Timing belt for GL1500 ?

[brianl]

I have a 1997 GL1500 Aspencade with 33,000 miles on it. The last 11,000 as a trike. I mentioned to a friend that it's starting to sound a little rough at low idle. He mentioned that I should look into having the timing belt changed before it breaks on it's own. I know it's never been changed. What I'd like to know is if a worn belt would cause extra noise, what it might cost to get it replaced and if there are any other items I should get repaired while they have it opened up.

 

[keepinon]

There's not much to wear behind those covers. The two timing belts and the idler pulleys, one for each belt. I've seen the idler pulleys make a high pitched whine when the bearing is going, but that's usually on bikes with 100K+ miles.

I've always changed timing belts at 10 years, 'cause I'm afraid they may get dry rot like tire rubber... but I've changed 4 sets, and the old ones always looked good. BUT, I had peace of mind.

I asked a dealer once what their charge was to change the belts & pulleys, if I remember right, it was around $400. If you do it yourself, take care to get the timing marks exact, as the Honda flat motors are interference type engines. The valves will hit the piston if timed wrong.. and cause more expensive repairs.

On the rough idle, run a can of Seafoam, Berryman's B12, or Techron thru it. It may well help, it surely won't hurt.

 

[John Luciano]

Wine or a cluck cluck noise is timing belt noise ruff idle is carb. Most likely a can of Sea Foam or another good cleaner will help. Also I put an once or 2 of Marvel Mystery oil in every other tank full. Mine is a 97 also..

 

[brianl]

Wine or a cluck cluck noise is timing belt noise ruff idle is carb. Most likely a can of Sea Foam or another good cleaner will help. Also I put an once or 2 of Marvel Mystery oil in every other tank full. Mine is a 97 also..

John, have you ever changed the belt in yours?

 

[geol]

I just changed my belts on my 97 Aspencade at 50K miles... they were a tad worn but not in any danger of breaking I think. I got a good deal on some from Amazon... Gates replacement belts... the rough idle is more likely the carburetors in need of sync.

 

[TwoBye]

I have a 1997 GL1500 Aspencade with 33,000 miles on it. The last 11,000 as a trike. I mentioned to a friend that it's starting to sound a little rough at low idle. He mentioned that I should look into having the timing belt changed before it breaks on it's own. I know it's never been changed. What I'd like to know is if a worn belt would cause extra noise, what it might cost to get it replaced and if there are any other items I should get repaired while they have it opened up.

Not a big deal at all. Now mind you I had a qualified Honda tech replace mine cause its about a step or two above my pay grade but its not bad. The biggest deal is there are two belts that need replaced. There are a lot of aftermarket belts out there and they may be fine but I was lead to believe that the originals are MUCH better. Bought mine on-line from Honda East of Toledo. No regrets. They were actually half price from them too. And nothing else to do once you have them replaced. I did mine at 91K miles and have NO IDEA if they were ever replaced prior to that as my trike had 90K miles on it when I bought it.

Good luck!

 

[dougv]

I bought a 97 last year with about the same mileage on it as yours and didn't know if they were ever changed so this past spring I jumped in with two feet. If you go to goldwingdocs.com there are several outstanding links to different repairs and mods and there are step by step instructions to the process including a lot of good pictures.

The worst part of it is pulling off all the body work but the instructions include this part as well. They recommend draining the coolant and disconnecting the water lines that run in front of the timing cover. I had one issue with the cover, one bolt snapped off and I had to drill it out. It was open in the back so when it went back together a bolt and nut worked fine.

They do recommend replacing the timing cover gaskets... I ordered Gates belts from a local independent auto supply house and they were around $35.00 for the two I think.

It's not a bad job as long as you can work off the floor or if you have a lift it makes it easier, I think it took me a couple of hours on a Friday night taking it all apart and a few hours on Saturday to finish it including new coolant and oil and filter change at the same time.

 

[John Luciano]

67,000 still same belt. My see if I can get my buddy up the road to help me replace mine.....

 

[dougv]

Hey John,

Not sure if you mean me, no problem, just have to be after it starts cooling down some. Got a few outdoor projects to do before the snow starts.

I ordered my belts from McDonalds up on East Main St. they can get the Gates belts who makes them for Honda. It took a few days to get them out of a warehouse....I got the timing cover gasket from Matt's Honda out in Catskill area where I bought my Kawi I had before.

Doug'

 

[John Luciano]

Yea! Need a guide. And a push. Thinking of in the spring rather than now. I Could take it apart during the winter. Gonna go look at video.

 

[dougv]

Start ordering your parts John....I would do new plugs, they have to come out anyway...makes it much easier to turn the engine over, Advanced in town carried the right type of coolant and is pre-mixed. I got a lot of stuff through CycleMax, like the oil filter, and those little air filters. I figured since it was apart, I might as well do whatever I could do.

 

[brianl]

Thank you everyone for the advice. I'm going to call my dealer today and see what he has to say.

 

[brianl]

I had the belts replaced and coolant flush from my local Honda dealer. Seems to have taken care of the noise I was getting at idle. They said there was a lot of dirt in there around the pulleys that had to be cleaned, charged me extra. Can't say if that is true or not. Have to take their word for it I guess. They seem to have done a good job. I won't mention names but I couldn't get the owner of the dealer who installed the trike kit to return my calls or emails. Guess he doesn't need my money!:xzqxz:

 

[dougv]

Sounds like you might have had bad gaskets on the cover or loose bolts, if I remember the cover is pretty well sealed all around and mine was very clean inside. Unless the belt was on the way out and being chewed up....

Good insurance to get it done though, I know I feel better that mine won't self destruct and leave me stranded or worse yet a broken engine.

Rode mine to work today, lucky it wasn't a long ride, upper 30's here in CT this morning but going to be close to 70 this afternoon. It might be the last ride of the season so I have to make sure it's filled and has gas stabilizer in the tank.

 

[ROAD DOG]

i had the belts replaced and coolant flush from my local honda dealer. Seems to have taken care of the noise i was getting at idle. They said there was a lot of dirt in there around the pulleys that had to be cleaned, charged me extra. Can't say if that is true or not. Have to take their word for it i guess. They seem to have done a good job. I won't mention names but i couldn't get the owner of the dealer who installed the trike kit to return my calls or emails. Guess he doesn't need my money!:xzqxz:

did they do the job or a different dealer ?

 

[brianl]

did they do the job or a different dealer ?

I had it done at Central Mass Powersports in Lunenburg, Ma. Runs fine now and I also have piece of mind.

 

[Trikerbobbilly]

I changed my belts a couple of months ago after buying my trike, I referred to goldwing docs but also read several post of others that had already completed the task and several had stated that it can be done without draining the coolant or breaking any hoses loose. So that was the route I choose to go, it makes it a little harder and slower but is doable, just take your time and follow the directions given, I also referred to the maintenance manual during the process, the most crucial part other than timing marks is getting the correct tension on the belts. I was a plant mechanic for over ten years and had a pretty good feel for setting the belt tension. Good luck.