Timing Belts

[wiseguy]

I just picked up my new belts from Honda. She is a 98 standard, I get mixed reviews about this subject. She has 43000 miles on her. So my question is. When should the belts be changed.

[Disco]

They are probably fine.  The ones I took off my 2000 in April at 37,735 miles were fine.  They were stiffer than the new Gates belts I replaced them with, but had no cracks or teeth or pieces of teeth missing.  But, they were almost 12 years old.  To me, the few dollars to put new ones on were cheap insurance. 

I just checked the Service Manual.  I thought I remembered that it says Replace every 100,000 miles.  I was wrong.  It says to Inspect every 100,000 miles.   

[Kylenav]

Same here. Replaced mine at 50K on my '01.  The original ones looked fine but for $40 and a couple hours work I feel better...

If you can return the Honda one's for your money it may be worth doing.  I got a set of the Gates belts delivered to my door for $39.  Don't know what you paid for the honda one's but on HDL they were around $55 apiece when I looked.

[wiseguy]

$70.00 each, I'm not so worried about the cost, maybe just piece of mind. I would sure hate to hurt her if you know what I mean. I guess i'm more concerned about the age of the belts. Do they dry out over time from sitting?

[wiseguy]

I thought it said to replace evry 100,000 miles also, Thanks for clarifying that for me.

[Black Dog]

Take an hour or so to become better aquainted with your lady...  The bike is 13, going on 14 years old...  Small price to pay, for peace of mind  

Change 'em, now that you have them.  Or, save the money and return the Honda brand, and get the generic.  Either way, change 'em, and you will rest easier.

Black Dog

[R J]

Before you buy any more parts for your sweetheart, go to this generic parts list and if it is there, I'll guarantee you the generic will be of the same or better quality and a whole bunch cheaper.

Here is the link.

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

[old2soon]

They are probably fine.  The ones I took off my 2000 in April at 37,735 miles were fine.  They were stiffer than the new Gates belts I replaced them with, but had no cracks or teeth or pieces of teeth missing.  But, they were almost 12 years old.  To me, the few dollars to put new ones on were cheap insurance. 

I just checked the Service Manual.  I thought I remembered that it says Replace every 100,000 miles.  I was wrong.  It says to Inspect every 100,000 miles.   

What he said. The new Gates belts i put in felt better than the ones i took out (43000+miles) on my 99 I/S. Way cheap piece of mind. Both belts were around or less than $40.00 at O'reilly auto parts. Not affiliated no profit yada yada yada. Other folks will jump in and tell you to CHECK and INSPECT at 100000 miles. Do what makes YOU feel best. RIDE SAFE.

[wiseguy]

Thanks for the link to Generic Parts, I have saved it to my PC. When I go to honda they have to order the parts anyway, so I might as well order them online. Do the timing belts fail? I think I will put in the Honda belts now that I have them.

[Valker]

I replaced mine at 125,000. Old ones still looked great.

[GOOSE]

wiseguy.....go ahead and replace both of them...you are going to worry yourself to death if you don't.

[wiseguy]

Thanks Goose, you're right. I am going to change them today.

[wiseguy]

Done, new belts.... I can sleep now.

[gordonv]

You'll now feel a lot better knowing that is has been done on a 14 yr old bike.

These engines are interferance motors. When a timing belt breaks, parts can and do hit each other, and now you are looking at tearing apart the motor. The time and effort to inspect the belts, is maybe half the time to change them, so just go ahead and buy generic belts, and change them out, then you are good for another 10 yrs or 100K miles, which ever comes first.

Like mentioned, the owners manual only says to inspect at 100K intervals.

[wiseguy]

These are amazing engines, are'nt they?

[Disco]

Yes, they are.