Modern Buddy

I'm currently over-hauling my 2003 Stella engine.

I noticed that the cruciform was on tight and a bit difficult to remove. But it came off. There was no spacer(washer) at the end of the "gear control rod" which I'd seen in videos on YouTube - must be a Vespa PX thing.

Anyway. I have a new Cruciform to install. I thought I would thread it on the rod to test it. But it seems like the threads do not match. I grabbed the old/used cruciform and that one is the same -way too difficult to simply spin on.

Being scared of stripping the threads, I thought I would ask you guys first. Is this normal?

Thanks for any help.

I can't answer your question, but if you're on FaceBook try the "LML Club of Great Britain" or the Italian LML club. You should be able to find some help.

Check the threads on the new cruciform for any burring or damage. You don't want to cross thread that. Also, is it possible you have a cruciform from an older bike? If memory serves, there were a few differences between the stellas and the older PX series, especially the non-electric start models.

I bought a P Series selector rod(87057000) and washer(87600000). The new cruciform threads on fine. But the new selector rod is shorter than the one on the Stella. See the pictures below. The pictures show the Stella and P series Selector rods together.