Timing Belt Change

[Solina Dave]

Does anyone know exactly what Honda recommends, as being the proper mileage frequency for a timing belt change, specifically for a 1978 GL1000? I believe, but I'm not positive, that the belts are the same on the 1100s and 1200s, but I'm mainly interested in my own 1978 model.
I don't want to know what someone might think would be an appropriate time to change the belts, I've heard a lot of differing ideas in that regard, and I've also heard a lot of differing ideas regarding what manufacturer makes the best belt. I would imagine that Honda would be recommending their OEM belts in any event. However, in this instance, I would simply like to know what Honda recommends as the appropriate time to change the belts. It has to be in print somewhere. Possibly in some service bulletin. A link to that bulletin would be excellent.
Any help is always appreciated.

Thanks......................Dave

[dingdong]

In my Honda manual there is no specified belt change interval. You might consider the information at http://www.randakksblog.com/recommended ... -interval/ This is, however, opinion.

[virgilmobile]

Direct from Gates Web site...Altho there is no reference to motorcycles....


http://www.gates.com/products/automotiv ... ming-belts

Interference engines usually sustain damage if synchronization is lost.  Damage can occur to valves, pistons, or heads, and in some cases, completely ruin the engine. Most import (with higher compression engines) and most car and light truck diesel engines are interference. To avoid costly engine repairs, follow the auto manufacturers’ mileage replacement recommendations or we recommend timing belt replacement at around 60,000 miles. 

Most imports (with higher compression engines) and most car and light truck diesel engines are interference engines.

[spiralout]

Taken from the Jan. 2001 issue of WingWorld Magazine:

"The Gold Wing service manuals show the procedure for inspecting and changing the timing belts, but until 1996, they do not give recommended maintenance intervals. You probably won’t find any in your owner’s manual either!
Because so many variables can affect timing belt wear, American Honda has been reluctant to publish hard and fast recommendations until 1996, when they began recommending “inspect and clean” the belts at 100,000 miles. Many Honda service departments recommend inspecting and adjusting (if needed) the timing belts every 15,000 miles, and belt replacement every 60,000 miles, but I’ve seen some Gold Wings that were used for police service with over 100,000 miles on the timing belts."

Also, the 1000 and 1100's use the same 87 tooth belt but the 1200 uses an 88 tooth belt.

[Old Fogey]

General consensus for the 1000/1100, which use the same 87 x 3/4" belt, and the 1200 which is 88 x 3/4, 25000 miles or 5 years, whichever comes sooner. If the engine has not been turned over in a long time, change them as they can take a set from being under tension.
This may seem to be very conservative, but since these are 35odd year old interference engines for which parts are getting scarce, it is very cheap insurance as the last thing you want is a belt breaking with possible consequence of destroying it.
The 1500 uses a different tooth form. The only thing I can find is a Honda recommendation to 'inspect' at 100k. Just what is meant by that I have no idea, since visual inspection of belts (unless something is very, very obvious) is a waste of time. A belt can look perfect one day and go with a bang the next.

[sfruechte]

The Honda Factory Shop Manual for my 1977 Goldwing specifies inspection at a top end overhaul. The same shop manual shows how to inspect by checking for square teeth and belt seperation. I changed my originals at 216,000 miles and more than 30 years old. I did inspect my belts several times before I changed them and also retentioned by loosening the tensioner bolts. I finally changed them when I had to pull one of the pulleys to change a camshaft seal anyway. The belts are not as fragile as many think. While you cannot change a bad belt fast enough, the good ones do last. As in the past, this information may cause emotional responses.

[Solina Dave]

Just a little bit of information regarding prices, at least up here in the Great White North. I see where I can buy a Gates #T274 belt for my GL1000, for $19.62 + tax on Amazon.ca. That's a very attractive price for a belt, which I seem to be hearing is one of a very few top-end aftermarket alternatives to a Honda OEM belt. Honda belts sell for $67 + tax each up here. Two Gates belts from Amazon.ca would be $44.34 including the tax, and the shipping is free. They're about $4 per belt less than that on Amazon.com.
I saw where one reviewer mentioned that the Gates belt would likely be fresher than a Honda OEM belt that might have been sitting on the shelf at Honda for who knows how long. That might be debatable, I don't know. Also, for what it's worth, 23 out of 25 reviewers gave it 5 stars.
Anyway, just though I'd add that to the mix.

I can use a good belt now and again................Dave

[spiralout]

I found these on RockAuto for a little less. http://www.rockauto.com/dbphp/x,catalog ... _T274.htmlNo clue what the shipping to up there to the North Pole would be, though.

[Solina Dave]

I found these on RockAuto for a little less. http://www.rockauto.com/dbphp/x,catalog ... _T274.htmlNo clue what the shipping to up there to the North Pole would be, though.

i checked out RockAuto, and $12.39 each would definitely be a deal for somebody. Two belts with taxes, exchange rate, and shipping, for me, would be $48.87 CDN. Plus, of course, the dog-sled surcharge. I'm not sure how much that would be. I guess a lot of it would depend on how much they eat! I think I'm going to be better off with Amazon.ca at $26.61 delivered. Just out of curiosity I checked out RockAuto using an Andalusia zip code, and it would be $30.52 USD for two belts delivered. You guys always get the good stuff! Thanks a lot for your interest, and the RockAuto link.

Much appreciated.............Dave

[littlebeaver]

I'm a nervous kinda guy so if it says 60k you can bet I'll change it at 30k or every 3 years..That's just me though..I'm nervous...

[Solina Dave]

I've pretty well decided that my next timing belt will be a Gates belt. I can buy one of these belts for less than 1/3 the price of a Honda OEM belt. Also, from what I've been reading, the general consensus seems to be that the Gates belts, and a couple of other brands, make suitable, and reliable alternatives to the Honda OEM belts, and at a better price.
My question is this. If the replacements are equal or superior, and much less expensive than an OEM belt, why would anyone buy a Honda belt? And also, does anyone know where Honda obtains it's belts? Does Gates, for example, manufacture a belt, and Honda package and sell it under the Honda OEM label?

It's all a matter of timing................Dave

[littlebeaver]

I just read that the Honda OEM belts are made by Gates, I'm quoting a guy from the Saunders site, also the Napa auto parts belts that I use are also Gates....I would imagine getting them from a Honda dealer would cost a lot more.. Not sure if theres any napa up by you but at least you know they are Gates...

[Old Fogey]

I'm almost certain that the original GL1000 Honda belts were made by Mitsuboshi (not Mitsubishi, they make many things but not belts to my knowledge) but who knows what they used as a source once the production was moved to the States.

[Ed Fleming]

I have an 85 interstate and want to find Gates 5043 belts, but can only seem to find what is reported to be the equivalent: Gates T070. Any experience with the T070 belts? Amazon lists them for 10.31 each. Thanks!

[Old Fogey]

Gates T070 are correct for the GL1200. No problem there.

[Fred Camper]

That is a great price. Wow.

[Solina Dave]

Just for your interest. I purchased 2 Gates T274 belts for my '78 GL two years ago on Amazon.ca. I paid $44.34 Cdn. incl. tax and shipping, for the two belts. I just checked out their site, and the same two belts would now be $114.63 Cdn. incl. tax and shipping. That's a 158% increase in 2 years. That's fair!!
Ed, $10.31 each. I have to agree with Fred. "Wow. That is a great price.".....................................Dave

[Old Fogey]

Rock Auto.
GL1000/1100 belts: $12.56 http://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/gates, ... +belt,5716

GL1200 belts: $6.46 http://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/gates, ... +belt,5716

[SnoBrdr]

General consensus for the 1000/1100, which use the same 87 x 3/4" belt, and the 1200 which is 88 x 3/4, 25000 miles or 5 years, whichever comes sooner. If the engine has not been turned over in a long time, change them as they can take a set from being under tension.
This may seem to be very conservative, but since these are 35odd year old interference engines for which parts are getting scarce, it is very cheap insurance as the last thing you want is a belt breaking with possible consequence of destroying it.
The 1500 uses a different tooth form. The only thing I can find is a Honda recommendation to 'inspect' at 100k. Just what is meant by that I have no idea, since visual inspection of belts (unless something is very, very obvious) is a waste of time. A belt can look perfect one day and go with a bang the next.

Is the 1500 a non-interference engine ?

[WingAdmin]

General consensus for the 1000/1100, which use the same 87 x 3/4" belt, and the 1200 which is 88 x 3/4, 25000 miles or 5 years, whichever comes sooner. If the engine has not been turned over in a long time, change them as they can take a set from being under tension.
This may seem to be very conservative, but since these are 35odd year old interference engines for which parts are getting scarce, it is very cheap insurance as the last thing you want is a belt breaking with possible consequence of destroying it.
The 1500 uses a different tooth form. The only thing I can find is a Honda recommendation to 'inspect' at 100k. Just what is meant by that I have no idea, since visual inspection of belts (unless something is very, very obvious) is a waste of time. A belt can look perfect one day and go with a bang the next.

Is the 1500 a non-interference engine ?

All Goldwing engines are interference engines. There are very few non-interference engines built anymore, for emissions & power reasons.

[SnoBrdr]

General consensus for the 1000/1100, which use the same 87 x 3/4" belt, and the 1200 which is 88 x 3/4, 25000 miles or 5 years, whichever comes sooner. If the engine has not been turned over in a long time, change them as they can take a set from being under tension.
This may seem to be very conservative, but since these are 35odd year old interference engines for which parts are getting scarce, it is very cheap insurance as the last thing you want is a belt breaking with possible consequence of destroying it.
The 1500 uses a different tooth form. The only thing I can find is a Honda recommendation to 'inspect' at 100k. Just what is meant by that I have no idea, since visual inspection of belts (unless something is very, very obvious) is a waste of time. A belt can look perfect one day and go with a bang the next.

Is the 1500 a non-interference engine ?

All Goldwing engines are interference engines. There are very few non-interference engines built anymore, for emissions & power reasons.

I asked as it was said that a 1500 needs to have it's belt checked at 100K.

[WingAdmin]

Is the 1500 a non-interference engine ?

All Goldwing engines are interference engines. There are very few non-interference engines built anymore, for emissions & power reasons.

I asked as it was said that a 1500 needs to have it's belt checked at 100K.

You can't "check" a timing belt, because it doesn't show wear externally. A belt that is about to break looks exactly the same as one that will run fine for the next 40,000 miles. And I don't think I would leave belts on my bike for 100,000 miles. I'd change them around half that, sooner if the bike sat for a while.

[Old Fogey]

You can't "check" a timing belt, because it doesn't show wear externally. A belt that is about to break looks exactly the same as one that will run fine for the next 40,000 miles. And I don't think I would leave belts on my bike for 100,000 miles. I'd change them around half that, sooner if the bike sat for a while.

Absolutely. Cheapest engine insurance going!

[sfruechte]

The 77 Honda factory shop manual must be wrong then along with my experience. I replaced mine at 216,000 and over 30 years old. I did inspect and tension them several times over that period. The factory shop manual says and shows how to inspect at a top end overhaul. Mine has never had a top end overhaul.

It should also be noted that some of the same people that keep claiming the belts are so fragile also sell the belts. Commonly called a conflict of interest, which I do not have.

[SnoBrdr]

The 77 Honda factory shop manual must be wrong then along with my experience. I replaced mine at 216,000 and over 30 years old. I did inspect and tension them several times over that period. The factory shop manual says and shows how to inspect at a top end overhaul. Mine has never had a top end overhaul.

It should also be noted that some of the same people that keep claiming the belts are so fragile also sell the belts. Commonly called a conflict of interest, which I do not have.

We can agree that you lucked out but normally any belt drive, fan, etc doesn't last that long.