So I performed my first ever oil change on my scooter today, a Buddy 150. Everything went remarkably easily, both engine & gear oils.
Here's the problem. I added the amount of engine oil suggested. The owner's manual then says to run the engine for three minutes and check the oil level to make sure there is enough. Opposite problem! There is too much! Plus, the motor idle became rough after two minutes..
I assume I need to get the extra oil out of my engine -- suggestions? Should I just drain it out of the normal drain and add in new.. just less? Is there some way to siphon it out of the dipstick hole?
Thanks!

Suck it out with turkey baster You can also roll up some paper towel and have it soak up the excess.

Congrats on oil change!

Or you could crack the drain nut on the bottom and let "some" drain into a pan. Just crack it so comes out in a slow dribble.

Edit: This could get a little messy so Ellen's suggestion might be better, but this is still an option for worst case.

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Thanks to both of you.. I wound up going w/ option two, trying to crack it a little, as an engineer friend of mine in Seattle suggested... which resulted in a big ol' mess and the need to add more oil. Tough getting that bolt to turn when everything's all oily! If it happens again I think I'll try the paper towel option first.

Good job Selkie! It's a learning experience and you learned.

Any kind of container that fits under the oil drain plug will help collect any drips. I like to use a long flat plastic bowl and throw a folded paper towel or two in the bottom to make clean up easier. Helps catch the spring and filter too. One that's deep enough to hold the oil bottle but small enough to slide under and still work in there is good. Next oil change it's all in one place!

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Thanks.. I did learn, and am not the least bit scared for when I do the next oil change! Sometimes its better if you screw up, 'cause then you know it really isn't the end of the world.

I have a Buddy 150, too. I took it in for its first oil change and they guy charged me $67!! How did you do it? I don't want to pay that outrageous price again.

$67!!! That is completely ridiculous. Especially since they only "part" they use is less than a quart of oil. First, I watched a couple of videos on youtube about changing a scooter's oil -- I never found one for a Buddy, but its all pretty similar, and our bolts are super easy to find. I'm not on my computer right now, but when I get back to it I'll find those links for you. The process is SO simple, though, you just have to make sure you've got the right tools. You're changing the engine oil & the machine/gear oil at the same time, so you need two different kinds of oils.. the owner's manual tells us the grades. And, basically, you open a bolt on the bottom & drain out the oil, open a bolt on the top & put in new. After replacing the bottom bolt. I'll go into further detail after I get those video links for you.

I, too, am trying to figure out how to do the oil change myself on my buddy 150cc. I watched a lot of You Tube videos on scooter oil changes, but none of them showed the buddy. Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Farren, the modernbuddy forum has some posts that detail the procedures for changing engine and gear oil. I think they are in the technical forum (or something labeled similarly to that). To see the photos, you may have to become a member. But if you have a Buddy, it is worth joining the forum for some of the Buddy-specific info you will pick up there.

Thanks! I'll check them out.

Hi, I got charged about $70 bucks for the "600 mile checkup" on my scooter. I was PISSED! I am wondering if anyone knows of a place near Boston, MA (or any generic suggestions) for how to take a course or something to learn more about my scoot. I am nervous to try oil changes and such from videos and would prefer a "hands on" lesson. Let me know if you have any ideas.
Thanks!

Are you sure these were just oil changes? I've heard of Vespas getting $150 'oil changes' but they're actually doing many checks on different systems. It may be called an 'oil change' but it's actually a check-up.

Is it possible this is what you guys got?

If not, definitely learn how to change your own oil. It'll save you a ton. (And it's really simple: remove a couple bolts, drain out the old oil, replace one bolt, pour in the right amount of the correct oil and replace the last bolt.) Does your manual show you where your oil pan is?

Good luck!

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OMG! I has to be more than an oil change for $70!

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Do a search at youtube, flyscooter has a bunch of tutorial videos on changing the oil and some other basic maintenance bits.