Modern Vespa

Hi!

Last week, I picked up a 2008 Stella 2T with 600-some-odd miles on it. ($1000-pretty good deal, even) Runs OK, but it's sat a while. Not my first motorpickle, but my first scooter, so I'm figuring out the intricacies of LML stuff.

A few questions for you all:

1.) A lot of the rubber bits had dry-rotted and cracked for sitting for so long-most glaringly, the bellows between the frame and the carb. I ordered a new bellows and boy those things are a pain to install. What's the best way to put that on? Pull the tank and reach inside?

2.) On the topic of pulling the tank, in looking for a way to install the bellows, I removed the tank to discover a small pool of oil collecting in the flat bit of the frame, next to the oil indicator. Provided it's (hopefully) not the tank itself, where are the achilles heels of the oil system? Which gaskets would be most likely to dry-rot and leak over the course of a decade or so?

3.) Most of the rubber is in not-that-hot shape. Excepting the tires (already on the list), what are the most valuable, necessary rubber bits to replace?

Thanks!

The Stella was infamous for the low quality of its rubber parts. Regarding advice about the bellows and oil injection tank, my suggestion is to pose your questions on the Modern Buddy Stella site. Some folks here on the Not so Modern Forum may be helpful as well due to their familiarity with the similar P/PX series scooters.

http://www.modernbuddy.com/forum/forum14.html

Thanks! Clearly stumbling my way in the dark around this forum.

I also own a Stella in addition to modern Vespas.

On the bellow question, man-handling it the only way to get it on.

For the oil puddle inside the frame, it could be from a crack in the site-glass. Get a new site-glass as replace before you re-install the gas tank.

You're going to also find that wiring under the headset inadequate. Turn signal indicator wiring and such break because the wire is barely long enough to do the job.

Once you get the issues worked out from sitting so long, it should be a fun bike. But because its "vintage" and Indian in origin, it will be less reliable. So be prepared.

I have a 2003 with 26,000 miles on it that I've owned for 15 years. Once I got all the typical Indian gremlins sorted out over the years, it because a fine machine.

Wow, that is amazing in a good karma sorta way, keep on trucking/scooting