What do I do? Giving new life

Micahsk · Post by **Micahsk** » Wed Nov 14, 2012 2:40 am

I just acquired a Buddy 125 that hasn't been ran in at least 2 years. What do I need to do to get it back in shape. Right now it wont start, I'm getting a new battery/recharging the old one now. Thanks for any help

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Wed Nov 14, 2012 2:43 am

throw some seafoam fuel treatment in the tank and see if it runs ok. if so run the tank. clean the carbs while you're at it

do one or the other or both. i know crap about this stuff but trust me its advice you're gonna get. also if it has old gas in it start by draining the tank and adding new gas

look into changing the plug and just doing little stuff like that. take a look at the air filter

thats all this newb has got

spr0k3t · Post by **spr0k3t** » Wed Nov 14, 2012 2:45 am

Total carb rebuild. Change out the filters and the plug. New oil. You may want to pull and do a rebuild of the engine... but that might be overkill.

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Wed Nov 14, 2012 2:48 am

rebuild the engine? why not just attach some wings to it and see if it flies, too!

tortoise · Post by **tortoise** » Wed Nov 14, 2012 3:11 am

Micahsk wrote:I just acquired a Buddy 125 that hasn't been ran in at least 2 years. What do I need to do to get it back in shape.

http://vimeo.com/5377019

Icecreamman · Post by **Icecreamman** » Wed Nov 14, 2012 4:46 am

JHScoot wrote:throw some seafoam fuel treatment in the tank and see if it runs ok. if so run the tank. clean the carbs while you're at it

do one or the other or both. i know crap about this stuff but trust me its advice you're gonna get. also if it has old gas in it start by draining the tank and adding new gas

look into changing the plug and just doing little stuff like that. take a look at the air filter

thats all this newb has got

Carb's not too bad if you need to go into it, just make sure you get the diaphragm right

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Wed Nov 14, 2012 5:01 am

How many miles are on it? Do you know its maintenance history? Has it had its 600 mile service? 2000? More?

Here's a bit of a to-do list:

Drain and replace all fluids: gas, oil, gear oil. Clean anything that the fluids have come into contact with (ie new fuel filter, oil filter, clean/rebuild carb, check evap system isn't clogged with old jellified gas). Add seafoam to first tank of new gas. Adjust valves. Check/replace air filter, check/replace spark plug (they're cheap), new belt, clean variator and rollers. Check tires for dry rot, check valve stems are still reliable. Check/adjust brakes.

That's all I can think of. Other than this, give it a good wash

Tocsik · Post by **Tocsik** » Wed Nov 14, 2012 5:15 am

I would say some things similar to above:

Drain the oil and replace oil and filter. Oil breaks down over time; not just with engine wear.
Same for the gear oil. It's only 90 cc's and really easy to drain and replace.
Drain the gas and fill the tank with new gas + seafoam; maybe go ahead and replace the fuel filter since it may have sat with old gas in it for the 2 years.
Put in a new spark plug.
After you have the new battery and have done the above, see if it will start and stay running. Keeping it running may require a little feathering of the throttle for a while.
Don't worry about "rebuilding" the carb unless it won't run with the above steps. If it doesn't, then clean the carb.

If you get it running without cleaning the carb and you are able to run it frequently, you just might be OK. 2 years is kind of a long time, but not ridiculous.
If you have problems even after all of the above, then you might need to replace the fuel lines which is actually not too bad.

Once the engine is running OK, be sure your brake lines are intact. Check for cracks and leaks.
You may need new tires depending on where the scooter was stored and under what conditions. Dry air may lead to more sidewall cracking and it's best to go ahead and put on new shoes than risking your life.
You also might need to check your valve clearance and maybe make adjustments.

Good luck!
Let us know how things turn out.

Micahsk · Post by **Micahsk** » Wed Nov 14, 2012 5:15 am

It has about 450 miles and has been kept in a house. I dont know the past maintenance though

Tocsik · Post by **Tocsik** » Wed Nov 14, 2012 5:19 am

Sweet! Almost new!
You may just get by with a new battery, new oil and gas + Seafoam.
If so, I would run Seafoam through several tanks of gas consecutively. That will help ensure you get the carb jets cleared out as good as possible without pulling things apart.

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Wed Nov 14, 2012 6:37 am

oh what the hell. just hit it with a hammer and call it gravy

BuddyRaton · Post by **BuddyRaton** » Wed Nov 14, 2012 2:12 pm

Check the tires for dry rot

Modern Buddy

What do I do? Giving new life

What do I do? Giving new life

Re: What do I do? Giving new life