CVT Basics P.2

Roller Weight Basics

This article is part 2 of CVT basics to help you pick the correct weight roller for your setup. You should make sure you read "PART 1" so you can pick the best gram weight for your use.

In part 1 I'm sure I didn't make any friends attacking the heavy roller weight crowd but in this article I'll repeat what I said then explain a little so we can still be friends.

FROM PART 1

Your roller weights can only go so far. If your weights are reaching the top of the ramps adding heavier weights won't make you faster. Yes, if your scooter is messed up adding heavy weights could make it faster. This heavy roller myth is just maddening. I cringe every time someone buys 8gram weights for a bike that came with 7gram.

The only caveat for this one is if you are making loads of power and you need to calm the motor. Heavy weights calm the motor. This only applies to people who are taching out in less than a second. If your scooter is messed up calming the motor will keep it from revving up, good if your jetting is wrong or something is broken.

To go faster you want the engine to rev higher. That's a basic fact. You aren't going any place fast unless your engine is working in the power band. So you need to lower your roller weight.

A good rule of thumb is to work from weights that are 15 to 20 percent lighter than stock. Of course you could use weights ranging from stock to 20% lighter but chances are you best weight will be in the 15 to 20 range. We can't really narrow it down more without adding more factors.

FROM PART 1

A steeper variator face and ramp angle require more roller weight to do the same job.

If you have a with a flatter face it will need a higher gram roller weight than a variator that is less flat. Of course that is if these two variators have the same ramp length, angles and floors.

This is were the tuning comes in, trial and error. TIME!

THIS ARTICLE IS A WORK IN PROGRESS. I'LL ADD AS TIME ALLOWS

If you feel something is confusing just let me know and we can make it more clear.

Your help is always appreciated to keep things running and pay for dumb ideas.