Woot! 148/300 is mine!

caffeine65 · Post by **caffeine65** » Tue Apr 08, 2014 12:19 am

My black Stella auto is paid for, inspected, and waiting for me to ride it home. Now all I need is a dry day, which is looking like this Wednesday. Luckily the dealer I bought it from doesn't mind me leaving it there until then.

I couldn't be more jazzed! This is gonna be so much fun.

OldGuy · Post by **OldGuy** » Tue Apr 08, 2014 12:49 am

Congrats! Hope you love it!

slotrod65 · Post by **slotrod65** » Tue Apr 08, 2014 2:01 am

Excellent. Now... pics or this isn't real...

clayjo · Post by **clayjo** » Tue Apr 08, 2014 12:56 pm

Congrats, and welcome to the Auto club … just a few of us automatics so far. Looking forward to see how you customize your new black scoot.

There's some pics of mine in the forum gallery.

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Tue Apr 08, 2014 1:17 pm

Congrats!

The black one is the one I'd like to see most in the flesh. Red flake looks nice, haven't seen blue or white yet either.

ravenlore · Post by **ravenlore** » Tue Apr 08, 2014 1:33 pm

skully93 wrote:Congrats!

The black one is the one I'd like to see most in the flesh. Red flake looks nice, haven't seen blue or white yet either.

I've seen a black one, but not in good light. I'd like to see one in good light to see how much the glitter pops.

Elder Scoot · Post by **Elder Scoot** » Tue Apr 08, 2014 9:07 pm

ravenlore wrote:
skully93 wrote:Congrats!

The black one is the one I'd like to see most in the flesh. Red flake looks nice, haven't seen blue or white yet either.
I've seen a black one, but not in good light. I'd like to see one in good light to see how much the glitter pops.

The metal flake in the paint is a bronzy, gold not a silver flake. It's an interesting color. The bike comes with fairly good amount of touch up paint. This color is not available at Midas.

Elder Scoot · Post by **Elder Scoot** » Tue Apr 08, 2014 9:10 pm

caffeine65 wrote:My black Stella auto is paid for, inspected, and waiting for me to ride it home. Now all I need is a dry day, which is looking like this Wednesday. Luckily the dealer I bought it from doesn't mind me leaving it there until then.

I couldn't be more jazzed! This is gonna be so much fun.

Welcome to the Stella Automatic Club.

You will enjoy that bike more and more as you ride it.

Where in Pittsburgh do you live? I attended Pitt from 1964-68 and lived in various places. I'm very fond of that city.

Cam · Post by **Cam** » Wed Apr 09, 2014 12:44 am

Congrats... I wonder if the new black will be like the old black.
Got ya beat though...#41 of 300!
The "Ivory" is not white OR Ivory...IMO..but rather a very very whitish yellow pastel. Not what we were expecting...but we like it. Don't know if you can actually see the real color on the PC.

https://twoscoots.shutterfly.com/pictures/9

BeefSupreme · Post by **BeefSupreme** » Wed Apr 09, 2014 2:12 am

Congrats! I seriously thought about getting one, but I already have a small "round town" scooter, and ended up getting a Burgman 400 instead as a long haul/car replacement. I hope I made the right decision

caffeine65 · Post by **caffeine65** » Wed Apr 09, 2014 7:13 pm

Brought it home! It was about a 20 mile ride on side roads. Love it! I can tell I'm gonna be really into this.

My first impression was YIKES how do scooter guys ride these with any kind of chutzpah and not kill themselves? I thought I was gonna hop on it and just barrel home at top speed. My fearlessness faded real quick when I realized there's indeed a learning curve, and I wouldn't be barreling anywhere until I got past it. I guess it wouldn't be cool if it were that easy. Respect!

I kept looking for the rear break with my right foot. Also kept beeping the horn with my thumb thinking it was the left turn signal, lol. For some reason, mine doesn't have the turn signal noisemaker, and I found myself scooting along several times with a signal on. I hate hate hate the hand control layout, but, I'll get used to it.

First thing's first. Need to lose the reflectors and peel off the stickers around the glove box. Then take some nice photos.

EvilNerdLord · Post by **EvilNerdLord** » Wed Apr 09, 2014 10:33 pm

caffeine65 wrote: Stella Automatic Club.

S.A.C

you have a club name...

jimmbomb · Post by **jimmbomb** » Wed Apr 09, 2014 11:56 pm

caffeine65 wrote: wrote in part>>"

I kept looking for the rear break with my right foot."<<

I got used to doing this and now I cannot stop it. Elli told me about this cause I watched her do it..

::: when going for the rear brake,,pivot on the ball of your foot and lift your "Heel" onto the middle high section.
Once your foot is semi-sideways and your heel is up on the center..
THEN twist the ball over onto the top of the pedal
Leave your heel on the center as you brake with the ball of your foot.
I actually prefer it this way and do it all the time.

good luck with your new ride and lets see some photos

slotrod65 · Post by **slotrod65** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 12:59 am

Forum tip for removing sticker (as they can be murder to remove): heat them up good with a blow dryer. This frees up the glue a bit, making them easier to get off.

I used an old credit card as a scraper so I did not mar the paint.

Have fun!

Cam · Post by **Cam** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 1:41 am

slotrod65 wrote:Forum tip for removing sticker (as they can be murder to remove): heat them up good with a blow dryer. This frees up the glue a bit, making them easier to get off.

I used an old credit card as a scraper so I did not mar the paint.

Have fun!

Yup...that works...for tough ones also use some WD40 as you begin to peel a section back after heating...it gets underneath and makes them slide.

caffeine65 · Post by **caffeine65** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 3:15 am

slotrod65 wrote:Forum tip for removing sticker (as they can be murder to remove): heat them up good with a blow dryer. This frees up the glue a bit, making them easier to get off.

I used an old credit card as a scraper so I did not mar the paint.

Thanks for the tip! Yeah, I've already boogered up one sticker real nice thinking I could peel it right off.

EvilNerdLord wrote:
caffeine65 wrote: Stella Automatic Club.
S.A.C

you have a club name...

Strange, I don't recall typing that.

Elder Scoot · Post by **Elder Scoot** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 12:51 pm

caffeine65 wrote:
slotrod65 wrote:Forum tip for removing sticker (as they can be murder to remove): heat them up good with a blow dryer. This frees up the glue a bit, making them easier to get off.

I used an old credit card as a scraper so I did not mar the paint.
Thanks for the tip! Yeah, I've already boogered up one sticker real nice thinking I could peel it right off.

EvilNerdLord wrote:
caffeine65 wrote: Stella Automatic Club.
S.A.C

you have a club name...
Strange, I don't recall typing that.

Actually I stated, "Welcome to the Stella Automatic Club" in my earlier post. I guess things just got confused.

caffeine65 · Post by **caffeine65** » Sat Apr 12, 2014 9:32 pm

Well I was able to put about 50 more miles on it, and I think I'm starting to get the hang of it. This thing really is flickable as they say, way more than any motorcycle I've owned. Still looking for the rear brake with my foot at every stop, but at least I'm not also grabbing a handful of what I think is a clutch!

Walking on the center stand with the bike running has become my biggest concern. I used to have an old Triumph that did that a little, but the Stella will backslide all over the place if I'm not already sitting on it with a death-grip on the brake, lol. Not so bad after it warms up a bit, but still, I guess I just need remember not to start it up until I'm actually ready to ride off.

Regardless of that, I'm pretty happy with my purchase so far! Looking forward to riding it to Steel City Mods v Rockers this summer.

I think my first modification will be LEDs all around, and maybe a better looking tail light. Then maybe whitewalls after I research which to get. Fun stuff!

clayjo · Post by **clayjo** » Mon Apr 14, 2014 12:34 am

slotrod65 wrote:Forum tip for removing sticker (as they can be murder to remove): heat them up good with a blow dryer. This frees up the glue a bit, making them easier to get off.

I used an old credit card as a scraper so I did not mar the paint.

Have fun!

Does this work for the white sticker on the top right of the glove box? Now that's an ugly sticker. For emblems and reflector, a piece of fishing line or dental floss work well to pull tight and slide behind.

Walking on the center stand with the bike running has become my biggest concern. I used to have an old Triumph that did that a little, but the Stella will backslide all over the place if I'm not already sitting on it with a death-grip on the brake, lol. Not so bad after it warms up a bit, but still, I guess I just need remember not to start it up until I'm actually ready to ride off.

Yes, I turned my back on mine the other day and it spun around like a dial on a clock. Guess I won't be doing that center stand swap that I was hoping to do….

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Mon Apr 14, 2014 2:08 am

caffeine65 wrote:Walking on the center stand with the bike running has become my biggest concern. I used to have an old Triumph that did that a little, but the Stella will backslide all over the place if I'm not already sitting on it with a death-grip on the brake, lol. Not so bad after it warms up a bit, but still, I guess I just need remember not to start it up until I'm actually ready to ride off.

There really isn't any reason to leave the bike running on the centerstand. In any but the coldest weather, it is warm enough to ride in a matter of seconds. Sit down, start up, adjust your gloves, flip down your face shield, look around, and ride off

. These small scooter engines circulate oil and warm up very quickly.

jimmbomb · Post by **jimmbomb** » Mon Apr 14, 2014 2:26 am

Are they just idling too fast? Is the rear wheel spinning when up on the stand?

clayjo · Post by **clayjo** » Mon Apr 14, 2014 2:17 pm

jimmbomb wrote:Are they just idling too fast? Is the rear wheel spinning when up on the stand?

Only when cold and the auto-choke is on.

caffeine65 · Post by **caffeine65** » Wed Apr 16, 2014 2:47 pm

The stickers were REALLY easy to remove using a hair dryer. I figured they were paper, but they turned out to be a rubbery, stretchy material that pulled right off once they were hot. The front reflectors came off without a fight too after some hair dryer action. No fishing line or floss needed, and very little goo left over.

As for the center stand walking, I turned the idle way down and now it doesn't do it at all once the bike's warmed up. Don't know about the shifty Stellas, but the automatics have an idle adjustment knob right under the seat. The dealer set the idle for me when I picked it up and it was fine, but somewhere between there and riding around, maybe it vibrated out of adjustment.

jimmbomb · Post by **jimmbomb** » Wed Apr 16, 2014 3:51 pm

caffeine65 wrote:The stickers were REALLY easy to remove using a hair dryer. I figured they were paper, but they turned out to be a rubbery, stretchy material that pulled right off once they were hot. The front reflectors came off without a fight too after some hair dryer action. No fishing line or floss needed, and very little goo left over.

As for the center stand walking, I turned the idle way down and now it doesn't do it at all once the bike's warmed up. Don't know about the shifty Stellas, but the automatics have an idle adjustment knob right under the seat. The dealer set the idle for me when I picked it up and it was fine, but somewhere between there and riding around, maybe it vibrated out of adjustment.

Very nice..
How about a picture pointing out that idle adjustment knob?
That should help others..
Thanka..

caffeine65 · Post by **caffeine65** » Thu Apr 17, 2014 1:42 am

jimmbomb wrote:Very nice..
How about a picture pointing out that idle adjustment knob?
That should help others..
Thanka..

Well now I have an excuse to dust off my old Flickr account.

jimmbomb · Post by **jimmbomb** » Thu Apr 17, 2014 1:20 pm

Nice ..So..that's the idle adjuster..right there under the seat?
Just pop up the seat and there it is?? Very nice!! easy peasy.
Thanks for the photo.
I can see it being big and sticking up high like that, maybe get moved accidentally or prone to vibration too??
Now when theyre up on the centerstands, and are 'walking'...is the rear wheel spinning too when this is happening..
My weed eater walks alot when I set it down on the driveway.
But my Aprilia SR50 does not. Even when cold and the choke is out some, BUT, the rear wheel can and does start to spin fast, just not that often.
The motor has to be going good for the wheel to take off.

Modern Buddy

Woot! 148/300 is mine!

Woot! 148/300 is mine!

Re: Woot! 148/300 is mine!

Re: Woot! 148/300 is mine!