Modern Vespa

First post here guys, I am not new to scooters, but this will be my first older two stroke scoot. I have owned modern 4T Vespas in the past and even a 50cc Yamaha Zuma 2T alongside a myriad of 2T dirt bikes and 70's enduros.

I'll be bringing home a new to me 2009 Genuine Stella 150 2T this weekend. It has belonged to a buddy since new and has a few extra bits like a Prima pipe and bar work, roughly 9K miles on the odo. Never been down/wrecked, no rust, garage kept. It has far too many stickers and I am not a fan of the pipe work/guards which he stated is pitting in areas. He swapped in a new battery, cleaned the carb and the tires are relatively new. It runs, shifts, starts, stops, kicks, idles, so it's pretty much ready to go short of an inspection and reregistering it in my name.

I plan to remove the bar work and de-crhome most of it. I am thinking about a new set of wheels/tires/tubes soon but I have no idea which tires to consider. Any suggestions on spare parts and maintenance I should pick up or consider doing soon?

Congratulations on your Stella and welcome to the forum. Post a picture of your machine!

I pulled previous owner stickers off my Stella 4T also. A couple were doing a poor job of covering body damage, which I repaired in what I consider a more attractive, but definitely not show quality, manner.

I've been happy with the Michelin S83 tires I put on my machine. It was still sporting the factory SAVAs. I changed the rubber myself, which was very easy with the split hubs.

I can't comment on recommendations for 2T maintenance, except to suggest lubricating the shifter and clutch cables early and often, replacing these is quite a chore I hear.

Thanks for the reply! I just got her home earlier this evening and I took her around the neighborhood for a spin, what a hoot. It could use a few new rubber bits and I think the center stand is likely tweaked a touch as it leans ever so slightly to the right side. Any idea where I can get the reinforced corners center stand others have mentioned? I have a large list of parts to purchase next week and I plan to start removing a lot of the bar work tomorrow since the weather is crap here at the moment.

Obligatory in transport photo.

https://www.scootermercato.com/Scooter-Parts/Centerstands_2/176160-R

I like to shop at ScooterMercato. MotorSportScooters in San Diego are awesome also. And there a ton of other shops. Just check the list at the top of the NSM forum. It's extensive.

I am diggin the Day of the Dead sticker on your Stella

Some stickers you just can't remove. I've got stickers on all three of my scooters that came from previous owners or, ahem, well intentioned MVers.

They tell a story for sure - but some of them - they gotta go. Like the towtruck sticker that was on the Stella! I like to stick stickers to sheet magnets and then I can move them around or not have them on at all...

Overall it's a pretty clean and dent/scratch free scoot. The stickers have been on there for 10+ years and have quite literally turned into rock hard acrylic and no amount of heat was going to release them. I am not a fan of all of the Prima and Cuppini bar work, guards, pegs, windscreen, etc., etc., etc. so all of that had to come off as well.

Here is what I started with, lots of bar work and loud stickers that in no way represent me or my interests lol.







Step one done, all of the bar work removed, much better!




Step two complete, all decals/stickers removed and de-gunked. I'll definitely need to compound/polish/wax the front of the leg shield in order to remove total evidence of the Dia de los Muertos skull sticker.





So much cleaner than before IMHO. A laundry list of bits and accessories is on order and few maintenance items yet to be addressed and she'll ready for some fun.




A video clip of it idling this afternoon, dammit if that Prima pipe isn't loud lol. Maybe it's time to repack it?

[img]https://i.imgur.com/YHBU7z4.mp4[/img]

Most excellent!

Yeah, those Prima pipes are insanely loud. I had one on my Stella for a hot minute, but couldn't stand the noise of it. I suspect you'll come to feel the same way unless you're seriously into the Loud Pipes Save Lives school of safety.

If you want something that works just as well but isn't nearly as loud, consider picking up a Big Box or even Polini box exhaust.

That's a sweet looking bike and even better that it's in such great shape. I have that same rear rack on my Stella and put a film crate on it (it's like a milk crate, but much bigger) so I can use it as an errand runner.

I liked the Dios sticker, but I get it that it's not for everyone. I'm glad you're going to be keeping the scoot on the road however you roll.

The Stellas tended to have sloppy tolerances on the motors, so if you feel like tearing it down at some point, you can do a little bit of blueprinting and o-tuning and get something that performs a lot better than stock.

The scoot starts reliably and runs pretty well, it's a little fat/rich if you ask me and it does leave some spooge on the ground over night. I think it could use a carb rebuild but I am wondering if the seals on the motor should be done too? Should I pull the tanks and check them for leaks like qascooter did? How far does one go here? I've never messed with a Vespa/Stella 2T before so I am not sure what I'll be getting into here if I tackle it myself.

Slow and steady, and one thing at a time. If you bite off too much, it can become overwhelming, then it's no fun.

I go to a zen place when I'm working on the scooter, but I'm limited in time, so I do little things that'll still allow me to ride. I don't like a scooter in pieces for more than a day.

I agree, I need to take it one step at a time, I am just used to knowing my bike and this thing is an oddity to me. The left side switch housing for the headlight and horn is loose yet the new hardware is screwed all the way in and the headlight works and looks good but is separating at the edges now. There's just so many little odd failures like that or things I consider sub standard that need to be addressed, at least to my expectations.

Start by pressure washing the engine.
Then change the gear oil. If it smells like gas - the clutch seal is blown which means rebuild.
Then get a carb rebuild kit and clean and rebuild.

Make sure to get the appropriate gaskets for a Stella. When I bought mine, someone used what they had and didn't fit properly, causing oil to run down the back of the engine. I'm surprised I didn't blow it up with Chris when we gave it an "Italian Tuneup".

The clean engine will tell you where it's leaking oil, or gas. Also, look at the floorboard seams real good, they may be oozing gas and or oil from the tanks in the cavity.

Hope this helps.

I took everyone's advice and called up Dave at Scooter Mercato, we chatted for a bit and he suggested starting with rebuilding the carb, air box and oil injection pump so I ordered the listed items below at his direction. I'll start with this and see where it goes from there, considering the fact that it kicks and runs reliably now I don't expect the need for a full engine rebuild at the moment. I also told him that the Prima pipe was way too much for my liking so I ordered the Malossi Power Classic Box exhaust at his suggestion, should drop some weight as well.

I got her inspected (she passed yay) as well as titled/registered/insured this morning. Hopefully this project will be done in the next month and she'll be ready for some spring time riding.

*Malossi Power Classic Exhaust for P125/150
*Carb, Filter, Carb Mixture Chamber SI Carbs
*Carb, Gasket, Oil Pump, P Series
*OILLINE Oil Line for Injected Vintage Vespa's 24"
*FUELLINE Fuel, Fuel Line
*Carb, Gasket, Carb to Box, VSX
*Carb, Gasket, Carb to Box, VNX
*Gasket Between Air Box and Reed Block, Injected LML
*Gasket Between Case and Reed Block, Injected LML
*Carb, Rebuild Kit for SI Carbs

I am considering just stripping this thing down now and doing everything right from the beginning, maybe a rebuild and baseline on all components and then just enjoy it. If I were to send the motor out to ScooterMercato for a rebuild would y'all suggest I do a simple rebuild or take the opportunity to do a top end kit like a Malossi, Polini, DR, 166 or 177? I am not trying to ride this scoot at 50+ steadily, it's an around town ped and I want it to be reliable and well taken care of. So what says the hive?

I'd put a kit on it, either a VMC177 or a BGM 177. They're about the same price and either onc will give you a significant boost in performance without reducing reliability.

I use the BGM on highly tuned motors and while the nature of that beast is having to to overhaul them much more frequently, it's almost always a first kick start, including after sitting for extended periods of time.

The parts I ordered from Scooter Mercato on Tuesday mid-day were to me by Thursday afternoon, that's incredible. Excellent service all around, will definitely buy from them again. The following parts listed below are on the way as well. Hopefully after a little compound/wax/polish, rebuilding the oil injector system, carb and air box along with a refresh from the following parts, I'll have a nice running, looking, and sounding P/PX wannabe lol.

*Vespa P/PX grips (mine are pulling back from the bars)
*Black 3.5x10 split rim wheels (look better than silver)
*Fender Crest black (to get rid of the chrome one)
*Legshield Trim black (no more chrome, damaged in some areas)
*Euro Taillight PX style black trim (no more chrome)
*Complete Rubber kit P-Series/Stella (all of it needs replacing)
*Headlamp PX/Stella (mine is separating at the edge)
*Michelin S1 3.5x10 scooter tires

It might be a little late, but don't install that particular *FUELLINE. That particular fuel hose rhymes with "fleece of spit". It hardens up with the presence of fuel. Use a different brand hose, such as Toyox (not Tygon). https://www.sip-scootershop.com/en/product/fuel-hose-toyox_40281300

Good to know. I haven't installed it yet so thanks for the heads up.

Scooter Mercato also has the TOYOX fuel line:

https://www.scootermercato.com/40281300

Slightly more expensive but you avoid the overseas shipping. The fuel line quick connector seems like a good idea as well.

If somebody near my part of the country is interested in acquiring one of these Stella 2T machines, I see that a couple have come up for sale on the local craigslist:

A somewhat beat up, but running, silver 2003 with around 7400 miles, asking price $1500:
https://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/mcy/d/melrose-park-2003-genuine-stella/7454279871.html

A clean 2008, in light blue with only 5400 miles, asking price $2500:
https://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/mcy/d/chicago-2008-genuine-stella-scooter/7443966339.html Is that the factory tires?

I consider the Chicago area a very good place to find reasonably priced, low mileage motos. I think that the relatively high average income, the relatively short riding season, and the high population density, all contribute to create a favorable 2nd hand market. It doesn't hurt that most folks have garages. I personally find it very attractive that absolutely no inspections of these vehicles are required, not for emissions, not for safety, not for anything. If I show up at the DMV with a title, I'm leaving within the half hour with plates. And, SO much cheaper than licensing a 4 wheeled vehicle.

Also, the fact that Genuine (Stella) was started in Chicago meant that they always had a relatively large footprint there locally.

Unfortunately here in Texas they still have to pass the full motorcycle safety inspection before they can be tagged and registered. I feel a lot better about what I paid for mine after seeing those prices for rougher examples.

Just out of curiosity where in Texas are you? If you are anywhere close to Dallas there is a place called Kyle's Scooter Shop (469) 438-4016, just in case you get in over your head. He's is an expert in vintage Vespas and Stellas. I just purchased a bunch of the chrome pieces that you recently removed from your scooter ha ha. What did you end up doing with all that chrome?

I am just south of Houston. I am aware of Kyle's shop, we've talked about scoots and prices for services and he's a touch high on his prices IMHO lol. All of the chrome parts are in the garage awaiting someone else's scooter lol. I want it all gone so if you know of anyone looking I'll fire sale the stuff to move it.

I'll definitely let you know if any of my buddies are looking for chrome parts. I would have totally bought them from you if i had seen this post like three days earlier. Did the cowl protectors just attach to the existing lower license plate holes or does it look like you need to do new holes? My parts are arriving next week so I'm going to try to install it all myself.

They attach to the existing holes. Pretty straight forward install when you have it in front of you.

I'm not a big fan of chrome that's only there for the polishing, but I do like racks and rails I can bungee to.

Maybe take a few pictures and put an ad in this forum's "For Sale / Wanted" section?

I have a for sale ad in the PX/Classifieds. I can add a general pic of the entire lot for those interested.

New hoops and shoes, love it. I always forget how much I despise mounting small tires until I am about two minutes into it lol. All of the rebuild and de-chrome-athon bits showed up today, I plan to have this refresh done in the next few weeks.