Modern Buddy

Well, here's the tall windshield and some pics and directions for the non-mechanically inclined

Really, it's not that bad a process. But there are a few potential stumbling blocks.



1. Twist the black circles into the window holes. Just bend and push the side with the indention through to the front of the windshield, and twist and push till it goes through.


2. Assemble the front black pieces: screw, rubber cap, windshield


3. Add the black rubber piece that will attach the windshield to the metal rod. (The skinny hole goes closest to the windshield so that the nut can screw onto the back, the screws go to the outside and the rubber nodule thing to the inside.)
4. Then slide the metal rod up through rubber pieces. This worked best by starting off from inside the headlight hole, going through the bottom piece then twisting to push up through the top piece.


5. Remove the mirrors from the scooter. They just twist off, but note that the right-hand side is reverse threaded!

6. Determine which metal bolt is reverse threaded.

7. Assemble the metal pieces (excluding the rod) and attach to scooter making sure to use the appropriate bolt for each side (The first one I tried was the wrong bolt. It still screwed in, but caused a long and frustrating battle trying to figure out why the other bolt would not fit the other side.)


Also note that, as pointed out by others, the right hand, reverse-thread bolt might be too long. As James Tate recommended, you might want "six or so washers just to be sure you don't bottom out and damage the housing you are screwing into. Make sure to put them above the metal clamp so the height of the shield arm stays the same." topic145.html

8. Slide the windshield on by sliding the metal rod through the clamps.


9. Make sure it is on straight. Easiest way to tell is by looking at the area around the headlight and making sure it is even all the way around. Then hold in place and tighten the bolts, but don't make them immovable yet.


10. Bolt the mirrors on and adjust as needed. Again remember the right hand side is reverse threaded.


11. Tighten the bolts.


Please add any other tips and recomendations. I haven't had a chance to ride with it yet, so will post how she fares later!

Your instructions and pics are excellent. Thanks so much for taking the time to illustrate each step. This is a big help!

Definitely add the extra washers, as others suggested. Without them, it is very difficult to get the bolt tight enough to keep the mirrors in place. The vibrations and bumps of the road had them turning all willy nilly on me, so I added 6 washers to the right side and 3 to the left and now my mirrors are nice and snug.

Is that the Vespa Tall??

It's the one from Genuine. http://www.scomo.net/product_info.php/c ... ts_id/5869

Note: They apparently do not have the black trim all the way around that is shown in the brochure pics.

The black trim all the way around would probably be a visual hazard.

Yes, on the tall windshield I received the black rubber trim had been cut off(it appeared hastily done) so that only the area around the headlight still has it.

Same here. It is to protect the bike.

germ wrote:The black trim all the way around would probably be a visual hazard.

Not as tall as this thing is! LOL. But yes, I think it is safer without it; I was clarifying why my pic might not look like the same windshield in the brochure.

No worries. I agree with everyone else that it looks cool with the black trim all the way around, but would be unsafe. It really seems that the marketing for Genuine is really slacking. I am a designer and find it hard to believe sometimes on how the launch campaign for the buddy was handled. Those images of the screen should have never been on the site. Wierd to me.

Yes, and why aren't the accessories for the Buddy up under the accessories link on the Web site? I guess they are riding off the love from the Stella, and word of mouth on the Buddy. Of course, that is an advertising tactic in itself.

Seth at Metro told me the black trim in the photo was put there just so you would be able to see the outline of the windshield.

Shellee wrote:Your instructions and pics are excellent. Thanks so much for taking the time to illustrate each step. This is a big help!

Yes -- thank you! I would have been very lost without your help.

Have people been paying about $150 for the tall windshield?

I paid $110. http://www.scomo.net/index.php/cPath/484_486

So does anyone have the short one?
I am wondering if the short one would be just as effective. I like the look of the shorter one better.
any one, thanks in advance.

I have the short one. I love it--it definitely improves mileage. I also wear a full faced Scorpion exo400 helmet. The wind does go over the top of the short shield and hit me in the face, but I barely notice it.

Thanks for the tip. Do you wish you had gotten the tall?
I don't want a face full of wind, I would rather have it around me, but I don't want to ruin the asthetics of the bike.

I am bumping this b/c everytime I search for this thread I cannot find it without huge effort! Plus, with a chill in the air, I am certain this will be helpful for those installing (or reinstalling from last year)

I just installed the short windshields on me and the wifes buddies, and they go a long way to keeping the cold air off , they look cool and feel more stable at thirty to fiftyfive mph than with out the windshield. The hardware kit also puts the mirrors higher and more outboard, this has been a real plus for me being 6' 4" and being a fair bit wider in the shoulder than my sweetie, the mirror thing was never an issue for her......