Aftermarket timing belts?

[zvacman]

I am looking for experienced Wingers to weigh in on aftermarket timing belts. Does anyone make one that is equal to or superior to the genuine Honda OEM. Please quote a source for them.

Thanks, Z

[WingAdmin]

Gates and NAPA (the NAPA brand is made by Gates) make quality replacements that most of us use, and they are a fraction of the price of the Honda OEM belts:

Honda part #14400-371-04/14400-371-14
Gates #T274
NAPA #250274
Goodyear Gatorback #40274

I would beware of the Chinese "unknown source" belts sold by vendors such as Saber Cycle.

[zvacman]

Thanks for the info. One more thing, do I need to change the belt cover gasket when I change the belts? I want to make sure I am prepared.

Thanks, Z

[NUTCKERGOLDWING]

DITTO ON THE NAPA BELTS, I RECENTLY REPLACED MINE WITH THE NAPA BELTS BY GATES, SEEMS TO WORK FINE, I DID NOT REPLACE THE COVER GASKETS AS THE ARE, I BELIEVE, JUST TO KEEP DUST AND DIRT OUT. IF THEY LOOK GOOD THEN REUSE THEM. AT LEAST I DID.
BILL IN ALASKA

[thrasherg]

However having a spare gasket in case your old one is tired or gets damaged is a wise move otherwise the bike will be out of action for a few days while you wait for a new gasket to arrive. I would buy one and then when you do the work, check the old one and you have the luxury of either re-using the old one or fitting the new one..

Gary

[WingAdmin]

The belt cover gaskets are not subjected to oil or severe engine heat, so they don't degrade as quickly like, say, valve cover gaskets. Mine were original, and were still in good shape. Your call.

[cpetku]

Replaced mine with belts from SaberCycle. They fit fine and the tool which came with them made removal of the covers quite easy without removing anything else. When I remarked on e-bay that I hoped they were up to par, I got some unpleant feedback from someone at Saber. While their parts are typically priced well, their attitude prevents me from ordering from them again as I didn't appreciate the name calling. Best pricing is on e-bay and not at their online store.

[zvacman]

I read some their feedback and noticed comments like " not bad for Chinese crap" and that was from someone at Sabre Cycle!

[WingAdmin]

Saber Cycle is well-known for selling sub-par quality Chinese knockoff parts. When it comes to timing belts, where the failure of even one timing belt will more or less destroy your engine, I really don't want to save a few dollars by using cheap parts. Timing belts should really only be replaced with OEM Honda or known quality manufacturers like Gates or NAPA.

[cpetku]

I agree, I bought on price before I reaized this was a 0 clearance engine. Will change them out in a couple thousand miles or two years, whichever comes first. They should at least last that long...

[zvacman]

I picked up a set of Gates belts last week. Too busy putting in the garden to work on the bike. It's supposed to rain this weekend so fingers crossed! (I never thought I would wish for rain on a weekend but when the bike is torn down........

[zvacman]

I changed my timing belts today and for some reason the right side is 1/2 of a tooth off. The tensioning pully on the right also doesn't want to do it's job either. At T1 the right cam spun about an 8th turn counter clockwise when I took the belt off. After the belts were on I turned the engine a full revolution and nothing seems to be bad but that half of a tooth is bugging me. Help!

Thanks, Z

[WingAdmin]

When at the proper T1 position, the right cam is under pressure from a valve spring, so it will spring free when you remove the belt.

To get the right tensioner at the correct tension, turn the engine one revolution until the cam pulley arrows are pointing inwards instead of outwards, then adjust the tension on the right belt and snug the tensioner bolt. You will likely find that the "1/2 tooth off" problem will resolve when the tension is corrected on that side.

[lgsparks1]

I have also recieved snotty replys from Sabercycle. You email then a simple question and get a smart*** reply almost everytime. So I don't even deal with anymore.