Timing Belts????

[Goldwings 4 Ever]

That is a good thought, however, timing chains must be oiled or they will wear out faster than a belt. Automotive timing chains have various types of systems to allow oil to get to the chain. I do like your thinking and possibly Honda could have designed it that way, but a direct replacement of what we have may be impossible.

[SIR tricky]

I have never heard of an occasion where a belt actually failed, that being said I have heard of a couple of instances where bikes have come from a shop and the rubber seals were not installed correctly and interfered with the belt and it jumped a couple of teeth but the actual failing of a belt no.
The belts we're dealing with are not the same as those miserable V belts that we used to see strewn about the road after they had broken.
The actual costs of lubricating as was pointed out in the previous post would add to the cost of the bike which isnt cheap or rather wasnt at least when I was buying back in 85.

[Fatwing Chris]

The 1800 uses chains or a chain Angela.I never really looked into it,but my point is that a lot of people that own them complain about how noisy they are.This is only what I have read.Most engines these days don't use roller chains,they use silent chains.No rollers,just many links beside each other.A lot stronger and don't tend to stretch as much,but do require lots of clean lube.

I've heard it said over the years that a timing belt won't fail if the tension is kept to the proper spec and it doesn't get contaminated.

[Guest]

correct me if i'm wrong but if a belt fails the motor will just quit and you'll cost to the side of the road. It is very rare for a belt to brake and if it does it is rare for it to cause any damage.

[SIR tricky]

"correct me if i'm wrong but if a belt fails the motor will just quit and you'll cost to the side of the road. It is very rare for a belt to brake and if it does it is rare for it to cause any damage."

That maybe the case for an auto where the serpentine belt drives the alternator and other external things but the wing belts drive the valves and if a valve is down and the piston comes up..... :cry: $$$$$

If your misinformed about that then there may be a lot more you don't know about the 1200.
If you don't know their history, change them.
That being said, I have replaced belts on my bike that dont look like they have any wear on them simply because I had the covers off for some reason and couldnt remember when I had changed them last. I have had the bike from new and probably changed the belts at least 5 times in 207,000 k. What the heck, for the cost of after market belts.

[seminolejoe]

I agree, the cost of the belt is inconsequential when compared to the damage that could be done by not changing them out. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". Not to mention the down time instead of riding time. Change 'em. Good luck, Joe.