After leaving the scooter shop in FL, I noticed my top speed was about 38mph instead of 43-45. I chalked it up to the new tires. Around Birmingham I felt a bit of an unusual vibration above 35 so I kept it below there. I should have stopped and checked my belt beforehand but waited until 6300 mi and my next oil change.
Today, on the shaded sidewalk out front of the Advance Auto in Cabot, AR I changed gear and engine oil, inspected my "ok" filter and then removed the cover to check my belt. It was too hot to the touch...not good. When I pulled it off one of my roller guides fell out in pieces. That would explain the poor acceleration. The belt was worn and cracking. There was a buildup of belt dust in the case.
My homemade variator tool is a POS. Live and learn. I'll be shipping myself a new one for $35 shortly.
I asked some dude on a zero turn mower where the best old time mechanic was around and he suggested Dave's beside the Sonic. I cruised on up and explained my problem and all I needed was an impact wrench. He quietly nodded and pointed over to the bay without saying much. He must have been 25 with the knowing eyes of someone twice his age. I'd like to think that he saw my dilemma and the nature of my trip and took pity on me or the bike.
It took me 5 min to get the cover off and expose the variator while chatting. I removed the clutch bell in a cloud of belt dust and then the variator. My weights weren't doing so well either so I kept the stock weights and guides and placed them into the Polini variator with a fresh belt from Matt.
It took maybe 20 minutes with me doing all the work. They asked some questions about the trip and how I could have the money to do it. It was all about living cheap and saving it away, much of it afforded by an education and job of higher than average pay. I asked them what kind of vehicles they usually worked on and they replied with a bit of everything. I mentioned the lack of 26" rims in these parts and they laughed. "Yeah, around here you see more lifted trucks. The higher the truck, the closer to god. You can take that with you." He smiled.