Introducing....

[mayhem]

New member, just found this forum a couple of days ago. Just bought 2009 Stella 2T last week. Kind of an impulse buy, but its complicated.

I've spent the last year restoring a 1963 Vespa GL150 that I bought in boxes. The PO had done a great job of prepping and painting it, spent over $1,000 at Scooterworks, and then had three kids, thus the boxes. Never having owned or ridden a scooter, I figured it would be easy to just put it together and ride off. So it's finally together, but not running and I figured that if I wanted to do any riding this year I would need a backup plan.

I looked at ET4s and LX150s on CL, but they were either a lot more than I wanted to pay or they were basket cases. Then I stumbled on a dealer in Boston who had a 2009 Stella 2T still in the crate. I made him a silly offer and he agreed. Next thing I know I'm riding off on this scooter. I've only gotten off it to eat and sleep.

What I love about it is that it is my '63 Vespa with all the stuff fixed that I would have done if I could. Disc brake, 12V electrics, CDI, electric start (well maybe not that), gas gauge, oil injection (maybe not that either). But everything else is so familiar. I've spent a whole year learning about how these machines work, and now I have one that's brand new and actually does work. I know the quality isn't quite up to Italian standards (can't believe I wrote that) but top quality replacement parts are just a click away. The idea was that I'd sell it once the Vespa was on the road, but I don't think that's happening, I'm having too much fun.

I'm looking forward to sharing my ignorance and hard-won experience with you all.

Mayhew

[BuddyRaton]

Welcome to MB!

You have a couple of nice but very different scooters! Does the GL have the original motor! That is actually a fairly rare scooter (I would say medium rare) and considered by many as one of the best looking ever made. The other thing is tha GLs are freaking tanks! I don't know what was so different about the frames but they just seem sturdier.

You will have a blast with the Stella. Classic design with a lot of modern touches. As you said...maybe not the highest quality and they have their weak points but most of those are fairly minor...a couple of bad electrical connections, poor quality rubber but an uber fun scooter!

Now...WE WANT PHOTOS!

[Anachronism]

New member, just found this forum a couple of days ago. Just bought 2009 Stella 2T last week.

If it still has the original crank you may want to consider replacing the crank as a prophylactic.

Lots of Stella crank failures, and especially a lot on the 2009's. I lost 2 in 2800 miles on a stock bike.

[Dooglas]

On the other hand, a fair number of engine failures on '63s over the years as well .

Glad to hear you are living your dream - keep on riding!

[jimmbomb]

New member, just found this forum a couple of days ago. Just bought 2009 Stella 2T last week.

If it still has the original crank you may want to consider replacing the crank as a prophylactic.

Lots of Stella crank failures, and especially a lot on the 2009's. I lost 2 in 2800 miles on a stock bike.

CHINO's 09 crank fail on his too at about 3k..just out of warranty. ..waaaa..
A Refurbed P200 motor went in in its place- all good after that..
Good luck

[Robbie]

And, on the flip side, my 16 month old (stock) 09, 300 miles short of 8k has had no engine issues of any sort.
See's 50 mph for rather long stretches every time I ride it.

Rob

[mayhem]

Thanks for all the good will and support. I've read about the crank issue, and my plan right now is to ride the snot out of it until it is out of warranty and then throw a kit on the bitch (with new crank, of course).

The GL does have the original engine, no idea how many miles on it. I'd like to keep it original, but until it's running I won't know how good it is.

Mayhew

[Anachronism]

Thanks for all the good will and support. I've read about the crank issue, and my plan right now is to ride the snot out of it until it is out of warranty and then throw a kit on the bitch (with new crank, of course).

The GL does have the original engine, no idea how many miles on it. I'd like to keep it original, but until it's running I won't know how good it is.

Mayhew

Wow. You found a 2009 Stella sitting on a showroom floor within the last year? I'm wondering why the place had such an issue moving a 3-4 year old bike, especially considering it was "last of the breed."

If the crank does fail under warranty, pay the $150 to have the shop install and aftermarket crank- the LML crank works better as a doorstop than anything that belongs in an engine.

[mayhem]

It wasn't exactly on the showroom floor, it was still in the crate. I think there are too many environmentalists in the Boston area for a 2-stroke scooter to be attractive.

My current plan is to put a SIP Road on it, open the air filter and rejet, to "stress test" the crank. If it fails during warranty, I'll put the stock pipe back on (for warranty purposes) and have them put a better crank on it. And a kit, of course.

I love the scooter, but another 5 mph of cruise speed would be great.

[Anachronism]

It wasn't exactly on the showroom floor, it was still in the crate. I think there are too many environmentalists in the Boston area for a 2-stroke scooter to be attractive.

My current plan is to put a SIP Road on it, open the air filter and rejet, to "stress test" the crank. If it fails during warranty, I'll put the stock pipe back on (for warranty purposes) and have them put a better crank on it. And a kit, of course.

I love the scooter, but another 5 mph of cruise speed would be great.

Sito+ is cheap, safe, and should get you 5 mph or close to it over the catalyst exhaust.

Stress testing the crank may not be a bad way to go. Just remember that the failure does not happen in a vacuum and a crank failure can damage or shorten the life of things like the case bearings, which will only get warranted if they are obviously bad. If I had my warranty replace done over again, I would have paid for new bearings and an aftermarket crank to save me the trouble of going back in and replacing it all myself.

When it comes to kits, for a touring bike, I'm a big fan of the Pinasco kit. I have a nasty commute that goes over a mountain pass, and it charges up it.

[mayhem]

Thanks for the insight. Based on what I've read here, I'm planning to replace the bearings along with the crank. Cheap insurance.

I don't have so many hills on my commute, just a lot of lumbering SUVs that I'd like to blow by!