Converting 2006 Buddy 125 to 2007+ Headlight and Top Cover?

cummingsjc · Post by **cummingsjc** » Sun Aug 21, 2016 11:02 pm

Is it possible to convert a 2006 Buddy 125 headlight and top cover to the larger style used by the 2007+ versions? Is the 2006's handlebar frame set up with the same mounting points as the 2007+ Buddy? I assume that the top and bottom cover would have to be replaced as well as the headlight assembly and headlight bezel ring but am I missing anything?

Christophers · Post by **Christophers** » Mon Aug 22, 2016 7:50 pm

Leave it old-school...!!! :)

I like the 2006 style headlamp. There's also a really cool windshield that's specific for the 2006 headlamp. Coolest combo out there!!

(We have a Tangerine 2006 Buddy 125... with the Cuppini short windshield :)

Activate the deadlights as running lights (and replace the bulbs with LEDs) if you're looking for more illumination.

cummingsjc · Post by **cummingsjc** » Mon Aug 22, 2016 8:49 pm

This conversion would be for a scooter that I was thinking of buying to repair and re-sell. The headlight unit and surrounding plastic (specifically the top cover and bezel ring already have damage and would need to be replaced regardless. I thought it might be wiser in the long term to use the most current parts.

Christophers · Post by **Christophers** » Mon Aug 22, 2016 9:48 pm

cummingsjc wrote:This conversion would be for a scooter that I was thinking of buying to repair and re-sell. The headlight unit and surrounding plastic (specifically the top cover and bezel ring already have damage and would need to be replaced regardless. I thought it might be wiser in the long term to use the most current parts.

I'll post a pic of our 2006 with the windshield. But as far as your project goes I would just use the 2006 parts... and maybe install the windshield as a selling point. (It really does look pretty sweet! ~ It would kind of be like staging a house to sell it - but, of course, one never recoups the investment one makes on mods on a bike, so it would probably come out a wash). Yeah... just go with the 2006 parts.

DeeDee · Post by **DeeDee** » Mon Aug 22, 2016 11:16 pm

Is the lower headset plastic ok? That's a bear to remove and replace.

cummingsjc · Post by **cummingsjc** » Tue Aug 23, 2016 1:02 am

DeeDee wrote:Is the lower headset plastic ok? That's a bear to remove and replace.

I can't tell from the Craigslist ad, unfortunately.

sc00ter · Post by **sc00ter** » Tue Aug 23, 2016 3:16 am

DeeDee said it best, that lower headlight cowl is a PITA to remove! I too would just replace everything with 06 parts. A typical buyer wont know or care about the headlight on a 06 Buddy, they just want it to work correctly.

cummingsjc · Post by **cummingsjc** » Tue Aug 23, 2016 11:34 am

So, back to my original question. I am assuming based on the responses here that it is technically possible for me to do the conversion but shouldn't based on how difficult it probably would be to dismount the old lower cover and remount a new one (assuming that the existing 2006 lower cover is in salvageable shape). Am I correct?

DeeDee · Post by **DeeDee** » Tue Aug 23, 2016 12:59 pm

I don't think anyone has ever done exaclty what you are looking to do. My educated guess is that the subframe mounts and dimensions are all the same, so it should work. Worse case is you end up rebuilding with '06 parts.
Find an online parts diagram and see if the handlebars are the same part # for both years.

cummingsjc · Post by **cummingsjc** » Tue Aug 23, 2016 2:03 pm

DeeDee wrote:I don't think anyone has ever done exaclty what you are looking to do. My educated guess is that the subframe mounts and dimensions are all the same, so it should work. Worse case is you end up rebuilding with '06 parts.
Find an online parts diagram and see if the handlebars are the same part # for both years.

Thanks. I'll look into it. If I do buy the bike I will leave it as much intact as possible to minimize additional costs. My only issue would be if the lower cover was damaged beyond use. Getting used parts for a 2007+ model MIGHT be easier and cheaper from eBay or other online sites. I will have to weigh out the cost of replacement parts versus how much I think I can get in re-sell for the bike.

DeeDee · Post by **DeeDee** » Wed Aug 24, 2016 12:51 am

Are you looking at the pink one with the skull sticker in Arlington?

cummingsjc · Post by **cummingsjc** » Wed Aug 24, 2016 5:34 am

DeeDee wrote:Are you looking at the pink one with the skull sticker in Arlington?

Don't know what you are talking about!!!

Yes, I was considering it based on the price I thought I might be able to talk them down to. However, that idea is currently on hold since I bought a 2015 Hooligan today with only 509 miles on it for $1500. It had one heavily damaged side trim panel (actually looks like a dog chewed on it, but the owner gave me the replacement panel she had bought but had not yet installed) and some minor scuffing that should be easily sanded out and painted over. Until I can turn this around and/or sell a Buddy 50 rehab project that is almost complete, I can't buy anything else.

Any observations about the pink one in Arlington?

DeeDee · Post by **DeeDee** » Wed Aug 24, 2016 12:59 pm

https://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/mcy/5742411504.html

No miles listed, Damage on the outer legshield panel, and asking way too much. Plus pink is kind of hard on the resell. I picked up an orange 2006 at the end of summer last year for $500. It had 2,600 miles and was always garaged. Had set for 10 months, so it needed a carb and gas tank clean. Only part I needed to buy was a $30.00 carb diaphragm. Scooters have sold slow here this summer. I only got $1,650 out of my mint 2014 170i.

cummingsjc · Post by **cummingsjc** » Wed Aug 24, 2016 1:45 pm

DeeDee wrote:https://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/mcy/5742411504.html

No miles listed, Damage on the outer legshield panel, and asking way too much. Plus pink is kind of hard on the resell. I picked up an orange 2006 at the end of summer last year for $500. It had 2,600 miles and was always garaged. Had set for 10 months, so it needed a carb and gas tank clean. Only part I needed to buy was a $30.00 carb diaphragm. Scooters have sold slow here this summer. I only got $1,650 out of my mint 2014 170i.

I saw the damage you mentioned and the lack of a posted odometer reading or picture of the odometer always makes me leery. I had figured I could get them to knock off $100-$200 off the price if I wanted to pursue it. My wife likes pink scooters so she was intrigued by it when I showed her the picture of the bike, less intrigued when I mentioned some damage to it.

There are definitely some good deals out there if you know where to look for them. Most of them seem to be from folks that bought scooters that bought them on an impulse and didn't like them or didn't give them a chance. The lady I bought the Hooligan from had previously owned some off brand scooters and bought the Hooligan brand new. She is 8-months pregnant and I got the feeling that her husband didn't like her riding it even before the pregnancy. When I offered what I thought was a low ball offer they accepted without hesitation.