Modern Buddy

Folks, it looks like there's a lot of new Buddy owners popping up (myself included). I thought maybe we could get a post-purchase checklist going for all the new owners. There are the usual helpful suggestions such as:

- Take the MSF course
- Get appropriate gear
- Get theft prevention devices

But what about maintenance related things new Buddy owners should look into? So far I've read things like:

- Calibrate the headlight
- Re-route the wires underneath the seat

Are there any other things a new owner should adjust/check/change on their Buddy to ensure the best ride out of the gate?

practice practice practice!

Scoot around in a parking lot or somewhere there's no traffic and practice turning... getting up to speed and emergency braking... obsticle avoidence... you'll be suprised at how much you learn just dorking around and more suprised at how automatic some reactions are with practice.


Also, not intended for scooters, but watch or read "A Twist of the Wrist". You'll learn how to negotiate corners, keep from fixating on obsticles, brake and so much more. If you watch the video, it's a tad on the 70's side but well worth watching.

i took the bud to run an errand last night to see what it was like to ride in the dark. it went well, but i can't wait to change out my headlight for a halogen bulb and turn the dead lights into running lights.

was thinking the atxers could have work parties where we all work on mods together. dorky i know, but dayum, rewiring looks like it takes some moral support.

I read a book titled "Proficient motorcycling" By a guy with the last name of Hough. Very useful.

madtolive wrote:i took the bud to run an errand last night to see what it was like to ride in the dark. it went well, but i can't wait to change out my headlight for a halogen bulb and turn the dead lights into running lights.

was thinking the atxers could have work parties where we all work on mods together. dorky i know, but dayum, rewiring looks like it takes some moral support.

You already have a halogen bulb in your 08, it's just not the fancy bright ones those annoying teens use in their ricer cars.

madtolive wrote:i
was thinking the atxers could have work parties where we all work on mods together. dorky i know, but dayum, rewiring looks like it takes some moral support.

sounds good. i would like to rewire mine as well.

the fancy bright ones those annoying teens use in their ricer cars.

yah, that's the one i want.

maribell, give me a call this weekend, eh? maybe we can figure out what exactly it is we need and get it all ordered then do the damn thing in my garage sometime. i have three threads about this bookmarked, slew of information at the ready. just none of the know-how.

madtolive wrote: was thinking the atxers could have work parties where we all work on mods together. dorky i know, but dayum, rewiring looks like it takes some moral support.

As if I didn't want desperately to move to Austin already...

Any of the KC crew up for this?

If you guys are game for "mod weekend" I'd be very down. I wonder if messing with the DOT signals and the wiring in general voids the warranty or parts of the warranty. Seeing as how madtolive and I haven't even had our first dealer tune-up, I'm even worried to remove the front tire to start painting the Buddy.

Damn it all, I've got cans of Krylon in my hot little hands and I'm ready to go! Does anybody know if re-wiring DOT lights or removing parts to paint them voids any part of the warranty?

Removing/painting parts doesn't void anything as far as I know... Re-wiring your DOT lights doesn't void you whole warranty, but might void the electrical portion, but I don't know that one for sure... Sorry, not certain. (I don't know if anyone knows for sure)

madtolive wrote:i took the bud to run an errand last night to see what it was like to ride in the dark. it went well, but i can't wait to change out my headlight for a halogen bulb and turn the dead lights into running lights.

if you really want to improve your headlight the BEST thing you can do is aim it higher. I should have shown you the difference on mine I know you're all anti techie but it's VERY simple to do:

There's a bolt right under your head light. All you have to do is loosen it enough for your headlight to be able to tilt. Then aim your headlight a bit higher. Tighten it back and you're SET it makes a world of difference.


(you see the white dusty looking stuff... yeah friggin dump tuck carrying Limestone decides he wants to keep me trapped behind him... definitely glad for the full face because both me and my Buddy were COVERED in it )

Thanks everybody, these are really good tips. Has anyone ever posted a "how-to" guide on removing all the panels of ze Buddy? I've been digging around for more information on removing the top half of the headset... I'm paranoid about finagling something too much and breaking some plastic.

If there isn't already a "how-to" on removing the panels, I'll take it slow and try to put one together.

BadBrains wrote:If there isn't already a "how-to" on removing the panels, I'll take it slow and try to put one together.

I'm getting one together for upgrading the smaller size to the larger headset, if work is still slow the rest of the week it should be finished by friday.

Basically, any mod you do, especially using non-OEM parts, will affect the warranty coverage of the associated parts and systems provided the warranty issue can be traced back to the mod or part. SO, for instance, if you rewire your headlights and your carb goes out, you're still covered. If you rewire your headlights and your ignition goes out, you're probably still covered, unless you managed to screw up something in the electrical that killed your ignition.

All that said, there is a burden of proof problem here, and the more you mod, the harder time you may have proving you didn't cause a problem elsewhere. And the legal issues are a total mess.

That said, as far as I know, no one's had a problem with Genuine refusing to honor a warranty.

BadBrains wrote:If you guys are game for "mod weekend" I'd be very down.

There was talk, at some point, about doing an official MB Maintenance and Mod Workshop. ModernVespa held West Coast and East Coast workshops. I think these are a great idea and would love to see some start up, even if they're a bit more informal.

Thanks Kurzer, that would help a metric ton.

In Austin, we can hold "GulfCoast" workshops and listen to "Gulf Coast" punk rock.