Loosing patience.

[BenR]

Well today I went to my friends scooter shop to fit some new rollers. I got as far as taking the casings off only to find that the variator is completely worn out & has developed a sharp edge which in turn has torn the belt apart. How the belt hasn't snapped before now is beyond me but that's not the worst of it. Piaggio in their infinite wisdom have decided that they no longer make the earlier 6 roller type variator oh no you not only have to buy the new 8 roller type you also have to buy the new belt (£70) along with the new rear pulley (£250). The new variator alone costs over £150 although it does come with rollers. I've managed to source a second hand complete drive kit for an X9 500 (6 roller type again) from a breakers which I'll pick up tomorrow I just hope both the belt & variator are in good condition. This is the 2nd major fault I'm having to fix this year.

[Sylar]

How many miles has it done,BenR?

[BenR]

Just over 20000miles. The belt was brand new when I did the engine rebuild back in april the rollers had to wait as they were on back order (as usual). I've never seen a 500 variator do what mine has & the rollers don't look bad.

[gn2]

Could you not just fit an after market variator instead of having to replace the whole drivetrain?

[BenR]

I picked up a secondhand drive system today, the variator is in very good condition however the belt is too long, I had forgotten that there were two types of belts for the X9 500 so alas I still have a broken bike. New belt ordered so hopefully I'll be mobile again by Tuesday.

[TmaX9]

You can just fit the new 8 roller inner variator half and keep the outer half. No need to change the belt as both use the same one and definitely no need to change the rear pulley. Which dealer tried to stripe you up big time?
There must be something wrong in the way your old variator was fitted for it to wear like that. They last for well over 50,000 miles without showing any more than a little ridging of the outer edge of the friction surface which has no ill effect on performance. Make sure the rollers are fitted the right way round too or they eat into the cast web on the thrust side.
The belt you need is the Evo type 832738 not the older SL one 827826, but the SL rear pulley is also slightly different so don't use the one you have bought or you might find the revs 500rpm+ too high at 70mph and upwards. You can salvage the clutch from it for a spare though.

[BenR]

Thanks mate. I'm only going to use the variator. That at least fits & will work I've ordered a new belt which should be here Monday. No dealer tried to fleece me the differences between the two drive systems are quite substantial.

[Earl]

Am I being thick here??? Why have you got to buy a new rear pully if the variator has gone?

[BenR]

Am I being thick here??? Why have you got to buy a new rear pully if the variator has gone?

I don't I've sourced a second hand variator off eBay. If I had to buy a brand new one however piaggio only make the new 8 roller type now which has a different belt & rear pulley i.e they would not work with the pulley I have the 6 roller variator is no longer available although I think Malossi still do one but at 3 times the price.

[Earl]

DOH my bad lol