Belt Replacement Cam Holder Needed or Not?

[Calboy]

The title is the question being asked to the collective intelligence/experience found on this website.
Low miles, a bit over 5,000 for a 2003 model, but the bike is a former garage queen.
I will remove the cover this evening and inspect the belts.
There are no noises coming out from the timing belts cover. It's more of a preventive action on my part than anything else.
If it comes down to replacing the belts, do I really need that Honda specialty tool or not?

[da prez]

  You can get by without it.  Remove the spark plugs. Get both notches where they belong. Follow the book to the letter. When done , turn the engine over with a socket and ratchet slowly. Go two full revolutions stopping to check the timing marks. If no resistance is felt and the marks came back in time , you are good to go.

                                              da prez

[RWhitehouse]

I've had the belts on and off mine a couple times and never needed to lock the cams. I broke the crank bolt loose with a long breaker bar and a sharp hit with a mallet, engine barely moved.

As said just be careful and triple check the timing marks when you are done.

While you're in there inspect the tensioner idlers for looseness or signs grease is spitting out of the center bearings. If they are leaking or loose, there is a write-up here how to "rebuild" them using a readily available/cheap idler pulley for a Kia four cylinder. Honda only sells the whole assembly for like $120.

I got both idlers and both belts off Rock Auto for I think $50 total. Belts are Gates T275.

[Calboy]

Thank you guys for your posts.
Belts looked good. All it was needed was the tightening of both belts. Everything is good now.
Thanks a lot again.

[Chrisj CMA]

Thank you guys for your posts.
Belts looked good. All it was needed was the tightening of both belts. Everything is good now.
Thanks a lot again.

If you tried to tighten them by the book specs and now you hear a whine or mild screeching sound they are too tight. The springs are there to provide the correct tension and they do their job well. I let the springs tension the belts and to some slight tweaking to make the both the same. I just decide if there is a difference which side I like and make them the same

[Squirrel]

Two days ago I replaced my timing belts on my 2000 Standard with 75,000 miles on it.  I did not use any special tools.  As others have said, double and triple check the timing marks on the crank and cams to make sure they are lined up correctly.  You are very fortunate to have found such a low mileage Valk!  I am just wondering whether I would have replaced the belts anyway, but if they look that good I guess you are safe.  Here's a link to my post that I just put on the Florida Chapter.  It may or may not help you.  And, congrats on your new to you Valk.  If this is your first one, you're gonna love it!

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,108893.0.html

[Gryphon Rider]

This is the Honda tool I think you're talking about (07725-0030000):


A cheap and easy substitute for the Honda tool is shown within this tech article:
http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/joeswheel.htm

Required:

23/64  drill bit. (or another bit slightly smaller than 5/16ths)

Two 5/16 bolts 2 to 2 1/4 inches long

A 2x4 board 3-4 feet long


Drill 2 holes in the board at one end at an angle, about 2 1/4 to 2 1/2 inches apart. Use a drill bit that is slightly smaller than the bolts. Then drive the bolts through the holes with a hammer.