Modern Buddy

Hola!

I just picked up a Buddy 125 Itailia, a little beat up but runs, 2008 model, abut 10,700 miles.

I am in baja mexico, so I need to do the repairs and maintenance myself

I have been trying to install a new left brake lever, but it seems to be impossible for me.

Missing a mirror


Ordered new body panels top handle bar and headlight ring.

bought a Shad 40L ( its really big) Installing the rear rack was difficult.

Having a lot of fun with it so far I runs pretty good.





I will get a new battery this week.
The oil was changed under 200 miles ago
What are other things I should look out for?

dingo wrote:things I should look out for?

Valve Adjustment

Hola! Como estas? Welcome to the fourm...

dingo wrote:I have been trying to install a new left brake lever, but it seems to be impossible for me.

I know it can be done, because I... well... I had someone do it for me.

Plug the holes in the front cover where front rack used to be. Look on Genuine website at pictures of Itallia or on this forum and you will see what else has been ripped out. Take it to a good mechanic and make sure it is not a salvage that was taken across the border. You want to be safe. Salvage bikes can be just minor cosmetic stuff that insurance companies in US write off and that would be fixed and running elsewhere but there may be things wrong that are not immedeately apparent. Break levers don't just fall off. Usually they get broken off in an accident or get removed to be used for parts on another bike. The right mirror is snapped off. A tip over can cause that but than there is missing left break lever.....You said it runs. How does it handle during g the ride?

Welcome! those of us that have Italia's are extra awesome .

The left brake lever isn't too hard, but getting the headlight assembly loose on that side was a pain. It's also helpful to have some needlenose pliers, and loosen up the rear brake nut on the back by the muffler.

At least that's how I did it, there's probably a 1000x better way!

thanks for all the help. The bike does have a salvage title, and it came with some parts, broken parts in a box. It was laid down, and the damage is mostly cosmetic.

It rides very straight and smooth. unfortunately being in mexico, I do not think there are experienced mechanics so I am no my own.

I picked up a battery today and will be installing it tomorrow. Make an ourder at scooterlounge for the damaged body panels.

To start the bike I need to use the kick starter- so I hope that this is due to a bad battery.

-Cant decide to put a front rack or a basket in front.

Welcome to the forum. There is a tech section that has the total diagram of the Buddy 50- 125-150 cc. Also download the User manual. Maybe a mechanic or someone who does their own repairs or who works on small engines like motorcycles can figure out how to repair your bike..The technical manuals should help with how much force to use to tighten the bolts etc.Youtube has videos on oil, battery change, front cover removal (that one is from front dead lights adapter placement). Maybe there is a video on break lever replacement. Good luck and don't forget to invest into a helmet. Get new if you can. Armored jacket would be great too.

thanks I am looking at the videos and the links. As my first scooter, its pretty fun to add things. It is running pretty good so most of the repairs will be cosmetic, and I think I can do that.

Got a 1/2 face helmet.




I tried taking the broken mirror threads off, but I could not, are they reverse threaded?

Yep one side does have reverse thread. Nice helmet, great match for the bike!

The great thing about the buddy 50's-170I is that the D.I.Y isn't too complicated. You can reach almost everything without taking the whole bike apart. Good luck!!

Changed out the battery it was very very easy.
THANK YOU ALL for helping me and suggesting I look at the video and manuals for installation of the brake lever- I just needed to loosen the tension on the cable in the rear break, and it was more than enough slack to allow for the install of the new break leaver.




But now for the bad- the broken off right hand mirror is very very difficult to remove and a broke it down to a small nubb.





But now with both breaks working I feel a little safer riding it around.

I think the right mirror has the standard thread direction and the left one is reverse. I think. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

Maybe you know someone with screw extractors/easyouts? That will be the way to remove the broken-off nub.
Something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Alden-8430P-Grabi ... B000H6PM32

Tocsik wrote:I think the right mirror has the standard thread direction and the left one is reverse. I think. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

Maybe you know someone with screw extractors/easyouts? That will be the way to remove the broken-off nub.
Something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Alden-8430P-Grabi ... B000H6PM32

I can't t remember which mirror is reverse thread but one is. I am wondering if someone used wrong type of locktight to prevent mirrors from wobbling. Anything she can try and spray the stump with that might disdolve whatever is holding it frozen?

The right mirror is reverse thread (clockwise to loosen).

If the factory (now) nub won't come off, there are always bar end mirrors as a last resort.

Welcome and congrats!

I've been thinking about a Baja ride for some time. Might need some advice or recommendations!

If you want to commune with a ton of other Buddyists, consider coming up to San Diego for the Amerivespa rally in June! We're actually riding to Mexico that weekend, among other things.

TomCat is right:
The right mirror is reverse thread (clockwise to loosen).

Beyond that - go by a machine shop or ask for a reputable shop that can drill out the broken nub or tap it... should be fine. This should not be more then a few bucks or they will do it and not charge you!

The Italia is a great scoot and the best color scheme! My wife has had three, her current Italia just turned 10,000 miles this week!

Oh - Oh - Oh...

No one picked up on this yet the 2007 Buddy Italia was the first (and only) International Buddy for that year and it was a 125.

In 2008 they added the St Tropez and the Pomplona to the Italia and they were the new 150 shorter stroke bigger bore engine.

Your Buddy shows the badging of a 125 so the badge was changed or if the engine a a 125 then you have a 2007. Either way - good score and welcome to MB!

Quick Tip: Look for a wicker basket to mount on the front to fill in the holes or find some stickers you like and slap them over the holes... have fun with it!

agrogod wrote:If the factory (now) nub won't come off, there are always bar end mirrors as a last resort.

I thought of suggesting this also but if she is going to want a windshield at some point she will still need that stump gone. I am in Maryland where bugs are not the worst but judging from a number of splats on my windshield which would have ended up on my jacket otherwise windshield is a great thing.

ericalm wrote:Welcome and congrats!

I've been thinking about a Baja ride for some time. Might need some advice or recommendations!

If you want to commune with a ton of other Buddyists, consider coming up to San Diego for the Amerivespa rally in June! We're actually riding to Mexico that weekend, among other things.

Baja route to Ensenada from Tijuana is very easy. Many places to stop and the road goes through many smaller towns.

I drive to Ensenada often for the weekend in the summer. Maybe I go on scooter this summer, but this scooter is for going around Playas not much traffic.

Right now I do not use mirror much, just turn my head. Maybe I will just take the other off to balance out.








beaches and resturants and nice scenery.



But now is a little cold. Summer is much warmer.

Love the pictures and hearing your experiences

Don't put your safety in jeopardy by not having mirrors. If you are looking for a quick cheap fix this type of mirror is made for a bicycle but works well as a replacement.

http://www.amazon.com/Bell-1007481-Smar ... B000LOG3EW

Got one for my RH50, my shoulders are wide, and the stock mirrors not long enough, and this gives me that "extra" view I need. Plus they use velcro to attach so removal is easy.

dingo wrote:Right now I do not use mirror much, just turn my head. Maybe I will just take the other off to balance out.

Don't worry too much about balance. One mirror is definitely better than none, because it helps you notice things and keep aware of what's behind you all the time.

I don't want to hear about cold, Dingo .

I guess you are really close for Amerivespa, might as well come along. I bet someone can find a mirror for you along the way.

skully93 wrote:I don't want to hear about cold, Dingo .

I guess you are really close for Amerivespa, might as well come along. I bet someone can find a mirror for you along the way.

I don't want to hear about cold from EITHER of you.




(Welcome Dingo!! )

Welcome!

I had the same issue with my right mirror and just could not get the broken off stem out of there.

I ordered the half of the casing that the mirror screws into and a new mirror and just replaced those two parts. The casing part is:
http://www.scooterloungeonline.com/product/P154H020000

(I am pretty certain about the part number, double check with the scooterloungeonline guys- follow this diagram to confirm:
http://www.scooterloungeonline.com/budd ... handmirror).

It was a pretty simple replacement - the throttle cable is threaded in there and that was the only part that needed a bit of care.

ravenlore wrote:

skully93 wrote: I guess you are really close for Amerivespa, might as well come along. I bet someone can find a mirror for you along the way.

I actually have the original mirrors from my Buddy, and would be happy to let you have them!

jmazza wrote:Welcome!

I had the same issue with my right mirror and just could not get the broken off stem out of there.

I ordered the half of the casing that the mirror screws into and a new mirror and just replaced those two parts. The casing part is:
http://www.scooterloungeonline.com/product/P154H020000

(I am pretty certain about the part number, double check with the scooterloungeonline guys- follow this diagram to confirm:
http://www.scooterloungeonline.com/budd ... handmirror).

It was a pretty simple replacement - the throttle cable is threaded in there and that was the only part that needed a bit of care.

Thank you! everyone here is very helpful. I ordered the mirror, but I striped the threads off of the old mirror, tomorrow i will use WD40 to loosen it and try again.

dingo wrote:Thank you! everyone here is very helpful. I ordered the mirror, but I striped the threads off of the old mirror, tomorrow i will use WD40 to loosen it and try again.

Just remember. as several people have said - it is the right mirror that has the reverse (left hand) thread. That means you turn the broken stub clockwise to remove it.

Dooglas wrote:

dingo wrote:Thank you! everyone here is very helpful. I ordered the mirror, but I striped the threads off of the old mirror, tomorrow i will use WD40 to loosen it and try again.

Just remember. as several people have said - it is the right mirror that has the reverse (left hand) thread. That means you turn the broken stub clockwise to remove it.

I think that this was the problem! I installed a wicker basket and now I have a buzzing and rattle when I turn my wheel or apply the brake. The front body panel was a little loose.

Another setback was I got 2 replacement foot pegs- both right hand side
But I do enjoy adding parts and fixing it up.

I got the stub of the mirror to move a little more, but my hands got tired

I finally removed the stub! ( I got someone else to do it)

I enjoy the look of the basket and looking foward to getting more parts to get "dingo" perfect.

I took the front body panel off because I thought that my turn lights were not working but I found out that the turn lights were connected to the turn signals on the handle bars.

Tightening up front wheel flap go rid of the buzzing- I enjoy working on the scooter and making it look nacer.

Next will be replacing the tires. And waiting for body panels