Polini high speed variator....... crap

[power-full]

I leave here some photos... of my PCX... if you have any questions.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/h4YhcftyLF8Ni5aY9

Is that 130km/h on a big bore or stock bore?

170cc type b

[Mon-Eye]

So ive installed the standard honda contra spring and clutch springs. Did another run and still got the same 62mph running into the limiter. Today I've fitted 15g rollers into the polini variator and it's got to 66mph and hitting the rev limiter. I really do think this polini kit is absolute S#*T like.

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Honda contra spring vs polini one in kit

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I can get more from the standard honda variator with the original 18g weights fitted.

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I can get substantially more from my modified stock variator running 14.5g rollers. As you can see my modified variator not only allows the rollers to travel further out but the 2 variator half's close up more too

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[Mon-Eye]

So unless anyone has any ideas or input for me to try I'm reverting back to my modified variator now

[Conelite]

I wonder if you have to run a longer belt in order to take advantage of the Polini Variator. Maybe Polini sells a Polini belt to compliment it.

I have a question. Which one is Stock and which one is Polini? Im guessing Left is Polini?

[Mon-Eye]

I wonder if you have to run a longer belt in order to take advantage of the Polini Variator. Maybe Polini sells a Polini belt to compliment it.

I have a question. Which one is Stock and which one is Polini? Im guessing Left is Polini?

Both stock. One on the right is my modified variator.

Correct me if I'm wrong but wouldn't a longer belt make it travel less on the variator as its bigger ? Id assume the kit would come with the belt if it was required. According to polini though everything that's needed is in the kit they provide. They have been usless giving any help or advice with this

[Conelite]

Ahhh I see what you did to modify the stock driveface.. lol Didn't even notice at first.

So my idea behind the belt being too short is that if its too short, the belt is not riding all the way to the edge of the Driveface..

Use a Sharpie Marker and mark up the faces and then go run it. Post some pictures of how far up the belt is traveling.

[Mon-Eye]

Ahhh I see what you did to modify the stock driveface.. lol Didn't even notice at first.

So my idea behind the belt being too short is that if its too short, the belt is not riding all the way to the edge of the Driveface..

Use a Sharpie Marker and mark up the faces and then go run it. Post some pictures of how far up the belt is traveling.

Ah I see I never thought off it like that. I'll mark it up and test run it again tomorrow. I machined the stock variator so that the drive faces where to the centre then squared them off if that makes sense so they can close more pushing the belt out further. Also machined the stop for the variator rollers out so they can travel further out too. Can see it in the photos I added off the stock vs modded. I'm tempted to make an even more aggressive version now after all this hassle with the polini one

[power-full]

hello good ones. I had to use a smaller belt, and the rollers that came with my kit didn't work for me. They rotated too much and forced the bike to easily reach the speed limit.
I'm using the Polini blue contrast spring, 13.5g rollers and instead of the Malossi variator I started using the Yuminashi... then with the Polinia blue clutch springs, and the lengthening of the gearbox did the miracle.. .

[Emax22]

I wonder if you have to run a longer belt in order to take advantage of the Polini Variator. Maybe Polini sells a Polini belt to compliment it.

I have a question. Which one is Stock and which one is Polini? Im guessing Left is Polini?

When I was looking for a variator for my 2022 pcx (160) I couldn’t find any name brand performance variators, the only offerings were pre 2021 pcx, which will work, but not well. From my understanding, the 2021 + models use a larger variator, 127 mm, vs the pre 2021 120 mm. Have you measured the polini to see if it is the larger size one designed for your model year? When I researched polini, they didn’t have a variator made for the newer model. I eventually discovered the Yumanashi variator, which is larger, like our stock variator & is made specifically for 2021+. I suspect polini is just using the older, smaller one and that’s why you’re seeing a lower top speed.

[Mon-Eye]

I wonder if you have to run a longer belt in order to take advantage of the Polini Variator. Maybe Polini sells a Polini belt to compliment it.

I have a question. Which one is Stock and which one is Polini? Im guessing Left is Polini?

When I was looking for a variator for my 2022 pcx (160) I couldn’t find any name brand performance variators, the only offerings were pre 2021 pcx, which will work, but not well. From my understanding, the 2021 + models use a larger variator, 127 mm, vs the pre 2021 120 mm. Have you measured the polini to see if it is the larger size one designed for your model year? When I researched polini, they didn’t have a variator made for the newer model. I eventually discovered the Yumanashi variator, which is larger, like our stock variator & is made specifically for 2021+. I suspect polini is just using the older, smaller one and that’s why you’re seeing a lower top speed.

https://catalogue.polini.com/it/product ... r=products

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That's the link that polini state on their site it's for the new euro 5 2021 model. I also emailed and asked and they confirmed it is the correct kit. What you say how ever makes perfect sense and explains why it's so much slower. I'm removing the polini variator tonight and putting my modified one back in so will measure the outer diameter up and let you know

[Conelite]

Given the smaller 13" rear wheel, I would assume that you would need taller gearing (larger diameter Stock Variator) vs the 14" rear wheel with the older models.

That would explain why the older model Variators lower the top speed.... Like emax22 said. , 127mm, vs the pre 2021 120mm

Mon-Eye, Measure the stock variator Diameter and compare it to the Polini.

[Mon-Eye]

Stock honda variator is 127mm external diameter

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Polini variator 129mm external diameter

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My modified standard variator (on left) is closing tighter than the polini one which is why I'm getting so much more from my modified variator as its pushing belt out further.

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What I can't get is why the polini one doesn't. So polini ones now scrap as I've been refunded for it. So other than now modifying the polini variator I can't see how I can improve it. I'm contemplating turning the centre down so it also closes further

[Conelite]

Mark the Variator with a Sharpie and see if you are getting full belt travel. You have to determine that before moving forward.

If you are getting full travel, then turn down the Variator/Driveface. If you are not getting full belt travel, then go heavier on weights. If you still don't get full belt travel with heavier weights, then the belt is too short. Process of elimination.

[Mon-Eye]

Mark the Variator with a Sharpie and see if you are getting full belt travel. You have to determine that before moving forward.

If you are getting full travel, then turn down the Variator/Driveface. If you are not getting full belt travel, then go heavier on weights. If you still don't get full belt travel with heavier weights, then the belt is too short. Process of elimination.

OK guess I've got a weekend off messing about when I'm back in the uk then

[Conelite]

I literally spent 6 months mixing/matching, and fine tuning my Honda Metro every single day on the way to and from work. I learned a TON about CVT tuning and applied that to my PCX.

How I discovered that 10.25g weights give me the optimal acceleration, but still got full belt travel. Ideally you want to keep the RPMs in the powerband as long as possible before the Variator/Sliders reach the stopping point.

[Emax22]

Good to know the Polini is the appropriate size. Thanks for the details.