Author Topic: "SNAP" goes the belt (Read 6698 times)

Grumpy · « **on:** January 11, 2014, 05:09:07 PM »

Well, it had to happen. On my way to town (40km away), just come on to the longest straight, and "snap", no power and engine has shutdown. COast to a stop and had to wait about 2 hours for someone to come and pick me up with a trailer (what an ignominious way for an ST to travel). Yep the first guess was correcy, the timing belt broke. The bike has 216,000 kms and my guess is that it is the original belt. At least it's not a huge cost to fix.

noriding for me for a few days at least.

Williamson · « **Reply #1 on:** January 11, 2014, 05:15:05 PM »

Quote from: Grumpy on January 11, 2014, 05:09:07 PM

.... the timing belt broke.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot - that's a bummer....

Quote from: Grumpy on January 11, 2014, 05:09:07 PM

.... not a huge cost to fix.

Gunna fix it yourself?

Lionel · « **Reply #2 on:** January 11, 2014, 05:21:03 PM »

Grumpy,
Thanks for clearing up that question for us. (ie how long does a belt really last).
I lost my nerve at 175,000 kms and enlisted Saaz and another mate to change the belt for me.

Grumpy · « **Reply #3 on:** January 11, 2014, 05:32:03 PM »

Yep, I'll fix it myself. Have access to a good motorcycle mech if I need it. Maybe to get the timing right. Will probably respray it while it's all apart, save me doing it again. Have decided I will paint it a Ford "Kinetic" blue, which they do the XR falcons in now.

As for the age of the belt, it is pretty brittle and is a Honda belt, so could well be original.

Biggles · « **Reply #4 on:** January 11, 2014, 05:43:19 PM »

Thanks for completing that experiment for everyone!

We've all wondered how far past the recommended mileage the belts will go. Most of us get nervous around the 120,000 kays mark, but you've shown it's still got plenty life to go from there. Which every belt inspection has confirmed.

Here's hoping the valves didn't drop into the cylinder at the wrong time for the pistons. Would probably have made a nasty noise if they had.

Goodonya for doing it yourself. The guides on the net are comprehensive.

Abe · « **Reply #5 on:** January 11, 2014, 06:05:13 PM »

A "snap" is better than a "bang" though.

jwm · « **Reply #6 on:** January 11, 2014, 06:19:40 PM »

Gee very lucky, timing belts going usually means bent valves etc etc etc. Usually not a cheap or easy fix.

Biggles · « **Reply #7 on:** January 12, 2014, 10:52:11 AM »

Quote from: gaz on January 12, 2014, 07:47:26 AM

Quote from: Grumpy on January 11, 2014, 05:09:07 PM
Well, it had to happen. On my way to town (40km away), just come on to the longest straight, and "snap", no power and engine has shutdown. COast to a stop and had to wait about 2 hours for someone to come and pick me up with a trailer (what an ignominious way for an ST to travel). Yep the first guess was correcy, the timing belt broke. The bike has 216,000 kms and my guess is that it is the original belt. At least it's not a huge cost to fix. noriding for me for a few days at least.

So you're celebrating his misfortune?

Couch · « **Reply #8 on:** January 12, 2014, 02:04:36 PM »

You're very lucky indeed if there is in fact no damage to the engine

. Fortunately the ST1300 doesn't have a timing belt, they now have timing chains (as do most vehicles these days), which only require replacing if they start to kick up a stink (rattle). Not much fun being stuck on the roadside for a couple of hours, but I'd be counting my lucky stars if I were you!!

Sicman · « **Reply #9 on:** January 12, 2014, 04:05:37 PM »

Is Gaz bored or is he trying to get his number of posts up quickly?

He has marked nearly every post today with an emoticon

WendyL · « **Reply #10 on:** January 12, 2014, 05:02:18 PM »

I lost my nerve and got the timing belt done on mine at the last major service, 180,000

Biggles · « **Reply #11 on:** January 12, 2014, 09:42:12 PM »

Quote from: Sicman on January 12, 2014, 04:05:37 PM

Is Gaz bored or is he trying to get his number of posts up quickly? He has marked nearly every post today with an emoticon

Apparently he thinks it's funny. I'll spare you my thoughts.

Sicman · « **Reply #12 on:** January 12, 2014, 09:53:08 PM »

OK then

Grumpy · « **Reply #13 on:** January 27, 2014, 08:03:16 PM »

Well, while it was only a snap and not a bang, seems they don't go bang and lock up on you. 14 out of 16 valves bent. Will be sourcing from the US as they are about one tird of the price here. Honda price on ex valves is $93.00 ea. For that price they would want to high grade titanium or ceramic. Will keep you posted about repair as it progresses. In the meantime one very sad St'er

Pocket STocker · « **Reply #14 on:** January 27, 2014, 08:09:27 PM »

Hope you will be fixed and ready for National rally, fingers crossed for you

Couch · « **Reply #15 on:** January 27, 2014, 08:43:27 PM »

Bugger!

Quote from: Grumpy on January 27, 2014, 08:03:16 PM

Well, while it was only a snap and not a bang, seems they don't go bang and lock up on you. 14 out of 16 valves bent. Will be sourcing from the US as they are about one tird of the price here. Honda price on ex valves is $93.00 ea. For that price they would want to high grade titanium or ceramic. Will keep you posted about repair as it progresses. In the meantime one very sad St'er

Biggles · « **Reply #16 on:** January 27, 2014, 08:51:52 PM »

Quote from: Grumpy on January 27, 2014, 08:03:16 PM

Well, while it was only a snap and not a bang, seems they don't go bang and lock up on you. 14 out of 16 valves bent. Will be sourcing from the US as they are about one tird of the price here. Honda price on ex valves is $93.00 ea. For that price they would want to high grade titanium or ceramic. Will keep you posted about repair as it progresses. In the meantime one very sad St'er

A rare occasion when you wish there were only 2 valves per cylinder and it was a V-Twin.
Sorry- sounds exy.

Grumpy · « **Reply #17 on:** January 27, 2014, 08:56:36 PM »

Very exy if you buy the parts in Aus. From a US honda dealer they are about one third the cost even with the freight added.

Greencan · « **Reply #18 on:** January 28, 2014, 06:22:00 AM »

Not the first time l have read about a time belt breaking on an ST1100, the last was attributed to a water pump seizure which caused the belt to fail. Another was put down to a lose belt being 'fixed' by levering the tensioner into a position to thus remove the excess slack in the belt.

Sorry to read of your wows :-(

Just a thought, have U considered either buying a wrecked bike or engine or heads, then reconditioning / rebuilding the engine as a whole?

Good luck, the can:-)

StinkyPete · « **Reply #19 on:** January 28, 2014, 06:36:28 AM »

Sorry to hear your news Grumpy and I hope you can get her back on the road at a resonable cost and in a reasonable time. I guess there is a lesson for us all in your misfortune.

jwm · « **Reply #20 on:** January 28, 2014, 03:59:15 PM »

Quote

Gee very lucky, timing belts going usually means bent valves etc etc etc. Usually not a cheap or easy fix.

Not much satisfaction in saying that your news didn't surprise me. Have you though about the option of trying to pick up a low klm 2nd hand motor? Might be worth making a few inquires.

pault · « **Reply #21 on:** January 28, 2014, 05:37:37 PM »

are using the gates belt # T325 lots cheaper

Grumpy · « **Reply #22 on:** January 28, 2014, 06:26:59 PM »

Thanks all for your wishes and advice.

Yes I do wish it was only two valves per cyl, but then it wouldn't go as well.

I can source new valves, seals and carby rubbers from the states for just under $500.00 shipped, so probably won't bother with a used motor.

Went with the Gates belt, abt $42 as against Honda who want $208.00 for the same belt.

I've got it all torn down ( looks very sad

) and cleaning up while waiting for parts. Also a good opportunity to check all those things that are hard to get at when it is all in one piece. You find some interesting things though. Someone has put a car size fuel filter in, but they got it in backwards ( despite it being marked with an arrow that says "CARB" on the case) so it hasn't been filtering much.

Hoping to respray it while I got it apart as well. Depends on money > Paint ain't cheap either.

Anyway looking forward to parts arrival and getting it all back together.

Then RIDE, RIDE!!

Yorkie · « **Reply #23 on:** January 28, 2014, 08:57:46 PM »

You could go down in history as one of the first to remove the heads from an ST.

Biggles · « **Reply #24 on:** January 28, 2014, 09:30:35 PM »

At least it sounds like you know what you're doing.
Probably a lot of ST11 owners here looking forward to your findings. e.g. piston carbon build-up, valve seat condition, etc.

News:

Author Topic: "SNAP" goes the belt (Read 6698 times)