Timing belts again

[Tfrank59]

So I read the recent posts on this and can't decide what parts I need to do this inspection/replacement.  Most say that the hard part is just getting in there and doing a good inspection, so you might as well replace the belts while at it.  Others say the tensioner pulleys will need attention too.  My bike has 34k and I'm thinking that for $17 each I should go ahead and replace the two belts this spring.  should I also buy bearings ahead of time for the pulleys?  Do I wait until I'm in there and can inspect them first?  I'd like minimal down time so would like advice what to get in advance to get 'er done in one afternoon.  thanks.

[gordonv]

What do you have more of, time or $?

I changed my belts last year on my 88' GW, 63K miles. Spun the pulleys to feel/hear for any issues (none), and put it back together. Didn't even buy a cover seal.

If you can afford having parts sitting around, buy everything you might need, and replace the belts. If more needs replacing, then you have the parts. If not, then let the others in your area know you have some spare parts if they need it for a job in the future. I've posted before I have an alt and starter sitting around as a spare.

You could also call up your local supplier and see what they have on hand, incase you need something in a hurry.

[BobB]

I assume that you are concerned about the belts because of the age.  The millage on your Valk is a fraction of the recommended change interval.  I changed my belts with Gates at about 80k miles and there was no need to do so, the old belts were in perfect condition.  Also the idlers were in good condition.

[Tfrank59]

What do you have more of, time or $?

I changed my belts last year on my 88' GW, 63K miles. Spun the pulleys to feel/hear for any issues (none), and put it back together. Didn't even buy a cover seal.

If you can afford having parts sitting around, buy everything you might need, and replace the belts. If more needs replacing, then you have the parts. If not, then let the others in your area know you have some spare parts if they need it for a job in the future. I've posted before I have an alt and starter sitting around as a spare.

You could also call up your local supplier and see what they have on hand, incase you need something in a hurry.

Lately it seems I have neither time nor money  . After posting that first one, I checked and saw the tensioner pulleys (Gates) run about $19 apiece, and through Amazon I can get two day shipping. So I suppose if I get in there and find the bearings in those tensioner pulley's aren't what they should be, I'll just order them up real quick.  I was also wondering about the cover seal, so maybe I'll call my Honda dealer and ask if they have it in stock. I hate going to those guys

[Tfrank59]

I assume that you are concerned about the belts because of the age.  The millage on your Valk is a fraction of the recommended change interval.  I changed my belts with Gates at about 80k miles and there was no need to do so, the old belts were in perfect condition.  Also the idlers were in good condition.

Yep, it's all about the age and the peace of mind factor.  That said, I would expect that the tensioner pulleys (bearings) are in good shape.

[Woton]

Yep, it's all about the age and the peace of mind factor.

With a bike as reliable as the Valk that can be said for much of the preventative maintenance we do.  I tend to be pretty proactive on such to the detriment of my wallet.

But, the wife and I take 7K-8K mile trips on our bikes, so I feel we're erring on the side of caution.

That being said I'm holding Gates belts, new tensioners, and cover gaskets to replace the OEMs on my Tourer at ~55K.  Should be done by the Gathering Of The Fools ride in mid-April, so I'll try to remember how things looked and give a report.

[3W-lonerider]

iv'e replaced my timing belts twice in 180,000 miles. have yet to need a cover seal. unless it is weather cracked i would'nt waist the money on that.

[sandy]

Replaced my belts at 92K. Still have the tensioner bearings and gasket at 147K.

[old2soon]

Put new belts in awhile ago-I ain't goin back out to the shop been there all day-and they weren't really needed. The idler pulleys were and are okey dokey and I have a smidge over 101000 on her now. The old belts are in the spares box-they are THAT good!  Both sets of belts will most likely outlive me!  RIDE SAFE.

[gordonv]

I can understand the price from the dealor. How about the $18+ they want for alt brushes, when you can get them online for less than $4. I go to my dealor and ask them to compete with the online price. Don't need them to match (it would be nice), just get closer, with shipping and time, then taxes, getting something like 1/2 the dealor price is OK when buying one of 2 items in a hurry.

[R J]

Personally, I wouldn't worry about those belts.     They are tough little puppies.

MGM has 243+K on him and on only 1 replacement of the belts.   I'd say the current Gates belts have close to 111K miles on them.

Pulled the cover today and they looked super good in my book.

Fired him up with the cover off and got out the stethoscope and listened to the belt tension bearings.    NO noise, sounded good, they are the originals.

[Tfrank59]

Personally, I wouldn't worry about those belts.     They are tough little puppies.

MGM has 243+K on him and on only 1 replacement of the belts.   I'd say the current Gates belts have close to 111K miles on them.

Pulled the cover today and they looked super good in my book.

Fired him up with the cover off and got out the stethoscope and listened to the belt tension bearings.    NO noise, sounded good, they are the originals.

Well I appreciate all the feedback. I did order two Gates belts – they'll be here in a couple of days – and then for the first time I'll get my cover off and look in there.  I'll let you know what I learn.

[Brian]

Personally, I wouldn't worry about those belts.     They are tough little puppies.

MGM has 243+K on him and on only 1 replacement of the belts.   I'd say the current Gates belts have close to 111K miles on them.

Pulled the cover today and they looked super good in my book.

Fired him up with the cover off and got out the stethoscope and listened to the belt tension bearings.    NO noise, sounded good, they are the originals.

Well I appreciate all the feedback. I did order two Gates belts – they'll be here in a couple of days – and then for the first time I'll get my cover off and look in there.  I'll let you know what I learn.

Rebuilding the pulleys are easy. I submitted a post here with pictures on my rebuild using the gates idler pulley. I now have 6,000 miles on it and no problem. Some say if your OEM tensioners spin super free they should be replaced. I had an OEM tensioner go bad at 15,000 miles and the belts were tensioned per the shop manual. Long story about my ride, but I had to remove the heads due to issues when I bought this used with only 900 miles on it so I know the belts were tensioned correctly. I recommend the rebuild if there is slop in the OEM pulley. FYI, I spent almost $90 for an OEM replacement when this pulley first starting making noise. This OEM is now carried in my saddle bag as a spare in case the other one starts acting up and I am far from home.

[Woton]

That being said I'm holding Gates belts, new tensioners, and cover gaskets to replace the OEMs on my Tourer at ~55K.  Should be done by the Gathering Of The Fools ride in mid-April, so I'll try to remember how things looked and give a report.

Quick revisit of this thread as promised...

A skilled buddy of mine braved this early spring NC cold snap  with me yesterday to help change the timing belts, tensioners/springs, and cover gasket.  55K miles on the Tourer.

Original belts looked and felt "old" and dry compared to the nice new, flexible Gates products.  Felt lighter in weight as well.  But, no cracks or problems were noticable otherwise.  Tensioners spun freely and springs seemed fine.  Gasket seemed "old" upon removal as well but was still flexible and was likely doing the job fine.

Tensioners were the highest dollar item and that money could likely have been saved.  But, given the appearance and feel of the belts I'm glad they were replaced.

 

[R J]

Good job woton.

Save those tensioners in case of an emergency.

[Tfrank59]

That being said I'm holding Gates belts, new tensioners, and cover gaskets to replace the OEMs on my Tourer at ~55K.  Should be done by the Gathering Of The Fools ride in mid-April, so I'll try to remember how things looked and give a report.

Quick revisit of this thread as promised...

A skilled buddy of mine braved this early spring NC cold snap  with me yesterday to help change the timing belts, tensioners/springs, and cover gasket.  55K miles on the Tourer.

Original belts looked and felt "old" and dry compared to the nice new, flexible Gates products.  Felt lighter in weight as well.  But, no cracks or problems were noticable otherwise.  Tensioners spun freely and springs seemed fine.  Gasket seemed "old" upon removal as well but was still flexible and was likely doing the job fine.

Tensioners were the highest dollar item and that money could likely have been saved.  But, given the appearance and feel of the belts I'm glad they were replaced.

 

Yes, thanks for that update. As far as my situation, new belts showed up about two weeks ago, and now I'm feeling kind of lazy and procrastinating getting down there and opening it up.  .  I'll probably get ambitious later in the spring and actually do it, but for now I'm just enjoying the ride – after all I just turned over 35K so hopefully my current belts won't break anytime soon.

[Bone]

The service manual recommends the timing belts be checked at 100k miles.

[Tfrank59]

The service manual recommends the timing belts be checked at 100k miles.

Yes but... the consensus is that's pushing it, even if that 100k gets on there in the first five years of life, much more if the belts are 17 years old (which may be the case with mine--not sure).  since it's an interference engine, and given that inspecting the belts takes as much effort as replacing them, and that the belts themselves (Gates brand) are less than $20 each, might as well do it that much sooner--makes sense to me.

[Bone]

Of course I would have the parts ready if I was going under the cover. I think one belt change in a owners life time isn't bad.
Honda engineers have no way of knowing the time or mileage it will take to wear the belts.

[Ricky-D]

Probably the greatest difficulty in replacing the timing belts is getting the correct force on the tensioners.

Too little is better than too tight, but correct is the best in all cases.

Let the tensioner spring do the work it was intended for. Give the tensioner all the slack in the belt and

tighten it down.

Get that tensioner too tight and you'll burn the bearing for sure.

***

[Tfrank59]

Probably the greatest difficulty in replacing the timing belts is getting the correct force on the tensioners.

Too little is better than too tight, but correct is the best in all cases.

Let the tensioner spring do the work it was intended for. Give the tensioner all the slack in the belt and

tighten it down.

Get that tensioner too tight and you'll burn the bearing for sure.

***

Well that sounds like a possible scenario, but have there been reports of tensioner bearings failing due to improper (too much) tension?  I'm thinking incorrect tension would also wear out the belts prematurely.