debadge?

[JoshWED]

anyone ever stripped off all the badges?

is this commensurate in bad luck to renaming a sea-going vessel?

[Halloweenie]

I have seen many people do it. So long as you do not stick Vespa badges on you are good. I have just the one on the legshield, I think that looks good.

[loodieboy]

IMHO, debadging is fine but rebranding is poor form. In my case, I removed the cowl badges but left the legshield badge after painting it black.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/loodie/4461576641/" title="badge by loodieisthebestest, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4031/446 ... e1ea_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="badge" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/loodie/5020405344/" title="Smart Scoot by loodieisthebestest, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4131/502 ... bd6e_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Smart Scoot" /></a>

[JoshWED]

exactly along the lines i'm thinking. i want room for paint and stickers on the cowls...but am considering leaving the leg shield badge.

[JoshWED]

IMHO, debadging is fine but rebranding is poor form. In my case, I removed the cowl badges but left the legshield badge after painting it black.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/loodie/4461576641/" title="badge by loodieisthebestest, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4031/446 ... e1ea_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="badge" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/loodie/5020405344/" title="Smart Scoot by loodieisthebestest, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4131/502 ... bd6e_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Smart Scoot" /></a>

black looks cool. i like black better than chrome...where did you find the rack? i've only seen mod black cowl guards. did you paint chrome?

[lilmyk]

I used to have a rebadged Suzuki Samarai as a Volvo.
No one bashed me.

I might even debadge my Stella and rebadge her as a Mack, with a bulldog on the fender.

Probably poor form, but I do have a trucker lady on the mudflap....

[ericalm]

Do you suffer from mistaken model syndrome?
http://jalopnik.com/5651089/do-you-suff ... l-syndrome


Don't let this happen to you.

[JunkyardDog]

It depends on a lot of things. Are you trying to commit fraud? If not, who cares? I removed all the badges from my Stella (except for the one on the speedo, don't know how to get to that one)


I used to own a copy of a '72 Chevelle SS396, complete with all stripes, emblems, trim, wheels, and a cowl hood. Parked side by side with a real one you couldn't tell them apart. Except, mine started as a base model, and had a crate 350 under that cowl hood. This is very common in the car hobby, and is perfectly acceptable as long as the owner does not try to pass it off as the real thing. It's simply a customized car. I always called mine an SS396 "clone". I loved the look, but no way could I afford the $50,000+ it would have cost for a real one. The VIN will tell whether it is real or not.

Then you get into the kit car scene, with copies of expensive cars built on VW, Fiero, and even Lincoln Town Car chassis. Again, this is just a hobby. There are tens of thousands of Shelby Cobras around, 99+% of them are replicas. All the real ones that are left are in the hands of collectors, and wouldn't be safe to drive anyway. There are many companies in the car hobby business building everything from replica parts to kits to build replica cars, to complete turn key ready to drive cars.

And I keep hearing that the Stella is just as good as a Vespa, and is an exact copy of a Vespa, made by a company that used to make real Vespas, so what's wrong with a Vespa "clone" or "replica" as long as you are not trying to sell it as a Vespa. Besides, anybody who knows Vespas would spot it a mile away. Turns out it is NOT just like a Vespa. If it was, it wouldn't break down. Jerry.

[JoshWED]

Turns out it is NOT just like a Vespa. If it was, it wouldn't break down. Jerry.

Your posts are so tired and predictable.

[JunkyardDog]

If the Stella hasn't changed (still breaking down on a regular basis) why should my posts? It would be great to be able to ride my Stella 20,000 miles with no problems so I could post about how reliable it is. Sorry for repeating the truth so many times. Jerry.

[ericalm]

It would be great to be able to ride my Stella 20,000 miles with no problems so I could post about how reliable it is.

That wouldn't happen with any Vespa, either.

[loodieboy]

black looks cool. i like black better than chrome...where did you find the rack? i've only seen mod black cowl guards. did you paint chrome?

I got the rack mail order from Beedspeed in the UK. I did paint chromed plastic with no problems but I think painting chromed steel may be a tricky proposition. I've never tried.

I might even debadge my Stella and rebadge her as a Mack, with a bulldog on the fender.

Probably poor form, but I do have a trucker lady on the mudflap....

Twin stebels and a large cross in lights on the front grill will complete that package.

JunkyardDog, sorry you've had rotten luck with your Stella. And I hear you on customizing and kitting, but I don't think slapping a Vespa badge on a Stella qualifies as either. LML is in the unique position of being able to crank out time-warped PX150's, but you're right, they're not Vespas, they're Stellas. And that's why I think rebadging is bad form. Well, except with Mack bulldogs.

[JoshWED]

thanks loodie.

yeah, i've read up on painting chrome and it seems a pain.

[jmkjr72]

IMHO, debadging is fine but rebranding is poor form. In my case, I removed the cowl badges but left the legshield badge after painting it black.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/loodie/4461576641/" title="badge by loodieisthebestest, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4031/446 ... e1ea_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="badge" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/loodie/5020405344/" title="Smart Scoot by loodieisthebestest, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4131/502 ... bd6e_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Smart Scoot" /></a>

black looks cool. i like black better than chrome...where did you find the rack? i've only seen mod black cowl guards. did you paint chrome?

i got that rack in black from scooter works last year so did danbuddy before he sold his stella

[JunkyardDog]

Actually chrome is not that hard to paint, but it does have to be sanded well. I use plumbers cloth to sand small things like tubular racks, handlebars, etc. It's time consuming but has turned out well for me. I painted the whole chrome front bumper on my truck black by first going over it with a paint removing wheel in a drill. The paint stuck well, and came out smooth and glossy. I didn't even use primer. Jerry.

[loodieboy]

i got that rack in black from scooter works last year so did danbuddy before he sold his stella

Just checked Scooterworks' website and they do indeed have a black rear rack for the Stella here. It appears slightly different - looks like there is a bar that extends far forward over front of the cowls? Mine doesn't have that. I'm surprised to see that even with shipping, I got my rack for a couple bucks cheaper than the Scooterworks' offering. However, there are two shortcomings with the Euro version: 1) it makes it difficult to remove the cowls (very little clearance), and 2) it doesn't match the holes on the Stella fender, so a little drilling and fiddling is in order. Notice how I had to raise the license plate and plug the existing lower holes with reflectors. (The crookity appearance of the rack is a camera angle optical delusion).

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/loodie/4542931425/" title="Plate by loodieisthebestest, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4048/454 ... 33cd_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="Plate" /></a>

[JoshWED]

Well at least we use velcro in DC

[Lovelandstella]

Technically the Stella is already De-badged. Physically made by LML in India. from an Italian design (for all "Stella" models before 2010), and in other countries/continents it is further Re-badged. In Europe it's the "Star" (Ironic, as "Stella" is Italian for "Star", apparently vehicles sell better with foreign names ). In Australia it's the "Belladonna" (pretty). And of course in India, it’s the “LML NV” (for “new vespa”). And on the moon, it’s the “Earth Ranger”… Okay I made the last one up .
The point being, whatever anyone’s feelings toward “Debadging” this particular scoot- it’s kind of a moot point. It’s really already been done. (from a certian point of view)

Personally, I say pay homage to Genuine for bringing it to us in the 1st place (well technically the 2nd place after Vespa bowed out) by keeping the genuine hexagon in the horn cast and then feel free to take off the rest and make your own. (and keep a handful of dealership business cards in the glove box so when someone asks “what is that?”- you can just give then a card- more sales equals more friends right?).
I haven’t done it yet, but once I name my real scoot, I will change the one of badges to the name. probably using a site like this: http://chromeemblems.com/ind-letters-numbers.aspx

[PeterC]

My 1980 Yamaha gas golf cart got rebadged after I customized it with a pickup bed, gun rack, klaxon horn, etc. It became a Peterbilt, since "Peter built it."

[killbilly]

Someone did a faked BMW logo for Versys owners that says "KMW" on it. It's subtle, and you have to look closely. Seen a few of those.

A lot of those guys de-badge the Versys and enjoy people looking at it saying..."Is that a Ducati? No....BMW, right? Maybe an Aprilia?"

[illnoise]

[quote="Lovelandstella"](Ironic, as "Stella" is Italian for "Star", apparently vehicles sell better with foreign names :lol: ).

Not ironic so much as clever. Genuine's re-branding, advertising, and detailing are really what set it apart from it's then-competitor, the india-tastic Bajaj Chetak.

Bb.

[illnoise]

Also, if you're looking for a subtle change, I always disliked that the "Stella" script badge aped the pre-1973 Vespa logo, while the P-series was introduced in the late 70s when Vespa used their slap-serif lowercase logo.

Luckily, someone at Stellaspeed has manufactured "stella" badges to match the 70s Vespa look, I think they look way more appropriate on a Stella, ha.

topic6963.html#83978

(Funny that it's easier to find a photo of it on MB than at Stellaspeed, I hate that they lock down their forum)

[Lovelandstella]

In Europe it's the "Star" (Ironic, as "Stella" is Italian for "Star", apparently vehicles sell better with foreign names ).

Not ironic so much as clever. Genuine's re-branding, advertising, and detailing are really what set it apart from it's then-competitor, the india-tastic Bajaj Chetak.
Bb.

We're on the same page; I fully agree that Genuine is clever. What they do is AWESOME! And I happily put my money where my mouth is.
My irony "point-out" is that, in America it has an Itallian name and in Italy it has an English name. That is irony. The fact that they both seem to sell better that way? That's clever.
The fact that Europe and Asia get the Fuel injected before USA? That's sad.

[JoshWED]

Also, if you're looking for a subtle change, I always disliked that the "Stella" script badge aped the pre-1973 Vespa logo, while the P-series was introduced in the late 70s when Vespa used their slap-serif lowercase logo.

Luckily, someone at Stellaspeed has manufactured "stella" badges to match the 70s Vespa look, I think they look way more appropriate on a Stella, ha.

Totally agree that this badge works better on the Stella. The creator needs to manufacture *and* distribute it!

I've always felt that the script Stella's "retro" nod gives it more of a knock-off feel.

[germ]

Considering removing the badges, but not sure what is holding them on. Is there a hole underneath where the badge is held onto the body or is it just adhesive that can be pulled off and cleaned up?

[taurussvt]

The badges are held on with double sided tape. Get some fishing line, really thin wire, or even a bunch of dental floss and just pull it all the way between the badge and the body. Once you get it all apart you can clean all the adhesive off with WD40, lighter fluid, or 3M adhesive remover.
I took one of mine off using this method when I needed to get a side panel repainted. I put it back on with 3M emblem adhesive.

[germ]

perfect. thanks.

[Mulliganal]

Considering removing the badges, but not sure what is holding them on. Is there a hole underneath where the badge is held onto the body or is it just adhesive that can be pulled off and cleaned up?

I found these on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMRSPJuHW_8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeFn4LW6KN8

[germ]

Awesome. There are a bunch of videos on youtube showing the procedure. I might film the process as I remove mine so there is a stella specific video for de-badging emblems.

PS. I would never try to re-brand the scooter. Just don't particularly care for the stella badges.

[germ]

So I was able to de-badge all the logos and stickers with no problem tonight. The cowl badges were barely on. The only problem is that the badge on the front of the scooter left its image in the paint. Its lighter where the badge was. The adhesive must have affected the paint. It might be hard to see because of the reflection but you can definitely see the s.



I can always put the badge back on or a sticker or decal.

[desmolicious]

I really like that orange colour.

[germ]

I really like that orange colour.

Thanks. I think the 09 orange is a bit more subtle than previous years. My buddy is also orange so they are sisters.

[Silver Streak]

So I was able to de-badge all the logos and stickers with no problem tonight. The cowl badges were barely on. The only problem is that the badge on the front of the scooter left its image in the paint. Its lighter where the badge was. The adhesive must have affected the paint. It might be hard to see because of the reflection but you can definitely see the s.



I can always put the badge back on or a sticker or decal.

I doubt if it was the adhesive... more likely exposure to sunlight has darkened the surrounding paint slightly. In anther year, you'll probably not be able to see it.

[germ]

I doubt if it was the adhesive... more likely exposure to sunlight has darkened the surrounding paint slightly. In anther year, you'll probably not be able to see it.

I was wondering that. The scooter shop sometimes puts bikes outside for display. Its not terribly bad but I'm very close to the bike so I notice everything.

I couldn't believe how many stickers were on the body of the bike. It was interesting to note that one of the manufacturing stickers labeled the bike as an LML Star. Thought that was cool. Using the hairdryer technique I was able to get the VIN sticker off of the inside of the glove box lid and re-place it inside the glove box out of site.

[Dooglas]

Turns out it is NOT just like a Vespa. If it was, it wouldn't break down.

I wish!

[ericalm]

Turns out it is NOT just like a Vespa. If it was, it wouldn't break down.

I wish!

Uhh, let's not dredge this up again.

And, shocker: Vespas do break down.

[desmolicious]

Turns out it is NOT just like a Vespa. If it was, it wouldn't break down.

I wish!

Uhh, let's not dredge this up again.

And, shocker: Vespas do break down.

Yup, I had to replace the CDI on my PX at about 1K miles.
Super quick fix - swap the old one out with a new Ducati (!) unit. About $80.

But while the scooter did not break down (it just started to run poorly) it would have....