Remove variator without BMW special tool?

emseedee

Member
Has anyone managed to remove the variator cover without using the BMW special tool? I’ve bought a mitsuboshi drive belt from Carpimoto, and obviously want to fit it myself, but the BMW tool seems ridiculously expensive. Is it possible to make a DIY tool, or to use use standard workshop tools? Anyone done it?
 

Delray

Well-known member
I used the BMW tool to put a Mitsuboshi belt on my bike and it made the job SO easy.

Alternative idea ... if you buy the BMW tool, can you easily re-sell it where you are?

It's $56 USD here. I could sell mine in a day for $30 or $35, so "renting" would be around $20. It's light as a feather so shipping cost would be negligible.

I saved over $300 by buying the Mitsuboshi belt vs. OEM ($417 on bikebandit.com today), and don't forget what a dealer would charge for installing the belt vs. DYI, another $400 to $500 ... so paying for the OEM tool felt like a luxury I could afford.

 
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slant911

Active member
Well with my friend Delrays help I made a tool that worked. Wasn't pretty but got the job done. So yes it is possible to make the tool but the economics are that it probably is not worth the time and materials to make it unless you happen to be a machine shop operator and have everything at your fingertips.
 

emseedee

Member
Thanks for the responses. I’m in UK, but the numbers look similar. Looking at the design of the tool, I’m guessing that the little pegs that engage on the fins must be hardened, so it’s probably beyond my ability to make one that will work. Looks like I’ll be buying one, and perhaps reselling it when I finally part company with the C650.
 

justscootin

Member
I bought the tool back in 2013, the dealer I am sure made a mistake as I paid $18 Canadian (about $14 American) I have used it 4 times now (paid for istelf many times)
 

emseedee

Member
I did eventually get one - from a dealer about 40 miles away, and they posted it out without and extra charge. I seem to recall that it cost around £35 UK. Now trying to find some free time to change the belt.
 

Delray

Well-known member
Thanks for the follow up.

In case it's helpful, below is a quick copy & paste of my notes on the belt change (I am OCD enough to keep notes on all maintenance). Very straightforward, simple job. Except that Mr. Brainiac -- this would be me -- forgot I left the variator holder in place when I started the bike to test the new belt. I heard one "clunk" and everything stopped. Took me a long minute to figure out the problem.

CVT BELT

Installed new Mitsuboshi belt March 2021 with Dr. Pulley 28-gram sliders. NOTES: Pretty simple, easy process. Couple tips: for the bolt on the metal CVT case you have to reach through the drilled hole, take that out last and put it in first so you have wiggle room to help it in and out of the drill hole. A #30 t-handle torx screwdriver is perfect for this. 17mm nut on the clutch (left) turns CLOCKWISE to loosen and reverse that to tighten. Torque for both is 100 Nm or 74 ft. lbs. Old belt had cracks in the ridges all the way around the inside of the belt. Definitely showing its age at 15,100 miles. Made sure arrows on belt pointed in the same direction the belt moves. Made sure I bent down the metal tabs behind the 33mm nuts.

BMW variator holder # 83302414987
BMW CVT grease # 83192160349
Drive belt every 12,000 miles

CVT BELT:
BMW Part #: 24827729767, $388.64
MITSUBOSHI 2777001 (same belt, MUCH cheaper in Europe, 76 Euros)
Belt height: 16.9mm, Belt angle 28°, Belt length 894mm, Belt width 32.4mm.

Mitsuboshi belt: https://www.carpimoto.it/en-US/Exha...67-Mitsuboshi-Transmission-Belt-BMW-C600-.htm
 

emseedee

Member
Thanks for this - it's going to be really helpful. Interesting that your mileage was 15100 when you preplaced belt; mine is currently 15174 ;-), so I guess it's going to be ripe for doing. Is it necessary to replace the pulleys at the same time as the belt, and did you notice any change when you went to 28g?

Mike
 

slant911

Active member
I changed out to the 28g sliders and really not much difference. I was hoping it would get up and go from a stoplight faster. It does not. The area from like 20 to 60 MPH seems a bit more peppy. If you are already in there it is easy to do. For me I did all that work just to replace the pucks and was underwhelmed from the result.
 

Delray

Well-known member
"Is it necessary to replace the pulleys at the same time as the belt, and did you notice any change when you went to 28g?"

The OEM rollers were kind of beat up, so I was glad to change them. It's ten more minutes of work. For what it's worth, BMW's maintenance schedule says the rollers should be replaced with the belt.

As far as noticing any change with 28g sliders, I agree with other comments ... "really not much difference. I was hoping it would get up and go from a stoplight faster. It does not. The area from like 20 to 60 MPH seems a bit more peppy."

I definitely noticed more zip over 20 mph. The bike is a beast in the midrange. But 2012 to 2015 models are just kind of sluggish off the line; 2016+ models were re-engineered to improve this and add a distinctive BMW motorcycle growl.
 
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emseedee

Member
Hmm - it's looking more and more difficult to find non-OEM rollers. The Carpimoto ones seem to have been discontinued, and DR pulley's listed UK distributor doesn't seem to realise (at least on its website) that it is a distributor. Looks like I'm going to be going down the OEM route and sticking with 33 gram pulleys. Oddly that also seems to be the cheapest option, which isn't what I expected from BMW.
 
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