Timing Belt Question

[Loopie]

So, there's a whistling sound coming from the front of my engine. Pretty sure it's the water pump. Since my bike has 83,000 miles, I figure I might as well do the timing belts while I'm at it.

My question is, should I just replace the belts, or is it wise to replace other parts as well? Also, what specific parts (#'s) should I replace if other than just the belts?

Thank you,

Loopie

[Ricky-D]

If you have not desmogged the Valkyrie, I would strongly suggest the noise is emitting from a bad vacuum hose.

[sandy]

The sound you are hearing is probably the belt tension pulleys. I never heard of a water pump making a noise.

[Loopie]

I totally forgot to mention it only makes the noise at idle. Sorry about that. Here's the post that talks about it:

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,95421.0.html

Loopie

[Loopie]

So...back to the timing belt question. Should I just replace the belts?

Thanks

[Chrisj CMA]

You should run the bike with the timing belt cover off like suggested. If the sound is louder i.e. it's coming from in there than yes replace the tensioners. If you can determine the sound is not the tensioners there is no reason to spend $180 they go s long time normally.

[Bighead]

Jeff he has narrowed it down to the water pump as Serk did the way I read it and he is wondering if he should go ahead and replace belts also. If it were mine  I may ( didnt say I would ) replace for peace of mind but if I did I would surely replace pulleys also for peace of mind.