Variator rollers - a right and wrong way to fit, apparently
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Variator rollers - a right and wrong way to fit, apparently
Hi all,
Often people wonder which way the rollers should be fitted in the variator channels, well someone posted a link to an explanation which suggests they should all face the same way, and there is a right way to fit them too (possibly due to which direction the variator turns and g-forces pulling them to one side) - 2 pages of info
https://www.adrenalin-pedstop.co.uk/Tut ... 3IBPa74PoY
From this, I believe I fitted them the wrong direction, all the same sides going round but with the sunken faces the opposite of what it suggests. I copied what came out which was direct from Honda.
Often people wonder which way the rollers should be fitted in the variator channels, well someone posted a link to an explanation which suggests they should all face the same way, and there is a right way to fit them too (possibly due to which direction the variator turns and g-forces pulling them to one side) - 2 pages of info
https://www.adrenalin-pedstop.co.uk/Tut ... 3IBPa74PoY
From this, I believe I fitted them the wrong direction, all the same sides going round but with the sunken faces the opposite of what it suggests. I copied what came out which was direct from Honda.

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Re: Variator rollers - a right and wrong way to fit, appare
Hi ya iceman
please do us a favor by paying attention to where you're posting new threads. I have moved a few of yours as of late. Not bitchin' just a reminder. Let's try to keep topics where they're discovered (sooner), read and hopefully replied to.
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Re: Variator rollers - a right and wrong way to fit, appare
I did check before posting, it was not clear where to post them as this post is not calling for technical assistance, just passing on thoughts on how things should be, and I see lots of such posts in 'general' all the time.

- Mel46
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Re: Variator rollers - a right and wrong way to fit, appare
Being one of those who double checks everything I do, when I installed the NCY rollers, I set the new rollers and variator beside the original variator and rollers as they came off of my scooter. Then I made sure that the new rollers were facing the same direction as those on the original Honda variator before installing the new variator on my bike. I had concerns before taking my bike apart, but if Honda put the original ones a certain way, that is what I would do too.
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NCY variator, drive face, and rollers
Red 2013 Honda PCX150
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NCY variator, drive face, and rollers
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Re: Variator rollers - a right and wrong way to fit, appare
smartphone cam pics are taken Before and during any teardown I do on my vehicles, esp when I’m rewiring..
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‘15 PCX build thread here:
https://www.hondapcx.org/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4640
Current: ‘18 XMAX 300 & ‘22 NAVI
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Re: Variator rollers - a right and wrong way to fit, appare
I thought this is common knowledge on all scooters.
The side of the rollers with more polymer should be the one hitting the variator roller's wall once it starts rotating.
The side of the rollers with more polymer should be the one hitting the variator roller's wall once it starts rotating.
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Re: Variator rollers - a right and wrong way to fit, appare
There is very little DIY information for those learning to take their scooters apart. That is why we have this forum. Without it, and Maddiedog, many of us would not have attempted to do our own maintenance. Much of the youtube teardown videos were created after this forum can into existence.
Thank you Maddiedog.
Thank you Maddiedog.
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Takegawa Lowering Shocks - Michelin City Grip Tires
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NCY variator, drive face, and rollers
Red 2013 Honda PCX150
Givi tall windshield & tailbox - Lots of extra lights
Custom seat from Thailand - Bad Boy Airhorn
Takegawa Lowering Shocks - Michelin City Grip Tires
Headlight assy upgraded to LEDs w/HS5 main bulbs
NCY variator, drive face, and rollers
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Re: Variator rollers - a right and wrong way to fit, appare
alx123 wrote:I thought this is common knowledge on all scooters.
The side of the rollers with more polymer should be the one hitting the variator roller's wall once it starts rotating.
I never knew this.
Hitting by being hit or hitting by hitting?
Re: Variator rollers - a right and wrong way to fit, appare
If one side of the roller weight has more of the metal core exposed on that side - it goes to the left when dropping it into the slot.
Buggypartsnw pointed this out years ago.
Fish
Buggypartsnw pointed this out years ago.
Fish
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Re: Variator rollers - a right and wrong way to fit, appare
https://www.adrenalin-pedstop.co.uk/Tut ... rial8.aspx
this link probably explains it better than I can LOL
this link probably explains it better than I can LOL
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Re: Variator rollers - a right and wrong way to fit, appare
Thanks all for this thread, it's very helpfull.
Re: Variator rollers - a right and wrong way to fit, appare
Thanks, I'm pretty new to scooters and only knew to turn all the rollers the same direction, not which direction. I recently put on a NCY variator and it's a little nosier than stock so I'll have to take it apart and have a look. P.S. I really like the variator.
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Re: Variator rollers - a right and wrong way to fit, appare
Which is the exact link I posted at the start of this thread - anyhow, my rollers came fitted the opposite way from Honda as I had had no work done at a dealer of Garage, and when I took mine apart with the variator flat on a table, all six rollers were fitted with the 'most' polymer facing to the left when sat in the channels, not as per the link.alx123 wrote:https://www.adrenalin-pedstop.co.uk/Tut ... rial8.aspx
this link probably explains it better than I can LOL
Did Honda get it wrong? (my bike had done 19,200 miles when I 1st looked at them, and besides some small flat spots the rollers looked in good shape). The more 'metal' side of the rollers and the variator walls looked fine despite apparently being fitted wrongly by Honda.

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Re: Variator rollers - a right and wrong way to fit, appare
Just pondering this - if the variator spins anti-clockwise when looking front on with the cover off (not taking mine apart to check) then fitting the rollers with the 'most polymer' to the lhs when placed into the channels, as mine were and not as per that link makes sense as the rollers would then have the 'polymer' side pressing against the roller wall as it spins round. Maybe Honda got it right! Remember the roller plate and rollers are flipped 180 degree's when you fit it back on.
Be interesting to see how rollers have been fiited to other peoples PCX's for comparison (from Honda and not after work has been done which may be wrong!)
Be interesting to see how rollers have been fiited to other peoples PCX's for comparison (from Honda and not after work has been done which may be wrong!)

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Re: Variator rollers - a right and wrong way to fit, appare
Your point of preponderance sure makes sense to this novice and has peeked my curiosity! I have just opened the variator on my recently purchased used 2015 PCX, (10,190 mi. on the odometer), to replace the rollers. The rollers that were in the variator were 15.5g and positioned with the more 'metal' side of the rollers facing to the left hand side . ¯\_(ツ)_/¯iceman wrote:Just pondering this - if the variator spins anti-clockwise when looking front on with the cover off (not taking mine apart to check) then fitting the rollers with the 'most polymer' to the lhs when placed into the channels, as mine were and not as per that link makes sense as the rollers would then have the 'polymer' side pressing against the roller wall as it spins round. Maybe Honda got it right! Remember the roller plate and rollers are flipped 180 degree's when you fit it back on.
Be interesting to see how rollers have been fitted to other peoples PCX's for comparison (from Honda and not after work has been done which may be wrong!)
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Re: Variator rollers - a right and wrong way to fit, appare
I would think the rhs would make more sense... as when you are accelerating, the polymer would need to smoothly roll against that right side. Variator spinning counter-clockwise means the rollers at the top would be rolling against the right. When letting off the gas, the rollers would more or less just "drop" to the center of the variator.
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Re: Variator rollers - a right and wrong way to fit, appare
Whats the downside of not getting the rollers correct.No biggy???
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Re: Variator rollers - a right and wrong way to fit, appare
Only that one side of the rollers rubs against the slider wall as g-force's push it out and following the direction of spin, and thus it's said the most polymer side should be placed facing that wall.easyrider wrote:Whats the downside of not getting the rollers correct.No biggy???
Mice were fitted (by Honda) with the most polymer side facing to the lhs with the variator plate face down on a surface with the rear facing you - so I followed that practice. However, when flipped and seated, that would actually mean the 'less polymer side' is rolling against the wall if the direction of travel is anti-clockwise, which I believe it is. After 19,000 miles, mine had flat bits but still looked perfect on the 'least' polymer side, no bare metal so if not fake and poor quality, it should make little difference - or so it would seem. I may take it apart and re-fit them when it turns to Spring again, but can't be bothered no it's rainy, cold and windy.

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Re: Variator rollers - a right and wrong way to fit, appare
easyrider wrote:Whats the downside of not getting the rollers correct.No biggy???
Not in the cosmic scheme of things...
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Re: Variator rollers - a right and wrong way to fit, appare
I just took mine apart, and they were fitted exactly as shown in the tutorial....iceman wrote:Mine were fitted (by Honda) with the most polymer side facing to the lhs with the variator plate face down on a surface with the rear facing you - so I followed that practice.
https://www.adrenalin-pedstop.co.uk/img ... ls/8/2.jpg
I actually had them prepped and ready to install in alternating directions, but luckily saw this thread before tearing the bike today.
Thanks for the heads up!!