Since joining our forum in May of this year, I have added several features to my '10 Swing, nothing original but am happy with all of them. Haven't tried any performance mods yet but am trying to understand more about pins, rollers and sliders and how they are used with any given variator. Overall stock performance is good but I would like a little more pep from a dead stop.
So far the add-ons look like this:
Givi E55 w/lights, DennisB driving lights and perfect connector, Knight Rider LED's, Vista Cruise, Power outlet, Backrest extension, Garmin GPS w/DennisB bracket and Ram mount, Tunnel bag (transferred from the back rack of my former Road King).
Thanks to all you teachers out there for helping the newbies like me come up to speed. (And Dennis, you run a great shop!)
Gar

Here's how the J. Costa pin operated variator works:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-QqHE0bNjw

The stock variator works the same way, except rollers push the sheave rather than pins:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yRskb0BYwE&playnext=1&list=PL8EACCCBE9E53B424

bigbird: Thanks, I understand better now that I have seen the videos.

A couple of people who used the J. Costa worn a groove into the variator faces ... which caused them to either replace or grind the groove. The root cause of the problem has not been identified.

Another person had their J. Costa pins which were not old ( and way before their normal range ) fall out/turn sideways ... as I recall causing quite a bit of damage. The root cause of the problem has not been identified.

The availability of J. Costa parts has been limited with the loss of ScooterTrap. I believe they have to have the parts shipped internationally now.

There a lot more people using the J. Costa, then these few failures I mentioned ... so I am not sure how to access the risk.

To my knowledge not a single problem has been reported with the Dr Pulley Slider Weights. A lot of people are experimenting with different weight.

The Dr Pulley HIT clutch has been around, though not extensively used. I believe the concept of a clutch locking at a certain rate to provide direct power has been around for a while.

Others have experimented with spring weights to change the clutch characteristics.

Bill-After reading your comments today I went back and read some old threads on the subject of sliders, etc. It's making more sense to me now. I believe you're right about Scooter Trap closing its doors. MattC posted on another forum that he is closed, citing lousy economy and a general lack of scooter culture here in the U.S. My first accessory was the Givi box from him just 2 months ago. So, are you pleased with the Dr Pulley sliders and where can I order them now?

I came across a link to the Dr Pulley website (not Buggy Parts) while perusing the 'Net one evening last week. There is a notice posted that they are moving their facilities from Taiwan to Germany and will not be fulfilling any shipments until early September. This means that, if Buggy Parts NW does not have your size/weight in stock, they will not be able to get them for you until September.

I ordered two sets (10 gram and 11 gram) for my Vespa GTS from BPNW, with the understanding that he could not assure me of prompt delivery. He said he could order my 11 gram sliders to an existing order, and he would probably get them in several weeks. He made no mention of Dr Pulley not being able to send anything until Sept. I found out about the move to Germany several days later, but cannot find the 11g sliders anywhere else, so I am keeping my order in place.

I have not tried the 10g weights in the Vespa yet, so I cannot comment on performance. Too hot to bother, plus I just found out my rear tire has a slash in it from side to side. I don't want to change out the variator weights until I can test each arrangement (current, new stock weights, Dr Pulleys) by GPS. Until I get a fresh set of tires, I'm keeping it slow. (If I lift the slashed part of the tread, I can see cords underneath!)

Everything I've read about Dr Pulley sliders has been positive. If I did not have the J Costa already, I would probably go with Dr Pulley sliders on the Silverwing. The 31g and 28g weights mentioned earlier are for folks really looking for MAXIMUM mpg. For an increase in performance, consider 26g or 24g sliders. Some folks have tried 21g sliders, but it revs too high.

Let us know what you do and how it works out. Glad you could join the group.

You can also order direct from www.unionmaterials.com

They are the manufacturer of Dr. Pulley. I ordered direct from them when Buggy Parts NW was out of stock of some Dr. Pulley stuff.

Email direct to: service@unionmaterial.com

Her name is Lia Wu. She is related somehow to the owner, Paul Wu.

Bill, I'm checking your suggested websites for Dr Pulley sliders. Will also look at unionmaterials.
Philip, thanks for the heads up (Taiwan to Germany).
I think I've decided to try the 26g sliders. I have a friend here in town with a ruckus, a buddy and 2 vespas, all performance upgraded to the max-engine, exhaust, fuel, electronics, all drive components. I don't have that level of knowledge so I'll start simple and work my way up.

After contacting unionmaterial about sliders, they referred me back to buggyparts who says their product is in stock. Ordered the 26g Dr Pulley sliders just now. Will post results. Thanks to all for your help!

Buggy Parts is cheaper than buying direct from union materials once you factor in shipping. Michael at BPNW is a great guy to deal with. Looking forward to your evaluation of the 26 gr sliders.

Hey guys,
Just received my Dr Pulley 26g sliders today from BuggyParts. Not bad for regular mail since ordering on Friday. Thought I would post this now in case anyone is considering placing an order at this time. Price $54.95 plus $5.00 shipping. Think I'll order the variator tool from Honda tomorrow so I can do the installation and stow it on board with a spare belt in case of emergency (which I've never had with a belt drive). Hopefully, with all the pictorals available, this will be an easy job! Will give a seat of the pants review after testing.

The pins in the official Honda tool are to short which in some cases requires another hand to keep pressure holding the tool tight against the face of the variator.

Go to the hardware store with this list and make your own tool.

http://www.leroybeal.net/motorcycles/silverwing/articles/drivepulleytool/VPT.pdf

The one I made is about six years old, show no sign of ware and has been used on a Burgman, Reflex and the Swing several times. I substituted 1” x ¼” instead of ¾” x ¼” cold rolled only because I had some.

BTW, I never had to replace the belt while out and about, did the belt ever break on your R.K.?

+1 on the LeRoy Beal deal.
Mine works great, and it was MUCH cheaper than the Honda tool.

trouble1100 wrote:
BTW, I never had to replace the belt while out and about, did the belt ever break on your R.K.?

No, but some of the H-D riders in my group did. Made me a little paranoid since belt replacement required dropping the swing arm. Not a roadside repair.

Thanks for the LeRoy Beal suggestion. That's what I'm gonna do.

Bill,
I was assuming that trouble1100 was talking about my former Harley Davidson Road King. Guess my shorthand conversation was a little confusing.
Thanks,

I bought the Honda variator tool and the pins are much too short like someone said on an earlier post. I bought a $40 electric impact wrench, that has 90 ftlbs of torque, which is perfect really. You need to put 78 ft lbs of torque on the bolt so it works great. I don't even use a variator tool now.

I had the J. Costa and never had any trouble with it but since I was putting 10,000 miles a year on mine I had to change the pins every 9,000 miles. The sliders for me are great.

Great! I needed to know about the torque requirement (you said 78 ft/lbs) for the variator bolt. The more postings I read, the happier I am to start my performance mods with sliders. I'll also look around locally for an electric impact wrench. Might save some barked knuckles. Thanks.