Timing belt question, GL1200

487 Views 6 Replies 6 Participants Last post by jdvorchak, Feb 1, 2013

Fastymz

Discussion Starter · Jan 31, 2013

I have my apart while I wait for the alternator to do the conversion. I just took off the timing covers and the old belts look good no sign of wear,cracks or any damage. Still replace them or leave them? They are also thinker then the replacement gates belts I got. I dont know when they were replaced last? The PO I got the bike from lied about a few other things so he could have lied about the belts being replaced last summer?

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redcruiser89

· #2 · Jan 31, 2013

When in doubt.....replace the belts. Cheap insurance

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Bellboy40

· #3 · Jan 31, 2013

You really can't go by how they look to tell the condition of the belts. Since you have the timing belt covers off and new belts in hand you are most of the way to replacing them. I would go ahead and change them since you are that far into it.

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andy1800

· #4 · Jan 31, 2013

Timing belts are not like fan belts, that is you just can't tell their remaining life expectancy by looking at them. They can look fine, and break a few miles down the road.

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newday777

· #5 · Feb 1, 2013

andy1800 said:
Timing belts are not like fan belts, that is you just can't tell their remaining life expectancy by looking at them. They can look fine, and break a few miles down the road.

And if they break, your motor will have lots of noise and sputter to a stop when you least expect it. You like Russian Roulette?:readit:

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Fastymz

Discussion Starter · #6 · Feb 1, 2013

Yeah I changed them, I did notice that the honda belts are thicker then the gates belts. Not sure if they the honda belts last longer too? The gates belts from amazon are $9.81 each a lot cheaper then honda.

Thanks to Steve's youtube how to video the job wasnt that bad.

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jdvorchak

· #7 · Feb 1, 2013

I have long suspected that the Honda belts are actually left over stock from the 80's. At least now you know you have fresh belts. And if a belt brakes, not only does it sputter to a stop, you get to replace the engine as there will most likely be bent valves and holes in pistons.

I've been asked a few times "What does a belt that's about to fail look like?"
Answer: They look fine!

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