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to repair or not to repair...
Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 7:55 pm
by kooky scientist
2008 Buddy 50 with 20,000 miles. Seems like the bearings in the rear wheel failed and possibly the transmission burnt out.
Should I bother throwing any more $ into repairs or should I just part it out. It served me well enough, I think...
Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 8:10 pm
by Skootz Kabootz
What do you mean when you say the transmission burned out? Do you mean the clutch? The variator? Because those are pretty simple to work on and fix. I have never replaced bearings before but from what I understand it is not ridiculously difficult to do.
What to do is up to you but 20K on a Buddy is middle age.
Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 8:36 pm
by kooky scientist
http://www.scooterloungeonline.com/buddy50transmission
yeah, I'm still mulling it over and haven't spoken to my repair shop yet...
Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 9:00 pm
by kooky scientist
Looks like the Dust Ring part #8 indicated here melted too. Or something plasticy oozed out of the wheel.
http://www.scooterloungeonline.com/buddy50rearwheel
Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 9:30 pm
by neotrotsky
If you have any semblance of space (and many in urban areas don't... I know that feeling), I say screw the shop and do it yourself! A Variator and clutch aren't difficult jobs at all, and while I haven't done a rear wheel bearing on a Buddy, on a Yamaha Zuma they are pretty straightforward. You'll find most repair projects on modern scooters that aren't new Vespas are pretty easy once you get the plastic off.
Of course, if you live in a place with no space to tear apart a scoot, then you are at the mercy of labor rates at a shop. After finally moving into a house I've determined I'm NEVER being in that position again
Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 9:44 pm
by kooky scientist
Yeah, I don't have any place to work on it. Have to store my scooters outside all winter under a tarp. I have another Buddy 50 so I just switched to riding that one more. I just don't want to waste any more $ investing in something that has no worth in resale value. I'd rather just invest in a slightly used Buddy 50, which there seems to be plenty of supply around here for $1,500-1,600. in the next year when I need another backup scooter...