Modern Buddy

just curious if anyone is doing upgrades/mods in preparation for the spring riding season?

as for me I purchased rear & front racks and a top case:

front rack: http://www.scooterworks.com/Front-Rack- ... 6C383.aspx

rear rack: http://www.scooterworks.com/Rear-Rack-B ... 8C386.aspx

top case: http://www.airhead.com/scooterlogic/SLHB1.html

rear rack went on easy; top case base plate was more difficult since the philips screw hole on top of the bolts started to strip & I ended up using regular bolts with matching washers & nuts;

I'm not confident in cutting the inserts in the front cowl to mount the front rack as described here (so I'm going to have dealership where I bought the scoot do it):

topic14394.html

future upgrades might include a windshield and scooter mitts

forgot to mention reflective stickers/wraps...

I got the top rack a couple weeks ago and now I'm tossing on the cowl protectors.

thinking of a bbk for my blackjack for sure adding a front rack and got bar end mirrors waiting to go on

I just slapped a kit and a new crankshaft on my Stella, once it's all broken in I may slap a new clutch on top of that

Got a Prima pipe waiting to go on, plus rollers/sliders and an upjet are part of the job, but I'm riding in this week's nice weather - I'll have to wait until there's a day or two of rain/snow in the forecast to take it in to the shop!

I have some simple plans with reflective tape and stickers. I have some white reflective tape to use for pin stripes on my orange Buddy 125. I also picked up some Detroit Tiger stickers since they are my favorite team to put on. I have a windshield and a rear rack on it and if I can come up with the funds, I would like to put on crash bars.

Never get any time off here in S Cal, it's just ride, ride, ride all of the time. It's 84 degrees right now.

Looking to install some heated grips. I thought mainly for winter, but I've been reading up, and lots of people find themselves using them year round (like for early morning rides, etc, in the warmer weather).

Hoping to get a new clutch and variator on the Rattler. I'm just not happy with the performance clutch. I'd sacrifice a smidge of acceleration to get a little more top end. Then again, I'm still tempted to look for a Buddy. The Rattler is cool... don't get me wrong. But, I'm still torn...

Hoping to get a new clutch and variator on the Rattler. I'm just not happy with the performance clutch. I'd sacrifice a smidge of acceleration to get a little more top end. Then again, I'm still tempted to look for a Buddy. The Rattler is cool... don't get me wrong. But, I'm still torn...

I was in the same boat...I enjoyed the stuffing out of my Rattler, but the black Buddy just sang to me; luved the pep of the 2T in the Ratter, but I like the 4T having more reserve for going up hills

I've been trying to rebuild Stella all winter. Putting on a Malossi 166 kit with a stroker crank. I've got a new SIP Road pipe as well that's going on her.

Howard

I have a windshield to slap on, and some new vinyl and stickers
Still have seat covers, and saddlebags in the works.. otherwise, just some more routine maintenance.

I put in a new spark plug recently. Starting reliably definitely helps it go faster.

I just recently changed out the stock rollers for some 13gm sliders, both as an upgrade/mod and as an overdue bit of maintenance. I've got an order in for a low profile seat, so that'll go on as soon as I get it. Once I've got the seat on, I think I might have to modify my windshield to make the top below eye level. As for as getting ready for spring, the only extra thing I might do if we ever get some sunshine is wash off all of the crud that's accumulated over the winter . Oh, and remove the mitts from my handlebars. I think I can do that soon, since our temps seem to be consistently in the 50s.

had my dealer cut the holes in my front cowl yesterday; installed the front rack today...another PITA! the holes didn't quite line up with the screw inserts on the frame underneath; after I got everything tightened down the rack was slightly crooked, so I loosened everything and tweaked the rack a few times...finally got close and gave up for today; I'm gonna stay away from it for a day or two and start over fresh

kmrcstintn wrote:had my dealer cut the holes in my front cowl yesterday; installed the front rack today...another PITA! the holes didn't quite line up with the screw inserts on the frame underneath; after I got everything tightened down the rack was slightly crooked, so I loosened everything and tweaked the rack a few times...finally got close and gave up for today; I'm gonna stay away from it for a day or two and start over fresh

Sounds normal to me I found that leaving the front body panel loose while lining up the rack screws and tightening it down etc helped. Tighten up the body panel last.

Just put blur mirrors on the buddy. Gotta replace the sliders, belt, spark plug, and do a complete fluid change before cannonball. I also may upgrade to a nautilus horn, and will transfer the front rack from my wife's buddy to mine. I did the PIAA HS1 headlight upgrade recently, and I'll need some armored riding pants.

New clutch for the rat (67 GT)

Cosa clutch (23 tooth)
Carbon fibre clutch plates
MMW clutch basket.

Howardr wrote:I've been trying to rebuild Stella all winter. Putting on a Malossi 166 kit with a stroker crank. I've got a new SIP Road pipe as well that's going on her.

Howard

Don't forget to chamfer the cylinder ports, check ring gap etc. Also remember to retorque the head after a few heat cycles. I run that kit, heavily ported, with a mazzy cut crank an a bunch of other mods. Get a bunch of jets too. Run fat for break in (rich) that kit LOVES the high revs!

Took the last bits of the stripes off.


(It looks naked! Time to order new vinyl!)


Added new sticker.


(Buddy Christ, +infinity mph)


Got the wind screen on.


(Slipstreamer Scoot 66)


(pardon the lack of make-up, funky hair, and monster hoodie... it's been one of those days)

my first mods were Stebel horn, race numbers and stripes, shorter mirrors, powder coated rims, rear shock, variator kit 9.5 gram rollers and prima pipe.
it's been about 4 months and i'm ready for round 2:

fender cut down, dot blinker removal, fancy black mirrors and brake levers, NCY front shock and rotor. i'm all about the bling at the moment

BootScootin'FireFighter wrote:Just put blur mirrors on the buddy. Gotta replace the sliders, belt, spark plug, and do a complete fluid change before cannonball. I also may upgrade to a nautilus horn, and will transfer the front rack from my wife's buddy to mine. I did the PIAA HS1 headlight upgrade recently, and I'll need some armored riding pants.

I wanna see a pic of The Mothership with its new mirrors, I'm curious as to how they look!

gonna try the K61s. need new brakes. if I get the ncy big brake then my voodoo is complete!

jijifer wrote:gonna try the K61s. need new brakes. if I get the ncy big brake then my voodoo is complete!

Another convert!

Jut added A Prima pipe as well as a Performance variator and different sliders. Haven't had many chances to ride since but I'm ready go go.

smithrw wrote:Jut added A Prima pipe as well as a Performance variator and different sliders. Haven't had many chances to ride since but I'm ready go go.

I wasn't pleased with the stock acceleration so
when i put the Prima on, Max took off like a rocket. i was happy until i noticed top end suffered. the variator returned top end, but wasn't as fast at take off so we changed the rollers to 9.5 Max now does mini wheelies and in perfect conditions can reach indicated 70. I'd love to know how you like your set up.

batgirl101 wrote:

smithrw wrote:Jut added A Prima pipe as well as a Performance variator and different sliders. Haven't had many chances to ride since but I'm ready go go.

I wasn't pleased with the stock acceleration so
when i put the Prima on, Max took off like a rocket. i was happy until i noticed top end suffered. the variator returned top end, but wasn't as fast at take off so we changed the rollers to 9.5 Max now does mini wheelies and in perfect conditions can reach indicated 70. I'd love to know how you like your set up.

The Prima's not really built for the injected 170i. YMMV.

Just installed the 161 kit and big valve head on my Buddy today, along with ditching the airbox and adding a Unifilter. Just gotta finish re-assembly (waiting on carb and exhaust gaskets and studs) and re-jet.

Stella is getting a 24mm PWK and SIP tubeless rims once I can afford tubeless tires for it.

I've got some big news coming with the Ratjack, just you wait...

laxer wrote:I've got some big news coming with the Ratjack, just you wait...

glad your still around. and i don't think i can wait. if its what we were talking bout last year. i'm hoping it worked out. then i need to visit your shop.

upgrades completed:







basically only cosmetics remain...some stickers for the topcase & reflective safety popbands for night riding to work

kmrcstintn wrote:upgrades completed:







basically only cosmetics remain...some stickers for the topcase & reflective safety popbands for night riding to work

front rack, top case, shocks?

I got the new vinyl on the front cover yesterday morning before a nice lunch trip.

A close-up, inside just after I finished.

(that is a bag of the remaining less-desired halloween candy, and yes, a book called "all my friends are dead", the one underneath it, "dieting gives you brain damage"....they're hilarious.)

Back on the scoot, in the garage.


The bf was scraping off the old registration sticker so I could put the new one on... and monster-mutt sniffing around the neighbors' yard in the background. Oh, and my little weenie in the bottom corner!


Buddy Christ!


A Tom and Zimt-less photo.


I still have lots of vinyl left, so I will probably look at adding a few matching lines down the sides of the rear cowl... we'll see.

You may notice my windshield pictured previously in this thread is not there, I had a problem with the left side coming loose and popping out of the bracket on bumps at low speeds, tomorrow it's supposed to be raining cats and dogs so we'll probably get a chance to mess with it then. I'm so thankful for my wonderful engineer, I know he'll come up with a great fix!

EDIT: Also, I'm waiting until this bad bear is well broken in before I start thinking about some permanent performance mods, it may end up being my 2012-2013 winter project. Depends on how finances are looking at the end of this year.

AWinn6889 wrote:I got the new vinyl on the front cover yesterday morning before a nice lunch trip.

A close-up, inside just after I finished.

Looks great! any significance of the colors?

xTomBx wrote: Looks great! any significance of the colors?

Not particularly. I ordered 5 different colors from the ebay seller you suggested, and these three seemed to look best together. Of course, the person I was asking "do you think this looks good?" is colorblind But he says it looks good anyway.
Also, it kind of matches the colors of the Sportster, which has close to the blue color on its tins, and a black oil tank and frame. I guess the yellow would be for visibility? Idk.. I'm kind of making this up as I go along

I left off pink and a darker blue though, those were the other two colors of vinyl I have, maybe I'll do something with them, maybe I won't... not sure yet. I might order more vinyl in a couple of weeks just to play with, I'd like to get a red, orange, green, and white and maybe a brighter less-orange-y yellow, when funds are available anyway. Maybe I'll just go for on e of the 10-roll auctions and pick a whole bunch more. I need rain gear first though.

AWinn6889 wrote:The bf was scraping off the old registration sticker so I could put the new one on...

I have the opposite problem with my "moped" registration sticker: less than a year after I got it, it started to come loose from the mud flag (the only place on the back of the Buddy where it fits properly: it's a roughly 6"x1" vertical strip). I've had to cover it with transparent packing tape a couple times just to hold it in place. A week ago I started to change the tape and the thing simply fell off and fell apart. They're valid for 3 years, but it's due to expire next month, so instead of trying to reattach it, I just put the remains of it in the pet carrier in case I get pulled over.

for the person who asked...

front rack...Prima brand from Scooterworks

shock...factory OEM (as far as I can tell)

topcase...Scootr Logic (not the best, but I'm on a budget since my Buell Blast has been tempermental & I have to divert funds to work on it)

TVB wrote:

AWinn6889 wrote:The bf was scraping off the old registration sticker so I could put the new one on...

I have the opposite problem with my "moped" registration sticker: less than a year after I got it, it started to come loose from the mud flag (the only place on the back of the Buddy where it fits properly: it's a roughly 6"x1" vertical strip). I've had to cover it with transparent packing tape a couple times just to hold it in place. A week ago I started to change the tape and the thing simply fell off and fell apart. They're valid for 3 years, but it's due to expire next month, so instead of trying to reattach it, I just put the remains of it in the pet carrier in case I get pulled over.

Well, being a 170 in NY my scooter is required to have a plate on it, and they leave this nice little dotted line rectangle on the right side of the plate to stick your registration sticker to, here's an example, since I'm not home to take a picture of my actual plate.

The pain in the rear part is trying to get the old one off without scratching the crap out of the plate, because they'll charge you for that if/when you turn your plate in... but if you try to just put the new sticker over the old one, it will fall right off. Actually, a few years ago the state went with some cheaper glue on all of their vehicle registration stickers to make them easier to remove, and they all fell off within a few weeks to a month or two, even the ones stuck to the inside of cars' windshields fell off, and technically it's "illegal" to have your registration taped to your vehicle.. so now they make them SUPER sticky and extremely annoying. Here motorcycles have to be re-registered every year before April, they all expire in March. Once April rolls around cops are gunning for motorcyclists because a lot of people forget, or haven't gotten to it yet for whatever reason (maybe because we're having a real winter and it's still only 40* out and their bike is still buried in their garage or shed), and an invalid registration ticket comes with a hefty fine attached to it. In a state that is barely scraping by for money because it is so helplessly buried in debt that's looked at as super easy revenue.

buying a Prima pipe this week . . . hopefully by next week i will have that and the big bore kit installed . . . ZOOM ZOOM ZOOOOOOM!

OK, so with some rain in the forecast, I took the bike in for the Prima / roller install. Please chime in here with your thoughts.

My shop called Massimo at Genuine in Chicago, who recommended that when installing the Prima exhaust on my 150, the tech should (a) not upjet until checking the color of a new plug, and (b) install 11g rollers.

Now I weigh in at about 230, but I don't really feel that the off-the-line start is in any way suffering. The lighter rollers should provide a little better off-the-line acceleration than stock (12g?), but I'm a little concerned that I might lose top end. I'm not looking for a freeway bike by any means, but there are some 50 or 55mph roads I like to ride, and I wouldn't want to lose any top end on the deal, especially when upgrading to a better-breathing pipe.

Howardr, the king of distance (all hail the king of distance!) was thinking maybe 12 or 13g. He used 13g sliders with a Prima pipe on the IronButt 1000, but he was thinking 12g might have been more appropriate so as to not lose MPH in gusts.

Obviously I'll know more when I get the scoot back, but anyone who's upgraded a 150 with a Prima (all y'all BlackJack guys especially) who can offer some roller weight advice in my weight class - please chime in!

Thanks, folks.

Selecting optimum roller weight/combination always seem to be more trial and error/magic pixie dust than anything else. Prima rollers are cheap. May not be the longest lasting but might be good to experiment with.

Got black racks put on (front and rear), now I'm looking for a sweet roll bag or top case to make good use of them.

I'm so disappointed that the mirrors i ordered twice from 2 different companies are on back order. i waited weeks before they informed me. anyway here are the cool ones i want

http://www.racingplanetusa.com/mirror-e ... 0dabfc1d41

i was waiting on the mirrors and brake levers before installing the NCY front shocks, big brake kit and rotor, but at this point i will just proceed. Patience is not my strong suit

I've seen similar, but can't say if identical, mirrors on Ebay. So you may want to check it out if you think those may never come in.

However, you may want to consider the Yamaha C3 mirrors (this thread viewtopic.php?p=273321#273321). They look pretty good, although maybe not as slick as the ones you covet. However, they are pretty inexpensive and offer great side and rearward vision.

I got myself a new windshield, and installed.

Other then that, just the usual:
New belt this year
oils changed
radiator flush and fill
Tires still look good, and tire stems just got replaced... I'm ready to roll!

batgirl101 wrote:I'm so disappointed that the mirrors i ordered twice from 2 different companies are on back order. i waited weeks before they informed me. anyway here are the cool ones i want

http://www.racingplanetusa.com/mirror-e ... 0dabfc1d41

i was waiting on the mirrors and brake levers before installing the NCY front shocks, big brake kit and rotor, but at this point i will just proceed. Patience is not my strong suit

I was hoping they were the bat-shaped ones!

ericalm wrote:

batgirl101 wrote:I'm so disappointed that the mirrors i ordered twice from 2 different companies are on back order. i waited weeks before they informed me. anyway here are the cool ones i want

http://www.racingplanetusa.com/mirror-e ... 0dabfc1d41

i was waiting on the mirrors and brake levers before installing the NCY front shocks, big brake kit and rotor, but at this point i will just proceed. Patience is not my strong suit

I was hoping they were the bat-shaped ones!

well i'm not done looking

My recent mods to my new Stella:

• Added a black kickstand from Scooterworks for times when I need to only hop off for a second.
• Added a rear rack. It turns out this 2-stroke-only rack will work on the 4-stroke Stella, if you disassemble half the emissions tubing and wiring, install a taller seat post, remove the entire seat, and hit the front part of the rack a lot with a big rubber mallet. All's well that ends well, I suppose.
• Attached the Seahorse 540 case from my previous scooter onto the new rack, including some work with silicone tub sealant to make sure the bolt holes are completely waterproof.
• Drilled the top of the Seahorse box in order to add a Rotopax lockable mounting plate for a 1-gallon Rotopax gas can. I bought one can and two mounting kits, so I can switch the gas can between my scooter and my motorcycle. 1 gallon of spare fuel on the Stella is going to stretch a long way!
• Peeled off the side reflectors, since they were slowly falling off on their own.

IMHO, the changes definitely add a sense of "capable urban survival vehicle" to the Stella. Hopefully the weather will clear up sometime soon and I can get an actual picture of how it looks now.

Scalpel wrote:My recent mods to my new Stella:

• Added a black kickstand from Scooterworks for times when I need to only hop off for a second.
• Added a rear rack. It turns out this 2-stroke-only rack will work on the 4-stroke Stella, if you disassemble half the emissions tubing and wiring, install a taller seat post, remove the entire seat, and hit the front part of the rack a lot with a big rubber mallet. All's well that ends well, I suppose.
• Attached the Seahorse 540 case from my previous scooter onto the new rack, including some work with silicone tub sealant to make sure the bolt holes are completely waterproof.
• Drilled the top of the Seahorse box in order to add a Rotopax lockable mounting plate for a 1-gallon Rotopax gas can. I bought one can and two mounting kits, so I can switch the gas can between my scooter and my motorcycle. 1 gallon of spare fuel on the Stella is going to stretch a long way!
• Peeled off the side reflectors, since they were slowly falling off on their own.

IMHO, the changes definitely add a sense of "capable urban survival vehicle" to the Stella. Hopefully the weather will clear up sometime soon and I can get an actual picture of how it looks now.

We need pics!

HowHH wrote:I've seen similar, but can't say if identical, mirrors on Ebay. So you may want to check it out if you think those may never come in.

However, you may want to consider the Yamaha C3 mirrors (this thread viewtopic.php?p=273321#273321). They look pretty good, although maybe not as slick as the ones you covet. However, they are pretty inexpensive and offer great side and rearward vision.

i cannot seem to find pics of these mirrors--yes even with the link. i'm lame..