Timing belts too old - replace?


Information and questions on GL1500 Goldwings (1988-2000)
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Bonnie and Clyde
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Timing belts too old - replace?

Post by Bonnie and Clyde »



I bought a 99 with 22k miles. The original owner always just took it to the Honda dealer for service and NEVER kept the work sheets. He cant remember if the belts had been changed. 80 plus years old. Nice guy all the other fluids brakes etc look fresh.

So I bought belts and opened it up to change the belts. The belts on it are Honda belts with a code of 1-17. Is that 17th week of 2001 or 2011 or 2021? Someone has definitely been inside here there are black sharpie marks "OK" AND ON the timing marks. Belts look good but that doesn't mean much to me.

So it got me thinking about the gates belts I bought. They show a code of 6-16. So are my new gates belts older than the belts on the bike?

I tried to attach pics. Please give me some feedback.
Attachments

Honda belt on bike
Honda belt on bike


Honda belt 2
Honda belt 2





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WingAdmin
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Re: Timing belts too old - replace?

Post by WingAdmin »

Timing belt date codes are usually on the packaging, and are usually a four-digit code, i.e. 0620 for June 2020.

That said, if your new belts have not been left sitting in the sun or in a very hot environment for an extended period of time, they will be fine.

There's no way to tell the condition of belts from a visual inspection - a belt that will fail on the next startup can look exactly the same as a belt that will run for another five years. This is because damage and wear to the belts is internal, and the belts by design do not stretch at ALL, so you won't see the cracking and wear that you would see on a typical serpentine belt.

So if you don't know when/if the old belts were replaced, definitely put your new belts on.
FM-USA
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Re: Timing belts too old - replace?

Post by FM-USA »

I bought those belts from Rock Auto and after looking them over those belts are thinner than OEM Honda/Gates.
Not sure what their history is but "for me" I'd be leery.

.
When I do one thing, I'll side-step a little & learn few more things.
Bonnie and Clyde
Posts: 99
Joined: Mon Jun 05, 2023 9:35 am
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Re: Timing belts too old - replace?

Post by Bonnie and Clyde »

WingAdmin wrote: Wed Jul 26, 2023 8:59 am Timing belt date codes are usually on the packaging, and are usually a four-digit code, i.e. 0620 for June 2020.

That said, if your new belts have not been left sitting in the sun or in a very hot environment for an extended period of time, they will be fine.

There's no way to tell the condition of belts from a visual inspection - a belt that will fail on the next startup can look exactly the same as a belt that will run for another five years. This is because damage and wear to the belts is internal, and the belts by design do not stretch at ALL, so you won't see the cracking and wear that you would see on a typical serpentine belt.

So if you don't know when/if the old belts were replaced, definitely put your new belts on.
Here is the Gates box. Does this help?
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Bonnie and Clyde
Posts: 99
Joined: Mon Jun 05, 2023 9:35 am
Location: United States Gardnerville NV
Motorcycle: 1999 SE, 1998 Kawi Xii, KTM 950 SE, KTM ecx300

Re: Timing belts too old - replace?

Post by Bonnie and Clyde »

I just put the new to me Gates belts on. Its better knowing I tried. I couldnt confirm any belt dates so its done. On to the laundry list of other stuff I want to do on the bike.
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WingAdmin
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Posts: 23881
Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2008 4:16 pm
Location: Strongsville, OH
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1982 GL1100A Aspencade (sold)
1989 PC800 (sold)
1998 XV250 Virago (sold)
2012 Suzuki Burgman 400 (wife's!)
2007 Aspen Sentry Trailer
Contact:

Re: Timing belts too old - replace?

Post by WingAdmin »

Bonnie and Clyde wrote: Tue Aug 01, 2023 9:47 am I just put the new to me Gates belts on. Its better knowing I tried. I couldnt confirm any belt dates so its done. On to the laundry list of other stuff I want to do on the bike.
Good decision, now you don't have to worry.
FM-USA
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Re: Timing belts too old - replace?

Post by FM-USA »

Bonnie and Clyde wrote: Tue Aug 01, 2023 9:47 am I just put the new to me Gates belts on. Its better knowing I tried. I couldnt confirm any belt dates so its done. On to the laundry list of other stuff I want to do on the bike.
Note to yourself...
Check those belts around 50-70k miles. They're not Gates & through my search no reviews.
😉
When I do one thing, I'll side-step a little & learn few more things.
Bonnie and Clyde
Posts: 99
Joined: Mon Jun 05, 2023 9:35 am
Location: United States Gardnerville NV
Motorcycle: 1999 SE, 1998 Kawi Xii, KTM 950 SE, KTM ecx300

Re: Timing belts too old - replace?

Post by Bonnie and Clyde »

FM-USA wrote: Tue Aug 01, 2023 1:46 pm
Bonnie and Clyde wrote: Tue Aug 01, 2023 9:47 am I just put the new to me Gates belts on. Its better knowing I tried. I couldnt confirm any belt dates so its done. On to the laundry list of other stuff I want to do on the bike.
Note to yourself...
Check those belts around 50-70k miles. They're not Gates & through my search no reviews.
😉
Do tell


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