Got Buddy 50 to run but

[Kyrastar]

I can't get it to idle. I've tried the idle screw of course. It's going to fall out soon. Tried the thottle on the handbar. Still no idle. I'm scared I'll break the cable if I mess with it much. Then I noticed the highlight isn't working. I just want it fixed to sell for Christmas money.

[skipper20]

I can't get it to idle. I've tried the idle screw of course. It's going to fall out soon. Tried the thottle on the handbar. Still no idle. I'm scared I'll break the cable if I mess with it much. Then I noticed the highlight isn't working. I just want it fixed to sell for Christmas money.

Your carb most likely needs to be removed and cleaned. Sounds like it may be partially clogged. But first, treat your fuel tank with Seafoam and see if anything good happens. By "highlight" I'm assuming you mean "headlight". That's an electrical issue. There shouldn't be any relationship between your 2 problems. Hopefully others with more tech skills than mine will chime in on this and help you get rolling again. Good luck!

Bill in Seattle
'09 150 Blackjack
'12 170i Italia
'08 250ie Aprilia Sport City

[charlie55]

I can't get it to idle. I've tried the idle screw of course. It's going to fall out soon. Tried the thottle on the handbar. Still no idle. I'm scared I'll break the cable if I mess with it much. Then I noticed the highlight isn't working. I just want it fixed to sell for Christmas money.

By "idle screw", I assume you mean the idle speed screw and not the idle mixture screw. If that's the case, then your saying that "it's going to fall out soon" indicates that it's loose. The only way it can be loose is if you're loosening it (i.e., turning it counter-clockwise). Doing so usually decreases the idle speed. You need to tighten it to the point where it holds the throttle open enough for the engine to idle. If that doesn't work, then skipper's suggestion as to cleaning the carb should be your next step.

[jrsjr]

I noticed the highlight isn't working. I just want it fixed to sell for Christmas money.

By "highlight" I'm assuming you mean "headlight". That's an electrical issue. There shouldn't be any relationship between your 2 problems. Hopefully others with more tech skills than mine will chime in on this and help you get rolling again. Good luck!

SHORT VERSION
Skipper20 is right. The headlight problem is unrelated unless your battery is dead. I'm assuming that is not the case because you are not saying that the starter won't turn the motor over. Have you tried reseating the headlight bulb in the socket? If that doesn't do it, then try replacing the bulb. If that doesn't fix it (low probability) then read the Long Version of the story below.

LONG VERSION
The Genuine Buddy's headlight is powered straight off the Generator. There is no fuse in the circuit. The only thing between the generator and the light bulb is the switch that selects high/low beam and its associated connector. On the ground side of the bulb, the wire goes straight to ground without passing through another connector. Here's the thing - the wire that powers the headlight, also juices the voltage regulator. If something were wrong with that leg of the generator, you would very quickly have real electrical problems - your battery would go flat and the starter would not turn the motor over. So, unless you have that problem, then by far and away the most likely problem is the bulb is not securely seated in the socket. If you reseat the bulb and the light still doesn't work, then the next most likely culprit is that the bulb is burned out. If that doesn't fix it, then remaining items to check for are - a is loose wire at the bulb socket, a loose connector to the High/Low Switch, or a loose wire from the switch connector.

[Kyrastar]

I got everything going and sounding great. The headlight the bulb has parts broken off inside. Pretty sure a new bulb will fix that.( I hope.) Thanks to all that helped.

[PeteH]

Glad to hear you're up and running!

[charlie55]

I got everything going and sounding great. The headlight the bulb has parts broken off inside. Pretty sure a new bulb will fix that.( I hope.) Thanks to all that helped.

What did the trick for you?

[Kyrastar]

Getting the carburetor very clean. New hoses (Fuel and vacuum), spark plug, New air filter. And getting the right mixer of gas and oil. None expensive just need all to work together.