Timing Belts

[Cam]

Hi everone have a ? about timing belts have a 98 1500 that i am triking over winter i when with a D.F.T. kit. I purchased the bike used off the 1st owner it had 2k on the clock this was in 01 it now has 42k on it. I have looked in the achives an seen where people say timing belts will go 100,k but nothing said on how many yrs. i have always stored the bike in my basement for the winter months but now it will be in my garage summer an winter and its heated to. And i do do all my own work. so think they should be replaced ?. I have inspec them they look ok. If i do replace them should i go O.E.M. or is thier a good aftermarket replacement ones.... Thanks for any input

 

[cscsonny]

Hello,
You say that you inspected the belts at about 42k and if you did not observe any oil or coolant contamination I think you would be good to go to the or close to the 100k milage.I have never read anything about how many years they are good for.
The only other reason would be piece of mind to not have to worry about them.They are not that costly and NAPA auto parts does handle the belt at a little less cost than OEM.
Hope this helps.
Sonny

 

[Tip Schwartzbeck]

I bought a '91 last year with 36K.With no proof as to service or condition of belts I decided to change them.Bought Gates 275 belts ($42.00 for pair).When I did the work he old belts looked fine -so it's a peace of mind and judgement call.I did not feel comfortable with 20 yr.old belts.
Good luck - it really wasn't that hard of a job.
Tip

 

[Teal]

once changed belts on a 17yr old 1500 with low mileage (20k) .. belts looked new except for small marks from the tensioner.

age appears not to affect the belt,, have heard of engines going well over 100k

 

[Cam]

Thanks for all the info when i inspected the belts all was like new no oil seeping no coolant leaks so with all said i think i will let it go for another day......... Thanks again for ur input..

 

[Rowdy]

I would definitely change them. A small crack would be difficult to find and if missed could be VERY costly. They are at least ten yrs. old and , for me, peace of mind is worth the $45.00 the gates belts will cost. By the way, I have owned two 1500s and have changed belts on both with less than 50,000 miles so I am not suggesting anything that I have not personally done. In the end it is your bike, your choice.

 

[jfingalls]

Cam, one other thing to think about when it comes to rubber and life expentancy; rubber has a typical "shelf life" of 10 years. Rowdy and others have provided good advice. That would drive me to change them, at least, at 10 year intervals. Good luck...