Modern Buddy

I put my Buddy 50 on a busy road this weekend and have decided that I am VERY interested in a few more mph on the top end. I know there is a restrictive washer in the exhaust, which I am interested in removing. However, I am nervous that may create a lean condition. I have searched previous posts and asked in my "new to forum" thread and haven't gotten an answer.

I was kicking around the idea of getting an infared temp gun to try to measure exhaust pipe temp to estimate any changes in air/fuel ratio with and without the restriction, but I'd really rather know ahead of getting into it.

Has anyone done this before? Does the carb need tuned or up-jetted to adjust for the loss of exhaust restriction or is it tuned in such a way that its ready to go either with or without it?

Are you certain that is wasn't de-restricted by the dealer? What's your top end speed?

I weigh around 250. My top speed in the flats is around 31 indicated mph, and downhill is 35 indicated mph.

I called the local dealership today and he is confident based on that it has never been de-restricted. Also, he answered my question, carbs do not need to be tuned or up-jetted after de-restriction.

Yup, just take that washer out and it runs great...

Do you know how much difference it will make in acceleration and top speed to do just the exhaust?

I have compressed air and an impact gun to do the transmission one too but the dealer said its tough to hold onto everything without a special tool when you put it back together so I hesitate to try the transmission piece.

I weigh 250 and to do both gives me 8-10 MPH. I would do both, or if not comfortable have the dealer do the washer. But if you take your time it is easy...IF you are a mechanically inclined type. Just remember to seat the belt back down in the clutch. and make SURE that nut is tight....Its behind the front pully set.

I just did the exhaust de-restriction and holy crap what a difference! The best I could do before was 31 indicated mph on the flats and 35 indicated mph downhill. Now I can do 37 indicated mph on the flats and 40 indicated mph downhill. Not to mention it launches a lot harder too and accelerates a lot better. It feels twice as powerful.

My only concern is that I can't get my torque wrench to reach the exhaust flange bolts so I just retightened it to hand tight. It doesn't appear to be leaking exhaust at all so I assume I am good to go.

Add a windscreen, you'll cut down on all that resistance and get a little more stable. You may even be able to top 40

I derestricted my Buddy50 and can now cruise comfortably at 47 bmph (I'm also a 98 pound girl), am waiting on my windscreen to come in and looking forward to a little more speed and stability!

I am happier with it now, and stability doesn't seem to be a problem (could be my 250 lbs helping with that) plus my confidence is traffic is way better now that people don't have to drive around me as often.

I recently added some Dr. Pulley 6 gram sliders to my variator instead of the stock rollers and that also made a huge difference in performance with my buddy 50. So you might want to up grade to some of those as well.. they are shaped different than your typical rollers. Here is what I am talking about..

http://www.unionmaterial.com/rollerweight.htm

Just something I have recently learned about my buddy 50 trying to get every bit of tweaking performance out of it without breaking my wallet (what wallet!!??)


Also, I have found this information useful.

The Buddy 50's engine is a PGO 2T Stroke 50cc Horizontal Minarelli for when looking for parts.

Just thought I would pass some of this info around because it has taken me a lot of researching to get the specifics.

If you only derestricted your exhaust then you're missing out. There are two restrictions. One is a washer that sits between the exhaust pipe and the motor that restricts air flow. The second one is a white ring in the CVT that prevents the CVT to go to certain gear ratios. I've had both removed and I hit 40 to 45 buddy miles per hour on flat roads. I weigh close to your weight and ride with my girl friend on the back daily and with us both on it I can eventually get up to about 40 bmph on the flat roads. You are probably still restricted. Or not fully broken in.