Modern Buddy

UPDATE:

The dealer found that the belt was "pretty loose" so they replaced the belt. It is much better now, but there is still a jump in it (I'm fairly certain that this "jump" was never there before).

So now the symptoms are a slight jump when changing from low to high and now it's not every time - maybe every other time.

New ideas? Are these suggetions from JSharpPhoto still applicable (except for the belt, of course)?

open up your tranny and inspect the following....

1. your belt
2.. the faces of your front pulleys (it sounds like there may be an rough spot on them)
3. Clutch pads, they may be worn or sticking
4. clutch springs, they may have gotten displaced or installed improperly, causing you clutch to engage incorrectly.

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I tried searching for this and didn't come up with anything. I'm hoping someone may have an idea what's going on...

When starting out from a stop, the transmission jerks the bike forward when moving from low gear to high gear. Sometimes the bike shudders or vibrates right before the jump, sometimes it just jumps, but it happens every time I start out from a stop. Once I'm in high gear, everything's fine.

I don't remember an "incident" that may have caused this. I just noticed it on my ride home yesterday when pulling away from a red light (and then every time thereafter).

Anyone with ideas?

'08 Buddy 125
3400 miles
Almost out of warranty
At the dealer now

Considering there are no gears in the buddy nothing makes much sense.

The only idea I can think of is that maybe somehow the clutch is malfunctioning and take off isnt right. Maybe you have serious flat spot on the roller weights?

Never really heard anyone having this problem.

It sounds like there could be some belt slippage possibly?

As JFrost eluded to, the transmission on the Buddy is a CVT so while it can't be jumping between gears, there is a belt that could slip (and this often happens at the first part of the throttle) or stuck rollers, etc.

I had some similar issues (very minor though) after riding through some standing water.

Unless you are comfortable opening up your transmission, best bet is your shop.

just guessing, could also be a fuel or clutch problem, possibly a problem switching to main jet. Just guessing, don't really know much about anything.

With 3400 miles, it's most likely it's clutch slippage due to a build up of belt dust. Have the shop check the inside of the CVT since it's in there. Good call on taking it in.

From a technical view point, rollers and belts would not wear out or begin slipping at 3400 miles, they should both have plenty of use and miles left on them. BUT it is possible rollers may be stuck and malfunctioning, the clutch is somehow not working, or something got into the CVT housing and greased up the belt...I dont know, anything is possible until you open it up and look.

jfrost2 wrote:From a technical view point, rollers and belts would not wear out or begin slipping at 3400 miles, they should both have plenty of use and miles left on them. BUT it is possible rollers may be stuck and malfunctioning, the clutch is somehow not working, or something got into the CVT housing and greased up the belt...I dont know, anything is possible until you open it up and look.

My stock rollers are flat with only 2000 on them, not that this is the problem. Definitely sound like clutch or belt slip

Loose (nut that holds) variator plate?
Loose (nut that holds) clutch?
Oil on belt?
Oil on clutch shoes?

Gotta open her up to have a look see.

babblefish wrote:Loose (nut that holds) variator plate?
Loose (nut that holds) clutch?
Oil on belt?
Oil on clutch shoes?

Gotta open her up to have a look see.

Not a loose nut, loose nuts = grenade

I've heard of the rollers getting completely crossed up inside the variator causing a similar symptom. Regardless, it's no big deal, The transmission in your scooter is childsplay for a competent mechanic to take apart, so your dealer will be able to straighten this out quickly and easily.

I blew one of the seals in my clutch causing some grease to spray into the clutch bell which was similar in effect to what you're talking about. Have it checked out. The clutch was covered under the warranty. Hard to believe I still have one left.

jfrost2 wrote:From a technical view point, rollers and belts would not wear out or begin slipping at 3400 miles, they should both have plenty of use and miles left on them. BUT it is possible rollers may be stuck and malfunctioning, the clutch is somehow not working, or something got into the CVT housing and greased up the belt...I dont know, anything is possible until you open it up and look.

The rollers can wear down if ridden hard enough or if there's dirt or debris in the variator causing one of the to stick, as you suggested (which is pretty common). Belt, same thing, dirt, grease, oil can all cause slippage and result in uneven wear, cracks or pockmarks.

So, as other have said, the whole thing should be pulled apart, inspected, and cleaned out.

It is possible like you said eric, they can wear down faster, but the majority of the time, most people have them last 6-8k miles.

I'm ruling out roller weights, they're still in there and should function worn and flatted or not, not as good as a brand new set would, but they would still function. This sounds more like the belt or clutch.

I'd guess roller weights. When is the last time you took off your side cover and cleaned it out, dirt, belt dust etc.....could be keeping your roller weights from moving freely? Check it and let us know what you find.

jfrost2 wrote:It is possible like you said eric, they can wear down faster, but the majority of the time, most people have them last 6-8k miles.

I'm ruling out roller weights, they're still in there and should function worn and flatted or not, not as good as a brand new set would, but they would still function. This sounds more like the belt or clutch.

I wore out my stock rollers in 4K, then got Prima rollers and destroyed them in about 1K. I'm now on sliders. Hopefully they last awhile.

open up your tranny and inspect the following....

1. your belt
2.. the faces of your front pulleys (it sounds like there may be an rough spot on them)
3. Clutch pads, they may be worn or sticking
4. clutch springs, they may have gotten displaced or installed improperly, causing you clutch to engage incorrectly.

i have this exact issue, started at 800 miles (~1100 on the clock now). took it to the dealer, and they couldn't replicate it. very frustrating, and sometimes scary when it really jerks forward.

I'd like to bring this topic back up from the dead. I am having the same issue as of 50 miles ago.......Did anyone ever come up with a definite answer for this problem?

out18law18 wrote:I'd like to bring this topic back up from the dead. I am having the same issue as of 50 miles ago.......Did anyone ever come up with a definite answer for this problem?

There's more than one possible answer for the same problem here.

Have you had your transmission checked at all? Had any maintenance done to it?

Update, changed the gear oil = no change in trans issue. Today i removed the cover (5 min job) blew all the dust i could out of a relatively clean cvt trans/cover. then i took the wooden handle of my hammer and "gently" hit all over the rear pulley mechanism and blew a little more dust out of it. After a short test ride I would say problem solved. It was either dust or a stuck roller that got loosened with the hammer treatment. Either way it was 15 min well spent.

I recently was having the "jump" issue. I changed the belt yesterday, most of the problem was resolved, a lot gentler of a jump still remains intermittently. I did get about 5-10 back on the top end. I also found some oil leakage from over filling. Today's project, siphon out some of the excess oil, thoroughly clean the cvt casing, and check the clutch springs.