Project Stomp Stella Begins

[VespaFitz]

Well, that loudmouth R1150GSA challenged me to a race and he suggested that my Sears scoot wasn't up to the task of taking on his Vespa Vindaloo.

Truth be told, it's really not. It's got eight inch wheels, a crappy 2-port 150, a six-volt electrical system and a suspension that makes a Conestoga wagon look sophisticated.

I've had my scoot for a long time. I put it together six years ago and it's been a great little steed for me all this time, but it's time for a few upgrades.

The plan is to upgrade to a three-port engine from a Sprint, which would allow me to fit a Polini 177cc kit, an expansion pipe and a bigger carb. The Sprint mill uses a 10" wheel, as well, so I might as well upgrade to a 10" front wheel so I can run a proper brake, a decent shock and a sticky set of tires, which would be a vast improvement over the tires I have now, which I think were made of recycled flip-flops and bath mats.

The project started today when I went to my pal Jay's house to pick up the Sprint engine I bought quite a while ago, before I moved to Vermont. It's stuck and grimy right now, but all I'm gonna be using is the case, the tranny and the crank.

Jay threw in a Sprint front end, as well, so I can upgrade the springs, shocks and brakes, and use a 10" front wheel in the process.

The other thing I've got running around in my head is upgrading to a 12-volt electrical system. The 6-volt headlight is less than useless and I'm sick of kicking my brains out trying to get the bike started. More on that as the project progresses.

Tune in tomorrow, when I'll post pics of the bike in question and the new (to me) engine.

Fitz

[BUBB]

I want you boys to have fun, but be careful too.

[VespaFitz]

Originally Posted by BUBB

I want you boys to have fun, but be careful too.

Buzzkill.

[BUBB]

What are the details of this contest of which ye speak?

What will it be kiddies? Endurance, Sprint, Top End, Eighth Mile, Hill Climb On Road/Off Road ...

-- Coast to Coast?

[VespaFitz]

Originally Posted by BUBB

What are the details of this contest of which ye speak?

What will it be kiddies? Endurance, Sprint, Top End, Eighth Mile, Hill Climb On Road/Off Road ...

-- Coast to Coast?

Tractor pull.

[Photog]

*snerk*

[R1150GSA]

Originally Posted by VespaFitz

Well, that loudmouth R1150GSA challenged me to a race and he suggested that my Sears scoot wasn't up to the task of taking on his Vespa Vindaloo.

Truth be told, it's really not. It's got eight inch wheels, a crappy 2-port 150, a six-volt electrical system and a suspension that makes a Conestoga wagon look sophisticated.

I've had my scoot for a long time. I put it together six years ago and it's been a great little steed for me all this time, but it's time for a few upgrades.

The plan is to upgrade to a three-port engine from a Sprint, which would allow me to fit a Polini 177cc kit, an expansion pipe and a bigger carb. The Sprint mill uses a 10" wheel, as well, so I might as well upgrade to a 10" front wheel so I can run a proper brake, a decent shock and a sticky set of tires, which would be a vast improvement over the tires I have now, which I think were made of recycled flip-flops and bath mats.

The project started today when I went to my pal Jay's house to pick up the Sprint engine I bought quite a while ago, before I moved to Vermont. It's stuck and grimy right now, but all I'm gonna be using is the case, the tranny and the crank.

Jay threw in a Sprint front end, as well, so I can upgrade the springs, shocks and brakes, and use a 10" front wheel in the process.

The other thing I've got running around in my head is upgrading to a 12-volt electrical system. The 6-volt headlight is less than useless and I'm sick of kicking my brains out trying to get the bike started. More on that as the project progresses.

Tune in tomorrow, when I'll post pics of the bike in question and the new (to me) engine.

Fitz

That's quite a hot-up list you've got there. I'm thinking of some upgrades as well. I'm considering a Jamavar Pashmina silk scarf.

Clearly I've already won this contest.

C'mon, Stella. Let's go someplace where quality people gather.

[Bueller]

Originally Posted by VespaFitz

Well, that loudmouth R1150GSA challenged me to a race and he suggested that my Sears scoot wasn't up to the task of taking on his Vespa Vindaloo.

Truth be told, it's really not. It's got eight inch wheels, a crappy 2-port 150, a six-volt electrical system and a suspension that makes a Conestoga wagon look sophisticated.

I've had my scoot for a long time. I put it together six years ago and it's been a great little steed for me all this time, but it's time for a few upgrades.

The plan is to upgrade to a three-port engine from a Sprint, which would allow me to fit a Polini 177cc kit, an expansion pipe and a bigger carb. The Sprint mill uses a 10" wheel, as well, so I might as well upgrade to a 10" front wheel so I can run a proper brake, a decent shock and a sticky set of tires, which would be a vast improvement over the tires I have now, which I think were made of recycled flip-flops and bath mats.

The project started today when I went to my pal Jay's house to pick up the Sprint engine I bought quite a while ago, before I moved to Vermont. It's stuck and grimy right now, but all I'm gonna be using is the case, the tranny and the crank.

Jay threw in a Sprint front end, as well, so I can upgrade the springs, shocks and brakes, and use a 10" front wheel in the process.

The other thing I've got running around in my head is upgrading to a 12-volt electrical system. The 6-volt headlight is less than useless and I'm sick of kicking my brains out trying to get the bike started. More on that as the project progresses.

Tune in tomorrow, when I'll post pics of the bike in question and the new (to me) engine.

Fitz

You'll beat him if he leaves his stock. You won't beat a Stella with the same mods. Is the sprint engine a rotary valve or reed valve design?

I've seen 72 indicated on my Stella with the Pinasco kit, a 24/24 carb, and a Pinasco exhaust, and I've verified the speedo is relatively accurate. Cruising at 67 is easy and repeatable, 70 + can be obtained if road and wind are just right. I'd pick up more power if I went to a better pipe.

Why the Polini kit? I've heard the quality isn't as good as the Pinasco. I've been told if you really want to make power the Malossi is the way to go. Just be sure to break it in nice & easy. The Malossi has a tendency to seize if you are too hard on it during break in.

Oh, one other thing - if you run an autolube setup make sure the autolube hole in the bottom of your new carb isn't blocked. Nothing will bunch up your shorts like a seize at 50 mph in a curve

[VespaFitz]

Originally Posted by Bueller

You'll beat him if he leaves his stock. You won't beat a Stella with the same mods. Is the sprint engine a rotary valve or reed valve design?

Rotary valve.

Why the Polini kit? I've heard the quality isn't as good as the Pinasco. I've been told if you really want to make power the Malossi is the way to go. Just be sure to break it in nice & easy. The Malossi has a tendency to seize if you are too hard on it during break in.

Mostly because it doesn't appear that Scooterworks offers a Malossi kit anymore, and I figure it's got something to do with the fact that about 8 times out of 10, they seize.

Oh, one other thing - if you run an autolube setup make sure the autolube hole in the bottom of your new carb isn't blocked. Nothing will bunch up your shorts like a seize at 50 mph in a curve

No autolube, and I'm not going to the trouble of installing one.

[nomiles]

Originally Posted by VespaFitz

No autolube, and I'm not going to the trouble of installing one.

The day of the big race, drain the gas tank and dump in a couple of quarts of Testor's model airplane fuel, maybe an oz of Castrol R for even better aroma, nothing beats 'tipping the can'

[Photog]

Originally Posted by VespaFitz

No autolube, and I'm not going to the trouble of installing one.

One less thing to worry about.

I've got a Dellorto 24G carb on mine. It flows a LOT (it was the carb used on the T5 and was able to handle much larger cylinders) but is much more finicky to set up right. I'd recommend a 24E or Vortex, or maybe just cruise the StellaSpeed site for a while since they've got some serious carb gurus over there. I love the 24G's potential but for the wide range of riding I'm doing, I think a slightly less hyper carb would've been a bit better. Some guys are just doing a mild carb upgrade and uni filter, giving them a good amount of grunt and low end.

Whenever I get a break (we're in house selling/buying mode right now, so the winter is shot to hell) I'll pull the Pinasco and do some smoothing and matching work, and see how it goes from there.

[VespaFitz]

Originally Posted by Photog

One less thing to worry about.

I've got a Dellorto 24G carb on mine. It flows a LOT (it was the carb used on the T5 and was able to handle much larger cylinders) but is much more finicky to set up right. I'd recommend a 24E or Vortex, or maybe just cruise the StellaSpeed site for a while since they've got some serious carb gurus over there. I love the 24G's potential but for the wide range of riding I'm doing, I think a slightly less hyper carb would've been a bit better. Some guys are just doing a mild carb upgrade and uni filter, giving them a good amount of grunt and low end.

Whenever I get a break (we're in house selling/buying mode right now, so the winter is shot to hell) I'll pull the Pinasco and do some smoothing and matching work, and see how it goes from there.

My buddy Jay was just telling me that there's some guy that's hot-rodding 20/20s and they're apparently the hot setup these days. That, a 177 kit and a pipe's all I'm looking to do.

I had the autolube on the Rally 200 and while I'd never disable one (they're pretty reliable and much better at providing the optimum fuel/oil ratio), the thought of putting one in and cutting a hole in the body for the little dog wang is a little more than I'm interested in.

I'm looking for more speed, definitely, but reliability is key to me. Simple is better.

[Photog]

I know who you're talking about with the 20/20...can't think of his name right now but folks rave about him.

When I first got the Stella I was bound and determined to get my cruise speed up to scorching levels. Now I'm back down to just needing/wanting a reliable 45mph, and being able to hit faster speeds to merge or get away from traffic a bit--but I'm not cruising around at a steady 55 like I thought I would, even though I've had it to 70, and cruised at 60 on the freeway (it was remarkably stable!). I think the zen zone for that bike is zipping around at 45 but that's just me and how my commute works out.

[FatChance]

Originally Posted by VespaFitz

Simple is better.

It's a good thing, because you're the biggest simpleton on the block, you maple syrup-addled goofball!

[Der Kunstler]

Let me take the "Stella", Star, Star Delux, Tropicana, Belladonna (and whatever other names they have given this PX clone) On. I take pride in keeping the heavy bits of my ride hidden so that the unsuspecting passer by does not notice that underneath the 'classic' stock look of my bike. Lies a powerplant that will eat Stella's for B'fast, Lunch and Dinner.
One of My rides...

late 70's

BRITISH SPEC VSX

Italian VESPA (P200E)

Controls (stock) switched for left hand road use

in United Kingdom

Ported, Italian Andrea Pinasco top-end

: Displacment 220cc

Mikuni VM28mm carb

Italian Bitubo Gas Charged Racing Shocks

UK Jim Lomas/Scorpion Racing Exhaust

Swing-arm modifications and bracing

Internal locking side cowls

more

Tope end:

Much, Much faster than a Stella

My Bretta will soon be done

Cheers

PS

One word of advice for the Vindaloo kids.

Never under-estimate the 'ol Sears Cruisaire!

If there is pipe sticking out the back. Don't @&^@%! around with it.

You might get a farmers burn

When applied to ones ego, it can really hurt!