Buddy 50 Newbie: 50 Buddy questions, 50 of your answers

[ScourTheEarth]

Hi Friends,

I'm zipping through 200 miles in Boston on my brand new Buddy 50 I bought less than a month ago, after years of wanting to own a bike. The day of purchase was absolute bliss and I have been loving the heck out of it with the exception of some drivers (I'll do a whole post on the Ma$$hole situation soon) but first my growing litany of questions. Yadda-yadda-yadda I did the searches and found many dead links but here's the situaiton:

0) Most importantly: Looks like its time for my 200-mile maintenance checkup. Is it generally agreed that this is 100% necessary? The manual doesn't specify this but the forum does.

1) My rear brake is pulsing. It feels like when you have warped rotors on your car's disk brake, but it's my rear drum. Very strange. It even squeaks rhythmicly on a v.hard stop. Any thoughts on this?

2) Does replacing the front brake with a mo-betta sexy brake void the warranty?

3) There are SO many oil recommendations out there. Is there one clear winner or will any 2T oil do? I know Synthetic is better than regular, but how much should I expect to pay for this? Better to buy in bulk on Amazon?

4) Need a waterproof cover that doesn't take up too much space when folded and is dark instead of Silver like the Prima cover everyone gets (in my neighborhood, probably, but every cover seems to have some compromise to it and very few if any are made to cut specifically for Buddy 50s. Any thoughts on what equivalently sized scoter works for parts sourcing?

5) I want a medium or tall windshield that covers the handlebars and brake levers so I don't have to wear gloves in the summer, but Scooterworks doesn't have something specifically for the Buddy 50. Is there an obvious answer I'm missing here?

6) Noise! What is the main source of noise on a scooter? Are the other sources of noise on the bike that can be mitigated without warranty voiding? Silencer?It's hard for me to compare, but my de-restricted buddy is making a lot of noise when revving and it seems much more than a typical 50, but replacing the muffler would void the warranty. I'd really like to quiet this thing down with the neighborhood I have.

7) for those using Fuelly or another Gas tracker: how do you track your oil purchases into operating costs?

More gear questions: Has anyone found a more classicaly-styled topcase? I chose the buddy for its semiclassic looks (mine is Black with chrome trim) and most of these top cases look like the space shuttle.

9) What are the best parts & accessories sources online, in general? Which bikes that have tons of parts out there, tend to have good interchangeability with B50?

10) per the technical postings area, helmet selection is best attempted in person, making runs to various stores. Is there no more efficient way to do this? anyone have a trusted helmet-sizing method and online store you like best?

11) Is there any way to adding adhesive "racing stripes" to a bike? I'm envisioning very disposable decal-style tape strips that I can cut to size.

12) locks! My dealer sold me the OnGuard Beast/Mastiff, but have we had many cases of people breaking in to these bikes and is there any benefit to the back-wheel locking I'm doing as opposed to front?

13) I was thinking of repainting the wheels from silver to black semigloss. Seems like a giant PITA. Has anyone attempted/succesed at this?

14) Has anyone figured out a good way to hold an Iphone to the Dashboard? No distracted driving allowed but I really want to have my iphone held up on the dashboard for some rides. I will post some pics of my temporary setup (using a GoPro suction cup and some creative rubber-banding just for a test I was doing but would love some input

15) tip: The Beats Pill speaker works relatively well in the front bubble, but you have to maneuver it in there and reshuffle it once inside (it's wonky space). Has anyone else figured out a better speaker for the bike?

16) With all the lamp replacement - I'm surprised to find that nobody has posted the best LED bulb selections to replace our incandescents. Any thoughts on best LED replacements and would lower demand on the lighting power channels help the bike at all?

17) For the 2015 model they've replaced the 12v charging port with a USB plug. Anyone aware of how many amps one could drive from this safely? ipad? iphone?

18) If my speedometer is "optimistic" in bmph, not mph, then does that mean our odometers are all incorrect as well?

19) The body panel rattle has gone from zero on ride one to significantly rattly at 2 particular harmonies by mile 200.

20) my bike seems to have two different "resting-state" idles. One is higher and one is lower, and it settles on either on at random to suit its personality. How does the bike determine to switch between a high idle or a lower idle? Any tricks to forcing this? Does everyone's bike have the two same things?

Many more to come, team. Thanks all for any help you can provide.

-Dan

[tiii]

3) more importantly than which brand/ type you choose is that you don't run out AND avoid castor oil at all cost.
6) if by de-restricted you mean "un-muffled" then, you probably voided your warranty already. the quietest you're going to get would be the stock exhaust header/muffler.

also, you answer your 0) question with your 19) question

[MYSCTR]

11) Is there any way to adding adhesive "racing stripes" to a bike? I'm envisioning very disposable decal-style tape strips that I can cut to size.

That is easy...

Go by your local auto store and get a kit (probably made for a car) and recut to size or look up online to get pre-cut stripes you can buy online.

We picked up a mustang racing stripe kit and cut to be similar to the 170 Buddy racing stripes when they first came out. Look under the gallery for posts started by MYSCTR (there re three shown with racing stripes we added).

Have fun with it. Keep in mind if you don't like it or mess it up, you can just peel it off and start over.

Press the red button.

[lovemysan]

0) yes changing the gear oil is the main thing and checking the bike over.
1) drum brakes can suck at times. Mention it to the dealer but wearing it in may be the most common sense cure. You wont hurt anything.
2) It should not but ask your dealer first.
3) Lucas semi synthetic from any autoparts store for around $6 a quart. Belray, motul make good stuff as well.
6) There is not a good way to reduce noise unless something is broken. A stock 125 is louder btw.
It doesnt get any more classic than a black milk crate heavy duty ziptied to the rear rack. I hate top cases as well. A givi 26 isn't so bad and you could paint the reflector black or genuine sells a basket with a water proof liner.
9)Cosmetic or performance? Good tires and lighting upgrades are what I would do first. Michelin S1's are nice and you can buy the lighting adapter on MB. Get some LED's for the deadlights.
10) A good rule of thumb is the helmet should not be overly tight front to back. A redmark on your forehead is too tight. If a full face is worn it should push in your cheeks causing you to bite them slightly.
11) You can buy pre cut stripes or 3m bulk vinyl from amazon.
12) I park inside or someplace well lit. I don't leave it out very long. I'm leary of even places like walmart.
13) I painted mine satin black. Sand the rim with 400 grit paper lightly and be thorough and don't skip any spots. I followed up with red scotch bright and blew it off with are. Buy a pack or 2 of playing cards, air the tire down and shove the playing cards between the tire and rim down into the bead. Make sure they overlap. Tape off the rest of the tire with paper and masking tape. Wipe the rim down with lacquer thinner and paint with several coats of quality spray paint. Sanding the rear brake drum is the most work!
16) Nobody has done this because the products change every year. I can tell you its pointless buying $20 bulbs from superbrightleds.com Not worth the cash buy cheaper ones.
17) I suspect 1 amp. Plug your ipad in and see. It will tell if its enough. Or you could time the charge cycle. 2 hours for an iphone from dead means 1 amp.
18) Yes most likely
19) Mine only rattles from front glove box area. And its usually some junk in there making all the noise. I've heard of people waxing dashboard parts to make them stop squeaking in cars.
20) A higher idle when cold is the electric choke doing its thing. Idle speed can be temperature and humidity dependent. There is a black knob on the carb to make seasonal adjustments. But I never have. As long as it idles I just rode it.

[ScourTheEarth]

fantastic answers, very very very helpful for the newbie owner. I really appreaciate it. Gratitude immense...

Now I have to figure out the windshield situation. Can I buy/use windsheilds designed for other scooters? Which ones most resemble a buddy in scale?
Vespa? Kymco?

I want a winsheild that covers the handles from oncoming rocks & debris

[Whimscootie]

Unless you're dead set on a windshield, a half,
3/4, or full face helmet with a faceshield will protect you just fine from rocks, bugs, cold.

But then I don't care for windshields.

As far as hand protection, you should be wearing gloves at all times anyway to protect your hands in a spill, heaven forbid.

Cortech makes some nice lightweight ones.

Welcome to the scootin' life!

[Syd]

6) Noise!

If your 50 is really loud, you probably have an exhaust leak. If it's new take it back to the dealer, they'll fix it.