Had timing belts replaced...

[Printer Mike]

Had the timing belts replaced on my Valk last week by a local Valk/Goldwing specialty mechanic. Only 18k on the old belts. However, the Valk mechanic thought it would be a good idea since the bike is about 13 years old.

Today I picked it up. On the ride home, I was surprised... the engine seemed to have smoother power. When I got on it, my jaw dropped. Seems like there's way more torque.

Just wondering how this is possible. I haven't had a chance to chat with the mechanic... I'm wondering if he adjusted something I don't know about...

[old2soon]

Just curious-how much did this set you back??

[Printer Mike]

Just curious-how much did this set you back??

When I snapped the throttle, I was thrown back against the backrest... not sure exactly how far.

Seriously...
Just checked out the invoice... Looks like $100 labor and $126.44 for parts + 7% tax.

[art]

I thing it was faster because of your wallet was a lot lighter

[Russell Rice]

$100 bucks for about a half hour work is not to bad, you can get the belts off Amazon for $17 each. I would of changes them for you if you would of cleaned my bike while I was changing the belts.

[Printer Mike]

Yep. Had that sinking feeling I spent too much for a little convenience... Normally, I do my own mechanicing. Been busy lately with other stuff.

[deadwood]

Kinda makes you wonder if they original ones were installed correctly doesn't it?

[Printer Mike]

Kinda makes you wonder if they original ones were installed correctly doesn't it?

When I got my 'new to me' Valk almost two years ago, I remember thinking I was a little disappointed in the power. Never ridden one before, so nothing to compare to. Honestly, when I get a chance to talk to the mechanic, I wouldn't be surprised if he told me he adjusted something else...

[old2soon]

Printer mike. Thanks for the answer-preciate it lots. My local oreilly wants like $26 ea plus 7% tax-so like 4 times and a steak and a beer at your price. O-k not pickin on ya. My honda stealer consulted with his head mech and the head mech said along with pullin and drainin the radiator and the belts wait for it(keeping in mind i already read the posts on this-the clymer manual and the honda manual and nowhere did it mention r and r coolant or radiator) 10 or 12 hrs at $65 an hr plus approx 250 to 300 dollars in parts(you know it'd go nover 350 dollars in parts) i got this kinda blank look on my face and walked out. I didn't even try to point out the error of their ways

[Printer Mike]

Printer mike. Thanks for the answer-preciate it lots.

You're welcome.

...My honda stealer consulted with his head mech and the head mech said along with pullin and drainin the radiator and the belts wait for it(keeping in mind i already read the posts on this-the clymer manual and the honda manual and nowhere did it mention r and r coolant or radiator) 10 or 12 hrs at $65 an hr plus approx 250 to 300 dollars in parts(you know it'd go nover 350 dollars in parts) i got this kinda blank look on my face and walked out. I didn't even try to point out the error of their ways

Yikes!!!!!

[Chrisj CMA]

like has been eluded to....if there was a performance increase with JUST new belts than the old ones were off a tooth.  One tooth off should cause a rough idle and some popping.....will not run "good"  I know because my first time changing belts I made that error and then corrected it (no harm done) so if it ran right before, the belts wont make any difference in performance, however......if you were holding back even just a little) because you thought that "old" engine with "old" belts needed to be babied, and maybe now you arent holding back........that will certainely give the butt-dyno a feel of increased power.

[Patrick]

Does this monster have an after market trigger wheel ?? The only way the original belts could be off would be someone improperly installing the trigger and having the right belt out of time.. My thought was/is that these critters would end up with an interference fit between the valves and pistons on the right side head even when one tooth off.. But, regardless, I think Art had it right.. And, as always, the butt dyno lies..

[R J]

If'n ya'll need belts and are going to do the job yourself, get aftermarket belts.

Same companies make then that have a Honda symbol on them, and they are one 4377 of a lot cheaper.

I have put 2 sets of GoodYear on MGM over the past 13 years and 242K miles.

Here is the link to JeffK's generic parts link.

http://www.jkozloski.com/generic_parts.htm

[Printer Mike]

like has been eluded to....if there was a performance increase with JUST new belts than the old ones were off a tooth.  One tooth off should cause a rough idle and some popping.....will not run "good"  I know because my first time changing belts I made that error and then corrected it (no harm done) so if it ran right before, the belts wont make any difference in performance, however......if you were holding back even just a little) because you thought that "old" engine with "old" belts needed to be babied, and maybe now you arent holding back........that will certainely give the butt-dyno a feel of increased power.

The engine ran smooth as silk before the belt change... must be my lighter wallet, or something else.

[98valk]

Had the timing belts replaced on my Valk last week by a local Valk/Goldwing specialty mechanic. Only 18k on the old belts. However, the Valk mechanic thought it would be a good idea since the bike is about 13 years old.

Today I picked it up. On the ride home, I was surprised... the engine seemed to have smoother power. When I got on it, my jaw dropped. Seems like there's way more torque.

Just wondering how this is possible. I haven't had a chance to chat with the mechanic... I'm wondering if he adjusted something I don't know about...

I love mechanics who think its a good idea. the only good idea he has is how he can make money off of u. Age has nothing to do with belts going bad unless they were sitting in the sun and weather. the belts are made from kevlar, they don't go bad. honda requires only an inspection at 100k miles not even replacement unless they fail inspection, no requirement for # of yrs as some other maintenace items require regardless of mileage.
but its your money and a mechanic who loves u. does he think its a good idea to use syn oil and change it every 1500 miles?
my three cents.

[old2soon]

Yeah-YIKES kinda covered it. Sumpin told that day in particuler to take an extra blood pressure pill-glad i did :2funny:Just remember what i said about not financing the golf outings :coolsmiley:Could this be part of the reason i see new pickup trucks in their parkin lot???

[98valk]

Printer mike. Thanks for the answer-preciate it lots. My local oreilly wants like $26 ea plus 7% tax-so like 4 times and a steak and a beer at your price. O-k not pickin on ya. My honda stealer consulted with his head mech and the head mech said along with pullin and drainin the radiator and the belts wait for it(keeping in mind i already read the posts on this-the clymer manual and the honda manual and nowhere did it mention r and r coolant or radiator) 10 or 12 hrs at $65 an hr plus approx 250 to 300 dollars in parts(you know it'd go nover 350 dollars in parts) i got this kinda blank look on my face and walked out. I didn't even try to point out the error of their ways

remove the radiator? they forgot to tell u they also had to remove the front forks and wheel so they would have clear access. would have been in your final bill I'm sure  Love those stealers.

[old2soon]

Yet they keep calling me asking why i don't stop in no more-go figure.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

If you're riding a standard or a tourer get youself some carb springs for an interstate and you'll get more throttle response out of the hole. Also trigger wheel or ECM mod will help.

[art]

Stay tuned to this forum an you will get all the healp you need to take care of your valk without getting ripped off buy the dealers an stupid so called mechanics

[Relax]

I think MOST OF YOU GUYS are missing the point ....

Is it possible to get a better torque just by replacing the belts ?

When a works shop replace the belts,,what's  the chance he touch, accedently or by purpose , components that wil encrease the torque / power ???

I am curious,,,,,I don't see  what can have happen  !!??

[Ricky-D]

I think MOST OF YOU GUYS are missing the point ....

Is it possible to get a better torque just by replacing the belts ?

When a works shop replace the belts,,what's  the chance he touch, accedently or by purpose , components that wil encrease the torque / power ???

I am curious,,,,,I don't see  what can have happen  !!??

In a word. NO

Changing the belts will have no affect on the output of the motor.

What you felt is aptly called  a BUTT DYNO,,,,, which is strongly affected by personal expectations.

Don't believe me?  Go wash and polish the bike. You'll see what I mean!

***

[Jess from VA]

I thought if the belts got really old and worn they would stretch enough to cause the bike to go out of timing, a bit.

[Relax]

I thought if the belts got really old and worn they would stretch enough to cause the bike to go out of timing, a bit.

As far as I am informed, Honda don't tell you to replace the belts anymore out of time or miles. They recommand inspecting the belt and replace when seen worn...  That must mean the belt don't stretch more than the adjusters can handle ??!!
 ???

I am not sayin' anything....I am asking

[GOOSE]

and all of this should just about cover it completely.  gosh are we all good or what?? 

[B]

Yep. Had that sinking feeling I spent too much for a little convenience... Normally, I do my own mechanicing. Been busy lately with other stuff.

Honda dealer wanted $450 LABOR to do belts and adjust valves      
 ... I'll be doing it this week. 

[Flashmac]

Had the timing belts replaced on my Valk ............. the engine seemed to have smoother power.......... I'm wondering if he adjusted something I don't know about...

Let me start by saying that I'm not a Valkyrie mechanic. I have had my Valk for only about 6 months.

I am a mechanic that works on industrial machinery such as forklifts, air compressors, stump grinders, welding machines, etc......

I have worked on dozens of diesel engines that have the same type of timing belts. F3L1011 Deutz engines have the exact type of belt and they do wear. The teeth will wear down and get narrow. This does throw the cam timing off from the crankshaft and they run rough and lose power. Just changing the belt makes a tremendous difference. It is unreal. It is recommended that these belts get changed every 4500 hours of operation.

That would be a lot of miles on a vehicle if you averaged 40 mph. 180,000 miles. The first thing that I did when I bought my valk was to check the belt tension. It had 45000 miles on it and there was a little slack.

If there was slack in the belts on Printer Mike's Valk, then I could see how he would notice an improvement in power.

[Westsider]

+++ 1 flashmac.....the belts will more than likely never break...but the teeth sure will!!!!!!!!

[3W-lonerider]

flashback..i know what ya mean when it comes to belts in the f3L1011 and f4L1011, iv'e replaced many of those myself..the belts iv'e replaced have never been broken but the teeth get worn them shear off. now iv'e also replaced belts on the 2.3 and 2.5 ford engines in equipment. those belts are the same identical belts used in out valks. they do indeed break. every belt iv'e ever put in those have never had the teeth sheared off but instead the belt has become brittle and actually torn in half. so the timing belts in our valks will stretch and break if and when they get brittle enough. i replace my belts every 80,000 miles..i figure better safe than sorry. belts are cheaper than heads, and pistons.

[alph]

I agree with flashmac, I work on diaper machines, we're talking many dozens of drive belts, and all are Kevlar reinforced and if it wasn't for the phasing motors that the operators use on a daily basis we'd be changing belts more often.  The belts do get old, and the teeth do wear down.  These machines run 24/7/365 with only Christmas as an acceptation. 

I would say that with the new belt, tighter tolerances, less slack, there is probably better performance.  Check your mileage, that'll be a good piece of evidence.

I’ve been wanting to do mine, now you’ve just convinced me to order some belts.  They’re not hard to do at all, will probably take an hour, that is unless I take it to a dealer, then it should be 5 or 6 hours…..

[Tropic traveler]

'Bout to change mine. 105K and I never have had the front cover off.
Bought mine at our local Napa store. $40 for both.

I'll let you know if my butt dyno detects any difference.