Variator

[perererery]

Just wondering the best torque to tighten the variator nut?

[TBR125]

The manual doesn't specify what torque to use, however, 35-40 ft pounds has worked for many. because the thread is opposite shaft rotation you only need it tight enough to prevent vibration loosening. With a dot of thread locker getting it "good and tight" is the general consensus. I know, it can be frustrating for mechanical perfectionists.

P.S. Welcome to the forum.

[perererery]

Thanks I'll try, just want to see as i changed my removed the nut and my speed has changed from 35 mph to around 32 mph so perhaps its screwed on to tightly

[TBR125]

The nut is torqued onto a shoulder which means the torque will not effect resistance to the shaft rotating. What did you change in the variator?

[perererery]

Changed the rollers but realised they didn't really make a difference so i put the stock ones back in, everything was put back originally.

[TBR125]

Great. Then just tighten the nut and you should be fine. It only takes a little resistance to cause minor speed loss. A few hundred km should wear everything back together and you should get the old speed back.

[perererery]

been driving a while now with this problem, perhaps i should buy a torque wrench and manually do it?

[Stig / Major Tom]

been driving a while now with this problem, perhaps i should buy a torque wrench and manually do it?

The nut is not responsible for your loss of 3mph....many things could cause that - but not the nut, unless it has come loose.
Have you been back in to check things after you noticed the loss of top speed?

Stig

[TBR125]

How many miles are on your rollers? Did you install them with the flat spots(if any) in the same orientation that they were? I would tend to think the loss is in the transmission system as that is the area of highest energy loss due to friction which equals heat. Because power to speed is squared, it takes very little to drop 3mph. Just relaxing an elbow from against my side changes my top speed by 4mph.

In essence, practically any mechanical inefficiency can cause your amount of loss.

[perererery]

The nut is not responsible for your loss of 3mph....many things could cause that - but not the nut, unless it has come loose.
Have you been back in to check things after you noticed the loss of top speed?

Stig

It has happened over time slowly so didn't properly notice until recently, a garage told me some bikes just come out of the factory slower but i dont believe this as it should be faster than this, the bike has also had an ecu re map meaning no restrictions.

[perererery]

How many miles are on your rollers? Did you install them with the flat spots(if any) in the same orientation that they were? I would tend to think the loss is in the transmission system as that is the area of highest energy loss due to friction which equals heat. Because power to speed is squared, it takes very little to drop 3mph. Just relaxing an elbow from against my side changes my top speed by 4mph.

In essence, practically any mechanical inefficiency can cause your amount of loss.

the rollers have around 3500 miles on them (never changed them long term) could be a mechanical issue but my dealer has told me there is nothing wrong with the bike, there is also nothing that could be weighing it down etc so im unsure to my loss in speed?

[scooterfan]

The nut is not responsible for your loss of 3mph....many things could cause that - but not the nut, unless it has come loose.
Have you been back in to check things after you noticed the loss of top speed?

Stig

To my experience roller condition definitely contributes to a power loss.
My Agility started loosing power uphill, and I recently opened the variator to check the rollers. I found some dust inside, and two rollers had light flat spots.
Not having new rollers handy, I took a chance for the time being, and applied a thin layer of CV joint grease on the rollers and just put it back in place. Since I did this the power loss uphill is completely gone, and the scooter reach the top of the hill at higher engine RPM’s.

I guess the grease at the inside of the variator will gather dust, and could cause other problems. But for the time being I think I’ve learned that a combination of dirt at the inside of a variator, and slightly worn rollers can cause a loss of power in general.

[TBR125]

Agreed. I went with slider weights and I silicone dry lube mine to keep the lubricant from collecting dust.

[scooterfan]

Agreed. I went with slider weights and I silicone dry lube mine to keep the lubricant from collecting dust.

Thanks for mentioning the silicone dry lube.
It could be my imagination but since I applied the CV joint grease I am quite convinced my Agility has never performed like this before. I am quite willing to clean the Variator out every 2000km and apply clean CV joint grease, but the grease might cause problems even before I reach 2000km.

Depending on possible problems caused by the crease I think I wil never run the Variator without applying grease or silicone dy lube on the rollers in future. i think apart from a power gain, some lubrication on the rollers can even extend the lifespan of the rollers.
For the time being the CV joint grease at my Agility’s variator has cancelled the need to install new rollers anyway.

[perererery]

Right thanks ill try do this.