Timing Belts 84-85 86+ could be similar

[Radu]

Hmmm, another question regarding the timing belts....:
How often do I have to check them?
I know that the belts have a slack of ~5mm, but I'm not sure if after mounting new ones do I have to check them after few hundred km's....

[admin]

If you installed them correctly they should be fine for at least 2 years and/or 24,000 miles. Some guys will go 5 years /or 50,000 miles or more without any problems. It all boils down to how careful you want to be with maintenance on your bike. One thing I will highly recommend is that if you ever seriously overheat your bike make it a point to change the timing belts the first chance you get because the overheating cooks the belts and makes them fragile. The same thing applies if you drive your Wing at high RPM, running at or near redline stresses the belts and leaves them fragile. A broken belt could be very costly as the valves will hit the pistons causing serious damage. Figure out where you fit in the maintenance schedule and change your belts as a matter of course and they will serve you well.

[kwatts]

Question! On page one of this thread, (tricky's original post) the last steps outlined are to set the air gap for the pulse generators on the later models. Yet some of the literature I have downloaded, and some forum posts give differing information. I do not own a printed manual for my bike so i have been relying on the e-manuals I got from the soylentgeek site, and these and other forums. When I changed my belts I used the Haynes & Honda Shop manual and did not see the part about setting the air gap. So my question is...is the air gap actually adjustable on the later model pulse generators? Specifically on the 85 Interstate?

[Guest]

The book says to check the air gap. I've found on the '85, '86 models, the pulse generators are aligned by dowels and no adjustment is required or even possible.

[kwatts]

glhonda,

That's what I was thinking. I was pretty sure that the pulse generators just bolted back in and did not have any actual way to adjust them. It has been a month since I actually changed the timing belts though, so I was a little fuzzy about the install. And just the otherday I had the t-belt covers off while I was changing the thermostat because I wanted to double-check the tension. Of course it wasn't until after I had put everything back together that I read tricky's post about timing belts that I saw the note about checking the air gap. Really did not want to have to tear it all down again unless it was absolutely necessary. Thanks for the info.

[SIR tricky]

I just posted what the manual called for, I forgot that on my 85 there wasnt a way to do any adjusting, possibly on earlier 85's there may be a need. I wouldnt be surprised if the manual writers are the same people that write instructions for the stuff we get from China

[kwatts]

tricky,

I sure didn't mean for it to sound like I found fault in your post. You are a priceless asset to this forum. Your posts are always top-notch and informative. It just made me pause when I read it. I was trying really hard to remember if I had done that step, went back and looked at what I used for a reference and didn't find any mention of the air gap. So I thought I would just put it out there in hopes that I would hear back from you all. I am happy that I don't have to tear into it again (even though I think I can have the tupperware off and the radiator dropped in less than 30 minutes now). Thanks for all the knowledge you provide to us beginners.

[wpgfire]

I see that SubVet asked if the radiator really has to be removed in order to replace the timing belts and has not yet received a reply. I, too, am planning to replace my belts in a few weeks and am wondering the same thing. I've replaced belts on '78/'79/'81/'83 Wings and have never yet had to remove the rad. Is the '86 different?

[Tropicalsuns]

tricky,

I sure didn't mean for it to sound like I found fault in your post. You are a priceless asset to this forum. Your posts are always top-notch and informative.

indeed....

[Guest]

Yeah Kev - I bet you were like , oh crap - WTF. LOL :lol: . I would have been . I am glad you posted this - as I am tearing into the bike shortly. Thanks Kevin. ------WngDng------

[B.Bolding]

Ok, are there two belts? It's hard to see in the picture, looks like only one. :-??

[admin]

Yep, two belts for sure.

[B.Bolding]

Thanks Vic, Just got back from the local AutoZone store. I was shocked when the guy crossed the part numbers from the Goodyear brand to the AutoZone brand and came up with $43.90 each. I told him Mother Honda probably wouldn't scew me that bad. It is suprising how when you question them they all of a sudden say wait a minute lets check something else. Oh here is one for $13.00 but I don't have it in stock, I can have them here tomorrow. Well I can wait till tommow for a $60.00 savings. #-o

[SIR tricky]

Ok, are there two belts? It's hard to see in the picture, looks like only one. :-??

Here's a breakdown that shows it a littl more clearly.

[Guest]

OK, I'm apparently a little slow. Where is the "timing mark inspection cap"? The only thing I could find that looked remotely close was a cap above and to the throttle side of the crank shaft pulley, but, as i turned the pulley, I wasn't able to see any marks and whatever was back there was set WAY back (flashlight between teeth kind of work.)

Can anyone shed some light on this for me so I can experience the joys of fresh belts? If it makes a difference, it's an '84 standard.