no power from 20 to 35 mph

evilone · Post by **evilone** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 7:48 pm

87 elite takes off great, gets to 20 mph, than seems to loose power and slowly gets to 35 mph, then takes off again. Any ideas? I'm de-carboning muffler right now. It sorta feels like the variator is kicking in before it should causing engine to work harder. I replaced rollers with same weight rollers only I didn't add any grease.

Kenny_McCormic · Post by **Kenny_McCormic** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 7:50 pm

sounds lean, do a plug chop.

evilone · Post by **evilone** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 8:36 pm

LOL, I almost posted "Kenny, I will do plug chop tomorrow" in problem description! I thought I had it tuned finally. Plug has been nice cocoa brown. I did just replace the crankshaft but didn't mess with anything else except rollers (drive pulley stripped out the splines on crank and got hot from the friction...I found rollers were melted that's why I replaced them). I did ride about 10 miles before problem started.

evilone · Post by **evilone** » Sun Aug 31, 2008 10:41 am

Quick update. I went to do plug chop, plug is nice cocoa brown. Got on to head back home and found tire was completely flat. Walked 1-2 miles to go home and get truck. Gotta go pick up elite after this post. So i'm kinda thinking...low tire + variator starting to kick in at 20 then fully kicking in at 35 = gear ratio change with low tire pressure will cause small engine to labor until higher speeds when tire is not as flat due to fast revolution when it takes off again. Is a 3.00-10 tire and tube o.k. to use or should I use the 3.00 tube with my 2.75-10 tire? I've heard about losing top end, maybe I will test it.

evilone · Post by **evilone** » Sun Aug 31, 2008 12:43 pm

figured this crap out finally. It was variator related. The washer that goes behind the nut for drive pulley w/ teeth was cracked in half and missing 1/2 the washer. This was causing belt to slip and finally "grab" at higher speeds and taking off! I need new nut and washer, but it looks like I have to get nut from Honda since it's skinny and fits in the kick start "cup". Unless someone has replaced one and could point me in the right direction. I've tried Home Depot, Menards, and Tractor Supply Company.