Vespa PX forks fitting

[john1964]

Hi all, John here from East Riding of Yorkshire - needing to get out on my PX!!!

Just re-building my PX after full respray & engine build.

I'm running weeks behind though because of problems fitting the forks.

The top of the fork column looks to be too high & there is a gap between the headset bottom & top of the frame. Because of this, the headset didn't line up with the notch in the forks and unbelievably I broke THREE whilst tightening them up!

On to my forth headset bottom I thought I would get a new set of forks - this is costing me a fortune by the way - to see if this would sort it.

All of the bearings and bearing seats are fitted correctly & in the right order, but still the fork column is too high in the frame and when the headset bottom is lined up & fixed with the pinch bolt, there is a 10 mm gap between it & top of the frame. The headset bottom can not be lowered as (1) it sits on the locking washer & (2) it wouldn't line up with the notch in the fork stem. This is where I probably broke the last three as it wasn't lined up correctly.

I also tried to add another bearing set at the bottom of the fork stem where the bearing sits into the frame as a bit of trial & error to reduce the height of the fork column at the top - but this was also a pointless exercise as the steering column lock wouldn't work & the mudguard catches on the legshields

So back to square one, if anyone can help please - really stuck for anything else to try?

1 - has anyone seen this problem before
2 - are there "thinner" washers that are available to use at the top of the fork column
3 - can you shim the bottom end slightly to reduce the gap at the top
4 - most importantly, are there different fork lengths / column that may be causing this problem

Thanks in advance

John

[Jock]

most importantly, are there different fork lengths / Yes you will have to measure the fork stem - then search the internet , for the different lengths off stem to match them to your frame , make sure they are Piaggio forks going in a Piaggio frame , possibly LML wont match , I do not know as never tried to mix and match - but sound like the forks are the wrong type for your frame.
Have you got the correct bearing set etc - if buying from ebay, could possibly be the wrong type of parts supplied. Do a search on your vin number to get the correct year and model , no matter what the number plate and v5
says.

From SIP website
We have carefully chosen our standard steering columns and therefore offer them in superb original equipment manufacturer quality.



For Vespa P150X/P150-200E/Lusso 1°



On the last 'PX old' and the first Lusso models, a 'hybrid' steering column was used. This has the steering lock attachment and steering shaft diameter of the previous steering columns, but left the factory with an axial diameter of 20mm. Owners of 1983 models should therefore check exactly which steering columns they are using prior to order. Either measure it on the scooter or compare the chassis number in our shop.

[john1964]

Thanks Dave,

the frame is a 1998 Disc,though I bought forks separately- - I'm thinking that there may be different lengths of forks, even if it's only 10 mm.
The link has the axial diameter of 20 mm & I bought genuine bearings from Buzzsolomoto but have ordered a new lower bearing seat to see if it is a thicker gauge

Thought this would be an "easy" resto

Cheers

[phattanglo]

Would you be able to post a pic of the top bearing and lock nut/spacers as it's hard to visualise what's stopping the headset bottom being in the right position.
Can I just check, so above the top inner race there's just the spacer and the locknut and then the headset bottom is sitting directly on top of this?
I only ask as it sounds like there are too many spacers or something.