TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION P_190894_TC_EN

23/10/2019

Model: Vespa GTS ABS
Subject: improvement of the brake system bleeding procedure
Reference Technical Bulletins:
1) 001-2015 of 09/01/2015 (Brake system bleeding)

Dear Dealer / Service Centre,
We hereby inform you that a new specific procedure has been developed that improves the
bleeding effectiveness on the Vespa GTS ABS.
This new procedure replaces the procedure referred to in the reference. The manuals are
being updated.

The operation requires a total of 75 minutes
Materials required: 2 screws with bleeder + O-Ring + 4 washers (KIT code: 1R000467)
Signalling mode: warranty entry on specific operation code IA0991
Refund: with warranty entry of KIT code (material) and operation code (labor).

To guarantee the maximum effectiveness of the procedure it is fundamental to apply it in a
precise and strict manner.

The new procedure is as follows:

Page 1 of 13

Procedure for bleeding Front brake circuit
Remove the rear view mirrors and any
accessories fitted to permit removal of the
handlebar covers complete with headlamp.
Cover the bodywork of the vehicle adequately
to protect against damage and spilt fluid.
Turn the handlebar fully to the right to allow
unimpeded access for working on the front
brake system.
Dry the area in the vicinity of the master
cylinder with absorbent paper and remove the
connector with the relative copper washers.

Fit the bleeding kit fitting with bleed nipple,
P/N AP8133945 with new copper washers,
P/N AP8113004, and loosen the bleed nipple
nut to open. (Note: These items are found in
kit 1R000467)

Page 2 of 13

Check the brake fluid level in the reservoir.
Top up if necessary.

N.B: use DOT 4 brake fluid

Connect one end of a transparent tube to the
bleed nipple, placing the other end of the tube
into a suitable container.
The tube must be kept curved, forming a
bend above the level of the nipple so that the
column of fluid draining from the nipple
always

drains

upwards

and

never

downwards.
Operate the front brake lever and bleed the
master cylinder via the bleed nipple, turning
the handlebar fully to the right.
Observe the fluid bled from the nipple to see if
it contains air bubbles. Close the bleed nipple.
Operate the master cylinder again, loosen the
bleed nipple and check if the fluid contains air
bubbles.
Repeat the procedure until only brake fluid
containing no air bubbles is bled from the
nipple for three consecutive check cycles.

IMPORTANT:
Check the level in the brake master cylinder
reservoir frequently during this procedure.

Page 3 of 13

Lower the container and the tube and
disconnect the drain tube to prevent loss of
brake fluid.

Open the lid of the master cylinder reservoir,
top up with fluid to the correct level and close
the lid of the master cylinder.

Support the vehicle adequately.
Remove the front wheel, removing the
fastener screws and the relative washers.

Page 4 of 13

Remove the front wheel.

Loosen the bleed nipple on the brake calliper
in preparation for the next step in the
procedure.

Turn the handlebar slightly to the right to
facilitate the bleeding process.
Fit the bleed tube, curving it to form a bend
above the level of the bleed nipple.

Page 5 of 13

Operate the brake master cylinder, loosen the
bleed nipple on the brake calliper and check if
the fluid bled contains air bubbles.
Repeat the procedure until only brake fluid
containing no air bubbles is bled from the
nipple for three consecutive check cycles.

IMPORTANT:
Check the level in the reservoir continuously
and top up if necessary.
Remove the bleed tube.

Remove the front brake calliper and the
mount, undoing the fastener screws.

Page 6 of 13

Operate the front brake lever very slowly to
bring the front brake pads into contact with
each other.

Keeping the handlebar turned to the left,
separate the brake pads in a single rapid
movement to transfer the brake fluid into the
brake master cylinder reservoir.
This step is necessary to bleed the line.

Repeat the previous procedure, bringing the
brake pads into contact with each other.
Pressurise the circuit for a few seconds and
then release the brake master cylinder lever
rapidly.
Refit the calliper on the brake disc and fit and
tighten the fastener screws, with the relative
washers, to the specified torque.

Tightening torque
Brake calliper - Calliper mount
24 to 27 Nm

Page 7 of 13

Fit the O-ring P/N 006731, as shown in the
figure. (Note: Found in kit 1R000467)

Place one end of the calliper gauge on the
end of the hand grip as shown in the photo.

N.B.:
It is not necessary to remove the bar end
weight, which has been removed in the photo
solely to illustrate the procedure more clearly.
Place the other end of the calliper gauge on
the brake lever as shown in the photo.
Measure the distance between the brake
lever and the end of the hand grip. The
distance must be at least 103 mm.

IMPORTANT: I the distance measured is not
correct, repeat the entire bleeding procedure
from the start.

Page 8 of 13

Procedure for bleeding REAR brake circuit
Dry the area in the vicinity of the master
cylinder with absorbent paper and remove the
connector with the relative copper washers.

Fit the bleeding kit fitting with bleed nipple,
P/N AP8133945 with new copper washers,
P/N AP8113004, and loosen the bleed nipple
nut to open. (Found in Kit 1R000467)

Check the brake fluid level in the reservoir.
Top up if necessary.

N.B: use DOT 4 brake fluid

Page 9 of 13

Connect one end of a transparent tube to the
bleed nipple, placing the other end of the tube
into a suitable container.
The tube must be kept curved, forming a
bend above the level of the nipple so that the
column of fluid draining from the nipple
always

drains

upwards

and

never

downwards.
Operate the rear brake lever and bleed the
master cylinder via the bleed nipple, turning
the handlebar fully to the left.
Observe the fluid bled from the nipple to see if
it contains air bubbles. Close the bleed nipple.
Operate the master cylinder again, loosen the
bleed nipple and check if the fluid contains air
bubbles.
Repeat the procedure until only brake fluid
containing no air bubbles is bled from the
nipple for three consecutive check cycles.

IMPORTANT:
Check the level in the brake master cylinder
reservoir frequently during this procedure.
Lower the container and the tube and
disconnect the drain tube to prevent loss of
brake fluid.

Page 10 of 13

Open the lid of the master cylinder reservoir,
top up with fluid to the correct level and close
the lid of the master cylinder.

Connect one end of a transparent tube to the
bleed nipple, placing the other end of the tube
into a suitable container.
The tube must be kept curved, forming a
bend above the level of the nipple so that the
column of fluid draining from the nipple
always

drains

upwards

and

never

downwards.
Operate the brake master cylinder, loosen the
bleed nipple on the brake calliper and check if
the fluid bled contains air bubbles.
Repeat the procedure until only brake fluid
containing no air bubbles is bled from the
nipple for three consecutive check cycles.

IMPORTANT:
Check the level in the reservoir continuously
and top up if necessary.

Page 11 of 13

Fit the O-ring P/N 006731, as shown in the
figure. (Note: Found in Kit 1R000467)

Place the other end of the calliper gauge on
the brake lever as shown in the photo.

Place one end of the calliper gauge on the
end of the hand grip as shown in the photo.
Measure the distance between the brake
lever and the end of the hand grip. The
distance must be at least 103 mm.

N.B.:
It is not necessary to remove the end of the
handlebar, which has been removed in the
photo solely to illustrate the procedure more
clearly.

IMPORTANT: I the distance measured is not
correct, repeat the entire bleeding procedure
from the start.

Page 12 of 13

Refit the rubber caps on all the bleed nipples.

Please accept our
Best regards,
Piaggio & C. SpA
Business Unit Aftersales
Operations & Technical Service

Page 13 of 13