Carburetor Clean & Battery Replacement on a Genuine Buddy Scooter 

Robot: I had to get up early today and do some mindless preparation of postcards I'm sending out. So to pass the time while stamping and sticking address labels on thousands of post cards, I tuned into this video and buddy, you BLEW ME AWAY. The detail you provided could not be purchased. I was amazed at what you so self-lessly give this community. Nobody has to do what you do and I doubt that anyone does, certainly not to the detail and thoroughness you do. I sat shaking my head for 59 minutes and 55 seconds in disbelief. What a gift that you would go through that proceedure in the manner you did. I'm no slouch when it comes to this kind of thing and I've cleaned and rebuilt my share of carbs over the decades and the exposure to proceedure you provided would normally be a safe guarded secret. This was no hobbled up quick "get me through this video" production. This was on the level of the top tier training video that Genuine or any manufacture might present to it's top notch mechanics. Just unbelievable. I wonder at times what motivates you to give so much of your professional self. Finally brother, having grown up in California myself, and having gone to a Catholic private school, I think I'd easily guess that you had the same kind of training and upbringing simply by your amazing command of the English language. The range of your vocabulary is, I'm guessing, clearly private school upbringing. That quality of verbal expression does not come from public schools in my experience and opinion. Thanks again for all you do. You blew me away this morning listening intently to this video and you should be commended. If you're getting paid there, take this comment into your boss immediately and DEMAND a raise. You deserve it! Wow, I'd NEVER let you leave my shop! Thanks buddy.

this video was terrific. I was able to follow each step (taking the carb out, breaking it down and then putting it back together again for re-install). Not only was every detail covered and understandable, it totally worked. My scooter that had been sitting for 2+ years came right back to life. Big thank you for such a professional video!.

After all these videos, i want to put my scooter into a container and ship it to you for service! How to trust any other mechanic, after you see the perfect job! Thank you mr. Robot! You don' t only teach other people how to fix some issues at home, but you also teach to professionals worlwide, professionalism!

I just bought a used Buddy 50cc and was browsing for general maintenance videos, when I stumbled on yours. Quite quickly I figured that I might be able to replace the battery, but I shall refrain from trying to clean the carburetor myself! What you do there looks deceivingly easy... So thank you for that, but what I really wanted you to know is that I ended up watching the whole video anyway. You just exude competence and humbleness, and in this time and age that is extremely refreshing. Love the choice of words and the calm relaxed tone of voice. You are the real "Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance"!

Outstanding video! Thanks for all the videos over the years!

thanks for the video, well done and it was just what I needed to get my own 125 to start and idle. Great step by step and explainations. I watched the video once, jumped through the video once and rewatched some parts and then did the entire service on my own in about an hour. THANK YOU !

Thanks! Very well done, step by step way to clear out the carb and keep the scooter running smoothly. Great job.

Best video I have found so far on this Scooter I got my Buddy 125 2 years ago and watched itset for 3 years plus. Got is 2 years ago with 560 miles for $400! Never touched anything its a 2013 model I do want to clean the tank and the carb. But I have found no reason so far to do so great scooters!

You nailed it, R-bot!! Very good video; informative, well put together, neat tips and tricks. Loved the one about keeping the carb cleaner off the membrane (top) and the bowl gasket. I've made this mistake before with a Stromberg carb on an old MG, never knew what I'd done wrong. The waterproof grease/gasket tip is also very good. I have a small ultrasound machine but am going to do things your way for the added experience; plenty of stranded copper wire laying about. I'm local and will eventually be coming to your location anyway, but I'd rather not trailer up the scoot just yet. Thanks for everything.

Thanks Robot! Great vid!! Now to get cleaning and back on the road!

Man, I took a look inside my 2019 Buddy 50 after watching this; COMPLETELY different.

You sir, are just outstanding. Great vid. Extremely helpful and well done.

Seriously tho this is the best video on scooter repair that I've seen

Just bought a very clean 07 for $100, would sputter but not start. Although I have serviced many carbs your video was a massive help and the scooter runs perfect.

Nicely done video, easy to follow, we follow essentially the same procedures. Thanks for sharing!!!

You're the man, Robot! Thanks for all the great information.

that was a masterclass par excellence in carburettor maintenance thank you

Thanks so much for this in depth video. You may have saved my Buddy 125!

Great video, I didn't learn anything but I am retired master technician with experience in everything from weed eaters to experimental aircraft.

Great video! Thank you. Two things that work well for me is a 4 psi pressure test on float valve to see if it's holding or air leaking pass. The other is the needle jet ( I believed you called it a needle seat 23:48 min). An old drill bit shank that just fits internally and a little tap with hammer and it will just pop right without damaging the needle jet. Keep the videos coming. Cheers

Great video, thanks, am getting my GF's scooter back on the road. One comment though, the carb screws are JIS, if you use a JIS screwdriver rather than a phillips you are far less likely to strip them. Many Japanese and Asian motorcycles and scooters use JIS screws on carbs, case screws, fork drain screws, etc.

Is it me or are you thinking the whole video why he didn't just remove the gasket in the beginning😮?.. Thanks for the vid, this was what I was looking for. Moste video's only cover the usual.

Excellent Job, as usual. Learned a lot!

Thanks for doing this video. I'd like to see one with a valve adjustment, too, and perhaps for the Liberty, as well. I've seen Buddy scooters around. They are well proportioned for shorter riders.

Such a good detailed video. Thank you.

So much wisdom from watching thank you 🙏

Great video. Thanks for the help.

Good job nice and slow easy to keep up with youThanks.

Excellent job, I couldnt do it.

You should have a "Thanks for the videos" item available to purchase on your website, which wouldn't be anything except a way to give you some well deserved payment for these great videos! I'm considering getting the fuel filter from you even though I'm not sure I need it, but after adding on shipping and knowing the markup probably isn't amazing I'd rather just give you money ;) Either way - thanks for great tutorials!

Thanks for the great video! This was my first time cleaning a carburetor and you were super helpful. The problem is now my scooter has black smoke coming out. Please help. I know it’s running rich? But I’m not sure how to fix it. I did check the air filter and it didn’t help. Thanks!

Thanks for sharing!

Robot, This is an awesome video and thanks for posting it. I have a 2009 Buddy 125 that has been sitting for a while and would not start. After watching this video, I decided I could clean the carb. The only issue I ran into was the float jet would not come out of the carb. I didn't want do destroy anything but I did use a small pair of needle nosed pliers and tried to get it out, with no luck. Any suggestions on how to get it out? Thanks again for your video.

If a speaker wire doesn’t push through the jets hold the jet with some needle nose pliers and use a lighter or torch to burn that gum out. Don’t heat it to long just a second or two. Don’t do this by your fuel tank or anything else. You’ll see it burn out and then it will be clear.

I got a rattler buck ten looks almost the same!

100% SUPERB!! Anything different if working on the "Buddy 50" carb???? Thanks!

Hi, great vid. Thanks. What do you mean by “other issues” on auto-choke? Where can I get more info.

Thank the Maker for Robot! I finally got around to taking out my Buddy 125 carb (I've been riding a Piaggio BV 250) and found out the guy who worked on the carb before me lost the needle jet. Does a carb work right when missing a part? I don't think so and it might explain why my poor girl was running like hell. I wouldn't have even known there WAS a missing part if it weren't for this vid. Waiting for it to come in now. Thanks again, Robot. You're the best!

thank you so much

Wonderful video Unfortunately, no fuel comes out of my fuel line after cleaning my carb.

Video was fantastic.. First time i have taken carb apart. Hit a road block though.. 150cc Buddy International: Need help clearing the accelerator pump passage. Boiled as suggested, used carb cleaner, used wire to clean the larger hole passage. Can't seem to get the hole open that sprays into the butterfly valve. Suggestions? I tried compressed air at home. Does it matter for performance or is there something else i can do to fix this?

I followed the step by step on my buddy 150. Started right up. Problem is it now only goes 40mph vs 70mph when I had it running last 3 years ago. I also switched the spark plug out and cleaned the air filter. Did I miss something with the carburetor? Or is there something else I am overlooking? Thanks!

the battery is vulnerable if you go on a dirt road any ideas for relocation? dave

One more question do you consider using BG fuel system cleaners? My rep gave me and a lot of thw guys in the shop moto kits for oil and fuel systems being most are carb and guys have fuel injected Harley Davidson bikes

This is fantastic- would you do this for the Stella automatic 125cc? The design is killer!

I really enjoyed this vid!! I have a Buddy 125. I know u love the real deal Vespas, but it was what I could afford. I really value your opinion. The orange CDI boxes u get on Amazon. R they dependable! What do u recommend? Thank u sir!!

great video. my genuine 50 does not get ridden often so its the dreaded no start. Is the 50 carb much different than the one you are working on in this video?

How'd that watch hold up against carb cleaner?

I'm about to purchase a 2012 Genuine Buddy 50 tomorrow. What should I know about the oil and gas mix in it?

I have a 2009 Buddy 125 that I've replaced the petcock, fuel line and filter and cleaned the whole fuel system. I finally got it to start without starting fluid but after it runs for a little bit it starts bogging down when you advance the throttle and sputters then either idles real high or so low that it dies. After starting it a few times i get gas coming out of the airbox from the manifold and floods real bad to where it won< start anymore... Any ideas off the top of your head? I'd really like to avoid replacing the carburetor if possible. Thanks in advance. Matt

Hello, what size carb is on the 125cc 4 stoke model? That your showing in the video I need a new bowl seal and thinking of getting a Replica Chinese carb since you cant find a oem carb or if I can I don’t wanna pay $400 for a carb. Thanks for your input.

Mr Robot. I cleaned my carburetor and replaced the battery. My scooter finally starts and runs, but it has a loss of power. Only goes 30mph now instead of 70. Note: I broke the carburetor cap at one screw point so the cap is loose. Could this be the cause of the power loss? I ordered a new cap in hopes this will fix the problem. IDK?

Any chance of doing one of these for a Buddy 50 carb? (Battery is probably the same) I know you'd do a great job. I was totally shocked when I lifted the bucket out of my Buddy 50 and couldn't even find the carb! I have no idea why, but the 50 doesn't look ANYTHING like this. Furthermore, I can't even find a good guide online.

Excellent video with very clear instructions! Would this carb cleaning be similar to the carb of the Buddy 50? It has sat over a year and I would love to put it back on the road. Thank you!

Any recommendations, I am buying a new scooter and considering either the BMS Chelsea 150 or the Buddy 125. Some people tell me to stay away from the Chinese models because of poor quality and recommend the Buddy 125 but owners of the BMS Chelsea150 give it high recommendations.

Hey R-bot do you have any advise on stuck variator face ? I tried banging around the plate but looks like i may have to cut it off.

Hey, at 14:20 you show the gas line to the carb. I have a problem where fuel is constantly flowing thru that line, when I remove my fuel filter. (when the engine is off, of course). What could be the cause?

At 54:17 what is that hose called. I have a buddy 125cc where previous owner replace the carb. Is it possible on the new bike that this hose goes into the carb directly. The hose on my bike is broken, what is it called? So I can replace it. Thank you!

If One Stores his Bike by Draining the Carburetor Out. Would that be Okay ? Or Is it advisable to drain the fuel tank as Well ?

Boiling water put the battery lead ends in it they come out like new my dad told me this as old mechanic trick.

Robot, if you used an ultrasonic cleaner, would that simplify the job at all? Do you normally use the method you demonstrated in your shop, or use an ultrasonic cleaner?

Are you saying it's okay to throw the carby body in a pot of boiling water for 15mins, which poses no damage to the unit ?🤔

Thanks for the awesome tutorial. I cleaned mine to a T. It keeps overflowing as soon as it starts. I replaced the float needle but still pouring out the overflow. Any idea why that would happen?

Would this be similar for the smaller Buddy 50 model?

Your passionate

How to put the gas tank back on a 150 scooter

surprised there arent any scooters with fuel line shutoffs and then you could just run it dry. My subaru mower works this way saves the need to clean the carb

For those of us who do have an adjustable idle air screw, and opened it up and cleaned it, is there any guidance you can offer as to restoring it to its proper position? Do I just have to keep taking it off and adjusting till it sounds right? Right now the engine is RACING - and it gave a robust backfire when I turned it off.

"I go both ways" lol 28:18

Where's the needle seat go back?

When somebody cautions you 3 times not to stab your hand with a screwdriver… usually means they’ve stabbed their hand pretty badly in the past. It hurts !

I'm having issues getting accelerator pump passage cleared. I've tried carb cleaner, wire, boiling, compressed air. Any other suggestions? What would be the performance drawback if this is clogged?

The only thing now after I cleaned the carburetor is than my scooter feel like it has no strength and it tops at 30 miles an hour full throttle. What can be causing this issue?

Clean the battery terminals with a tooth brush you are not going to use again 😂

Save some time and let it soak 🛁 in some gunk carb cleaner for 24hrs gets all the varnish off

Harihariharibol newsubscriber lets c what u got best south africa

you must be high on those fumes omg

Typically

Never clean these! Just replace them. They're so cheap now it's a waste of time to go through the hassle of cleaning them.

GET RID OF BAD GAS, POOR ON GROUND , IGNITE

quit teaching people, we will all go out of business. uber lyft are bad enough. lol