OP
@truck_driver avatar
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@truck_driver avatar
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UTC quote
That was not an easy subject line to compose, I hope it makes sense.
I just bought a new Buddy, it is an 09. Obviously I don't want to go
messing around with it and tearing it apart to see how it works. But
I would love to have a 2nd scooter to take a part and see how it works.
For example, i want to see where the transmission belt is located, take it off, put it back on, practice on the brakes, the fuel system, get to
know what makes scooters tick, in other words. Obviously the cheapest
scooters on the market are the Chinese products. Do Chinese products
basically use the same concepts as other scooters? Would it be akin
to comparing apples to apples. I suspect it would be. I suppose if I could find a wrecked late model scooter that would also be a good choice. I
just want to tear it down to its basics and then put it back together.
Doesn't that sound like fun? I am not mechanically gifted on the other hand, just mechanically interested.
@mr_mophead avatar
UTC

Hooked
Vespa ET4
Joined: UTC
Posts: 258
Location: Leicester
 
Hooked
@mr_mophead avatar
Vespa ET4
Joined: UTC
Posts: 258
Location: Leicester
UTC quote
I've got an ET4 50 which is very easy to work on I'm planning to change the belt and rollers this afternoon. You could get an old scoot which is knackered cosmetically but mechanically fine. Shouldn't be too expensive, just make sure you remember where everything came from as the repairs could be
@silver_streak avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2007 Vespa LX 190, 2011 LXV150ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8758
Location: Annapolis, MD, USA
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@silver_streak avatar
2007 Vespa LX 190, 2011 LXV150ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8758
Location: Annapolis, MD, USA
UTC quote
Re: Good scoot on which to practice & learn scooter mech
truck driver wrote:
That was not an easy subject line to compose, I hope it makes sense.
I just bought a new Buddy, it is an 09. Obviously I don't want to go
messing around with it and tearing it apart to see how it works. But
I would love to have a 2nd scooter to take a part and see how it works.
For example, i want to see where the transmission belt is located, take it off, put it back on, practice on the brakes, the fuel system, get to
know what makes scooters tick, in other words. Obviously the cheapest
scooters on the market are the Chinese products. Do Chinese products
basically use the same concepts as other scooters? Would it be akin
to comparing apples to apples. I suspect it would be. I suppose if I could find a wrecked late model scooter that would also be a good choice. I
just want to tear it down to its basics and then put it back together.
Doesn't that sound like fun? I am not mechanically gifted on the other hand, just mechanically interested.
If you want something reliable that you could actually ride, I'd suggest a used Yamaha Vino. They are very reliable, generically "scooterish", and parts are readily available. If you don't care about reliablity and just want the scooter equivalent of a CPR dummy, any Chinese scoot powered by a GY6 engine would probably do. The scooter will suck from a quality standpoint, but parts for the engine are readily available, as it is a ubiquitous Chinese clone of an old Honda engine.
@harvey avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2016 Honda NC750XD, 2007 GTS (sold),
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Posts: 3517
Location: Canada
 
Ossessionato
@harvey avatar
2016 Honda NC750XD, 2007 GTS (sold),
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3517
Location: Canada
UTC quote
I personally would look for something in a eighties Honda; an Elite, or Helix. They were made between 1985-1986 and 2007, so Honda should have parts for them. They're dirt cheap on craigslist. Probably a new battery, a good fuel system purge & a carb cleaning would get most them running well.


Regards
Harvey
@grscum avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2012 BMW G650GS, 2006 GTS,
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2090
Location: Snohomish County, WA
 
Ossessionato
@grscum avatar
2012 BMW G650GS, 2006 GTS,
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2090
Location: Snohomish County, WA
UTC quote
You might want to strip that Buddy down and clean it! I think I saw a kid at the dealer sitting on it while drooling with a lollypop!

By the way, the Buddy was a good choice! Don't forget to check out www.modernbuddy.com.
OP
@truck_driver avatar
UTC

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UTC quote
grscum wrote:
You might want to strip that Buddy down and clean it! I think I saw a kid at the dealer sitting on it while drooling with a lollypop!

By the way, the Buddy was a good choice! Don't forget to check out www.modernbuddy.com.
Hey you! Are you trying to mess with my head? There better not have been a little bastard drooling on my Buddy at the dealership. (I was wondering about that).
I don't think I want an older scooter for the stated purposes, I want as close to state-of-the-art
as possible. I enjoy this scooter thing so much I am actually considering making it a advocation; that is, working in a scooter shop
fixing them. Not sure if there is a legitimate field for scooter mechanics, though. Maybe when gas hits $4 a gallon again there will be. That's good
about the Chinese bikes and their Honda engine clones, that's what I will look for. I don't intend to ride it, just tinker with it. One wonders what aspects of Chinese scooters lack quality. The GY6 clone is used by
other respectable manufacturers so what are the Chinese doing that
makes these scoots so unreliable?
@grscum avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2012 BMW G650GS, 2006 GTS,
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2090
Location: Snohomish County, WA
 
Ossessionato
@grscum avatar
2012 BMW G650GS, 2006 GTS,
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2090
Location: Snohomish County, WA
UTC quote
You could probably find a chinese junker on craigslist for cheap. See them on the San Diego listings a bit. If you can get the chinese one up and running, you could have an extra scoot for a friend to go riding with you. A Japanese one would be better though, such as a Ruckus, Vino, Elite. Plenty of parts out there for those.

Be sure to post pics of your Buddy!
@windbreaker avatar
UTC

Banned
29,000 miles on my atlantic pastel green 2007 GTS 250
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Posts: 4332
Location: Utah Valley
 
Banned
@windbreaker avatar
29,000 miles on my atlantic pastel green 2007 GTS 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4332
Location: Utah Valley
UTC quote
First, I'd add my location to my profile, so I could possibly find someone close by who can help hands-on.

Then, I'd lose my fear and forget about getting a second scooter for tinkering. That's ridiculous.
If you feel ready to tinker, do it on your very own one, and do it right from the start. You sound like you're not afraid of wrenching, so you already have the basics down.

Finally, I'd see that I get a workshop manual or such to get the important tips on how to actually take that puppy apart and reassemble it again without any parts left.

Have fun doing it.
@jrsjr avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
Nazgul
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Posts: 1985
Location: North Chesterfield, VA
 
Molto Verboso
@jrsjr avatar
Nazgul
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1985
Location: North Chesterfield, VA
UTC quote
Re: Good scoot on which to practice & learn scooter mech
truck driver wrote:
A) I just bought a new Buddy, it is an 09. Obviously I don't want to go messing around with it and tearing it apart to see how it works.

B) But I would love to have a 2nd scooter to take a part and see how it works.
C) Find a used Buddy. I'm not being sarcastic or facetious at all. It wouldn't cost much more than a used any-other-scooter. It would be the perfect choice for you and they are available fairly cheap because the warranty does not transfer when sold used. Then, every last little thing you learn will apply directly to your scooter. Plus, after you learn to work on the used Buddy, you'll be able to sell it for a significant percentage of what you paid for it, quite unlike any Chinese-made GY6 scooter.
@radioctrldwife avatar
UTC

Hooked
BV250 & Aprilia scarabeo 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 295
Location: Hollywood, Md.
 
Hooked
@radioctrldwife avatar
BV250 & Aprilia scarabeo 250
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Location: Hollywood, Md.
UTC quote
Harvey wrote:
I personally would look for something in a eighties Honda; an Elite, or Helix. They were made between 1985-1986 and 2007, so Honda should have parts for them. They're dirt cheap on craigslist. Probably a new battery, a good fuel system purge & a carb cleaning would get most them running well.
If you're in the Washington D.C. metro area I may have deal for you.

I have an '87 honda helix (red) 250cc- no title- no tags- not running- needs paint- BUT CAN BE FIXED! It's been outside for a few years and in disrepair. My husband was able to get it to start by spraying ether directly into the air intake. Here's a video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yu_E4m4Grpw

I also have a chinese clone Motofino (green) 125cc - needs battery- kick start is seized- I'm told it has some air intake issue as well. Last I tried the bike did start and run, but would stall when it stopped.

I just want them both out of my driveway, I'll let 'em go CHEAP!

There's no better way to learn than by sitting with a service manual and fixing something old and broken Razz emoticon

Hope I'm not being too commercial.
@primordialdancer avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
Temporarily Scooterless... :(
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2116
Location: Albuquerque, NM
 
Ossessionato
@primordialdancer avatar
Temporarily Scooterless... :(
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2116
Location: Albuquerque, NM
UTC quote
Re: Good scoot on which to practice & learn scooter mech
jrsjr wrote:
truck driver wrote:
A) I just bought a new Buddy, it is an 09. Obviously I don't want to go messing around with it and tearing it apart to see how it works.

B) But I would love to have a 2nd scooter to take a part and see how it works.
C) Find a used Buddy. I'm not being sarcastic or facetious at all. It wouldn't cost much more than a used any-other-scooter. It would be the perfect choice for you and they are available fairly cheap because the warranty does not transfer when sold used. Then, every last little thing you learn will apply directly to your scooter. Plus, after you learn to work on the used Buddy, you'll be able to sell it for a significant percentage of what you paid for it, quite unlike any Chinese-made GY6 scooter.
Best advice in this thread... Nerd emoticon

Desi B.
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