CVT Air filter - so many questions...

[Lancey]

So, my drive belt disintegrated last week (2001 AN250 K1), about a year and less than 5k miles since a mechanic fitted a new one for me. Decided to have a crack at fitting a new one myself this time and I noticed that the air filter that is supposed to sit over the front pulley is missing.

1) Is this likely to have contributed to the belt's short life?

2) Anybody know where I can find a replacement? I've tried eBay, Amazon and the internet in general, but I'm not sure I'm using the right search terms because I can't find anything.

3) This is the first time I've ever changed a scooter belt - how to people generally stop the variator from turning while unscrewing the holding nut? Haynes manual said I needed to undo the alternator cover on the other side to get at the crank, but this seemed like an unduly big job just to change a belt. I used a holding tool with the prongs wedged into the fins, which worked eventually, but really felt like it was on the verge of snapping the fins off the whole time. Is there a better way? I tried a strap wrench, but couldn't get any real grip with it.

Cheers

[michaelphillips]

you can get the tranny air filter mesh cover from fowlers the micro fishe at suzuki shows as item 20 http://www.bike-parts-suz.com/suzuki-re ... ID=5199785
if you look at the diagram it shows other parts including cover, so if you took your cover off and just need the filter, then order at fowlers https://www.fowlersparts.co.uk/parts/52 ... case-cover again item 20
with regards to your questions
1) will not help the cleanliness of the variator, bot i would suspect worn variator face plates and or clutch were the belt travels through
2) as above from fowlers
3) just do as you did, the nuts are torqued around the 100nm so will be tight, and need to be, if you got them off great ... if you need extra support when refitting try a piece of wood wedged into the tranny casing.
when disassembling, look at the drive plates to see if worn grooves in them and post pics if you need help with them, there wont be many used ones worth having, so best to renew only the parts you need to, cos if you dont you may be in there again soon

[pikey]

I run mine without filters on belt case .

[michaelphillips]

they seem never to be replaced, no problem really, but up to the lad... regarding the new belt, which one you going for , its supposed to be 27601-14F11-000 which is size Drive Belt 23 x 11.6 x 886 ... the 1999 ones were slightly longer 894 length.. maybe the wrong size was fitted? anyways new suzi one £90 ish or if the drive plates faces are scored they need sorting, or you might as well get a cheaper belt.. you can get one for £14 delivered here http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lextek-Drive- ... 0770873896
there is only one variator on ebay if yours is heavily grooved, you could ask them to check there`s as the pic only shows the rear of plates http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUZUKI-AN250- ... Xg3QWhmp6Q

[Lancey]

Thanks all - very helpful.

The variator itself was replaced last year along with the belt, and seems to be in good condition. (I was riding along happily, suddenly lost power and assumed it was just was just the belt but, according to the mechanic, the nut had not been correctly tightened by the previous owner, so the whole lot fell apart and caused a lot of damage inside the CVT. Ended up replacing the variator, the casing and various other bits.)

M&P sold me a new drive belt (23 x 11.6 x 886 mm) for £30 - immediately noticed the difference when I rode to work this morning. (Lesson learned - inspect the belt every month or two.)

[michaelphillips]

glad all sorted, as pikey says dont need the filter if you dont want to buy it.

[Lancey]

I've got some fine-grade aluminium mesh - I was thinking of making a DIY filter with it to keep any large particles from getting in, by cutting it to shape and duct-taping it over the hole.

[gn2]

Better with no filter than any risk of a home made metal one being dislodged and drawn into the gubbins.
Many scooters have no casing filter by design.
Many belt drive bikes don't even have a casing.....

[Data]

Yeah...but most scooters do have a filter, and bikes or scooters without them don't have an exposed variator or cvt to get debris and water mixed into them either.

[Bluebottle]

Many scooters don't have ABS -
It only tells you about the scooter, nothing about if the missing component is good.

As well as protecting some fine tolerance kit (that not all CVTs have) and clutch, sliders etc from debris coming in at the snorkel, I think it stops debris getting sucked up the exhaust port by reducing free flow. Kind of a soft baffle if you like.

Belt drive bikes don't tell you anything because its a completely different situation.

Obviously its none of my business what people chose to do, just saying that some of the reasoning being offered is flawed