Stella scooter and sidecars

yes - I've owned one since 2003. stellaspeed.com is a forum of stella owners and you can get detailed information there.

Frankly, reliability is not up to modern motorcycle standards. If you are choosing between buying a ratty old vespa and fixing it up and a newer stella, then the stella has some advantages. If you are expecting a low maintenance, honda like machine - it's not it. You'd be better off with a Kymco or a Genuine Scooters Buddy 125/150.

The design is about 90% parts compatable with a Vespa PX150, aftermarket parts support and enthusiast knowledge is huge.

The sidecars are usually Cozy's though other brands are available.

Vespas/Stellas are like Harleys - either you get it (and the grief of owning one is worth it) or you don't.

Punkazuna writes: Vespas/Stellas are like Harleys - either you get it (and the grief of owning one is worth it) or you don't.

This may be true of the old AMF'rs. The same could apply to Model T's.

Like many here who pan the old Velorex 562's, it's apparent that you have never owned one of the newer model Harley's.

Both have come a long way, baby.

Lonnie
Northwest Sidecars

Casual observation is that HD's are now like the carburated Japanese motorcycles of the '90's: Leave 'em stock and they'll run trouble free for a long time, but some "performance" modifications tend to lead to complications. I've seen a stock Electra Glide with 60,000+ miles with no unscheduled repairs, but I've seen a modified Road King with a new top end at less than 5,000 miles.

My Sportster is 6 years old with no leaks, etc., but, now that I finally have a hack, I can see where I'll be changing brake pads much more often.

HI;DOn't know about the HD's Good day when I got rid of my 99 Ultra and went back to my 81 MotoGuzzi G5,Every time I get on it I think how nice to be rid of the HD!Guess I am the only one feels that way maybe!!NOw have a WIng with SC and love it!Those scooters sound neat had a Fugi? for a while and was neat machine.Got rid of it as no idea where to get parts etc for it trouble with these odd machines they liike to sell them but no one wants to carry parts etc.

Originally written by Moodierr on 5/15/2008 7:56 AM

HI;DOn't know about the HD's Good day when I got rid of my 99 Ultra and went back to my 81 MotoGuzzi G5,Every time I get on it I think how nice to be rid of the HD!Guess I am the only one feels that way maybe!!NOw have a WIng with SC and love it!Those scooters sound neat had a Fugi? for a while and was neat machine.Got rid of it as no idea where to get parts etc for it trouble with these odd machines they liike to sell them but no one wants to carry parts etc.

Fujis are cool scooters but I bet they are tough to keep on the road. They were never very big outside of Japan and haven't been manufactured since the 60s.

P/PX series Vespas (and LML Stars, Stellas and Belladonas) have huge parts support. Over 4 million P series variants have been manufactured since the early 80s. They really do remind me of Harleys in that respect - parts are readily available from both Piaggio, LML and aftermarket sources. I just rebuilt my engine - All new seals and bearings, big bore kit, stroker crank, big carb, changed the gear ratios, etc for $1800 (about $600 was in special tools that I really didn't need). New "crate" engines are about $1100. They are easy to work on. The only problem really is the spotty Indian quality control. But they were $1000 cheaper (about 3/4w the price) of a Vespa PX150 - when the PX was available (up to 2005). The Stellas are available as 2008s but they may not be available as 2009s. It's not clear that they will be able to meet emissions standards.

Originally written by Moodierr on 5/15/2008 5:56 AM

HI;DOn't know about the HD's Good day when I got rid of my 99 Ultra and went back to my 81 MotoGuzzi G5,Every time I get on it I think how nice to be rid of the HD!Guess I am the only one feels that way maybe!!NOw have a WIng with SC and love it!Those scooters sound neat had a Fugi? for a while and was neat machine.Got rid of it as no idea where to get parts etc for it trouble with these odd machines they liike to sell them but no one wants to carry parts etc.

Actually, I was going to ask Lonnie his definition of newer. :0) The worst two HD's I owned were a Knucklehead and a 96 Road King. Out of 7 or 8 Harley's, they were my first one and my last one. The only one that came close to dependable was a 1976 Bicentennial Classic. In their defense, the 96 was the newest one I had, so they may have improved greatly since then.

It's good to hear about the Stella's. My wife sometimes talks about getting a scooter and I thought they were on par with the Hondas and Vespas.

Mike,
My latest Harley rig is a 2008 FXDLI/563T, one before was a 2003 FXDL (carburated)/563T. (My first was a 1936 FL Knucklehead)
With a 29" inseam I've owned Low Riders since they first came out in 1977. That AMF one was the Sh**,s. I Kept my 1987 model for 13 years, sold it as a springer/Sputnik III (loved that one), Next a Turbocharged 1995 RK (Spyder) which was a fun rig till the base gaskets started oozing out. Built a 1950 Pan from a basket after that (URAL Classic car) till I got tired of kicking and parts vibrating off. Sold it to a Vintage lover and got the 100th Anniversary FXDL which I really liked but lost it in a duel with a pine tree. The 563T survived though and is presently on my 2008 Low Rider.
I get to ride all our clients rigs for road testing and haven't found any that I prefer to my own rigs.

I guess we all like what we like, it's all good.
Have a good season,

Lonnie

Originally written by Hack'n on 5/15/2008 10:25 AM

I guess we all like what we like, it's all good.
Have a good season,

Lonnie

Actually, I like them all. I just like some better than others.
I've been eyeing up the V-rods for a couple of years now. One of the dealers over here is making some really good deals on 105th anniversary ones. ABS brakes and all for under $17,000!

Ya' Know? It's just amazing how if one person puts the word Harley in a thread all else is forgotten even if the thread was discussing the relative merits of a D9 Cat tractor.

Stella scooters anybody?

I have a 1978 FLH (93 inch S&S Shovelhead style, Sputhe 5 speed with a reverse and raked trees )with a Liberty sidecar and my wife just got a new Stella with a Scooterworks sidecar. I can't wait for her to give me a ride. We love them both.

Well, I know I'm a bit late to this discussion, but I only found this board today.
I drive a 2005 Stella/sidecar combo. I bought it in 2005, and I the only issue I have had, is mine has a tendency to go through spark plugs. I have to put a new plug in every 6 months or so, but I don't consider that a big hardship. I get her tuned up every six months anyway, so I just keep a fresh plug in the shield compartment in case I need it.
Otherwise, I get about 65 - 70 mpg, depending on how hilly / windy my ride is. I have a 45mph top speed on the flat, down to 35 mph up hill ( with a SitoPlus exhaust... was 30mph on hills Stock).
I have about 10k miles on the bike now, I ride a 20 mile round trip to work, daily, weather permitting. I can ride comfortably with proper gear down to about 35 degrees F. Under that, I'm too much of a wimp to ride. I don't like frozen nose hair.