My LORD! What a difference!

[Skrapiron]

My eternal thanks to the guys who recommended replacing the stock rollers on my Vino 125.

I went a step further and not only replaced the rollers with lighter ones, I also bought a performance variator as well.

Even though I'm not too mechanically inclined, I decided to tackle the project myself and changed them both out this afternoon.

Having all the correct tools on hand was a big plus (thank you Grandpa!) and I had little trouble with the disassembly. It required a #2 phillips head screwdriver, a 6mm hex wrench, a 5mm 'T' handled hex wrench, a 3/8" drive torque wrench and a strap wrench.

Reassembly took some time, since I lost track of a few screws, but eventually everything went back together. I refilled the crankcase (you have to drain the oil before you start) and took it out for a test spin.

The difference in acceleration was incredible. It took off like it never has before. My test was the infamous snake hill. Anyone whose been to Pittsburgh knows what the terrain is like here. Hilly. Well, snake hill is an 8% grade, 3.5 mile long stretch of road that snakes back and forth as you drop about 700' in elevation.

When I rode up the hill with the bike bone stock (except for the windshield) I could barely manage 35mph and would drop to ~ 30mph by the top.

Today, I hit the hill at 45mph and dropped to 38mph by the top.

What a DIFFERENCE!!! I am SOOOOOO pleased!

When I took it out on route 60, I was able to accelerate with traffic all the way to 45mph. Past that, the bike crept up to 50 then eventually to 55mph. Riding home (with a bit of a tail wind) I was able to get up to 60mph and hold it on a flat bit of ground. So the top end performance did not suffer one bit!

If anyone wants to wake up the performance of their 125, I cannot recommend this roller/variator swap strongly enough! Yes, it really does make that much difference!!!!! DANCECLOWN

[waterinthefuel]

Skrap, what performance variator did you use?

[Skrapiron]

I got the NCY variator and the Malossi 12g rollers. The whole project took me just over 2 hours and that included changing my final drive oil as well.

On the road, it really brings the bike to life. I mean you really have to ride it to believe it! It's amazing what a difference it made.....

[StepVino]

Congrats Skrapiron! So now there' 2 known cheap mods for the 125?
I thought I read something about an intake mod a while back.

[rydah]

what was the reason you had to change gear oil.

[Skrapiron]

I have 1500 miles on the clock and the shop that did the 600 mile service didn't change the final transmission oil at that time.

Also, I went to a synthetic blend gear oil (I'm a big believer in synthetics!)

[m_dez]

What size are the rollers; are they 12 x 17?

[Scoot Lord]

I use the GL-5 gear oil what is the syn version called?

[sooznd]

I got the NCY variator and the Malossi 12g rollers. The whole project took me just over 2 hours and that included changing my final drive oil as well.

On the road, it really brings the bike to life. I mean you really have to ride it to believe it! It's amazing what a difference it made.....
Skrapiron--what advantage is there to chnging out the variator? what would performance be like with just the lighter roller weights and stock variator?

[waterinthefuel]

Sue, I think that's what the other thread is for, entitled, "I just installed the new rollers!" LOL

[Skrapiron]

The new variator changed the way that the rollers spun up. The NCY variator has longer roller channels with a more gradual ramp. Compared to the stock variator, it allows the engine a few more peak RPM's before the front sheaves begin to close and the rear sheaves begin to open.

Had I done my homework, I could have also installed a slightly heavier torque spring on the rear sheaves when I had it all apart to put in the vario and the rollers. A heavier spring (1500 rpm or 2000 rpm) would hold the rear sheaves closed a bit longer and allow me to maintain the extra RPM's that the new vario and rollers got me. Instead, the engine spools back down at around 25mph and the acceleration drops off.

[waterinthefuel]

Dayum I wish I knew what the **** you were talking about.

[Lennox]

Dayum I wish I knew what the **** you were talking about.

please do not change 1 letter in a word to get around the "bad word filter" ***potty m ...TOS...

[waterinthefuel]

I didn't do it to get around the filter, I did it so I wouldn't actually say a bad word.

[ryandood]

these mods sound pretty good, how much do the rollers and variator cost?

[Skrapiron]

The rollers were $31.00 and the Vario was $89.00 (but I found it cheaper after the fact. GALD DARNIT!)

Compared to a Piaggio 150, it accelerates just as well, if not better off the line!

[ryandood]

does anyone know the difference between the 12g malossi rollers and the 12g NCY rollers besides the latter being half the price of the first? opinions about them? thanks

[Skrapiron]

The Malossi rollers are symmetrical (the same thickness side to side) so there's no way to put them in backwards.

Additionally, the Malossi rollers are thicker (more Urethane) so they will last longer than the Ncy.

I bought both and installed the Malossi. I have the NCY ones sitting right here on my desk.

[GUNSGONZ]

It occurred to me later that with a drill press and a good scale you could drill out 2 grams off each of the stock rollers (the inside). You just have to make sure your scale is accurate and you start out slow taking off 1 gram to 13, then test them out at 13 grams. I might shave a 3 off my 14 gram stock rollers and see how 11 grams work.

[zenish]

heres a thought.would 16 gram rollers increase top speed?

[puddleduck]

heres a thought.would 16 gram rollers increase top speed?
...possibly, but you'd need a few miles to get to that speed. Plus, the engine won't help you much, it's pretyy much tapped out.

[ryandood]

is anyone cruising with the NCY rollers? any problems with them? I don't mind paying for the malossi rollers but looks like motorsports scooter is sold out or something.


also on a slightly different note, from what I've read the lighter rollers allow the engine to rev more freely. does the engine sound like it's going to blow up or something when your cruising at 50+mph? just trying to get an idea of how the scooter will react. thank you

[Duncan]

motorsports scooter is sold out or something.

I got that message when I tried to purchase over the INTERNET, I phoned them and they had lots in stock.

[m_dez]

I went to Motorsports last weekend. They are sold out and are waiting on their next shipment.

[Scoot Lord]

I'm gonna head over there during lunch and see. I've sold my lil bro on the lighter rollers so I'm gonna pick a up set for him. I need to get a few other things too.

[GUNSGONZ]

heres a thought.would 16 gram rollers increase top speed?
Absolutely not as it is a mathematical certainty. The rollers only dictate how fast (lighter) or slow (heavier) the rollers collapse or spread the front variator relative to crankshaft or engine RPM speed. Although variable the front and rear pulleys on your scooter have a finite limit on how high and low the belt rides. These high and low points determine speed ratio and are always achievable and consistent to the exact same positions, providing the same rear wheel speed on a flat surface regardless of roller wight changes. All the roller wights do is dictate how much rotational kinetic energy in the form of engine RPM is being applied to the rear wheel not speed or velocity. Since Vino (a) with 12 oz rollers is applying 3 more HP to the rear wheel then Vino (b) with 14oz rollers at the same variator position. Vino (a) runs circles around Vino (b).
If you want to say that the lighter rollers allow the engine to transmit more horse power to the real wheel, this is true. But there are limits, to light a rollers and the engine will over revolution and possibly blow, too heavy a rollers and the power to the real wheel is not enough.
Remember its just like your multi speed bicycle, take off in lowest gear (light rollers) and it easier to shift up to incremental higher gears with fast spinning peddle power (more kinetic energy), however take off in high gears (heavy rollers) and its almost impossible to get going. Even though you and your fat buddy have the exact same multi speed bicycle, he runs circles around you because his feet are spinning faster (lighter gears /rollers) and have more kinetic energy to shift up to higher gears gradually, while your skinny keyster is tries to cheat struggling to take off in the a much higher gears with your feet barely moving (no kinetic energy/ heavy rollers). By the time you get to the finish line, he has already been all over town.

[Frankenscoot]

Where exactly are these rollers located on the scooter and how mechanically inclined do you need to be to change them out on your own?

One more thing, A buddy of mine with an '06 Vino 125 "swiss cheesed" the air filter cover to his scoot and reportedly gets about an extra 5 mph from it. Anyone else heard of this/done this?

[Scoot Lord]

If you have air tools its really easy to do.

[Frankenscoot]

But, WHERE are they located at? Is there a "How To" on here or elsewhere for installing the new rollers?

[zenish]

yes but i don't remember where.

[Frankenscoot]

When looking at new rollers on a website it suggested against doing it yourself and too take it to a mechanic. Is the swith really that difficult and intensive?

[Scoot Lord]

vino 125 group on yahoo someone wrote up a quick thing on it including pics

[manyalotmore]

go to civicmats file section in the vino125 yahoo group
there is a very good how to

[scootist]

Where exactly are these rollers located on the scooter and how mechanically inclined do you need to be to change them out on your own?

One more thing, A buddy of mine with an '06 Vino 125 "swiss cheesed" the air filter cover to his scoot and reportedly gets about an extra 5 mph from it. Anyone else heard of this/done this?
I took my cover off and got an extra 2mph, but it was running lean. I put in a richer jet and got 5mph, including my exhaust mod.

[studio1b]

If these rollers work I want them!where do I get them?I can already hit about 55
on flat ground with no windshieLd I WEIGH ABOUT 145!