Have just completed my first ever timing belt change on my 2000 SE. What a rush when I hit the starter and she fired right off!!! Thank you wing administrator for the outstanding step by step how to that allowed me the confidence to under take this project. I have not been this deep into a motor previously. Having purchased this wonderful machine last August with 15,000 miles on the clock but not knowing if it had ever had the belts changed I felt it was time to bite the bullet and do the deed. Glad I did because the belts were the originals, 19 years old!!! Now I can travel the countryside with impunity knowing that the fluids have all been changed, the brakes have all been bled and have good pads all around and the rubber is fresh. Take a MSF refresher course this spring and I'll be good to go.
This is the nicest, most friendly, least sniping, with lots of knowledgeable individuals of any forum that I have seen. I'm glad that I found it and I look forward to meeting some of you in the flesh in Maggie Valley this Fall.
Al in Kazoo
Changing Timing Belts
- WingAdmin
- Site Admin
- Posts: 21675
- Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2008 4:16 pm
- Location: Strongsville, OH
- Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500 SE
1982 GL1100A Aspencade (sold)
1989 PC800 (sold)
1998 XV250 Virago (sold)
2012 Suzuki Burgman 400 (wife's!)
2007 Aspen Sentry Trailer
Re: Changing Timing Belts
That's great, Al!
There's nothing like the feeling of accomplishment of having something completely apart in pieces, then YOU put it all back together, fixed, and it works!
There's nothing like the feeling of accomplishment of having something completely apart in pieces, then YOU put it all back together, fixed, and it works!

- Sadanorakman
- Posts: 272
- Joined: Tue Sep 19, 2017 1:42 pm
- Location: Leicester, ENGLAND
- Motorcycle: 1991 GL1500 SE
Re: Changing Timing Belts
Boy, I wish I could find a late gl1500 with only 15,000 on the clock at U.S. prices... You're one lucky guy!
Was speaking with my 19yr old son today: he has no idea what 'vertical hold' refers to.
- hwydoc2
- Posts: 66
- Joined: Sun Aug 12, 2018 4:59 pm
- Location: Kalamazoo, Mi
- Motorcycle: 2000 GL 1500 25th anniversary edition
Re: Changing Timing Belts
Yes I consider myself lucky also, the original owner this was his 5th GW, he had it all set up to tow, wired, and had used mobil one synthetic in it from the first oil change. Don't know what you would have to give for a comparable milage and condition in England; I paid him $6000.00 and drove it home. other than upgrading the alternator to 90 amp service everything else done to it is normal fluid changes. Have added head light and tailight modulators and will get a brush up MSF course this spring. Just awaiting the thaw from winter.Sadanorakman wrote: ↑Fri Feb 08, 2019 9:34 pm Boy, I wish I could find a late gl1500 with only 15,000 on the clock at U.S. prices... You're one lucky guy!
Al in Kazoo
- Corkster52
- Posts: 646
- Joined: Sun Jun 06, 2010 9:28 am
- Location: Naperville, IL
- Motorcycle: 1999 GL1500 Aspencade
1988 GL1500 (sold 4/17)
Re: Changing Timing Belts
Yes, you are very fortunate. I paid $5,500 for mine a few years back and I am STILL finding "jury-rigged" issues on almost everything that I either take apart or get a closer look at! 

- DougEFresh1123
- Posts: 213
- Joined: Mon Aug 27, 2018 10:22 am
- Location: Villa Park, IL
- Motorcycle: 2002 Honda Magna VF750
1994 GL1500SE
Re: Changing Timing Belts
Al I shared that same exact emotion after changing my timing belts. Like you I took on this project because of the great how-to section.
Yes indeed WingAdmin and it is all due to the awesome support system you have built.
'02 Magna VF750
'96 GL1500SE
- Doug
“We must reject the idea that every time a law's broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions.”
― Ronald Reagan
'96 GL1500SE
- Doug
“We must reject the idea that every time a law's broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions.”
― Ronald Reagan
- newday777
- Posts: 2130
- Joined: Tue Jan 11, 2011 5:21 pm
- Location: Milford NH summer/fall & Oceanside, CA winters(N San Diego) with lots of miles riden between
- Motorcycle: 2008 Cabernet Red. Level 4
1983 GL1100A Wineberry 36,000 miles
1975 CB750 K5 Planet Blue 7,800 miles
1976 CB750 K6 Anterris Red 25,000 miles
Past rides
1999A Restored from PO neglect & sold at 19,000 miles
1999SE Totaled by cager at 105,000 miles
Re: Changing Timing Belts
Well done Al on the belts. They are a great bike.
I bought my second 99, after the demise by cager of my beloved 99SE in 2013, a 99A with only 17,500 miles on it but had been neglected from the original owner getting sick @12 years earlier. It was my healing project so I slowly went all through it.
I did salvage some farkles of the totaled SE and added some SE exclusive parts to the Aspencade.
I powder coated the valve covers, the exhaust covers, (used the SE foot warmers), and side stand. Almost all the old accessory chrome had to go from sitting out in the San Diego moisture. It took 4 days on each wheel of sanding and polishing to clean them up. It was a rewarding project while healing up.
I bought my second 99, after the demise by cager of my beloved 99SE in 2013, a 99A with only 17,500 miles on it but had been neglected from the original owner getting sick @12 years earlier. It was my healing project so I slowly went all through it.
I did salvage some farkles of the totaled SE and added some SE exclusive parts to the Aspencade.
I powder coated the valve covers, the exhaust covers, (used the SE foot warmers), and side stand. Almost all the old accessory chrome had to go from sitting out in the San Diego moisture. It took 4 days on each wheel of sanding and polishing to clean them up. It was a rewarding project while healing up.
- newday777
- Posts: 2130
- Joined: Tue Jan 11, 2011 5:21 pm
- Location: Milford NH summer/fall & Oceanside, CA winters(N San Diego) with lots of miles riden between
- Motorcycle: 2008 Cabernet Red. Level 4
1983 GL1100A Wineberry 36,000 miles
1975 CB750 K5 Planet Blue 7,800 miles
1976 CB750 K6 Anterris Red 25,000 miles
Past rides
1999A Restored from PO neglect & sold at 19,000 miles
1999SE Totaled by cager at 105,000 miles
Re: Changing Timing Belts
I found this Aspencade just after sending a deposit on an 08 1800, so I ended up selling the Aspencade a year later to a couple from AZ who came over with a Uhaul trailer and loaded it up. It sold for $6300.