Modern Buddy

Saw a "Winter Project" thread over at MV and wondered what you all are doing to modify your scooter.

So far, I have connected the DOT and OEM turn signals in the front so they work together and removed the Buddy 125 decals.

This week, I will be doing more.

1. Re-wire the turn signals so they're not hacked together with electrical tape.
2. Installing Stebel Nautilus horn so I can be heard.
3. Replacing stock bulbs with 1156A so I can be seen.
4. Painting some plastic parts with Krylon Fusion Hunter Green

My wife picked the color. She also suggested we could stencil "Special K" on the back, but I vetoed that idea.

There may be a performance pipe in the future if that proves to be useful to others; so far these are pretty low cost items.

What have you done, what are you planning?

Not much. I already installed front and rear rack. Probably do turnsignal bulb replacement.

Been happy with the way the buddy is. Don't have an itch to mess with it too much right now.

Look forward to seeing all the painting projects that people are doing, maybe then I will decide to make some improvements to the buddy.

I removed the DOT signals, while at the same time wiring the Euro signals in. I cut the rear tail-fender off and removed reflectors. I installed a SuperTrapp muffler. I installed a black rear rack. Then, just for grins, I painted it red.

I intend to paint the rims red and the fork legs black and add black racing stripes. Beyond that, I think it's safe...

--Keys

I've already put a small fortune into my other bike and still have a number of pricey things left on my list, so the Buddy will stay close to stock. I may consider some sort of luggage or top case for extra storage but I think I'll put off any performance options because my other ride has all the performance I'll ever need. I've already removed the DOT signals and rewired the originals, those awful DOT signals were my biggest gripe with the Buddy. Without those things hanging on the bars the scoot looks much better. I may also try a mini tail chop if I can figure out an elegant solution.

Since the pictures of 2 tone Buddys were posted I tried to imagine a color that would work with the orange. I think lobsterman may have something with the dark green. I'll be curious to see how yours looks. I don't think I'll actually paint mine but we'll see...

And kudos to everyone making their scoots more visible and audible. Just remember, adding lighting and louder horns doesn't automatically make other drivers smarter. I'm not saying "don't do it", all I'm saying is "don't relax after you do it".

Kevin, definitely post the photos of the paint job!

I haven't done much other than de-badge mine, so far. However, I've been considering changing the color scheme from all black to a dark metallic green paint job with tan seat and handgrips. I don't trust myself, so I'd get it professionally done.

I like your idea of replacing the stock bulbs, also - I must look into that one.

Cheers,
Julie

I have done most of the mods that I am interested in, may be a headlight modulator at some point if I think it would help my visibility. I fully recommend all the mods that I have done, for both safety and comfort. Here is a list of my projects since this summer...

-halogen headlight
-front LED running lights
-stebel compact air horn
-iridium spark plug
-grip heater (only on the low setting)
-flashing single red LED on a switch
-rear red LED running lights which replaced the round red reflectors
-1156 amber bulbs for rear turn signals
-1157 LED brake light
-black rear rack
-givi case w/ brake light kit on a modulator
-debadged
-removed front reflectors
-chrome door trim inspired by another MB member... thanks.
-battery tender jr plug

the only thing I am planning on doing this winter is wash it and spray the bottom with anti-corrosion spray.

And may be some performance mods in the future when more products hit the market.

megen,

Any gotchas I should watch out for when I install the Stebel horn this week?

lobsterman wrote:Any gotchas I should watch out for when I install the Stebel horn this week?

I used the same hardware from the original horn to mount the stebel. You need to enlarge the hole on it to make it work and bend it a bit when the horn is in to fit the front cover back on. It is a tight fit, but it works. If you got your horn from bikerhighway, it should come with wiring instructions. Just follow that and you should be fine. I needed longer wire to reach the battery from the relay, you should get that first or you will get stuck half way through your install. good luck, let me know how it goes.

Posted before, but here goes...
added front chrome rack (still waiting on rear chrome)
removed DOT signals, rewired originals w/new bulbs
added chrome stripping here and there
added racing stripe
chopped the mudflap
added chrome liscence plate frame

to do:
put Conti Zippys on (hate those stock tires!)
paint fork legs black
paint wheels black and cream
paint passenger footrests black
add a couple spotlights to the front rack and wire them to the headlight on/off switch
(maybe) add the ET4 footpeg bar
(maybe) add performance pipe
have seat re-made (foam and cover) to be more comfy

pics as of now (minus chrome LP frame):

oh yeah, I also removed the reflectors on the forks (shown), and the ones off the back (not shown). I also removed the rear badges and re-placed the front one after the racing stripe was added.

Add this to the list of weird-o Genuine stories: Phila Scooters got three chrome rear racks from them! I raced over there as soon as I was called so I could call "dibs." Dang, it looks sweet! And I love the better grip on the back for when I'm backing out of a parking spot. Now I just wish I had bid on Crystal's soft-body case. Of course, I thought I'd be waiting all winter for the rack! Weird.

While I was there, Sean & Rachel helped me (okeh, they did the work while I "watched & learned" ) rotate the front turn signals. HUGE improvement! My gloves kept on catching on the things when they were turned out, so now they're safer as well as better looking.

However, I'm still waiting "two weeks" for my black seat and grips....

Just added ground effect LED's. 2 sets of 6 each for a total of 12. Wired right into the battery and used the on/off switch right next to them. Did this for night riding, side profile. They look good, and now I want to add them to the front and back too! But I am waiting.
Will be ordering Stebel horn at end of month.
Will be ordering the soft saddle bags soon too. Although, I haven't really had a need for them yet.

GalacticFattPatt wrote:Just added ground effect LED's. 2 sets of 6 each for a total of 12. Wired right into the battery and used the on/off switch right next to them. Did this for night riding, side profile. They look good, and now I want to add them to the front and back too!

Ooo! Photos, please!

And perhaps a description of how you installed them? Or is this another n00b question??

I will do my best to get some photos for you. It was super simple, after 2 hours of thinking and looking. Basicalling you have the battery right under your feet. I took the rubber mat off, took off the cover of the batter, and I also removed the plastic cover that is behind your calf muscles. I did this cause it gives you access better. SO there are wires running out of the batter case under there, so you already have a hole to run it thru. So take a 2 x 4 piece of wood and put that under your kick stand. That allows you to get your head under there. I ran the wires right into the batter and used the plastic ties to secure wire with the other wiring running out of there. This is on the right side as you are sitting on the bike. I did not want to screw anything into the plastic, so I use the super double sided stick foam tape, came with my led kit. Mind you, put it on the back side of the batter box, otherwise, it will get dirty on the front. There is lip there. I cleaned it and the back of the led's with rubbing alcohol, that will insure you have no dirt there for the sticky. I put both led's next to one another, then the on/off switch next to that. Opposite of the kick stand mount. So I just turn it on and off manually when I am riding at night. It looks cool, and hopefully, folks driving will be like wow, that looks cool. Now they know I am there. Yeah! for a little saftey trick. I got clear led's. I hear that red and blue are illegal in FL. I was hoping to find amber to go with the Sunset orange. But my excitment got the best of me. $20 not bad for a little fun and some cool looks.
So how do you attach photos here. I have tried in the past but didn't have any luck.

Thanks for the step-by-step instructions! Food for thought.

GalacticFattPatt wrote:So how do you attach photos here. I have tried in the past but didn't have any luck.

At the bottom of the "Reply" form, there's a place to attach files. The photos will need to be re-sized before you upload them, but MS Photo Manager or whatever allows you to click "web-sized" under the resize function.

Does that make any sense? It's snowing here, and my brain is fried.

x-mojito50mod;

Your ride looks sweet!