Modern Buddy

So, I'm riding to work the other day on my beloved 2008 Buddy 50, the one with 13000 miles and no major problems thus far, when it just dies. Starter cranks but won't catch, kickstarter won't even start it. Spark plug looked ok but I changed it anyway. Still nothing. Off to the shop. Initial analysis reveals almost no compression. It had been performing well, just sudden demise. I'm not a mechanic, but I have mechanic friends. Their theory is that something failed in the oil injection system, and the scooter ran without oil until it fried.

The shop is going to take things apart to try to do their own assessment. I'm obviously bummed, but I'll just have to wait until the autopsy is complete before deciding what to do next. In the meantime, the little friend who takes me 90% of the places I go locally, is in the scooter morgue.

Any other theories other than the one I mentioned? The suddenness is what surprised me. Thanks.

Sorry, but I have no theories for you, just sympathy. It sounds like you may be faced with the difficult decision of repair vs. replace, which is always tough when the bike is "middle aged" as yours is.

I wonder if a new cylinder, piston and rings will be enough to get you going on the road again. 70cc kits run $130-260 or you could throw in stock replacement parts. Still cheaper than a new scooter.

If your body panels, transmission, suspension and frame are still OK, might be worth considering.

You could also see if there's a fairly low mileage salvage 50cc Buddy and harvest the top end from it. My shop had a wrecked Blackjack once and I grabbed a few transmission parts from it rather than buying new.

Well, Oil pump failure on 2 strokes has claimed it's share of engines in the past. it's taken out the best of them. if it didn't stick tight, the lower end may be ok... Of course until they tear it apart, you won't know... My 1984 Honda Areo 125 seized back in 1984....too hot of spark plug from the factory...It soft seized, but took a total rebuild, Under Warranty of course...and it was high back then, I'm thinking almost what I paid for it new....

Rebuilding a 50cc 2T shouldn't be too pricey. The engine is based on the horizontal Minarelli design, and there are a myriad of kits and parts out there to rebuild with. As previously stated, I'd be more worried about the bottom end (connecting rod big-end bearing and crank bearings), as this would entail a pricier repair. This can be checked with the head, cylinder and preferably the piston removed.

I'd suspect a ring issue, as they'd bear the brunt of a seize. Aside from a holed piston, they'd be the second-quickest was to lose compression.

One other suggestion: there are plenty of folks out there that pull serviceable pistons and cylinders to fit performance kits to get extra power. Perhaps ask your local dealer if there any take-off cylinders from upgrades that you could obtain.

That sucks. I hope you get it rebuilt and on the road fast!

az_slynch wrote:One other suggestion: there are plenty of folks out there that pull serviceable pistons and cylinders to fit performance kits to get extra power. Perhaps ask your local dealer if there any take-off cylinders from upgrades that you could obtain.

Excellent suggestion. If it is the top end this is what I would be hunting down.

UPDATE: The autopsy is over. Wrist pin circlip broke off and trashed cylinder. Will do the 70cc upgrade (something I'd thought about for a while anyway), so soon my little friend will be zipping around again. It was too young to die. Thanks to you all for your kind thoughts and suggestions.

Well...that sucks...but it is a good excuse to throw a kit on it.

On the good side it was the top end and there was absolutly nothing you could have done to prevent it.

Thanks for the update and keep us posted on progress

Dirvin wrote:UPDATE: The autopsy is over. Wrist pin circlip broke off and trashed cylinder. Will do the 70cc upgrade (something I'd thought about for a while anyway), so soon my little friend will be zipping around again. It was too young to die. Thanks to you all for your kind thoughts and suggestions.

Well, that's probably one of the best diagnoses out of all the possibilities!
So, not an autopsy after all. Just exploratory surgery. Great news on the bottom end (crank, bearings etc).
Be sure break-in the new cylinder and piston correctly. Then, enjoy the upgrade!

Don't forget to re-jet the carburetor accordingly if upgrading to a 70cc kit.