Thanks to all for their feedback and assistance.
Hope some of this would help future DIYers:
Used a RYOBI P261 Impact Driver - really made the job easier than expected.
Used a set of pry bars from Amazon - search W2020 pry bar
1) I elected to "clean" the clutch and bell, upon inspection - some oil and grime developed, and used a wire brush to lightly clean the inside bell and the clutch material. The jerkiness at slow speed went away, it now has some smoothness to it when launching gently (eg. in heavy stop and go traffic).
2) Replaced the stock rollers with 11g Dr Pulley sliders, cleaned out the stock variator and reassembled. No grease in the cradles, as per some of the advice I read in this and other forums. Observations: a. it accelerates significantly better than stock, and spends most of its time in the "throaty" section of the RPM band. b. top speed @ full throttle was reduced to ~55-56 mph, but it is quick to get there, and roll-on power is crisp 30->40, 40->50. I may tinker with 13g next season. The acceleration/speed profile with 11g is great for urban streets and the odd 40/55 mph freeways.
In my haste, I took the CVT cover off without noting the routing of the duct, attached to the cover. Can someone please describe or take a picture of how this is routed, and where does it ultimately end up? Is it suppose to be some fresh air intake for the CVT components?
Didn't bother replacing the gasket, and torqued the retaining bolts from the center, working towards the outer ones.