Modern Buddy

I am considering a leftover 2009 Buddy 125 and I have a few ???'s about maintenance before I dive in...

1) engine oil...weight & type (eg: do I specifically NEED motorcycle or scooter oil)

2) rear hub oil...weight & type (ie: is it the 'heavy' 140 weight or the 'lighter' 90 weight)

3) engine oil filter...what type?

thanks

Egine oil-15w40(synthetic if you can afford it)

Gear oil-85w140

Filter-Piaggio makes a hex-head filter that you can buy at Scooterworks.com and Scooterwest.com for about $10 a pop that fits the Buddy. Check those sites out and you can learn alot. Hows that Rattler been? I wanted one for awhile.

No, you don't need "scooter" oil. A good synthetic like Mobil 1 bought at the local discount store is just fine.

I use Motul 710 and love it.

Raiderfn311 wrote:I use Motul 710 and love it.

Please, Dog, tell me you're using it in something other than your St. Tropez, unless you have a 50cc St. Tropez! Is there such a thang?
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Raiderfn311 wrote:I use Motul 710 and love it.

Oh, hell no! You mentioned in the other thread a drain plug AND a screen and filter!

If you're using Motul 710, you have the wrong oil for your scooter. DO NOT RIDE. Drain immediately, and replace with 4-stroke crankcase oil, 10w40 or similar!

No sh!t, this will ruin your engine.
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My bad. 7100! The 4t! But, I did have a 2t first and used 710. Great oil.

I do appreciate your concern though!

Raiderfn311 wrote:My bad. 7100! The 4t! But, I did have a 2t first and used 710. Great oil.

I do appreciate your concern though!

Whew. :) So glad, SO glad...! :)
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Man I really appreciate it too. Is your avatar Warren Zevon?

Raiderfn311 wrote:Man I really appreciate it too. Is your avatar Warren Zevon? :shock:

No; that's me, with some Photoshop cartoonizing. :)
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Very similiar. Since you are listening, when I did my oil change, I didnt torque the filter, just guessed at it. I am having a terrible time finding a socket, and a wrench for that matter, to fit. Any suggestions?

Raiderfn311 wrote:Very similiar. Since you are listening, when I did my oil change, I didnt torque the filter, just guessed at it. I am having a terrible time finding a socket, and a wrench for that matter, to fit. Any suggestions?

Yes -- the filter nut is actually not metric, although there's a metric socket that semi-fits. I don't recall the exact size, but look up the East Side Scooters Buddy Oil Change Video on YouTube -- it tells ya the English socket size. 12/ft. lbs. is the torque value, but you'll probably be okay if you hand-snugged it really tightly, and keep an eye on it the first week to make sure you have no leaks. The gasket is a toroid (doughnut-shaped), and does require some torque to make it seal up well.
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jprestonian wrote:

Raiderfn311 wrote:Very similiar. Since you are listening, when I did my oil change, I didnt torque the filter, just guessed at it. I am having a terrible time finding a socket, and a wrench for that matter, to fit. Any suggestions?

Yes -- the filter nut is actually not metric, although there's a metric socket that semi-fits. I don't recall the exact size, but look up the East Side Scooters Buddy Oil Change Video on YouTube -- it tells ya the English socket size. 12/ft. lbs. is the torque value, but you'll probably be okay if you hand-snugged it tightly, and keep an eye on it the first week to make sure you have no leaks. The gasket is a toroid (doughnut-shaped), and does require some torque to make it seal up well.
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Thats what I intend to do. Ive done many oil changes on cars, but this is my first scoot. When I say fit BTW, I mean actually getting the socket on the head. Its so tight up there with the stand and all. I cant find an angle. I know a lift would help but...............

Raiderfn311 wrote:

jprestonian wrote:

Raiderfn311 wrote:Very similiar. Since you are listening, when I did my oil change, I didnt torque the filter, just guessed at it. I am having a terrible time finding a socket, and a wrench for that matter, to fit. Any suggestions?

Yes -- the filter nut is actually not metric, although there's a metric socket that semi-fits. I don't recall the exact size, but look up the East Side Scooters Buddy Oil Change Video on YouTube -- it tells ya the English socket size. 12/ft. lbs. is the torque value, but you'll probably be okay if you hand-snugged it tightly, and keep an eye on it the first week to make sure you have no leaks. The gasket is a toroid (doughnut-shaped), and does require some torque to make it seal up well.
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Thats what I intend to do. Ive done many oil changes on cars, but this is my first scoot. When I say fit BTW, I mean actually getting the socket on the head. Its so tight up there with the stand and all. I cant find an angle. I know a lift would help but...............

The 150s have the filter facing forward, right? I've done oil changes on them, before, but probably 10x as many on the 125s. I seem to recall only needing the proper-sized socket and an extension to get to the filter, but yeah, the stand is a PITA on a lot of bikes (mine included) when it comes to changing the oil.
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Idea: Ride it to an AutoZone or other such place ASAP. They'll generally loan you a torque wrench and extension so you can get the 12 ft/lbs applied, and then you're golden. :)
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Raiderfn311 wrote:I am having a terrible time finding a socket, and a wrench for that matter, to fit. Any suggestions?

I have a 2009 Buddy 125. My hex-head filters need a 13/16" socket. A 21mm will fit, but it's loose. Sometimes I've found the 13/16" sockets labeled as a spark plug socket.

I can get to it easily if I go in from the left side with a 6 inch socket extension bar. It's a lot easier to use the extension bar than trying to work around or through the center stand.

The oil filter on the 150 is facing with the hex head towards the back of the bike. The 125 filter is facing sideways, right? That seems to be a easier place IMHO. I think I need a socket extension, as you have said. No need to cheap out now.

Edit- I think the 170's are facing foward. PGO needs to make up their minds cause Im confused.

Raiderfn311 wrote:Edit- I think the 170's are facing foward. PGO needs to make up their minds cause Im confused. :)

That's it. I've done one on a 170i, and that's what I was thinking. I may have done 3-4 on the 150s, and dozens of 125s.
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Raiderfn311 wrote:The oil filter on the 150 is facing with the hex head towards the back of the bike. The 125 filter is facing sideways, right? That seems to be a easier place IMHO. I think I need a socket extension, as you have said. No need to cheap out now.

Edit- I think the 170's are facing foward. PGO needs to make up their minds cause Im confused.

I can't recall if I used an extension or not on mine, but I was able to get in there with a socket. I believe I just had to push aside one of the hoses in the area to get the socket in there. It's a tight fit, but it's doable.

I've learned some good info reading this...

thank you to the one person who actually answered my inquiry directly

the Rattler has a bit over 900 miles, the engine runs good with some starting issues in damper weather and when Lucas ethanol treatment is used for fuel stability; the unfortunate flaw in the design is all the openings in the front panel...I've had 2 relays ruined from water incursion during the excess rain we got this year (horn and turn signal relays); both were replaced under warranty and the shop owner where I bought it is going to use inner tube or tire tube material and seal these openings (best guess is epoxy on the underside of the panel)

I may NOT be trading it in since I got injured right before Christmas & I meet with my orthopedic surgeon on Jan 3rd to review the MRI and find out if I need surgery, which means being out of work and burning up the savings account to pay the bills

Don't get me started on injurys eating into bank accounts. Been there friend. I'm glad we could give you some info.

kmrcstintn wrote:I've learned some good info reading this...

thank you to the one person who actually answered my inquiry directly

the Rattler has a bit over 900 miles, the engine runs good with some starting issues in damper weather and when Lucas ethanol treatment is used for fuel stability; the unfortunate flaw in the design is all the openings in the front panel...I've had 2 relays ruined from water incursion during the excess rain we got this year (horn and turn signal relays); both were replaced under warranty and the shop owner where I bought it is going to use inner tube or tire tube material and seal these openings (best guess is epoxy on the underside of the panel)

I may NOT be trading it in since I got injured right before Christmas & I meet with my orthopedic surgeon on Jan 3rd to review the MRI and find out if I need surgery, which means being out of work and burning up the savings account to pay the bills

That sucks, sorry to hear that! Wish you the best of luck and a speedy recovery either way.

FWIW, we just did my oil changes on my 170. THey were pretty easy and straightforward (after reading which socket sizes to use on MB haha) and we are also going to rotate my tires to give me a little more time before I have to replace them, because I'm going through miles fast. Our next venture is to figure out if and how I should change my spark plug... but the general maintenance of any Buddy seems to be veeerry easy.

a quick update...

first off...thanks for the get well wishes;

had my doctor's appointment...the damage was minimal (shaved some cartilage off the kneecap) and it's mostly bruised and contused; there is a cartilage flap that can get pinched and cause more pain, but it's better than having ligaments and meniscus tears;

I might get the Buddy 125 (gonna wait a few weeks for finances to settle); I'm definitely NOT gonna trade my Buell Blast for a lightly used Harley Sportster 883 that I want (credit rating took a hit when some bills got paid late during the entire injury fiasco) and I don't want inflated payments...