Anyone using a narrower belt than 16.5?

[DoomZooma]

Hopefully I can get some feedback or advice on this. First time posting anything here.

I've been lurking here for a while soaking up the wealth of info available. (Thank you all for that)
I've got a 2005 Zuma with a BBK and various other upgrades. Most importantly it has a 98mm variator installed. So I'm looking for recommendation on a larger size belt. The Yamaha OEM belt seemed pretty tight before i touched anything in the first place. 
  So i tried the Athena 751x16.5 it was a bit larger but the real issues was it was a true 16.5 wide. I could barely get the kick nut on and ended up having to wrench it down on top of the belt. (not good) Then it ran like shit, starting in "second gear" as expected. my old Yama 738 belt was worn down and probably around 15mm wide. The old belt ran good with the bigger variator, just not getting the full travel and it was sitting low in the TD. Long story for a simple question: anyone use a more narrow belt or any recommendations? 

[aeroxbud]

Well I've looked at the Piaggio, Honda, Suzuki, and Peugeot belts. It looks like they all run a thicker belt than Yamaha. Typically 17-18.5mm.
Why don't you shim the drive boss out to work with the new belt?
It's never a good idea to tighten the drive face down into the belt. Make sure the belt is seated low in the rear pulley. So you have plenty of slack at the front.

[DoomZooma]

I don't have any room for shims. I'm at the razors edge just fitting the kick nut onto the splines. Is there something I'm missing? I think i need a longer belt as well to take advantage of the 98mm variator. It still has a good amount of travel left...

[aeroxbud]

What variator do you have? It shouldn't be so far out.

[DoomZooma]

Honestly not sure of the variator brand. It was just in a box of parts when I got the bike from my Dad. I noticed it looked bigger than stock. so while changing the belt, I threw the bigger one on. I even switched back to the OEM variator to compare. Same tight fit with next to zero space on the splines for shimming whatsoever. All I can tell that's different about the bigger variator is that its got a black coating on the backside, where the sliders go.

[aeroxbud]

Can you post a picture of the variator and how it sits on the spline?