122303/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=Seat+plate+seat+bracket+seat+lock+et4&_sop=15

?

[studentonavespa]

Thanks very much for the suggestions Henri, just had a look on the website and found the plastic speedo cover for £22 (let's hope delivery isn't too much!)
Raf I think that's what i'm looking for thank you. I'd like to take some photos of the seat lock but my uncle is currently having a look over the bike at his place. I'll try to post some as soon as I can

[henri]

all sip deliverys under 25kg are 4.5 euros if memorys workin today . bout 3.50 in real money . H

[djloone]

Welcome..gotta admit i know less than 0 about et4s but there are plenty here that,ll see you right

LOON-E