Alignment Issues with Buddy 170i

vdeschamps · Post by **vdeschamps** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 7:55 pm

My one-month old Buddy 170i has an alignment problem which makes the handlebars slightly pointing to the left when riding on a straight line.

My dealer looked at it, said he didn't see anything wrong with it and even if he did, he couldn't fix it. According to him, the fork is a one-piece bolted to the body and cannot easily be adjusted - unlike Vespas which have a fork made of multiple parts which can all be adjusted.

What do you think I can do about it?

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 8:07 pm

There's a lot of things that it could be, but if you're positive that it just isn't running right, it is the dealers' problem under warranty. I would be calm but very persistent. you didn't buy a new bike just to get the shaft.

if there's 'Nothing they could do" then fine, just give me another one, and I'll be quiet....

Tocsik · Post by **Tocsik** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 9:31 pm

Did you hit a curb or have a minor crash?
Is this something new you have noticed?

az_slynch · Post by **az_slynch** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 10:09 pm

According to the diagram on Scooter Lounge, the handlebar has a clamp?

I'd think one could remove the headlamp and get to the clamp bolt?

Syd · Post by **Syd** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 11:12 pm

I have read here* of others who have adjusted their bars just like you would a bicycle. Put the front wheel between your legs and bump the closer grip until straight.

*I think I have read here

Syd · Post by **Syd** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 11:15 pm

And I did read it. Here.

Tocsik · Post by **Tocsik** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 11:45 pm

Yep. That's mine. Unfortunately, the way mine are 'off' can't be straightened. Something's actually bent.
But I've put over 30K miles since then without any problems. Just turned 38K last week

vdeschamps · Post by **vdeschamps** » Thu Nov 21, 2013 5:01 am

Thanks all for the replies. My scooter barely passed the 500 miles bar. I didn't get in a crash or hit a curb, I just ride on very bumpy roads in the Nation's Capital and some bumps were pretty harsh.

OldGuy · Post by **OldGuy** » Thu Nov 21, 2013 5:56 am

Road surfaces are normally "crowned" or intentionally curved so they are highest at the centerline. This helps water to drain away on both sides. And this means that a very small amount of left turn, in a car or on a scooter, is needed to go straight on the road. (At least in countries where we drive on the right side of the road!)

Go to a "flat" parking lot. Ride the exact same path from two directions. If you always have the bars turning left a little, something is wrong. And, you can use this "evidence" when you talk with your dealer. And a simple adjustment where the forks attach to the bars may be all that is needed.

vdeschamps · Post by **vdeschamps** » Thu Nov 21, 2013 10:39 pm

OldGuy wrote:Road surfaces are normally "crowned" or intentionally curved so they are highest at the centerline. This helps water to drain away on both sides. And this means that a very small amount of left turn, in a car or on a scooter, is needed to go straight on the road. (At least in countries where we drive on the right side of the road!)

Go to a "flat" parking lot. Ride the exact same path from two directions. If you always have the bars turning left a little, something is wrong. And, you can use this "evidence" when you talk with your dealer. And a simple adjustment where the forks attach to the bars may be all that is needed.

Even if I were to ride on a flat road, the handlebars is nevertheless crooked. This is a fact

Post by **ericalm** » Fri Nov 22, 2013 1:58 am

In the diagram above, the bolt numbered 14 would be the way to adjust steering alignment. I can't recall if you pull the headset apart or the legshield to get to it, though!

vdeschamps · Post by **vdeschamps** » Tue Nov 26, 2013 9:05 pm

I further talked to my dealer who talked to Genuine and reported that they wouldn't be able to do anything about it, that there is nothing that can be adjusted.

Furthermore, my dealer told me that if I was very unhappy, he could get Genuine to replace the entire fork.

I wonder if I should just send him the diagram you guys posted or let them change the fork...

Tocsik · Post by **Tocsik** » Tue Nov 26, 2013 9:32 pm

Hell, have 'em replace the forks if that's what they want.
Once they get in there, they'll see the adjustment bolt and maybe that'll be the end of it. Unless something is actually bent and the process is already under way.
Hope this all works out for ya!

vdeschamps · Post by **vdeschamps** » Wed Nov 27, 2013 3:02 pm

Tocsik wrote:Hell, have 'em replace the forks if that's what they want.
Once they get in there, they'll see the adjustment bolt and maybe that'll be the end of it. Unless something is actually bent and the process is already under way.
Hope this all works out for ya!

Thanks! I will let them change the entire fork. I feel I've had a bad number: my Buddy 170i came with a malfunctioning kill switch, and after three weeks of riding, the speedo and odo stopped working!

Tocsik · Post by **Tocsik** » Wed Nov 27, 2013 3:20 pm

That's annoying!
Be sure to keep up on every little thing during the first 2 years, then.

vdeschamps · Post by **vdeschamps** » Tue Dec 03, 2013 9:30 pm

Tocsik wrote:That's annoying!
Be sure to keep up on every little thing during the first 2 years, then.

OH yes...I will

bikebuda · Post by **bikebuda** » Wed Dec 04, 2013 1:47 am

easy one

loosen axle nut , loosen pinch bolts on fork legs , twist the wheel back and forth two to three times then compress the front suspension this will align the fork with the tripple tree , now tighten them up then loosen the pinch bolt on the head set and align the handle bar ends with the center of the front fender (use a tape measure) tighten then your done

vdeschamps · Post by **vdeschamps** » Mon Dec 09, 2013 6:44 pm

bikebuda wrote:easy one

loosen axle nut , loosen pinch bolts on fork legs , twist the wheel back and forth two to three times then compress the front suspension this will align the fork with the tripple tree , now tighten them up then loosen the pinch bolt on the head set and align the handle bar ends with the center of the front fender (use a tape measure) tighten then your done

I took my Buddy to the mechanic on Friday. Got it back Saturday morning. It's better, but now the handlebars point to the right, while they were pointing to the left before. I like these guys but it is not serious work.

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Mon Dec 09, 2013 10:29 pm

some people should be put in a rock tumbler until all their pointy edges are gone...

I wouldn't have even left the shop, I would have said "amazing, now it's the same but the other direction....plzfixkthxbai!"

Good luck in your continuing endeavors.

vdeschamps · Post by **vdeschamps** » Tue Dec 10, 2013 5:05 pm

skully93 wrote:some people should be put in a rock tumbler until all their pointy edges are gone...

I wouldn't have even left the shop, I would have said "amazing, now it's the same but the other direction....plzfixkthxbai!"

Good luck in your continuing endeavors.

I was late to a meeting and couldn't stay there and leave the scooter, and the manager wasn't there either. Following up with him.