Help me identify this Buddy!
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Help me identify this Buddy!
Hi everyone! I am a long time scooter rider and I just picked up a Buddy off of Craigslist. The owner had moved to Europe so his father was selling it and did not know much about it.
I can't tell if I have a 125cc with upgrades or possibly a Black Jack 150cc model.
I am at work, but I will snap some picture when I get home later.
Here is what I know:
Supposedly a 2008.
Prima Exhaust
Black Glossy paint
All original decals removed
Spec sheet near ankle plastics removed
Red rims
The title just says Buddy. No mention of cc's or models.
Any insights would be great. I had only heard of Genuine scooters in passing, so I have a lot of learning to do on the brand.
I can't tell if I have a 125cc with upgrades or possibly a Black Jack 150cc model.
I am at work, but I will snap some picture when I get home later.
Here is what I know:
Supposedly a 2008.
Prima Exhaust
Black Glossy paint
All original decals removed
Spec sheet near ankle plastics removed
Red rims
The title just says Buddy. No mention of cc's or models.
Any insights would be great. I had only heard of Genuine scooters in passing, so I have a lot of learning to do on the brand.
- JohnKiniston
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I'm not an Expert on the Buddy But:
If it has a 2T Oil Tank it's a 50.
If it has no Kickstart lever it's a 170i.
If It's got a Kickstart lever and a Oil Cooler it's a 150.
Otherwise if it's got a Kickstart lever and no Oil Cooler it's a 125.
If it has a 2T Oil Tank it's a 50.
If it has no Kickstart lever it's a 170i.
If It's got a Kickstart lever and a Oil Cooler it's a 150.
Otherwise if it's got a Kickstart lever and no Oil Cooler it's a 125.
Last edited by JohnKiniston on Wed Aug 29, 2012 6:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Tocsik
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Ah, good point.JohnKiniston wrote:I'm not an Expert on the Buddy But if It's got a Oil Cooler it's a 150 otherwise it's a 125 I believe.
walke2jd,
Look underneath the scooter and you will see a plastic box hanging down. This is the battery housing. If it's a 150, there will be an oil cooler in front of the battery.
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- ericalm
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If it's glossy (as below), it's not a 150.

The Black Jack will be matte, will have a different seat, and has different suspension (look for NCY on front shock) and brakes with red rims:


The Black Jack will be matte, will have a different seat, and has different suspension (look for NCY on front shock) and brakes with red rims:

Eric // LA Scooter Meetup Group // Stella 4T // Vespa LX // Vespa LXS // Honda Helix // some, uh, projects…
- anthony
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the OP mentioned red rims, hence the mystery. Either the panels were swapped on the Blackjack, or the rims were swapped on a black 125 (or both, on some other buddy, I suppose)ericalm wrote:If it's glossy (as below), it's not a 150.
The Black Jack will be matte, will have a different seat, and has different suspension (look for NCY on front shock) and brakes with red rims:
- ericalm
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Correct!PeteH wrote:On the 150, the oil cooler is behind the battery box. On the 170i, it's ahead, I think.
Eric // LA Scooter Meetup Group // Stella 4T // Vespa LX // Vespa LXS // Honda Helix // some, uh, projects…
- JohnKiniston
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- agrogod
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Does not anyone else find this just a bit odd?Supposedly a 2008.
Prima Exhaust
Black Glossy paint
All original decals removed
Spec sheet near ankle plastics removed
Red rims
The title just says Buddy. No mention of cc's or models.
"When your mouth is yapping your arms stop flapping, get to work" - a quote from my father R.I.P..
always start with the simple, it may end up costing you little to nothing
always start with the simple, it may end up costing you little to nothing
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- JohnKiniston
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- ericalm
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I certainly wouldn't buy one like this.agrogod wrote:Does not anyone else find this just a bit odd?Supposedly a 2008.
Prima Exhaust
Black Glossy paint
All original decals removed
Spec sheet near ankle plastics removed
Red rims
The title just says Buddy. No mention of cc's or models.

I assume the VIN numbers are intact and match?
Eric // LA Scooter Meetup Group // Stella 4T // Vespa LX // Vespa LXS // Honda Helix // some, uh, projects…
- Tocsik
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I don't know. Lots of folks here on MB have painted their body panels and/or rims. I suppose you might remove the spec plaque when painting.agrogod wrote:Does not anyone else find this just a bit odd?Supposedly a 2008.
Prima Exhaust
Black Glossy paint
All original decals removed
Spec sheet near ankle plastics removed
Red rims
The title just says Buddy. No mention of cc's or models.
Could just be that or maybe you're right about sumthin' bein' fishy.
- Skootz Kabootz
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That's the first thing that went through my mind. Lots of questions marks.agrogod wrote:Does not anyone else find this just a bit odd?Supposedly a 2008.
Prima Exhaust
Black Glossy paint
All original decals removed
Spec sheet near ankle plastics removed
Red rims
The title just says Buddy. No mention of cc's or models.
OP, just to check, what on the scooter itself identifies it as a Buddy? Or a Genuine?
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maybe it just looks like a buddy?ericalm wrote:I certainly wouldn't buy one like this.agrogod wrote:Does not anyone else find this just a bit odd?Supposedly a 2008.
Prima Exhaust
Black Glossy paint
All original decals removed
Spec sheet near ankle plastics removed
Red rims
The title just says Buddy. No mention of cc's or models.
I assume the VIN numbers are intact and match?
or smells like one.
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- Hwarang
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Not really. I removed all the stickers and decals from my buddy (even the faux chrome one that says "Buddy 125")agrogod wrote:Does not anyone else find this just a bit odd?Supposedly a 2008.
Prima Exhaust
Black Glossy paint
All original decals removed
Spec sheet near ankle plastics removed
Red rims
The title just says Buddy. No mention of cc's or models.
"Limitations are the soil from which creativity grows." - Zeldman
"All that glitters is not golden" - Shakespeare
"Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known" - Carl Sagan
"I must not fear. Fear is the mind killer ..." - Dune
"All that glitters is not golden" - Shakespeare
"Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known" - Carl Sagan
"I must not fear. Fear is the mind killer ..." - Dune
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Hi everyone! And thanks for all the usefull info. I took a look and there is no Oil Cooler, so I am going to assume I have a 125cc.
As to all of your concerns, the previous owner definitely tried to pass it off as a 49cc. Its got 50rr and 49cc decals all over it. The spec sheet is still on the buddy, but the displacement and model are both scratched off. He was the rightfull owner with a valid title, so no worries about it being stolen.
The previous owner was a beach bum who used it to get around the Virginia Beach oceanfront. THis is my 5th scooter, and I bought this one to be a bit of a project for the fall. The salty air wreaked havoc on some of the cheaper chrome (mirrors...), but overall it is a solid scoot. Luckily, the Prima Exhaust is still mint.
I forgot to take pictures, but I will be starting a project thread, so Ill add them there when I have time. Now that I know what model and displacement it is, I can go get it registered and insured and start adding some miles!
As to all of your concerns, the previous owner definitely tried to pass it off as a 49cc. Its got 50rr and 49cc decals all over it. The spec sheet is still on the buddy, but the displacement and model are both scratched off. He was the rightfull owner with a valid title, so no worries about it being stolen.
The previous owner was a beach bum who used it to get around the Virginia Beach oceanfront. THis is my 5th scooter, and I bought this one to be a bit of a project for the fall. The salty air wreaked havoc on some of the cheaper chrome (mirrors...), but overall it is a solid scoot. Luckily, the Prima Exhaust is still mint.
I forgot to take pictures, but I will be starting a project thread, so Ill add them there when I have time. Now that I know what model and displacement it is, I can go get it registered and insured and start adding some miles!
