Scarab Scooter Club Forum

Formal introductions. I know Tom, Hot Tomato, DDD & a few other Scarabs from other rides I have joined them on.
I am originally from New Hampshire (south of Manchester), have lived in all of the states where I have relatives - in Florida, New York, California (northern & southern), Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Texas (but have not lived in Texas, yet), all of which are avid shifty scooterists. Most of them have at least 2 scoots, so when I visit, I love to ride around and see the sites and scenery from their perspective.
I belong to a club in the Phoenix metro area, assist in organizing rides, meets and rallies as often as possible. The club is the Scooter Club of Metro Phoenix & Prescott Area SC -www.meetup.com/Phoenix-Scooter-Club, (218 registered members, with another 40-50 who ride along, but prefer to fly under the radar of formal club membership, like myself) due to the diversity of rides, and types of scooters. The goal of any shifty junkie is to get as many others hooked on the Pontedera powder, and I am doing quite well, with 9 converts in 2009, 2 so far in 2010.
As a daily ride, I ride an 08 Stella, which has been completely rebuilt as close as possible to a PX, with more Italian parts than Indian (most of those broke) and rebadged as it should, with a Pollini 177 kit, Mazzuchelli full circle crank. I have put in the T-5 air filter, Sito non-cat pipe, and re-jetted to run her best at full throttle all day long. Piaggio head and tail light, the original Stella stuff either broke or shorted out, or both. About the only item left that is from India is the speedo, and I have a PX one to swap it out when I get around to it.
I would like to ride with the Scarabs, I really like to ride as long and hard as the next person. I know that membership is not for everyone, and I respect that, and understand completely. Just want to ride as often as possible.

Just the speedo? Did you already swap the rest of the headset? A PX has a longer headset front to back to cover up the hydraulic brake reservoir that is exposed on the front of the Stella headset. This longer headset allows the mirrors to mount through the top if it instead of hang out in front of it on stalks. If you're going to get it on the nose you'll need one of the funky 5-spoke mag wheels in front, too. The new 4 stroke Stellas also have them.
If you're super picky go to an integrated Ducati CDI/coil pack. The Stella's separate units with the coil right over the cylinder is another give-away, but only if you've got the cowls off. Best of luck with your project.

DDDave

Well... since the Stella 2T is really a carry-over twin to early to mid 80's PX, (as you know, Piaggio switched to the blocky 80's horncast in 1983 for the entire P range worldwide) I should be really swapping the front fork back to drum brakes. Nah - I like the modern disc. But I don't like the funky 5-spoke mag wheel out front, there is something about those post-war two piece 'when you blow a tire, your gonna crash' split rims with tube that I just can not let go of. I have been looking at the one piece retro styled rims out there, but have not taken the plunge for 'new 3' for some unknown reason. They just don't look natural.
On the longer 'wrap the brake resevoir' headset, that allows the mirrors to mount through the top, unfortunately it also places them farther in, and a bit useless, even more so than the outrigger ones that are stock on the early to mid 80's PXs. I like to set my right mirror to be able to watch what is going on directly behind me, and the left one way out to see who is 2-3 feet behind me in the next left lane over. Plus when they vibrate loose, it requires more of a project to wrench them tight again when they are bolted to plastic. I always turn my head anyway, so I really don't even know why I have the silly mirrors still bolted on. Regarding the coil, you are so right - when the Indian stuff takes the permanent vacation, I will swap it out for the integrated Ducati CDI/coil pack per original setup, much cleaner look, I agree. I just re-torqued the head after a nice 1K break in, Not sure of the exact specs, but it seems like most agree 13 ft/lb is the safe spot for Polini 177 kits. There are now over 6500 miles on the clock, and she seems to be running a bit rich, but not nearly enough to foul the plug, and as I have read on the forums, richer is safer. Motor on we shall.

No one can say that you don't know exactly what you want.

DDDave

Hey red stella! how you doin'? Been a while since we last spoke. Are you coming to MM?

Cheers, Hot Tomato

HT - I may ride up to Globe on Friday the 16th, I think there may be a few of us along that day. Wanna-be Scarab party crashers!

I hate "crashes" jokes at scooter rallies.....

(I'd put a smilie here if I used them.)