Modern Buddy

Hi all,

I am having a problem with the handlebar/mirror/throttle assembly. Basically when I turn the handlebar to accelerate the entire mirror assembly rotates with it and so instead of accelerating not much happens. In order to go I have to pull back on the handle while also pushing the base of the mirror forward, not optimal. I found a screw and tightened it and that fixed things for a day but it is back to rotating, any suggestions?

Cheers

Loctite blue.

It isnt the silver part of the mirror that is moving, it is the black part that attaches to the handlebars.

You did say that you tightened a screw, and the problem went away for a while. Put Loctite on the threads, re-tighten, and let it set overnight.

black part? what color is the buddy?

forgive the dumb question, but it does have the top cowl/fender around the speedo, right?

maybe a picture would help.

The way he described it I assumed it was a RH50 or Rattler.

Look at a standard Buddy. He's talking about the housing that holds the kill switch, the hazard switch, the starter button, and the mirror. I've had mine slip a little a few times.

TVB wrote:Look at a standard Buddy. He's talking about the housing that holds the kill switch, the hazard switch, the starter button, and the mirror. I've had mine slip a little a few times.

Mine have 'slipped' soooo many times tightening my mirror is part of my pre-ride check.

Tightened it soooo many times that I've effectively torn out the threads that hold the mirror there, what to do now?

KABarash wrote: Tightened it soooo many times that I've effectively torn out the threads that hold the mirror there, what to do now?

Um, epoxy?

Or get a Prima windscreen, throw away the bolts that come with it, buy new stainless steel bolts and re-tap for the new bolts.

I assume the OP is talking about screws # 33 & 34 in this drawing and the housing halves that they hold together. Am I right? If so, have any of you tried backing those screws out, (carefully) separating the halves of the housing, and putting grip tape on the bar to keep the whole housing from slipping?

P.S. I don't see washers holding those two screws in place. If it isn't in the drawing, I assume it isn't there. Is that correct?

Hi jrsjr, you are correct, I am talking about the black housing that holds the starter and kill switch, not the mirror itself.

cranberry wrote:Hi jrsjr, you are correct, I am talking about the black housing that holds the starter and kill switch, not the mirror itself.

EDITed because it was pointed out to me that my stupid idea may keep the throttle from working. You're going to actually need to find a real solution. Sorry!

Please don't say "stupid", an idea can be incorrect but it is still an idea

Well, my idea was that you need to get something under that housing that will keep the it from slipping. I don't have a Buddy to look at so I can't say for sure what would do the job. My original idea was just to remove the housing temporarily and put a layer of friction tape on the bar right under the housing, but the worry is that might prevent the throttle from working properly. I'd have to pull one apart and look at it to see it that's true. (If you try it, remove the mirror first and put something like a rolled up piece of cardboard in the housing halves where the bar normally goes to hold all the internals in place so you don't unexpectedly end up trying to figure out how to put that back together) What I had in mind was one layer of some kind of friction tape on the bar just where the housing is supposed to grasp the bar, then reassemble. I suggested you wrap the tape counterclockwise as seen from the end of the bar so that turning the throttle will tighten the wind of the tape. I think the correct way to do this is probably with a shim but I was trying to think of something quick and dirty that would at least get you on the road.

However, anything that interferes with the action of the throttle is dangerous. How do I know this? My scooter once had to be towed halfway across the country for days and days to a shop. After it was repaired, I jumped on it and rode off across the shop parking lot. Everything was great until I let go of the throttle and it didn't slow down. It almost carried me straight out into fast-moving traffic on a busy four lane road. It turned out that the bar harness had pulled the throttle grip into the housing (as on your scooter) so tightly that the throttle wouldn't release. Once I pegged it to full throttle, it stayed there while I accelerated across the parking lot toward the road. Talk about a wake-up call! So I don't want to encourage you to do something that might cause a problem like that.

Long story short, if you do anything to make that housing grip the bar, be sure you don't accidentally interfere with the throttle action.

EDIT: I should have used use the term "friction tape," not "grip tape."