Big Valve Head
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- tommyred
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Big Valve Head
After kitting my 125 to 161, I feel like I need a tad more top end. So I got a NCY big head valve kit, NCY oil cooler, performance valve springs, and an NCY oil decompression tube kit. Hopefully it'll give me a few more MPH.
I'm still using the stock carb, so any recommendation on what jets should work best with this setup, or is it just trial by fire?
I'm still using the stock carb, so any recommendation on what jets should work best with this setup, or is it just trial by fire?
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Re: Big Valve Head
One strategy is trial by cylinder head temperature . . meter with 10mm spark plug sensor.tommyred wrote:is it just trial by fire?
- BuddyRaton
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The BBK is much more about torque than it is top end. Unless you are going to get more rpms you are not going to get more top end.
I put a BBK on a 125, opened airbox, 26mm carb,NCY pipe and stock head. I'm not convinved that the Big Head makes any difference. You can't get more fuel through the valves than is coming out of the carb.
With the stock head this thing will wheelie right out from under you if not careful.
I put a BBK on a 125, opened airbox, 26mm carb,NCY pipe and stock head. I'm not convinved that the Big Head makes any difference. You can't get more fuel through the valves than is coming out of the carb.
With the stock head this thing will wheelie right out from under you if not careful.
"Things fall apart - it's scientific" - David Byrne
www.teamscootertrash.com
'06 Cream Buddy 125, 11 Blur 220, 13 BMW C 650 GT, 68 Vespa SS180, 64 Vespa GS MK II, 65 Lambretta TV 175, 67 Vespa GT, 64 Vespa 150 VBB 64 Vespa GL
www.teamscootertrash.com
'06 Cream Buddy 125, 11 Blur 220, 13 BMW C 650 GT, 68 Vespa SS180, 64 Vespa GS MK II, 65 Lambretta TV 175, 67 Vespa GT, 64 Vespa 150 VBB 64 Vespa GL
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- BuddyRaton
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Modified airbox. Pulled the baffel and opened it upmonnoracing wrote:Are you still using the stock airbox?
"Things fall apart - it's scientific" - David Byrne
www.teamscootertrash.com
'06 Cream Buddy 125, 11 Blur 220, 13 BMW C 650 GT, 68 Vespa SS180, 64 Vespa GS MK II, 65 Lambretta TV 175, 67 Vespa GT, 64 Vespa 150 VBB 64 Vespa GL
www.teamscootertrash.com
'06 Cream Buddy 125, 11 Blur 220, 13 BMW C 650 GT, 68 Vespa SS180, 64 Vespa GS MK II, 65 Lambretta TV 175, 67 Vespa GT, 64 Vespa 150 VBB 64 Vespa GL
- tommyred
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From 0 to 50, the 125 screams. But the 150 easily goes 70, 75. The 125 tops out at 55. Faster downhill. Before I kitted it, I could go 60 no problem.Tocsik wrote:How is the 125 -> 161 comparing to your 150?
I love the extra power, but want at least 10 more MPH, and I hope the new head does it. If I have to hop on the highway, I want to at least go 60, 65.
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- tommyred
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Re: Big Valve Head
Thanks for the info. I'm already adding an NCY performance oil cooler.tortoise wrote:One strategy is trial by cylinder head temperature . . meter with 10mm spark plug sensor.tommyred wrote:is it just trial by fire?
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- tommyred
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Yeah, I gotta lean forward if I take off quick cause of the wheelies, tooBuddyRaton wrote:The BBK is much more about torque than it is top end. Unless you are going to get more rpms you are not going to get more top end.
I put a BBK on a 125, opened airbox, 26mm carb,NCY pipe and stock head. I'm not convinved that the Big Head makes any difference. You can't get more fuel through the valves than is coming out of the carb.
With the stock head this thing will wheelie right out from under you if not careful.

I've heard from both sides on top end. Even though its more on the upside. Still hard to believe it can't go as fast as before. I'm not looking to be.a speed racer, just 10/15 more MPH. And a lot of people swear by how you're jetting the carb. Never heard anything bad about the stock Buddy carb.
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- Christophers
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Can you please post some pics of the modification?BuddyRaton wrote: Modified airbox. Pulled the baffel and opened it up
I don't completely understand where the baffle that you removed is located or what it normally does.
After removing the baffle does all of the air entering the carburetor still pass through the filter? Removing the baffle doesn't allow unfiltered air to enter the intake manifold, does it?
On a stock bike what is the purpose of the baffle?
- BuddyRaton
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DIY: Performance Airbox mod
viewtopic.php?t=11141&highlight=air+box+mod
Please remember to research what your mod is actually going to do.
And to quote Kaos
You're replacing 1/2 of your motor to do this upgrade. If you've never done this before you probably shouldn't try now!
And to quote me. Modding isn't for everyone. If you get into modding your motor don't be surprised if you blow one up
viewtopic.php?t=11141&highlight=air+box+mod
Please remember to research what your mod is actually going to do.
And to quote Kaos
You're replacing 1/2 of your motor to do this upgrade. If you've never done this before you probably shouldn't try now!
And to quote me. Modding isn't for everyone. If you get into modding your motor don't be surprised if you blow one up
"Things fall apart - it's scientific" - David Byrne
www.teamscootertrash.com
'06 Cream Buddy 125, 11 Blur 220, 13 BMW C 650 GT, 68 Vespa SS180, 64 Vespa GS MK II, 65 Lambretta TV 175, 67 Vespa GT, 64 Vespa 150 VBB 64 Vespa GL
www.teamscootertrash.com
'06 Cream Buddy 125, 11 Blur 220, 13 BMW C 650 GT, 68 Vespa SS180, 64 Vespa GS MK II, 65 Lambretta TV 175, 67 Vespa GT, 64 Vespa 150 VBB 64 Vespa GL
- Christophers
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I'll have to find my notes on the jetting. It's been awhile so they are buried somewhere.
"Things fall apart - it's scientific" - David Byrne
www.teamscootertrash.com
'06 Cream Buddy 125, 11 Blur 220, 13 BMW C 650 GT, 68 Vespa SS180, 64 Vespa GS MK II, 65 Lambretta TV 175, 67 Vespa GT, 64 Vespa 150 VBB 64 Vespa GL
www.teamscootertrash.com
'06 Cream Buddy 125, 11 Blur 220, 13 BMW C 650 GT, 68 Vespa SS180, 64 Vespa GS MK II, 65 Lambretta TV 175, 67 Vespa GT, 64 Vespa 150 VBB 64 Vespa GL
- Rusty Shackleford
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- donajgra
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More speed
Put in a hot cam. You already did the head, it just keeps your valves open a little longer. It will rev higher, but you will go faster. Works great with the big head. Did you scoot start with a 102 jet?
http://www.scooterworks.com/ncy-perform ... h1s-mt5mSM
http://www.scooterworks.com/ncy-perform ... h1s-mt5mSM
- Throwback7R
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Hello TommyRed:
With the install of my 161 BBK on my Buddy 125, the results I got are exactly what you got: More power and low top end speed.
I agree with Rusty Schackleford: your not likely to get more top end speed even with a bigger head. The 150 goes faster not only because it has more power than a 125, but because of the 150 has a different and higher gear ratio than the 125. This is confirmed to me by the parts manager at Genuine in Chicago........
Rick71454
With the install of my 161 BBK on my Buddy 125, the results I got are exactly what you got: More power and low top end speed.
I agree with Rusty Schackleford: your not likely to get more top end speed even with a bigger head. The 150 goes faster not only because it has more power than a 125, but because of the 150 has a different and higher gear ratio than the 125. This is confirmed to me by the parts manager at Genuine in Chicago........
Rick71454
- SonnyD
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I believe you nailed it my Friend.....I know it's kind of fun to try and extract the last bit of HP out of anything...or the last mph.... but sometimes it's best to just Enjoy, and when it no longer satisfies, buy something bigger...Rusty Shackleford wrote:The most cost-effective, safest mod I know of, by far, to accelerate quicker, go faster, have more torque on hills, etc is the "sell your bike and buy something bigger" mod.
But in all seriousness, best of luck, though. AFR tuning: A win for EFI over carb
2006 Buddy 125 in ORANGE!..Sold
2007 Harley FLHX in Black Cherry!
1999 Saturn SC1...."Marvin"...Still runnin' strong
2007 Harley FLHX in Black Cherry!
1999 Saturn SC1...."Marvin"...Still runnin' strong
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Hello SonnyD:
I agree with Rusty Shackleford and you.................
to get a Buddy 125 to go faster is more money spent than worthwhile. I know people like to tinker.
I know because I got a Buddy 125 and I did many of the mods people discuss here and not any faster is my Buddee.
Just get a scooter with a bigger engine my Buddeez in BuddyLand..............safer idea anyway!!
Thanks
Rick71454
I agree with Rusty Shackleford and you.................
to get a Buddy 125 to go faster is more money spent than worthwhile. I know people like to tinker.
I know because I got a Buddy 125 and I did many of the mods people discuss here and not any faster is my Buddee.
Just get a scooter with a bigger engine my Buddeez in BuddyLand..............safer idea anyway!!
Thanks
Rick71454
- tommyred
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All Done
Well, I got the NCY big valve head, NCY oil cooler, Dr. Pulley variator kit with 12g sliders all installed. Carb has a 105 main jet, and I got the extra MPH I was looking for. All I wanted was to hit the speed limit, and it's a go. After two tanks of gas, I'm still getting almost 80 MPG. Now I got my lean, mean, black & red machine 

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The Reverend Wage
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- tommyred
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Previous speed was 55/60, and now i hit 65, but didn't try for more. Gonna take it easy for the first few hundred miles.
And all speeds are GPS speeds.
My Buddy is 5MPH off up to 40, and up to 10 MPH off after 50.
It was strong off the line before, and seems even stronger now.
And all speeds are GPS speeds.
My Buddy is 5MPH off up to 40, and up to 10 MPH off after 50.
It was strong off the line before, and seems even stronger now.
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Hello Tommyred:
Thanks for your response. I noticed you got a Buddy 125 & 150. For clarification, these modifications are on the Buddy 125 right?
I think we all know that a 100LBS person would likely take a scooter to higher speeds as compared to a 200LBs person on the same scooter.
May we know how much you weigh?
Thanks
Rick71454
Thanks for your response. I noticed you got a Buddy 125 & 150. For clarification, these modifications are on the Buddy 125 right?
I think we all know that a 100LBS person would likely take a scooter to higher speeds as compared to a 200LBs person on the same scooter.
May we know how much you weigh?
Thanks
Rick71454
- tommyred
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It's the Buddy 125. And I just put on some poundage, so I come in at a svelte 235! Not for long though 
And I didn't realize while riding it this weekend, but I had about 40lbs of tools in the top case. So that's 275lbs. Thing got some torque, too, let me tell ya, and once I saw it hit 63, I backed off. Wanna take it easy on the first few hundred miles or so. I even went up a wicked steep hill down the street which I usually slow down to 35 by the top, and today I climbed right up no sweat at 50 BMPH.

And I didn't realize while riding it this weekend, but I had about 40lbs of tools in the top case. So that's 275lbs. Thing got some torque, too, let me tell ya, and once I saw it hit 63, I backed off. Wanna take it easy on the first few hundred miles or so. I even went up a wicked steep hill down the street which I usually slow down to 35 by the top, and today I climbed right up no sweat at 50 BMPH.
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If you want the full performance potential of mods you can't limit the parts you are adding. Example: getting a big valve head that can flow more fuel and air without getting a larger carb and cam to let everything breathe to their potential(s).
Carb, cam, and requisite rear end gears to work with your new found power and the bike will scream.
Does the big valve head have any port work?
Carb, cam, and requisite rear end gears to work with your new found power and the bike will scream.
Does the big valve head have any port work?
- tommyred
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Nope, no work done to the head. And so far the stock carb has been doing fine. I've heard many times to leave the stock carb, cause it's a good one. Even my mechanic, Robot down Motorsports, a man who knows his stuff, says ithe stock one does a good job. Found out that a girl I know had the same thing done to her Buddy (minus the Dr. pulley kit), 20,000 miles ago 

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