1985 Honda Elite 150 CVT Noise

[riddleofsteel]

Here is a question.

When I am riding my 1985 Elite 150 acceleration and performance is excellent, however......At times I hear noises that seem to be coming from the CVT. With the bike running around 30 or 35 there is a "nuts in a can" type noise that disappears when the speed increases. Since I cruise a lot around 35 it is starting to bug me.

I pulled the CVT cover the other day and I noticed that inside the cover there is a little wear from belt slap that I take to be normal. My son also noticed the rear clutch and the CVT cover have rubbed at some time as a small shiny place is noted on both parts.

The former owner of the bike dropped it on the left side while riding and from the asphalt rub on the lower rear portion of the cover it skidded for a distance..

I did not tear into the variator as I wanted to have a new set of rollers or Dr, Pulley sliders on hand before I do. The bike only has 3000 miles on it but it is almost 30 years old. I know Honda recommends packing the variator with grease. If that grease has dried up what I am hearing could be the rollers.

Anyone have similar experiences?

[BWSman67]

Its possible that the rollers are worn and that 30 -35 speed is where the noise is most noticeable. There is small possibility that one of the crankshaft bearings is going (but unlikely due to the low mileage).

[riddleofsteel]

On all my other scooters I have run the variator dry and had zero noise or problems. However several Elite owners have told me that when the grease in the Elite 125/150 variator is not put in or dries out the CVT gets noisy, especially at certain speeds.

sounds like my problem

Hard to figure though since most variators I have worked with did not require grease. I think this winter I am going to tear the CVT completely down, inspect and replace worn parts, install Dr. Pulley sliders, grease the variator and clean up the clutch assembly.

Given the maintenance level I have seen on this bike from the former owner and the mileage I would tend to doubt crank bearings but grease does dry out with age and I know he only put around 1000 miles on it in 10 years.

Thanks for the reply