Variators

Variator in a scooter

The most common rear-wheel drive transmission on modern scooters is a variator combined with a drive belt and rear clutch, all together this forms a CVT transmission, which provides stepless and automatic gear changes. With this device, all you have to do to start and accelerate is turn the accelerator handle, without the burden of disengaging the clutch and changing gears. In modern "cruising" scooters, belt-driven variators do not have a mechanical centrifugal adjustment system, but an electronic one. Such a system allows you to manually adjust the gear ratio by pressing the appropriate button on the handlebars, or set a special mode.

What is the advantage of replacing a variator with a tuning variator?

Replacing a variator with a tuning variator can improve a scooter's performance by allowing more precise adjustment of the gear ratio. This can result in a smoother ride, better acceleration and better fuel efficiency. In addition, a tuning variator can also offer a wider range of adjustment, allowing for greater customization and optimization of the scooter's performance.

What does a variator consist of?

A variator is nothing more than a basket that holds the variator rollers, which in turn are covered from behind by a roller cover. The variator, together with the outer disc of the variator, work with the drive belt to transmit the drive from the crankshaft through the rear clutch and rear gear to the rear wheel.

Which rollers to choose and how to replace them?

Variator rollers come in a variety of shapes, including round and D-shaped. The shape of the roller can affect the performance of the scooter in different ways.

D-shaped rollers are designed to improve the extreme performance of the variator, helping to increase the scooter's top speed and acceleration. That's because D-shaped rollers are designed to have a flatter contact surface by making the rollers sit lower at low rpm and higher at high rpm.

It is worth noting that the choice between D-shaped and round rollers often depends on the specific make and model of scooter and the purpose of the vehicle.

Here are some general steps to follow when replacing variator rollers on a scooter:

Locate the variator: The variator is located at the rear of the scooter, on the left side of the engine.
Remove the belt cover: Remove the screws that hold the variator cover and carefully remove it.
Remove the old outer disc and variator: Using a socket wrench, remove the bolt that holds the variator to the crankshaft. Carefully remove the variator and set it aside.
Install new rollers and variator: Insert the new rollers into the variator, making sure they are properly aligned. Put the variator back on the crankshaft.
Reinstall the variator cover: Carefully place the cover back in place, making sure it is properly aligned. Use screws or clips to secure the cover in place.
Test ride the scooter: After replacing the rollers, test ride the scooter to make sure everything is working properly.