I just bought a Stella

Rudie · Post by **Rudie** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 3:35 pm

On Tuesday I went out and bought my first scooter, a 2012 Stella. On my ride home the gear shift cable slid out and the scooter got caught in a high gear. Lame. To make things worse that very day the mechanic at my dealer quit without notice. So now I have to wait until my dealer hires a new mechanic to use my expensive new purchase.

My question is, should I expect stuff like this to happen a lot with the Stella or is this a rare thing? Thanks.

Lokky · Post by **Lokky** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 3:41 pm

Clutch cables will snap from time to time, it's inevitable. That said I have ridden 8500 miles and mine is still intact.

Slipping out however? I have never heard of that happening. Sounds like your mechanic didn't secure it properly in the first place. If you are even a little handy (and have a fourth hand tool or can borrow a friend for ten minutes) it's very easy to reattach the cable on your own.

Rudie · Post by **Rudie** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 3:46 pm

Thanks for the reply.

It actually was not the clutch. It was the cable that goes to the gear box and actually shifts. Had it been the clutch I would have just tried to do it myself.

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 3:59 pm

Well that sucks. I hope the local shop gets going quickly.

ours has multiple mechanics and multiple locations within a reasonable distance, so the roadside tow would get me there if needed. Any chance that's the case for you?

lempira · Post by **lempira** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 4:04 pm

EXACT same thing happened to mine. It hasn't happened since.

so far my issues have been;

1) gas gauge not working
2) tailight went out
3) headlight lens doesn't seal properly and lets water in. needs to be replaced.

Lots of LITTLE things which can be frustrating when you buy something NEW.

Lokky · Post by **Lokky** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 4:07 pm

Rudie wrote:Thanks for the reply.

It actually was not the clutch. It was the cable that goes to the gear box and actually shifts. Had it been the clutch I would have just tried to do it myself.

Ah, I actually just had that happen not two weeks ago after a year of riding around. Hope they will get it fixed soon.

Is there any other genuine dealer in the area that you could bring it to perhaps?

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 5:07 pm

Unless the issue is simply warranty work, the Stella has the advantage that mechanically it is very similar to the PX150 Vespa and to many other vintage scooters. If there is a shop anywhere near that does work on vintage scooters, I would take the bike there for an emergency repair.

Rudie · Post by **Rudie** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 5:50 pm

Okay, so it looks like the guy at my dealer came in after hours with a mechanic friend of his and got the issue fixed. Faith in dealer is restored! I just rode the Stella home(again) and every thing felt so much better when shifting.

Thanks for the info on potential issues to look for. It sounds like there are a few quirks to deal with but that can be fun too. I think, now that it is working, I am really going to enjoy it. Now, if you will excuse me, i have some riding to do...

jimmbomb · Post by **jimmbomb** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 7:35 pm

Rudie wrote:Okay, so it looks like the guy at my dealer came in after hours with a mechanic friend of his and got the issue fixed. Faith in dealer is restored! I just rode the Stella home(again) and every thing felt so much better when shifting.

Thanks for the info on potential issues to look for. It sounds like there are a few quirks to deal with but that can be fun too. I think, now that it is working, I am really going to enjoy it. Now, if you will excuse me, i have some riding to do...

Now can you actually say IF the cable(s) broke??
Or was it the pinch clamp just came loose?
Or was it so loose that it came out of it's holder?
Do you know exactly what they had to fix?? regarding the gear box cable?
thanks....
And to answer a question in your original post...
YES, you can expect things like this to happen from time to time..
Not a lot... but... sometimes.....Mostly little things.. Probally nothing major..

Rudie · Post by **Rudie** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 9:56 pm

jimmbomb wrote:
Now can you actually say IF the cable(s) broke??
Or was it the pinch clamp just came loose?
Or was it so loose that it came out of it's holder?
Do you know exactly what they had to fix?? regarding the gear box cable?
thanks....

The cable that lowers the gear slid out of the pinch clamp. He said he had to open the gear box and pull the clamp while manually turning the wheels to get it back into neutral. From there I assume he used a forthhand tool to adjust the tightness of the cable till the grip shift and the actual gear was aligned.

jimmbomb · Post by **jimmbomb** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 10:39 pm

cool... sounds like a simple fix with no new parts.
Thanks for that info in case it happens to another 4t owner.
thanks again for the follow up.

Silver Streak · Post by **Silver Streak** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 11:05 pm

jimmbomb wrote:cool... sounds like a simple fix with no new parts.
Thanks for that info in case it happens to another 4t owner.
thanks again for the follow up.

That's just sloppy PDI and dealer prep. The fix is easy, but it never would have happened had the dealer done the inspection and prep properly.