Timing Belt replacement

[Stanley Steamer]

My Valk is about 700 miles away from having 100,000 miles..I have two new Gates timing belts.....do you think the old ones should be changed out?..I tried to inspect them once, but one of those bolts didn't want to come out...I think I bought an extra bolt in case it were to break...the "special" one that needs some kind of sealant put back on it....I'm thinking about having BigBF change them at Inzane if he can fit it in......any of you guys ever change them at 100K for peace of mind?

[Chrisj CMA]

I did mine at like 85K just because like you said piece of mind.  Its not that hard

[Stanley Steamer]

I did mine at like 85K just because like you said piece of mind.  Its not that hard

I tried to take the cover off and look at them a while back, couldn't get that one bolt off....right hand side I think??....seems like I bought a new one in case it were to break......hope BF can do it for me

[lee]

I changed mine at 101,000 about a Month ago.  Old belts looked ok Little to no ware. 
However both belt tension bearings even though there was very little play in them
they both sounded dry. (no grease).  So I replaced them with two I had from a junk
engine that only had about 25000 on it. 
Just a heads up you may need to replace them so it may be a good idea to have a couple
on hand, or know where you can get them in a hurry.

[Grandpot]

Stanley:

Inspecting timing belts is fruitless.  They rarely show signs of wear and will break without warning.  It is best to change them on schedule or sooner.  I change the ones on my cars and IS at 50% of the recommended schedule.  Also, you should change the tension pulleys.

The Valkyrie engine is an "interference" engine which means, when the timing belt breaks the valves get out of time and may strike the pistons causing bent valves or worse.

I own an auto repair shop and replace belts all the time.  I also repair the carnage caused by not doing it in time.  Save yourself a lot of money and aggravation and do the job right and often.

[Chrisj CMA]

Stanley:

Inspecting timing belts is fruitless.  They rarely show signs of wear and will break without warning.  It is best to change them on schedule or sooner.  I change the ones on my cars and IS at 50% of the recommended schedule.  Also, you should change the tension pulleys.

The Valkyrie engine is an "interference" engine which means, when the timing belt breaks the valves get out of time and may strike the pistons causing bent valves or worse.

I own an auto repair shop and replace belts all the time.  I also repair the carnage caused by not doing it in time.  Save yourself a lot of money and aggravation and do the job right and often.

While it is true, there is no "warning" for something like a timing belt before it breaks.  I have never, not once heard of a Valkyrie or a 1500 Gold Wing breaking a timing belt.

Also inspecting is very important.  Some have reported the rubber nubs starting to break off and or dry rot (visible cracking) but you have to bend the rubber and really examine it.......truth be told, you really have to remove them to do a proper inspection and then you might as well just put on new ones.

It is an important component of the engine, however I think on this motor there is very little stress on the belts (unlike some automotive engines) One because there are two belts instead of one and the engine is very small and simple compared to a car engine so the belt is only turning half of a small engine instead of the whole ball of wax with accessories we don't have.

[Bighead]

Changed mine at six years had just over 60k on the clock and only did it for piece of mind.

[8Track]

Changed mine at 24,000 miles. Just for peace of mind given the belts were 15 years old.

[gordonv]

Inspecting timing belts is fruitless.  They rarely show signs of wear and will break without warning.  It is best to change them on schedule or sooner.  I change the ones on my cars and IS at 50% of the recommended schedule.  Also, you should change the tension pulleys.

But isn't this the whole problem with the GL1500? There is no recommended replacement time/mileage, or anything, other than inspection at 100K miles.

So when do you replace them?

I just did mine for my GL1500 GW 1988 60K miles. Only did it because I didn't like their possible age. Belts where Honda's, so most likely original. Bent them backwards to inspect, and no cracking or signs of wear/damage.

Like mentioned. To inspect takes all the time, might as well just change them out at inspection time, then don't worry again.

Me, I would do it at 100K or 10 years from now on.