Buddy 170i Sitting for a Long Time!

Discussion of the Genuine Buddy, Hooligan, Black Jack and other topics, both scooter related and not

Moderator: Modern Buddy Staff

Post Reply
bdeitch
Member
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Jan 06, 2020 3:22 am
Location: Philly Burbs

Buddy 170i Sitting for a Long Time!

Post by bdeitch »

Hi, everyone!

I'm new to the forum. I bought a Buddy 170i in 2015 and loved it. I commuted with it regularly for a year and a half. Long story short, it has been sitting for 2 years now and (predictably) won't do anything at all. The light doesn't even come on when I turn the key. Now, I'm eager to get it up and running.

Can anyone give me a step-by-step list of what I should do to get it back on the road again? I think it probably needs more than just a new battery, but I don't know in what order to diagnose and tackle the potential problems.


Thank you in advance!
atxg3
Member
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Dec 31, 2019 10:32 pm
Location: Austin

Re: Buddy 170i Sitting for a Long Time!

Post by atxg3 »

bdeitch wrote:Hi, everyone!

I'm new to the forum. I bought a Buddy 170i in 2015 and loved it. I commuted with it regularly for a year and a half. Long story short, it has been sitting for 2 years now and (predictably) won't do anything at all. The light doesn't even come on when I turn the key. Now, I'm eager to get it up and running.

Can anyone give me a step-by-step list of what I should do to get it back on the road again? I think it probably needs more than just a new battery, but I don't know in what order to diagnose and tackle the potential problems.


Thank you in advance!
In order I would do this:

Drain the fuel tank (if not already done). Easiest way to do this is to get one of those fluid pumps (Like this one here) and drain into a gas canister. Replace with brand new gas.

CHECK the fluids (oil + gear oil) - make sure all are at good levels before starting your scooter, best to definitely change the fluids before or very soon after you get your scooter started. Gear oil, if like my buddy, can't really be checked for 'level' but just ensure that there is oil, and avoid driving the scooter until you can change it out.

Definitely replace, or charge the battery (much better to just replace the battery). If you're in a pinch and need to charge the battery, either charge the old battery with a charger (2 amp slow charger), OR get a pair of jumper cables and connect the cables to a car battery while the vehicle is off, and connect to your battery. Do not start the car. You can then try to crank over your hooligan using this method. Keep in mind that your battery will need to charge and probably will take a long while to charge so either throw the old battery on a slow charger or (better method) change it completely with a new battery.
bdeitch
Member
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Jan 06, 2020 3:22 am
Location: Philly Burbs

Post by bdeitch »

Thank you so much!
JayinLA
Member
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Aug 26, 2019 6:02 am
Location: Los Angeles

Post by JayinLA »

I have a Buddy 170I that sat unused for a few months and the battery was dead. I jump started it using a portable jumpstarter. It started immediately, but the battery did not hold a charge, no matter how much I drove it.

I bought a battery tender, but after several days, it still only had a red light, which indicated the battery was dead.

I bought the battery below from Amazon (model number based on Buddy manual) and hooked it up today, but nothing. No lights or horn. I tested the battery and it has at least 80% power.

Any ideas how to get my Buddy back on the road?

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07 ... UTF8&psc=1
User avatar
Stanza
Member
Posts: 575
Joined: Mon Jan 29, 2018 8:34 pm
Location: Chicago

Post by Stanza »

Put the battery you bought off amazon on the tender to fully charge it, and check your main fuse on the red wire. If it's blown, you will have no power to the bike.
JayinLA
Member
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Aug 26, 2019 6:02 am
Location: Los Angeles

Post by JayinLA »

@Stanza, I can't thank you enough! My Buddy is up and running!

I charged the battery overnight and checked the fuse in the small plastic case (in the battery compartment). Sure enough, the fuse was blown. I got a replacement, dropped it in, attached the new battery, and my bike sprung to life!

Many, many thanks for taking the time!
fried okra
Member
Posts: 111
Joined: Wed Dec 05, 2018 7:58 pm
Location: Charleston

Post by fried okra »

With fuel injection they usually start right up after sitting for years even.

With a carburetor, not so much :(
User avatar
wheelbender6
Member
Posts: 852
Joined: Sun Jul 07, 2013 1:27 am
Location: Houston area

Post by wheelbender6 »

Glad you had a happy ending with the 170i.
2013 Buddy 125, Prima Pipe, #95 main jet, Orange CDI
User avatar
Stanza
Member
Posts: 575
Joined: Mon Jan 29, 2018 8:34 pm
Location: Chicago

Post by Stanza »

JayinLA wrote:@Stanza, I can't thank you enough! My Buddy is up and running!

I charged the battery overnight and checked the fuse in the small plastic case (in the battery compartment). Sure enough, the fuse was blown. I got a replacement, dropped it in, attached the new battery, and my bike sprung to life!

Many, many thanks for taking the time!
You're welcome! That sometimes happens when you try to jump start it off a much more powerful battery, or if the terminals are accidentally connected backwards for a second.
Post Reply