I just got a new scooter.  A beautiful Avocado green Stella with white wall tires.  It’s basically a modernized Vespa PX150.  In fact, they’re made in an old PX150 factory.  The only big difference between the Stella and it’s Vespa brother is a slightly improved engine and breaking system.

So why buy a scooter that was state of the art in the 70’s?  Here’s where the “science” comes in.  While electronics and computers are very familiar to me, I know next to nothing about engines.  However, I have always been interested and have performed several minor acts of vehicle surgery in the past.  The Stella, like the Vespa, was designed with the intent of being 100% user serviceable.  Theoretically, all you need is a little mechanical aptitude and a copy of the Haynes manual to keep one running.  It also helps to have a brother that’s a certified 2-stroke mechanic.

So while my new Stella should give me a few years of trouble-free service, I’m actually looking forward to my first mechanical problem to solve.  I definitely can’t say the same about my car.