Modern Buddy

The other day I was making a right hand turn at a light that had just turned green... it was early in the morning, so no traffic. I took the turn about 10 MPH, and bam, scooter just slipped right out from under me. Pissed me off something fierce, had it for about a year now and have never had any sort of crash. They were doing construction so it was kind of sandy with a little gravel. My buddy was more or less fine, as it landed on me. Mirror was all knocked out of whack and there's a few small scrapes, but nothing major. I got more road rash (through my jeans and jacket) than my buddy.

Anyways, I had noticed the tread on the back tire was getting a little worn down (8.2k miles), so I figure after the incident above I better replace it. Don't particularly want that to happen again. I ordered one of the Vee rubber tires Kaos recommended as being very grippy on voodoo-buddy.com, and now I'm curious as to how hard it will be to replace it myself ? Anyone have any experience ? I tried searching the forums, but came up empty.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I actually took the wheel in to my local moto shop and had them do it. We (my b/f and I) do most of the work ourselves on our bikes, but the way the wheels are on the Buddy, it was easier to bring it in then curse each other for scratched up paint. It was all of 10 bux to mount (because I got the tire there, too...and they matched the lowest price I found online). And I got the warm, fuzzy feeling of supporting a local shop.

Oh, I got a Michelin S1. I looooove the S1s! I kept the stock front tire as it's got plenty of tread left.

Call your shop and check the price. Mine charges $40 if you bring the wheel in and $120 if you have them remove the wheel. On the rear you have to remove the exhaust to get to the nut to remove the wheel. With the right tools getting the tire on and off isn't too bad, but will definitely be a work out.

I just did it myself recently, I used the mini tire changer from harbor freight for breaking the bead and to hold the wheel when removing the tire and replacing it. I wish I had bought the regular tire changer and motorcycle accessory as it would have made it easier clamping the wheel so it didn't turn (an issue with remounting).

To get the tire off and then back on I used the nomar tire changer from these guys (www.nomartirechanger.com), as well as their little yellow thingy. Because of the fact I used the bar the wheel had a tendency to turn slightly making remounting tougher. To be honest remounting was a bear, but I got the new tire on. Spoons would work well too, and would be fine with the mini tire changer, I wish I had the room and extra $$ to have bought their full setup but oh well. Watch their videos, it's not quite as easy as they show to remount but it can be done. Unmounting was as easy as they show.

The main reason I invested the money was I plan on having a scooter for a while, I figure I can't afford to spend $120 every year for a rear tire mounting. Also, my shop is about 45 min away, not a big deal it's a nice ride there, but they don't always have a mechanic available on Saturday.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Don

when you all do it yourselves are you keeping the original stem valves? how are you making sure they are sealed well?

Loose valves have caused a crash or two and well, I have NO IDEA how it's done and if it's simple.

I'm having to get the rear tire replaced almost every 4 months! 8.2K on a stock tire is really, really, good. I got only 5k.

well i diy tires all the time
never reuse your valve stem get a new one
you need a good air compressor
soap the beads and as you inflate it (i put ratchet straps around the tire to make setting the bead easier)
as you inflate it listen for 2 pops (on for each bead)
then with the tire over inflated submerge it in water and watch for bubbles to make sure the bead is set properly

if you dont get the bead set properly you are taking your life in your hands

jijifer wrote:when you all do it yourselves are you keeping the original stem valves? how are you making sure they are sealed well?

I didn't replace the valves but will next time. If I remember correctly they seemed to be held in place by a rubber grommet. I did check the seal for leakage. Next time I'll by new valves. The no mar site has some for sale.

jijifer wrote:I'm having to get the rear tire replaced almost every 4 months! 8.2K on a stock tire is really, really, good. I got only 5k.

I got 3600 on my Maxxis white walls which was a bummer.

with the right tools its not that hard,,, without the right tools its not an easy job... here is a link with a little info and help in that area....

http://www.modernvespa.com/forum/topic10771

What is a replacement valve stem for the buddies?

Just bought two brand new Zippys in prep for replacing my original tires. The scoot has 6700+ miles on it now, but the tires seem to be in really good shape.

The treads are super deep on both front and rear and there's no cracking around them at all.

Is this unusual?

At what stage do I need to replace them (is the Lincoln penny trick the same on a scoot tire as it is on a car tire)?

I definitely don't want to slide out anywhere. But I've been really good about proper tire inflation - usually check right before I start the scoot in the basement, then remember how many pounds they need to get to 31lbs each. THEN I let the scoot warm up and ride it the mile or so to the local gas station. THEN THEN I check the tires again and they have usually gone up 2lbs. I add the amount I remembered from the basement and then go off on my ride.

So, I think I'm treating them right and just wondering when they'll be ready for the new rubber.

*Want to coordinate this with new sliders and belt so the whole deal can be done at once. Might even put on a new exhaust as the scoot will be 2 years old in June and then will be out of warranty anyhow.

Thanks in advance!

Jeff

sotied wrote:I let the scoot warm up and ride it the mile or so to the local gas station. THEN THEN I check the tires again and they have usually gone up 2lbs. I add the amount I remembered from the basement and then go off on my ride.

Pretty much the same process I use, yet I have to go about 5 miles to the nearest gas station.
I have almost 5000 miles on the scoot, my front looks great, but I think my rear (tire that is) is just about shot!
I've had the back end 'squirrel' about when breaking on a rain slick road, s c a r y !!!!

Thanks for all the responses. I called up my local shop and they said if I just brought them the rim and the new tire, they'd mount it for $25. Mounting it myself looked a little too complex (having none of the necessary equipment), but I'm pretty sure I can manage to get the old tire off - since I can cut it up if need be, lol.

I thought about this thread this weekend, we had one of our members show up to the rally with a severely worn rear tire--you could see the cording in several areas. She went ahead and tried to do the ride and after a (planned) turn around in gravel she was going up a hill and apparently there was a loud "POP" and the tire blew out. (I was not there, but that is how it was described to me.)

She managed to keep it upright, not hit anyone or be hit by anyone, get to the side of the road and some other members pulled off with her and stayed with her until the sag wagon could get there and pick them up.

Definitely keep a close eye on tires, don't take any chances, your life (and possibly the lives of others) is very literally riding on those things.

I am considering purchasing a spare for each of my scooters to keep at home since it takes anywhere from a few days to even a week or longer (rarely, but it has been known to happen) to get new tires in. Anyone have any thoughts or advise on this? I ride often enough that we are talking about storing a tire for less than a year before I would use it.

She knew that the tire was bad before they showed up, but did not realise it until it would have been too late to even consider ordering a new tire. Of course. I suspect that next time her tires are even slightly dicey she will be riding with someone instead of taking such a chance... I suspect she also will be removing that cute little "Vespa" mudflap from the back of her scooter so they can SEE the tire easier...

-v