timing belts on my Interstate

[hvacjack]

Hello Guys I am planning to do the timing belts this winter on my Interstate. I see some talk here about a 4 degree trigger wheel. What is this and can I make my Bikes run a little better by changing this part of the timing system too. I am very mechanical and Dad and I build Street rods and Chevy engines but never have done any engine mods to any of my Valkyries.
Thanks to all
I hope to hear from Mark T on this one for sure

[Patrick]

I think changing timing belts because of 'time/age' is a good thing.  I prefer to leave them a bit looser than Honda recommends. I use 3/8", seem to keep them quieter. As a side note, I'm not  a Wing guy but have read where they recommend 1/2".

I'm not a fan of aftermarket timing wheels. I'm also not a fan of advanced timing wheels, I think Honda got this right. But, that said, if I advance one I just use a file to widen the slot 1/32" which equals 2.5-3º. I think thats all these engines need, if they need anything at all.

[hvacjack]

thank you Patrick!
that's kind of my line of thinking on this one as well. I did do exhaust mods on my standard but I'm keeping the interstate quiet for now anyway.

[Patrick]

I understand. I made mine louder, but, as we age I guess its normal to like things to be quieter.
Surprising what 18 years do to you. 

[Patrick]

I guess I should have also mentioned that the aftermarket triggers are of a different shape [teeth] than the original. I think the original is better.
To advance the base timing, one can file off some the left side of the trigger key [ as facing front of engine] and then 'crowd' to that side upon reinstalling.
If my rememberer is working, .030" [ 1/32" about] is about 4º and .025" is about 2.5º.
These engines do not like a lot ignition advance.
The IS models have a different [quicker] advance rate [ ICM ] than the STD/Tour models, but, total advance is the same.
Putting an IS ICM in a STD/Tour was/is a popular change.

[Ricky-D]

I have a 6 degree "La Monster" timing wheel that I removed from my Interstate after running it for 10 years. I removed it

because I wanted to run regular gas, the same as my car. I am willing to let it go very reasonably if contacted with a PM.

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