Noise coming from rear wheel area

Fargo Rollin · Post by **Fargo Rollin** » Tue Mar 20, 2012 10:26 pm

Howdy folks,

Maybe some of you would have an idea of what could be going on with my scoot. First off its a 2006 Buddy 125, I bought it last summer with 750 miles on it. One tank of Seafoam and it has run like a gem since then. Parked it for the winter with 1450 miles and I've put on a little over 100 miles since I got it out a little over a week ago, again, ran normal.

Now to the gist of the "problem". I changed both oils on Saturday put in between 80 and 90 ml of trans oil and the engine oil is at the correct level. Put on 30 miles that day and all ran well.
It sat Sunday and Monday and when I started it this morning came the noise of something grinding/scraping/friction is the best I can describe. Its coming from the rear wheel area and seems to be during the initial auto-choke warm up. The sound seemed to disappear after 30 seconds of running at choke. I couldn't replicate the noise by putting it up on the stand and lightly revving. It was only after its stone cold start up this morning and after work during the first 30 of warm up.

Now It shouldn't be trans related as there has been no leaks and i put in the recommended amount. It doesn't seem to be any plastic as I got down close and put pressure on plastic parts to attempt to dampen if it were a vibration. I dont think it should be brake related since I even loosened it a bit this morning upon hearing the sound and the sound subsides after warm up. It's just loud enough to hear over the engine.

So.... thoughts? Long post, I know, just trying to give as much detail as I can. Is it possible its a bearing or clutch problem even with 1550 miles on it? I'm going to continue to ride normally to see if the problem goes away or gets worse. Thanks for reading this monster

Mitch

Post by **ericalm** » Wed Mar 21, 2012 3:34 am

Hmmm… Few more questions:

Is it a rotational noise or a constant grind?

If you run the scooter until the noise stops, stop the scooter, then start it again, does it still make the noise?

And, finally, does it seem to coincide with the idle changing (slowing) after startup?

Fargo Rollin · Post by **Fargo Rollin** » Wed Mar 21, 2012 11:58 am

Seems to be a rotational grind, If i hit the brake slowly during the sound it slows with the wheel and stops when it stops.

Seems to be just after the initial cold start. Like last night I went out for a 30 mile ride about 1.5 hours after I got home from work, the noise never occurred when I started and warmed it for that ride.

And no it eventually quiets down during the high idle time. I'll report back tonight what it does when I start it this morning and after work. Thanks for the reply!

Fargo Rollin · Post by **Fargo Rollin** » Wed Mar 21, 2012 12:42 pm

It appears I have to take back what I said about the rotational sound. When I started it just now it was slow idle and no/very quiet "sound" for about 3 seconds, then kicked into high idle and here came the sound.. except the back wheel wasn't spinning. It was right on the threshhold of where it will catch and spin. So I gave it some juice to get the back wheel spinning and about 15 to 10 seconds later the noise stopped. Now this is really making me think it's the clutch or belt.
It still boggles me why it only happens after a stone cold start, even a 2 hour "engine off" break until I start it again seems to be warm enough and no sound occurs.

Post by **ericalm** » Wed Mar 21, 2012 5:34 pm

Could be that in the mornings, the engine's been sitting overnight, when it's coldest out. Once the parts warm up in the mornings, they may not cool down as much during the day. Just a possibility…

Cleaning out and inspecting the transmission may be a good place to start, but it seems to me that if the rear wheel isn't moving and you can hear the noise, it's unlikely to be the source of the noise.

Buddy Guy · Post by **Buddy Guy** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 1:03 am

Had the same issue with my 2007 Buddy 125 in the morning. That afternoon I was driving home and the belt snapped.
When I opened up the gear case, I not only found shards of the belt, but also (3) 1/2 diameter metal objects that look like spacers. I have no idea what these go to, but seem to be the cause of not only the noise, but the breaking of the belt as well. I will be replacing the belt, but any insight to what those objects are would be helpful.
As far as your concerned, I would open up your gear case and see if you've got these loose objects in there and inspect your belt and replace it if there is any damage to it.

Mike

Post by **ericalm** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 2:39 am

Buddy Guy wrote:Had the same issue with my 2007 Buddy 125 in the morning. That afternoon I was driving home and the belt snapped.
When I opened up the gear case, I not only found shards of the belt, but also (3) 1/2 diameter metal objects that look like spacers. I have no idea what these go to, but seem to be the cause of not only the noise, but the breaking of the belt as well. I will be replacing the belt, but any insight to what those objects are would be helpful.
As far as your concerned, I would open up your gear case and see if you've got these loose objects in there and inspect your belt and replace it if there is any damage to it.

Mike

How thick are they? Were they broken? They could be the washers from the variator or clutch.

Check out the parts list: topic17349.html

It's figure E7.

Buddy Guy · Post by **Buddy Guy** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 6:30 pm

Thanks for posting the link for the diagrams and service manual. From the looks of the diagram, it looks like they are 3 of the roller weights. Trying to get a hold of the dealer to see if they'll cover. Otherwise is this an easy/inexpensive fix?

Post by **ericalm** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 11:30 pm

Buddy Guy wrote:Thanks for posting the link for the diagrams and service manual. From the looks of the diagram, it looks like they are 3 of the roller weights. Trying to get a hold of the dealer to see if they'll cover. Otherwise is this an easy/inexpensive fix?

Roller weights themselves are easy and cheap enough to replace. But if they wore down to the point where they came apart, they may have damaged the variator.

BUT… While I have seen rollers disintegrate in scooters that haven't been properly maintained, it usually takes thousands of miles for this to happen. You would hear them rattling first and you'd lose a lot of power. You have to really neglect a scooter for a while for the rollers to come apart.