The Stella 4T scooter may be new to the Canadian market, but you'll probably recognize it as an improved version of the Vespa PX90. It's built by India's Lohia Machinery Limited (LML), imported through Genuine Scooters and distributed in Montreal by Scootart.
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Available in 2- and 4-stroke variants, the Stella is produced in India by LML. (Photo: Amyot Bachand/Moto123.com) |
The origins
Philip McCaleb always had a thing for scooters and the unique sub-culture they've developed. He first created Scooterworks with the goal of restoring old Vespas and Lambrettas, which also meant finding aftermarket parts for these models. Then, in 2002, he founded Genuine Scooters, a Chicago-based company that builds and sells such scooters.
McCaleb started to manufacture vintage scooters using second-hand machinery and metal stamping presses. The increasing demand caught him by surprise, so he eventually teamed up with LML as an importer and distributor of the Stella.
Available in 2- and 4-stroke variants, the Stella is produced in India by LML, which has been assembling a number of Vespa scooters for Piaggio for years. When Piaggio decided to cease production of XP models, LML requested and received permission to build them under the name Star Xpress.
LML is the third largest scooter manufacturer in India and owns a significant share of the market.
Transition to 4 strokes
The flawless fit and finish shows just how serious LML and Genuine Scooters are. The Indian engineers particularly reworked the rear section to accommodate the new 4-stroke engine that powers the Stella. While preserving the unibody construction, they used thicker, stronger steel and discreetly stretched the tail. The result is a slightly heavier machine (121 kg) than the original PX.
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The Indian engineers particularly reworked the rear section to accommodate the new 4-stroke engine that powers the Stella. (photo: Guenine) |