Quick timing belt question

Z06C5R · April 10, 2011, 06:57:24 PM

So I was BSing with one of the tech / sales guys at my local shop the other day, and (among other pitches) he recommended that I have the timing belts changed every 10k OR 12 months... IIRC, the mileage seems about right, but I'm not sure on the time interval (seems short...). I've got 2.5 years / ~1000 miles on mine currently (PO didn't ride the bike much) - Yay or Nay? I know it's cheap insurance, but I'm still a little short on gear for me, and I'd prefer to cover myself first, ya know?

Speeddog · April 10, 2011, 07:08:41 PM

The old-school recommended replacement interval is 2 years or 12k miles, whichever comes first.

You musta been talking to a salesman.

Slide Panda · April 10, 2011, 07:29:43 PM

I'd swap em. They are over age and sat a lot. Having them just sit can result in hard sections forming, which can crack

If you're a capable DIYer belts dont cost much for the parts.

junior varsity · April 11, 2011, 01:29:00 PM

Every 2 years for me, regardless of mileage - because normally I don't put more than 12,000 mi on a bike in the two year period.

Buckethead · April 11, 2011, 01:43:06 PM

Speaking of...

Anyone have a belt tension recommendation for the DS motors that DOESN'T involve a frequency analyzer?

junior varsity · April 11, 2011, 02:00:40 PM

Whip out the ol' guitfiddle and play yourself a chord!

cdalaskey · April 29, 2011, 09:06:51 PM

After I had mine adjusted by the dealer I did the allen key check. I could only get a 1.5mm though on the horizontal and a 2mm on the vertical.

Greg · April 30, 2011, 12:45:52 PM

Quote from: Buckethead on April 11, 2011, 01:43:06 PM
Speaking of...

Anyone have a belt tension recommendation for the DS motors that DOESN'T involve a frequency analyzer?

I knw you asked for tension that doesnt require a frequency analyzer, BUT, did you know that you can now download an iphone app that will use the iphone mic to help set belt tension? I think it was only $20

Ahks · April 30, 2011, 06:11:14 PM

Quote from: SA_S2R on April 30, 2011, 12:45:52 PM
I knw you asked for tension that doesnt require a frequency analyzer, BUT, did you know that you can now download an iphone app that will use the iphone mic to help set belt tension? I think it was only $20

There's an app for that?

Why am I not surprised...

Buckethead · April 30, 2011, 06:17:45 PM

Sure.

But I'd have to have an iPhone to do that.

Whereas my Android-based phone has a spec-an program that cost me $3.

ODrides · May 02, 2011, 09:34:14 PM

"Cheap insurance" is one of those terms that means "Now I'm going to try to take your money." $100+ bucks for belts plus labor is by no means CHEAP ANYTHING! Inspect your belts regularly. But I wouldn't replace them before they're due as "cheap insurance."

Ddan · May 03, 2011, 02:22:08 AM

Quote from: ODrides on May 02, 2011, 09:34:14 PM
"Cheap insurance" is one of those terms that means "Now I'm going to try to take your money." $100+ bucks for belts plus labor is by no means CHEAP ANYTHING! Inspect your belts regularly. But I wouldn't replace them before they're due as "cheap insurance."

I don't think anyone has recommended changing belts before they're due, it's the opposite. How long can you safely run them after the factory recommended interval?

rideawn · May 20, 2011, 07:45:22 AM

My '09 M1100 has 7500 miles and on the road time of 1 yr 5 mos. Heading in for 7500 mile service soon. Service spec says check belts at 7500 and replace at 15k. Dealer service has said they intend to replace them. Sounds like I should insist on just the check? Thoughts?

Howie · May 20, 2011, 10:16:38 AM

Quote from: rideawn on May 20, 2011, 07:45:22 AM
My '09 M1100 has 7500 miles and on the road time of 1 yr 5 mos. Heading in for 7500 mile service soon. Service spec says check belts at 7500 and replace at 15k. Dealer service has said they intend to replace them. Sounds like I should insist on just the check? Thoughts?

Your bike is now almost one and a half years old. The belt recommendation is 15K miles or two years, whichever comes first.. You could replace them at the 7.5K service or wait the full two years to replace the belts. Since the belts come off to adjust the valves you are already paying the labor. Do the belts in a few months you are paying labor twice if you don't change them yourself. Your choice.

vaclav · May 22, 2011, 08:16:58 PM

Quote from: cdalaskey on April 29, 2011, 09:06:51 PM
After I had mine adjusted by the dealer I did the allen key check. I could only get a 1.5mm though on the horizontal and a 2mm on the vertical.

That is almost exactly what I got on mine (DS 1000) when I checked them after I did the frequency deal myself. I used cycleworks belts and set them to 110 Hz. However, I am going to back them off to around 100 HZ after they break in for a while.

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Quick timing belt question