Modern Vespa

In early November I am probably going to start redoing two 2003 stellas, I know those aren't old, and shouldn't have to be redone so early in their life, but they have been sitting in someones yard covered in spider webs and untouched for a very very long time.
Most of the problems are cosmetic, but on the tangerine one there is a fuel leak. The problem is apparently that when you take off the back part of the body (if you are sitting on the seat it is the right side underneath you) there is a black box (I didnt see it, so I am just repeating what I was told) that has a threaded plug in it. This original plug was lost and they just put a random plug in it, it doesnt fit right and is not the proper thread, so there is still a fuel leak.
Any ideas on how to get a replacement plug?!?!?!

edit: added photos. let me know what you guys think!

Nothing should have to be "redone" on those scooters. Just clean them off and give them a go. You might possibly have to drain the old gas (if any) and fill it with some fresh gas, but that's about it.

As for this "plug", you're really going to need a better description. The black box you're talking about is the carb box. It houses the carburetor. There could very well be a fuel leak coming from there, but I can't think of anything plug-like in there. If you get some close-up pictures of the engine and open carb box, post them here. We might be able to see something wrong.

If you're talking about the spark plug, that's on the very front of the engine, poking through the plastic cooling shroud. Replace it with a B7ES.

Thanks for your reply. I am swinging by their house tomorrow to take some pictures of the scooters. I will post them all tomorrow. I will make sure to get a close up of the box I was told about. As far as the "redone" part, a lot of stuff has rusted, so body parts will need to be replaced. The horn cast, the mirrors, mirror stems, the speedometers, and on one of them the part of the body that covers the spare tire, it has a huge chunk of paint scratched off and it rusted in that area (that might be able to be buffed down and repainted though.) Also, they probably need new tires, and the electric start no longer works on either of them, but I am just hoping they need new batteries (that was the case with my ET2 when I bought it anyway.) - I dont know if that sounds like a LOT to take on or not, but they are only $400 each, so I am selling my ET2 and buying both stellas, with a little money left to fix them up, and that seems like an amazing deal to me. anyway, I am rambling, thanks again, and pictures will be up tomorrow!

You may not need to replace the rusted parts (mirrors, etc). My mirrors had some rust when I got my used 2005 Stella. I got some 0000 steel wool and some polish and it worked great. You should be able to get the rust off the speedometer as well. What part of the horncast is rusted? It should be plastic. Is it the grating part? I'd try to fix what you have first before you go spending lots of money to replace the parts.

I am sorry, I think I just worded everything awkwardly, the horncast is one of the only parts I need to replace that isn't because of rust. It is smashed up. I am posting pictures tomorrow so you will see, I would love some input from you once pictures are up!

You should be fine for a few more years but the seals on those stella engines suck and will need to be replaced but also the carbon on the piston has got to be built up also on the cap and B8ES would be much better then a B7 also change the plug every 1000 miles along with oil and also degrease the engine

You should be able to get your parts without any problem, actually I just bought some turn signals and stella mirrors for my P from someone on scoot.net that actually offered me a stella horncast yesterday. Obviously I have no use for a stella horncast. I can PM you his email if you wish to get into contact with him.

That would be awesome, I would really appreciate that! If you are at all interested in further input, I am going to post pictures of them in an hour or so!

PM sent can't wait to see pictures

That bolt doesn't matter - mine doesn't have anything there. 2 strokes are dirty bikes, with that cap removed, the dirt just goes outside of the motor insteaad of getting cooped up inside and requiring a cleaning. I could probably get both of those in top running shape for under $25 - for the pair.

well the person is telling me that there is a gas leak, so he turned it on, and looked, and it was coming from that bolt. so if he is wrong, what is my next step? Also, I am interested to know what you would do to get them nice and running for $25, please inform me! I would really appreciate any input you have. thank you in advance!

the rust on the speedo isn't that bad I mean it kind of is, but steel wool should set you straight. Just pop the headset off and take the speedo out. It's super easy. As for the rest of the rust, really just sand those spots down real quick tape off the rest of the cowl and fender and shoot it with some primer from auto zone. that can be done really quick as well. If you hate the primer on the scoot, then throw some stickers over it when your done. The parts by the shock are the fork and something for the disc brake which i don't know what it is cause i'm only familiar with drum brakes.... the shock just looks scratched up though. other than that, you found yourself quite a steal getting two scooters for $800 dollars total. and they are practically brand new! Nothing wrong with these bikes, it's all small cosmetic crap. Awesome deal.

- Nick

Just polish them up and they'll look nice and shiny and new!

-Nick

If gas is running out when turned out - the float is most likely stuck. Rebuild kits for these carbs are cheap as chips. That and a can of carb cleaner should get you a working scoot.

$400 each is a smoking deal. Polish them up a bit and ride them like you stole them, because you did!