Cam belts?
- DenverWinger
- Posts: 1679
- Joined: Thu Jun 23, 2011 2:20 pm
- Location: Denver, CO
- Motorcycle: (s)
1980 GL1100 STD Vetter (2005-)
1993 GL1500 Aspencade (2017-)
1983 Trav-Lite Camper (2010-)
Past rides
1972 CL350 (1980-1988) sold
1978 Suzuki GS550 (1985-2005) sold
1977 GL1000 (2002-2006) sold
Re: Cam belts?
Bike might have sat long enough at one point for some rust to form on the idlers, but overall pretty normal.
If the idler bearings spin nice, I'd just clean up the surface the belts run on and put 'em back in. (the idlers, not the belts)
If the idler bearings spin nice, I'd just clean up the surface the belts run on and put 'em back in. (the idlers, not the belts)

♫ 99 Little Bugs in the Code, ♪
♪ 99 Bugs in the Code. ♫
♫ Take one down, Patch it around, ♪
♫ 127 Little Bugs in the Code. ♫ ♪
~Mark
♪ 99 Bugs in the Code. ♫

♫ Take one down, Patch it around, ♪
♫ 127 Little Bugs in the Code. ♫ ♪

~Mark
-
- Posts: 52
- Joined: Thu Nov 05, 2020 12:15 am
- Location: Wynndel bc canada
- Motorcycle: 1989 gl1500
Re: Cam belts?
Pic doesn't show clear enough the dark spots on the idlers is rubber,, i think, never scraped any off. Will do that.
the bike has 188,000 k the idlers have NTN 60-2 stamped on them,, do you believe them to be original? They spin free no resistance tiny bit of play
and make a tiny bit of noise when I spin them, was considering replacing?
Fred
the bike has 188,000 k the idlers have NTN 60-2 stamped on them,, do you believe them to be original? They spin free no resistance tiny bit of play
and make a tiny bit of noise when I spin them, was considering replacing?
Fred
- newday777
- Posts: 2065
- 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: Cam belts?
The belts need replacement because of age.
The idlers is your call if the bearings feel smooth. Otherwise replace them.
The idlers is your call if the bearings feel smooth. Otherwise replace them.
- WingAdmin
- Site Admin
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- 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: Cam belts?
Time to change those belts. Read through this to find out why (and how to do it): viewtopic.php?f=14&t=9774
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- Posts: 52
- Joined: Thu Nov 05, 2020 12:15 am
- Location: Wynndel bc canada
- Motorcycle: 1989 gl1500
Re: Cam belts?
Thanks WingAdmin, yes I'm using your tutorial to wonder through this maze!! Lol
I have belts, bought Gates T275s.
As pictured I have the old ones out and was concerned about the ware pattern them as well as the bearings in the idlers. They are probably original and they sound dry when spun so I'll be ordering a pair.
The bearings in the idler are probably some basic 6203 or similar 10 bucks apiece at most but they don't look to be coming out, but I may try before I order idlers from Honda.
Fred
I have belts, bought Gates T275s.
As pictured I have the old ones out and was concerned about the ware pattern them as well as the bearings in the idlers. They are probably original and they sound dry when spun so I'll be ordering a pair.
The bearings in the idler are probably some basic 6203 or similar 10 bucks apiece at most but they don't look to be coming out, but I may try before I order idlers from Honda.
Fred
Re: Cam belts?
Belts are showing an idler is hanging up, might have one ball in a bearing going. They'll still spin & sound good until pressure loaded.
As a check you can pop off a bearing seal, they'll pop back on. I use a thin ALMOST to sharp, sharpened nail.
You might find particles flowing out using brake cleaner.
JUST for reference, my 1991 Wing, idler bearings lasted 220K miles. I ride all year (N. ILL)
.
ALMOST forgot. These days parts are made cheap & made FAST.
I suggest to check for bearing grease in those new bearings B4 installing.
.
.
As a check you can pop off a bearing seal, they'll pop back on. I use a thin ALMOST to sharp, sharpened nail.
You might find particles flowing out using brake cleaner.
JUST for reference, my 1991 Wing, idler bearings lasted 220K miles. I ride all year (N. ILL)
.
ALMOST forgot. These days parts are made cheap & made FAST.
I suggest to check for bearing grease in those new bearings B4 installing.
.
.
Last edited by FM-USA on Mon Dec 14, 2020 12:32 am, edited 1 time in total.
I'm hounded for posting helpful solutions? ARGO!!! (2012 film)
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"Let's see how long this round will last."
-
- Posts: 52
- Joined: Thu Nov 05, 2020 12:15 am
- Location: Wynndel bc canada
- Motorcycle: 1989 gl1500
Re: Cam belts?
Thanks FM!
Was thinking of checking into what's under that cap.
On the morrow.
Fred
Was thinking of checking into what's under that cap.
On the morrow.
Fred
- bellboy40
- Posts: 795
- Joined: Fri Nov 27, 2009 1:13 pm
- Location: Brewton, AL
- Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500SE Candy Spectra Red
Re: Cam belts?
If you want to have a go at replacing the bearing in those idlers, here are some links that go into detail about part numbers and how to do it.
https://tinyurl.com/y9jksy92
How to Rebuild Timing Belt Idlers
https://tinyurl.com/yd4rv88t
https://tinyurl.com/y9jksy92
How to Rebuild Timing Belt Idlers
https://tinyurl.com/yd4rv88t
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- Posts: 52
- Joined: Thu Nov 05, 2020 12:15 am
- Location: Wynndel bc canada
- Motorcycle: 1989 gl1500
Re: Cam belts?
Thanks for the info!
Gonna take a look through it for sure.
Fred
Gonna take a look through it for sure.
Fred
-
- Posts: 52
- Joined: Thu Nov 05, 2020 12:15 am
- Location: Wynndel bc canada
- Motorcycle: 1989 gl1500
Re: Cam belts?
Thanks for the info!
Gonna take a look through it for sure.
Fred
Gonna take a look through it for sure.
Fred
-
- Posts: 52
- Joined: Thu Nov 05, 2020 12:15 am
- Location: Wynndel bc canada
- Motorcycle: 1989 gl1500
Re: Cam belts?
Spose I could quote the repeat post just to highlight my mistake,,,,,
Anyway after reading through the idler mods I decided to order new for a couple reasons one the price difference wasnt worth the effort for me.
And also the mod replacement for the stock is much heavier and getting the tension right was my concern because of drag on the belt. Parts should be here in a week,,, not that there is any hurry this time of year.
Thankyou to all for your input!!!
Fred
Anyway after reading through the idler mods I decided to order new for a couple reasons one the price difference wasnt worth the effort for me.
And also the mod replacement for the stock is much heavier and getting the tension right was my concern because of drag on the belt. Parts should be here in a week,,, not that there is any hurry this time of year.
Thankyou to all for your input!!!
Fred
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- Posts: 52
- Joined: Thu Nov 05, 2020 12:15 am
- Location: Wynndel bc canada
- Motorcycle: 1989 gl1500
Re: Cam belts?
Just a quick note to close
The new idlers do have little drag in them from the grease and seals and don't have any play. The old ones spun free and had a tiny bit play so happy I changed them. Although, I broke an old one apart just to see and grease was good a bearing surfaces looked good so probably would would have went many more miles.
Thanks for the tutorial, great guide!
I didn't drain the cooling system or pull the plugs and it still went easy.
Fred
The new idlers do have little drag in them from the grease and seals and don't have any play. The old ones spun free and had a tiny bit play so happy I changed them. Although, I broke an old one apart just to see and grease was good a bearing surfaces looked good so probably would would have went many more miles.
Thanks for the tutorial, great guide!
I didn't drain the cooling system or pull the plugs and it still went easy.
Fred
- WingAdmin
- Site Admin
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- 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: Cam belts?
It's highly recommended that you remove the plugs for this job. Otherwise, when you turn the engine over by hand after the new belt installation, you can't tell if the resistance you feel is due to compression, or due to incorrect belt position causing a piston to press up against a valve.