Help with installing a Cuppini on my Buddy?

[NikVee]

Hi Friends,

You may (or may not) recall that I was going to get a Cuppini for my Blackjack. It came in the other day and I decided to give the install a go this evening. Through the power of Google I was able to cope with the directions being in Italian (really, Scooterworks?). But am definitely left curious about a few things on the installation. At this point, I have most things hand tightened and wanted to get some feedback before I grab the locktite and wrench things down.

The first thing that has me scratching my head is that I don't know where to put the two additional washers (rondella piana):


It's clear that four are included in the with the hardware kit, and that one is to go between the bolt and the bracket for the mirror. One for each side, meaning I've used two... Where am I supposed to put the other two? My thoughts included between the bracket and nut for the threaded end of the mirror, but it's unclear.

My next curiosity is illustrated in this image:


You can see the clamp that squeezes down through the spacer and into the original mirror threads. Images I've seen seem to indicate that this should be closed completely to ensure a secure fit. Because I don't know what the threads on the handle bars are made of (please not aluminum), I'm apprehensive, to tighten the bolt to the point that it closes around the support bar. Am I safe to do it? Are there better alternatives? Also, relevant to this image is the length of the support bar sticking out beyond the clamp - I'm guessing this isn't terribly critical, but I think I've got about an 1/8th in on either side. Thoughts?

I have a similar question regarding the windshield side of the bar:


Here I've got the bar just poking out of the top of upper clamp - any feedback on this?

And last but not least:


What kind of spacing between the bottom of the windshield and top of the scooter should I aim for? I figured the less the better, but haven't experimented yet.

As I said, right now there's no thread lock or anything tightened to the point where it's not easily adjustable. These are just questions and concerns I've got. Despite these nit-picky details, I am a pretty mechanically inclined guy, I just want to make sure I'm doing things the proper way.

And don't get me wrong - I've got nothing buy love for Scooterworks, they shipped the next day and the package made it to my front door (on the other side of the country) in under a week. I even got an epic t-shirt that was on sale. But unless there was some paperwork that failed to make it in the package, the documentation was straight up lacking (especially for a non-Italian speaker/reader). Give me the the answers and the word, and *I'd* even write an installation guide for this stuff.

Anyway, thoughts and suggestions would be great. I can't wait to feel how my scoot feels with a windshield!

- Nik

[michelle_7728]

Hmmm...I don't recall if mine had the extra washers....

topic21748.html

I can't remember for sure, but I'm thinking my paperwork was either lacking or pretty unhelpful as well....

[Robbie]

Regarding the 'Is it aluminum' question.....photo looks like steel (I can see the grain) but a magnet will verify ferrus or not.
I agree that once properly tightened the clamp will be just about flush.

The various clamp at shaft points......as long as the shaft is completely through the assembly you are fine.
The windshield to headlamp cowl clearance is at your descretion but do not allow it to actually touch as vibration will saw the finish off the h/lmp cover.

You are doing fine in spite of the language barrier......Stella accessories generally come with no instructions.....at least you have a line drawing to give you a clue.
I suspect the additional washers are more of a 'If needed for clearance thing'

Rob

[PeteH]

Here's how mine is rigged.

1). The clamp brackets are fully 'closed', but I guess you should use a big pliers or Vice-Grip to squeeze it down first before bolting them in, rather than cranking on the threads. The rod on mine is about flush with the end of the bracket. Ignore the RAM GPS mount ball. Oh, and I have bar-end mirrors, too, so I'm not using those pieces of the Cuppini kit:



2). Here's the whole look. The shield sits low on the posts with only a quarter-inch or so above the headset. Notice, too, that the brackets are 'inboard' where they mount to the bars. Someone here once tried to install them turned around onto the outside/forward part away from the rider, and the windshield would barely mount up at a funny angle. From your second photo, yours might look outboard to me.





Be sure to get all the pieces assembled in place, THEN tighten it all down. Good luck!

[NikVee]

Man, I post a question here with a few pictures, come check it out the following afternoon to have all kinds of input. You guys are the best!

Anyway, I took suggestions under advisement and made some tweaks:



I'm still not convinced that those second nuts aren't supposed to go somewhere. I'm thinking I'll send an email to Scooterworks and if they have any thoughts on the install.

What would make sense (at least in my mind is some sort of lock washer or locknut (nylon, or the jagged kind? I'm not an expert) for holding the mirrors in place. I can definitely see them loosening up with just a regular nut holding them on to that small bar.

For what it's worth, I held a fairly strong magnet around the threads of the scooter handle and didn't pick up a thing... I'm not sure if it was a rare earth/neodymium, but even so, I didn't feel any noticeable attraction, meaning it's likely I'm dealing with aluminum.

I'll post back here if I get any additional info from SW.

- Nik

Edit: Also, PeteH - I dig the idea of using the area for a mount point. I was thinking of doing something similar along the rails holding the WS in place, but using the hardware that's already there makes perfect sense.

[PeteH]

That spot for the RAM ball works out well - it's close to the 12v socket, too.

I'd drop by the hardware store and pick up some jaggedy lock washers. The split ring washers may be too thick. I used the Cuppini mirror mounts for only a week or so before switching out to bar-ends, but my mirror -did- want to come loose with just the single nut below the bracket, as shown in your second photo of the first post.

[SonnyD]

Your set up looks just like mine does on mine....second pair of those washers I used between the bottom of the mirror brackets and the mirror nut. So you have one against the mirror adjusting screw and one for the nut. I saw it like that in one of the adds. It makes it so the mirror stays tight and doesn't move, unless you bump it, and then it gives so as not to break it...

[NikVee]

Your set up looks just like mine does on mine....second pair of those washers I used between the bottom of the mirror brackets and the mirror nut. So you have one against the mirror adjusting screw and one for the nut. I saw it like that in one of the adds. It makes it so the mirror stays tight and doesn't move, unless you bump it, and then it gives so as not to break it...

This is good info.
I haven't heard back from SW yet, but included a link to this thread in my email to them. Sure enough, on my way back from a scoot into the 'burbs, the right mirror came loose.

I'll throw the washers on there and see how it goes - I've got plenty of miscellaneous hardware and may break out the lockwashers if need be. That'll be a lot easier than finding a reverse-threaded nylon locknut or similar.

For what it's worth, I was able to open the throttle all the way up for a bit, with the only variable being the Cuppini, my top speed went from ~58 to ~61 (via GPS).

There was obviously less wind on my chest, I could still feel plenty on my arms/shoulders upper chest (as in, it didn't take all the fun away).

[SonnyD]

Yeah, I got a few more MPH outta mine too after the install.....Wish I could find the pic that I found with the washers next to the nut....

[SonnyD]

FOUND IT!!!!!!!! If you go to Scooterworks site, and bring up the Cuppini short.... at the bottom of the order info....it says "Download PDF product sheet.... You can see the two washers per mirror......last picture http://www.scooterworks.com/filebin/ima ... WSBUD3.pdf

[SonnyD]

Yeah, I got a few more MPH outta mine too after the install.....Wish I could find the pic that I found with the washers next to the nut....

[NikVee]

FOUND IT!!!!!!!! If you go to Scooterworks site, and bring up the Cuppini short.... at the bottom of the order info....it says "Download PDF product sheet.... You can see the two washers per mirror......last picture http://www.scooterworks.com/filebin/ima ... WSBUD3.pdf

You're my hero!

Why on earth they don't include this in the packaging is beyond me.

[MYSCTR]

You can adjust the height as desired by sliding the windshield up or down on the chrome arms. We tend to run them a bit higher so a small breeze will come in across the speedometer. Plus this makes it easier to get under the windshield to clean the Buddy. Ride and try it in different heights until you find what you like.

[SonnyD]

FOUND IT!!!!!!!! If you go to Scooterworks site, and bring up the Cuppini short.... at the bottom of the order info....it says "Download PDF product sheet.... You can see the two washers per mirror......last picture http://www.scooterworks.com/filebin/ima ... WSBUD3.pdf

You're my hero!

Why on earth they don't include this in the packaging is beyond me.

I don't know, LOL..... I was totally lost when installing mine too. The only Italian I know is Ducati, LOL...... I searched all over, and clicked on that PDF just out of frustration....and Bang, there it was.... Glad to be of help....

[SonnyD]

You can adjust the height as desired by sliding the windshield up or down on the chrome arms. We tend to run them a bit higher so a small breeze will come in across the speedometer. Plus this makes it easier to get under the windshield to clean the Buddy. Ride and try it in different heights until you find what you like.

I just changed mine yesterday for the first time....I had mine all the way up, and yesterday i moved it all the way down.... I still have some room to clean under it, since I put the 07 and up shield on my 06 Only rode it about 2 miles...but I'll try it today with it all the way down... It looks better down, with the bigger cutout on the smaller headlight, but we will see how the wind effects are.....

[NikVee]

I installed the washers before scooting off to work this morning and am glad to report they seem to be doing there job. I'll definitely be doing some fine-tuning before I'm settled with the adjustments - though the marks that have already started to accumulate on the windshield indicate it's keeping a few of the bugs off

[SonnyD]

Yeah, for a short narrow shield, it does a pretty good job...well worth the money, IMO.....