timing belts

[hap2]

When (about how many miles?) would timing belts need to be done on a 1500?

I had a 1500 with 236,000 miles on it & I was told they didn't need to be done, but now looking at the same bike with 45,000 miles in it & wondering what I need to do to make sure it's a good purchase.

Thanx

[virgilmobile]

There's a bunch of topics about this.
My opinion...belts are cheap...less than a engine...
I put on new belts when I buy a bike and replace them every other rear tire change or 3 years.
Oh yea,they may last the life of the bike,I just won't chance it.There not hard or very time consuming to change.
By the way,I also flush out all the hydraulic fluid every other year too.

[hap2]

Thank ya! I appreciate it.

[virgilmobile]

As with most things,age takes its toll.Rubber hardens,brake fluid absorbs moisture.
Date the tires,grease the splines,etc.

[hap2]

Where's a good place to buy timing belts? Where do u get yours? I have a 92 1500SE. I'm in Canada.

[virgilmobile]

I get mine at the local auto parts..
Check this post for possible part numbers...
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=9774
They won't have "Honda" printed on them but there the same quality.

[WingAdmin]

Where's a good place to buy timing belts? Where do u get yours? I have a 92 1500SE. I'm in Canada.

You can get them from NAPA in Canada.

[Mh434]

I ordered mine (just a few weeks ago) from Cyclemax, as well as a bunch of filters, spark plugs, oil filter wrench, magnetic oil plug, etc. The stuff wasn't expensive, and I can rest easy knowing that all that stuff is done now. Chances are, I'll never have to do the belts again as long as I ride. My GL1500SE only has 67K miles on it, but the belts were 18 years old. They DO degrade with time, as well as use. In fact, for my Porsche 944 (another "interference" engine) it was recommended (by Gates) to check the date of manufacture when buying a new belt, as one that has sat on a shelf for several years is no better than one that's been running in an engine for the same period of time.

Apparently, belts break down with exposure to oxygen, kind of like tires do - the rubber in old tires (even if never used) get hard & brittle.

I simply didn't want to take the chance, so I changed mine. If you buy a used bike & the owner has documentation showing the belts were done fairly recently, then there's no need to bother - ride & enjoy.

I followed WingAdmin's photo essay on changing the belts, to the letter. His instructions were absolutely accurate and easy to follow. Turns out that changing the belts was a WHOLE lot less work than changing the three air filters!!