Like 200i Variator removal

[PaulF]

I mentioned in another thread that my new LIKE 200i did not feel really smooth when riding and when feathering the throttle or backing off the throttle slowly there was a slight vibration so I decided to get some Dr Pulley sliders fitted on its 1,000 km service which was late last week.  I like the performance of the sliders and that throttle off vibration seems to have disappeared but now when I take off there is a slight shudder.

I was looking at removing the variator just to be sure all the sliders are in the right way so was hoping if I could do so with some advice from here, eg, do I need any special tools?

If the sliders are correctly fitted what else would be causing a shudder, maybe one of the variator parts not in perfect form?  I will just add that I read in another website that they recommend the use of a dry lube with Dr Pulley sliders, not sure how important that is.

[de dee]

  some people tried lubbing the variator, but some lube gets on the belt ,  not a good idea,  you could try cleaning the variator pully with brake cleaner, make sure it is polished clean and smooth,  no lube !!!

[LidoCA]

 I reinstalled the sliders the wrong way once after cleaning. The scoot just did not accelerate above 45 mph. I do not recall a shudder from that experience.

[LidoCA]

I reinstalled the sliders the wrong way once after cleaning. The scoot just did not accelerate above 45 mph. I do not recall a shudder from that experience. If it has 1000 km, it may still need to finish the break in period. Mine did not smooth out and pick up proper operation until around 1k miles.

[Stig / Major Tom]

Your service tech probably installed the sliders correctly. ....and hopefully dusted out the interior of the cvt.
Perhaps some other LIKE200i rider examples: my 13,000+ LIKE200i is smooth with a crisp throttle....but roll off and slow speed and back on a little -- causes judder for a second or two. No worries....this scoot with this size engine plus my weight cannot be sewing machine smooth at every possible slow speed throttle actioning. But normal riding.....works beautifully.
Short answer : likely nothing wrong in there! Discover what slow speed stuff it doesn't like --- and try to avoid....but it is OK when judder does occur from time to time at those low speeds.

Stig

[TroutBum]

When I had my Like I found that hitting the pulley and bell with high grit wet/dry sandpaper helped. I think the rubber and clutch pad fuses itself to the surface causing rough spots that grab at the belt and pads where a smooth transition is needed. 

[PaulF]

Thanks for the replies.  I will ride it for another few hundred kilometres and see if it does smooth out any more.

[hypophthalmus]

I agree that the shudder is most likely coming from the clutch, and is very common.

Lightly sanding the bell and pads should fix it. And avoiding small amounts of throttle where the clutch is partially engaged (the same point where it's shuddering) should help prevent it.

To remove both the variator and the clutch, you need a special tool to keep it from turning. Like this: http://www.scootling.co.nz/onlineshop/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/e65bc7d759566d1d48611fc0141db860/t/o/tool-clutch-flywheel-holder.jpg    A breaker bar makes it much easier too.

To reassemble it, you also need a torque wrench and blue loctite. It's important to turn the variator and clutch when you reinstall them, so that the belt will go to the edge and they will fully seat.

[hypophthalmus]

Regarding lubricant, the general consensus is that it's unnecessary and more likely to cause problems than benefit anything.  Cleaning the variator thoroughly is recommended though.

Personally, I did experiment with using small amounts of dry teflon lubricant (the kind that's actually dry, not the one for chains). The experiment was cut short by my engine self-destructing, but I did get some hundreds of miles with no obvious adverse effects.

[PaulF]

Once again thanks for the replies and advice.  It does seem to be getting smoother now on take off so I am pretty happy with it at present.  Probably would not have taken any notice except that when I have ridden a couple of the vespas at my casual job they are so smooth.