Argyle the Stella: project
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Argyle the Stella: project
***edit- Instead of making a new thread each time I do something to Argyle. I'm just going to continually update this on as sortof a "build thread".
-tom 6/16/12
I finally was able to let "Argyle" earn her name.
From the moment I paid for her, I wanted to customize her, but I didn't want the standard check. Thus, the concept of "argyle" was born...
I bought some outdoor vinyl off ebay and spent a few hours at the desk with my xacto knife.
Here is how it turned out, Im pretty pleased!
Argyle the Stella earns her name by xtombx, on Flickr
The white is reflective, here is our cat Zoola admiring the work.
-tom 6/16/12
I finally was able to let "Argyle" earn her name.
From the moment I paid for her, I wanted to customize her, but I didn't want the standard check. Thus, the concept of "argyle" was born...
I bought some outdoor vinyl off ebay and spent a few hours at the desk with my xacto knife.
Here is how it turned out, Im pretty pleased!
Argyle the Stella earns her name by xtombx, on Flickr
The white is reflective, here is our cat Zoola admiring the work.
Last edited by xTomBx on Sun Jun 17, 2012 3:15 am, edited 3 times in total.
- viney266
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Nice! I am a huge fan of argyle.
I now have a spare set of cowls for my Stella and am trying to figure out what to do with them. Hmm…
I now have a spare set of cowls for my Stella and am trying to figure out what to do with them. Hmm…
Eric // LA Scooter Meetup Group // Stella 4T // Vespa LX // Vespa LXS // Honda Helix // some, uh, projects…
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TC @ Vespa Motorsport was telling me he'd like to get ahold of the engine cowl from a 4T (with the vent holes) and repaint/finish it to match one of his 2T's. What condition are the cowls in?ericalm wrote:Nice! I am a huge fan of argyle.
I now have a spare set of cowls for my Stella and am trying to figure out what to do with them. Hmm…
- ericalm
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Paint scratched but no other damage.DirtyRAT wrote:TC @ Vespa Motorsport was telling me he'd like to get ahold of the engine cowl from a 4T (with the vent holes) and repaint/finish it to match one of his 2T's. What condition are the cowls in?ericalm wrote:Nice! I am a huge fan of argyle.
I now have a spare set of cowls for my Stella and am trying to figure out what to do with them. Hmm…
Buuut… They're a little longer than the 2T cowls, I think. Not enough so crash bars won't fit, so you might be able to squeeze them on.
Eric // LA Scooter Meetup Group // Stella 4T // Vespa LX // Vespa LXS // Honda Helix // some, uh, projects…
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I just bought a used, 2005 Stella 2T 'Atomic Fireball' today from TC of Vespa Motorsport. I'll confirm the cowl dimensions & fit when we swap my Stella 4T chrome crashbars onto the Fireball. If they fit interchangably, one of us might PM you for details on what you would sell them for.
BTW, the taller gearbox on the Fireball is ridiculously awesome. Consider putting one in your 4T, but only if NoHo confirms it can be done, of course.
BTW, the taller gearbox on the Fireball is ridiculously awesome. Consider putting one in your 4T, but only if NoHo confirms it can be done, of course.
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Congrats on t he Fireball! What number is it?DirtyRAT wrote:I just bought a used, 2005 Stella 2T 'Atomic Fireball' today from TC of Vespa Motorsport. I'll confirm the cowl dimensions & fit when we swap my Stella 4T chrome crashbars onto the Fireball. If they fit interchangably, one of us might PM you for details on what you would sell them for.
BTW, the taller gearbox on the Fireball is ridiculously awesome. Consider putting one in your 4T, but only if NoHo confirms it can be done, of course.
Does it still have the flames? I saw one FS recently that had the flames removed or painted over.
Eric // LA Scooter Meetup Group // Stella 4T // Vespa LX // Vespa LXS // Honda Helix // some, uh, projects…
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Here is the photo of the Fireball version #
The fireball/Stella was gladly removed of all Ronald McDonald 'bling'/OEM gaudy trim by TC (previous owner).
All flames are gone, and no Yellow. Essentially, it is a red scoot, with red hubs now
The fireball/Stella was gladly removed of all Ronald McDonald 'bling'/OEM gaudy trim by TC (previous owner).
All flames are gone, and no Yellow. Essentially, it is a red scoot, with red hubs now
Last edited by DirtyRAT on Fri Jan 20, 2012 3:19 am, edited 1 time in total.
- viney266
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Yes, it has the taller transmission, and it shows: with my 4T Stella going up steep hills, I just cannot get that sweet spot gear-wise. The taller gearbox does allow for me to do 40mph in 3rd gear, which is not possible on my 4T without revving the engine to high.viney266 wrote:cool. I must admit. I like it better that way...Did the GB150 have the taller trans ,too?
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Yup, I bought that one
It was re-badged as a Vespa to avoid the throngs of questions from random people asking, "hey...is that a Vespa?" Happens all the time while I'm out on my stock Stella 4T.
I took a 'don't ask, don't tell' approach regarding the registration issue. I'm just glad to have a legal machine!
It was re-badged as a Vespa to avoid the throngs of questions from random people asking, "hey...is that a Vespa?" Happens all the time while I'm out on my stock Stella 4T.
I took a 'don't ask, don't tell' approach regarding the registration issue. I'm just glad to have a legal machine!
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- DirtyRAT
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The problem with the OEM flame thing was there was some damage to the front fender and cowls. Repainting those meant removing the 'flames'
The stock flames reminded me of Ronald McDonald, so I'm not sorry to see them go. I was really interested in the factory mods to the scoot rather than the yellow paint.
The stock flames reminded me of Ronald McDonald, so I'm not sorry to see them go. I was really interested in the factory mods to the scoot rather than the yellow paint.
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Yup, I saw this one on CL as well, that's why I asked.
Not sure how rebadging helped with registration. The 2T Vespas weren't CA-legal at the time either!
Now you can register any of the original Stellas (over 3 model years old) in CA anyways.
I'll look into the gearing but it should be the same on the 4T; no transmission changes AFAIK. Now sure how much faster I want my 4T, though I could use some more oomph on hills.
Not sure how rebadging helped with registration. The 2T Vespas weren't CA-legal at the time either!
Now you can register any of the original Stellas (over 3 model years old) in CA anyways.
I'll look into the gearing but it should be the same on the 4T; no transmission changes AFAIK. Now sure how much faster I want my 4T, though I could use some more oomph on hills.
Eric // LA Scooter Meetup Group // Stella 4T // Vespa LX // Vespa LXS // Honda Helix // some, uh, projects…
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Me neither, not trying to start a rumor.. I just had seen the picture, and simultaneously wondered two things-ericalm wrote:Not sure how rebadging helped with registration. The 2T Vespas weren't CA-legal at the time either!
1- why it said Piaggio
2- how they got it CA legal
In my twisted mind, I imagined a scenario where someone kept the registration on an old beatup vintage Vespa, cut up and disposed of the old scooter, then rebadged a similarly colored Stella to pass it off as the one in the registration. I know the VIN wouldn't match, but I've never showed mine to anyone, LOL. Does the pinkslip say Genuine Stella?
That's great to hear you can now have a 2T Stella in CA. Anything special you need to do to make that happen? Or it just has to not be new?
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The Genuine company page for the Atomic Fireball:
http://www.genuinescooters.com/feat/fireball.html
I can assure you Eric the gearing is definitely different on the Fireball. The Genuine page states :"raised" gearing for higher top speeds
When I went up the north side of Mt Soledad tonight on my way home from Miramar area, the Fireball just chewed up the steep climb in 3rd gear, no problem. On my 4T I would constantly be surfing 2nd gear, to 3rd and back, always wishing I had a better gear ratio.
BTW, the Flames on the Fireball were vinyl, and looked cheap, according to the guys at Vespa Motorsport. My plan is to find ways to still make the scoot stay true to the Atomic Fireball moniker, but with more tasteful accessorizing or flames. Thinking of making it kind of like the Buddy Blackjack, or some other vintage design derivative.
Again, I didn't press the California registration issue. Since it could be a murky subject during a purchase, I just pursed my lips and am glad I have an engine I can mod the hell out of.
http://www.genuinescooters.com/feat/fireball.html
I can assure you Eric the gearing is definitely different on the Fireball. The Genuine page states :"raised" gearing for higher top speeds
When I went up the north side of Mt Soledad tonight on my way home from Miramar area, the Fireball just chewed up the steep climb in 3rd gear, no problem. On my 4T I would constantly be surfing 2nd gear, to 3rd and back, always wishing I had a better gear ratio.
BTW, the Flames on the Fireball were vinyl, and looked cheap, according to the guys at Vespa Motorsport. My plan is to find ways to still make the scoot stay true to the Atomic Fireball moniker, but with more tasteful accessorizing or flames. Thinking of making it kind of like the Buddy Blackjack, or some other vintage design derivative.
Again, I didn't press the California registration issue. Since it could be a murky subject during a purchase, I just pursed my lips and am glad I have an engine I can mod the hell out of.
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Sorry, I was unclear. By "same," I mean same as stock 2T; performance gears should work on both.DirtyRAT wrote:I can assure you Eric the gearing is definitely different on the Fireball. The Genuine page states :"raised" gearing for higher top speeds
Eric // LA Scooter Meetup Group // Stella 4T // Vespa LX // Vespa LXS // Honda Helix // some, uh, projects…
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Now I'm thinking they won't fit a 4T. Hm.
The gear kits for the 2Ts don't appear fit from what I can find. I'm too scooter broke right now to think about it.
The gear kits for the 2Ts don't appear fit from what I can find. I'm too scooter broke right now to think about it.
Eric // LA Scooter Meetup Group // Stella 4T // Vespa LX // Vespa LXS // Honda Helix // some, uh, projects…
- Tam Tam
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cool as hell
damn, does that ever look cool....argyle - supersweet
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Do you know what the tooth count is on the cush drive? May be able to get away with a clutch swap.ericalm wrote:Now I'm thinking they won't fit a 4T. Hm.
The gear kits for the 2Ts don't appear fit from what I can find. I'm too scooter broke right now to think about it.
You're really probably scooter rich and just money poor!
My prefered situation any day!
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'06 Cream Buddy 125, 11 Blur 220, 13 BMW C 650 GT, 68 Vespa SS180, 64 Vespa GS MK II, 65 Lambretta TV 175, 67 Vespa GT, 64 Vespa 150 VBB 64 Vespa GL
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Got Arglye's stripes installed before a nice ride today-
Argyle's new stripes by xtombx, on Flickr
Now, I need YOUR help on deciding on the legsheild graphic!
I like them all, so I'm leaving the final decision up to you (and my facebook pals)
Legshield options by xtombx, on Flickr
Argyle's new stripes by xtombx, on Flickr
Now, I need YOUR help on deciding on the legsheild graphic!
I like them all, so I'm leaving the final decision up to you (and my facebook pals)
Legshield options by xtombx, on Flickr
- viney266
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Im likeing B cause it matches the fender and cowls.
Then Im liking A cause of the slight diff's in pattern color.
I say what does your cat say???? A or B??
lol
good luck deciding
Then Im liking A cause of the slight diff's in pattern color.
I say what does your cat say???? A or B??
lol
good luck deciding
J H
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- Spiffy
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Awesome, Spiffy!!!Spiffy wrote:that's awesome! I wear argyle socks every day... (:
I bought outdoor sheeted vinyl from an ebay seller and hand cut my graphics. A couple hours with the ol' xacto and I was all set. LOTS of colors to chose from! I chose a reflective white for the base and tore the dorky DOT reflectors off of mine.
muuuuch better.
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Finally got the rear rack installed on Argyle.
Note, its the stationary "wrap around" rack that supposedly wont work...
Spacers were added to retain the bag hook and the evap system was disconnected and re-connected to pull it off. Not bad really.
Install by Mike @Ace's Cycle, Kalamazoo
Argyle gets racked by xtombx, on Flickr
Still need to cut and stick the legshield graphics.
other projects on the horizon-
-Legshield "crash bar" with a couple lights. Not "mod" but a "nod to mod"
searching for "right" bars...
-Sticker bomb glovebox. Collecting cool black and white stickers for that.
-Wheel cover/hub caps, I hate the modern "star" wheels. Thinking about going Mercedes
-contemplating getting the seat recovered and a matching spare cover in a "diamond" stitch to play off the argyle theme.
long term plan- future, full kustom 'flake paint job. (2-5 years down the road)
Note, its the stationary "wrap around" rack that supposedly wont work...
Spacers were added to retain the bag hook and the evap system was disconnected and re-connected to pull it off. Not bad really.
Install by Mike @Ace's Cycle, Kalamazoo
Argyle gets racked by xtombx, on Flickr
Still need to cut and stick the legshield graphics.
other projects on the horizon-
-Legshield "crash bar" with a couple lights. Not "mod" but a "nod to mod"
searching for "right" bars...
-Sticker bomb glovebox. Collecting cool black and white stickers for that.
-Wheel cover/hub caps, I hate the modern "star" wheels. Thinking about going Mercedes
-contemplating getting the seat recovered and a matching spare cover in a "diamond" stitch to play off the argyle theme.
long term plan- future, full kustom 'flake paint job. (2-5 years down the road)
- Steady Teddy
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No I don't believe that it does.viney266 wrote:cool. I must admit. I like it better that way...Did the GB150 have the taller trans ,too?
Tom, I have that same rack on my GB150. Only issues with it, is that it makes getting the side cowls back on a little bit of a hassle. Trick seems to be to slide the top clip on 1st, then the rear, then the front, but you have to watch out for the front hook, when attaching the rear.
-duo
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- BigDaddy SnakeOiler
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Did this ever happen? Would love to see it.
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- jimmbomb
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Take the mirrors off and roll it inside the house.
put .cardboard down and the next day
.stick on your legshield vynil.
put .cardboard down and the next day
.stick on your legshield vynil.
J H
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