Scooters multiply if you aren't careful

So, early last fall, I started looking at motor scooters, since I missed my old Kymco. Got a decent deal on a Genuine Buddy 125. Got to ride it a few times before the salt hit the road. Easily as good acceleration as my old bike, although the small wheels took a bit of getting used to. Its been dropped, and has a little cosmetic damage from that, and it appears the kickstart doesn't work, but otherwise its in fine shape.

Then, in December, PubBurgers sold me his Honda Ruckus. Its already got a frame stretch, and a lowered seat. Haven't had a chance to ride it yet, probably won't until spring, unless we have a long stretch of good weather, preceded by several rainstorms to wash all the salt off the road ODOT loves to put down at the slightest hint of snow.

For now, they hibernate in the garage:

I've already picked up a big bore kit for the Buddy to install when the weather improves, and I'm trying to decide if its going need a repaint, or if the current color will stay. My intent is to make it a commuter/hooligan ride.

The Ruckus, I'm not sure about yet. Leaning towards making it a somewhat radical custom, possibly swapping in a 250 engine from a Helix or Reflex, and going from there. Might just hop up the stock 49cc engine, too.

And of course, I find myself wanting a larger scoot for touring, and maybe a dual sport motorcycle for doing a little dirt road exploring. Fortunately, right now, I don't have the space for anything else.

Sounds like you're having fun with these things!

FYI, the Helix swap isn't that straightforward. It's a much more vertical engine. When I first bought mine, I wanted to swap in a 600 from a Silverwing but they weren't as easy to find as I had hoped. But I will say that you should put some miles on it before you start tearing it apart for an engine swap. You'll want quicker acceleration, but you won't want to go a whole lot faster on those small wheels and with the stock steering angle.

Are there any benefits to the frame stretch or is it purely for looks?

One of the first cosmetic modifications that I made was to relocate and tuck the turn signals.

I removed the front rack, cut off the ears that the turn signals mount to, as well as the tab for the horn, then sandblasted and painted everything.

I disassembled all four turn signals. I moved the fronts to the rear, as they have shorter stalks. For the fronts, I removed the stalks completely and remounted them to the lugs for the side reflectors. I also moved the horn behind the battery cover. It really cleaned up the look up front (relatively speaking).

I also cut off the bottom of the license plate bracket and moved the rear reflector up to a little brushed aluminum bracket that I made.

hows that buddy ride? quick? ya got enough room on it?

looked at a few of em but never rode one.

dankspeed:

I think most people do the frame stretch for looks, but, as I understand, the longer wheelbase does add some high speed (for a Ruckus) stability.

Woody:

I think at least one person has done a vertical swap, though it may have required a small mod to the seat. I know the rare 250 Elite horizontal engine is supposed to be a lot easier. I might consider a 150 swap, too, it'd be a bit more "reasonable". There's always a chance the Genuine's engine could go in, but I'm not inclined toward a GY6 swap, and the Buddy also has a fully upgraded suspension, so its probably better to keep it in one piece.

Nice mods on your bike. I haven't charted out any cosmetic changes yet, figure that'll wait until come up with an overall plan.

Carkid:

The few times I rode it before winter, I liked it. It has a full NCY suspension upgrade, and the NCY front brake, so its basically a Buddy Blackjack with a smaller engine. Its also got a freer-flowing exhaust, and I'm told there was some trans work done. Feels like it might have a higher RPM clutch spring. From 0-40, it takes off noticeably faster than my old Kymco People S200. I've hit 60 (according to the speedometer, most likely really low-mid 50's), before I ran out of road. When springtime comes, I'll hit some long straights and check its top speed against a GPS. It handles really well, and stops on a dime with that aftermarket brake. At parking lot speeds, its amazing how maneuverable it is, but it gives up some stability at speed. Nothing to make it feel dangerous, but enough to remind me its only got 10" wheels. The Kymco felt a lot more planted at 50 and above.

Oh yeah, in terms of room, I am 6' tall, and only a little cramped on it. I still sit ahead of the hump in the seat, so there is more room to stretch out. I am considering spending the money and buying a solo seat for it. IIRC, you are taller, right? You'd probably want to go with the solo seat immediately. It does feel a bit roomier than the Ruckus, but I think thats mainly the increased seat height.

I think a CR80 engine would be about ideal for the Ruckus. No bigger than what's in there, but 22 hp or so.

In reply to chaparral:

That would make for some nice power, but boy would that be a complicated swap. Although, I think someone has swapped a motorcycle drivetrain into one, but IIRC, they pretty much had to rebuild the entire rear frame section. Not sure I want to switch over to manual shift, either. At that point, I'd probably start looking for a 250cc dualsport to ride.

There's a Honda Aero 125 for sale near me. If it weren't for parts availabiity (it was a one year only model in the US), that could be a fun source for a swap. Going from 49cc 4-stroke to a 125cc 2-stroke

I already miss it. I did the frame stretch purely for looks, I'm a ricer like that.

and now you got me looking all over craigslist for a scooter. thanks a lot.

Kymco Agility, super 8, zuma 125, and genuine buddy. here i come

Gotta bump this thread up a bit, since the Ruckus and the Buddy have a new friend. As much as I was keeping an eye out for a Helix, and telling myself an Elite 250, with some of its NLA parts was a no go, an 85 Elite 250 showed up on craigslist about 4 miles from my house. Talked to the guy in the early afternoon, went over to check it out at 6, and as of 9 PM it is in my garage:

So far, I've only put a few miles on it on the test ride, the former owner rode it over, so I could have it tonight without having to go back tomorrow with a registration and tag. Its got some cosmetic issues I don't care about. Mechanically, it could use a front tire, and the coolant temp gauge doesn't seem to register. Everything else appears to work. Feels like it gets of the line slower than my Buddy, but once its up over 25 it pulls better. Sadly, it brakes like the Ruckus.

The original plan was to use it as an engine donor for the Ruckus, but I may tag it and ride it for a bit first.

Paint flames on it, please? Beige ones? If it's just a donor anyhow, you might as well enjoy it.

Just gotta bump this post again. Apparently, scooters are way too addictave. There are now 5 in varying states of assembly/disassembly in the garage right now, and I have a line on two more non-runners I may be picking up.

At least the Ruckus is for sale, and the Elite 250 is pretty much fully disassembled. I'm also thinking of hacking up the Elite 250 frame to use in building a test stand for a scooter engine I'm building. Once the engine build is done, the chinascoot it came out of will probably get cut up, too.

That way, there'll be room for more of them

I got bit by the scooter bug a few years ago and you're right....they multiply like bunnies! Only building a new house got the collection out of the old garage. Currently down to the Majesty, but I'm constantly looking to add to the collection.

lemme know if you get any leads on 250cc + maxi scooters of some name brand. I have a project brewing in my head.

Or a Honda Helix. love me a helix

CarKid1989 wrote: lemme know if you get any leads on 250cc + maxi scooters of some name brand. I have a project brewing in my head. Or a Honda Helix. love me a helix

Like this Reflex?

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/mcy/4492279055.html

If I had more time and space, I'd be checking it out myself. Thats the cheapest price I've seen for a runner.

Kelly still wants a Vespa. Pink. With streamers.

Jerry wrote: Kelly still wants a Vespa. Pink. With streamers.

That would be awesome, if a little expensive. I think occasionally Vespa has released a pink scooter, but not something you'd find easily. Genuine made the Buddy 50 and 125 in pink at various times - still not easy to find, but its also not in demand, so they tend to go cheap when they come up for sale.

Or, in the case of the Buddy, you could buy one, then order whatever color panels you want

I do not need a scooter.
I do not need a scooter.
I do not need a scooter.
I do not need a scooter.
I do not need a scooter.
(they look really fun)
I do not need a scooter.
I do not need a scooter.
I do not need a scooter.
I do not need a scooter.
(they are pretty cheap)
I do not need a scooter.
I do not need a scooter.
I do not need a scooter.
I do not need a scooter.

In reply to pinchvalve:

Yes, you do need a scooter

The Ruckus sold over the weeekend, and I've already started buying parts for a race engine build, made a deal for a disassembled Buddy, and am likely to pick up an old Honda Spree, to hack apart to have a front fork for the new race bike. Send help!

BTW - OH/KY/IN GRMers want to get in to scooter drags? I have a line on a 2 stroke drag scoot that could probably be acquired very cheaply.

eastsidemav wrote: BTW - OH/KY/IN GRMers want to get in to scooter drags? I have a line on a 2 stroke drag scoot that could probably be acquired very cheaply.

I do not need another hobby. I do not need another hobby. I do not (might be fun though) need another hobby.......

Jerry wrote:

eastsidemav wrote: BTW - OH/KY/IN GRMers want to get in to scooter drags? I have a line on a 2 stroke drag scoot that could probably be acquired very cheaply.

I do not need another hobby. I do not need another hobby. I do not (might be fun though) need another hobby.......

Its not as exciting as rallycross, but you do get to spend more time sitting around BS'ing. And you don't have to work the course. And there are drag cars to photograph. Next Indiana event is July 20th Let me know if you can make it, and if you want to race or spectate.

I've been tempted after seeing the 450cc dirtbike powered rukus here locally....but then I remember I have a superbike thats more fun in about every way.

The disassembled Buddy came with a ton of spares. Like, at least one layer of boxes in most of my minivan. One thing was a complete set of Blackjack body panels. I may use them to convert mine from green to black. And more transmission parts than I'll probably ever be able to use. This is gonna take forever to sort through.

A shopping expedition to Ohio may be in my future.....