How do you know if the timing belt needs to be changed

[Sandman]

I'm not all that mechanical (and I'm not looking to become mechanical) but I do want to make sure I do the right thing and check out my bike for obvious things that could go wrong.
I've bought an ST 1100 that's in really good condition but the guy who checked it out (he was very mechanical  ) couldn't tell if the timing belt had been changed without taking some stuff off the bike .... so does anyone know a reputable bike mechanic that I could go to on a semi regular basis to check out my bike and do servicing. I live on the Tweed Coast.
I don't want to do the work myself (I know that's sacrilege to some) I don't have time (or inclination) so I'm happy to pay someone to do the work but they need to be reputable.
A bike mechanic who does smaller bikes and didn't feel he could help me out said there was a good one down at Ballina and a not so good one (and expensive) at the Honda Dealer in Narang.
Does anyone know of a good one or have a different opinion from the mechanic I spoke to.
thanks

[alans1100]

There's two options open to you.

Timing Belt should be replaced at 150,000 kms and changing it should depend on your current mileage.

Under 144,000 km leave it. Between 144,000 and 150,000 leave it unless other work needs to be done.
Over 150,000 plan on doing it fairly soon if your not sure if it's been done or not (play it safe). Mine looked brand new when I took it out when due.

That's sort of what the manual suggests

Since the radiator needs to come out a quick check of cooling system related parts won't hurt either.

[saaz]

As Alan says, the belt is changed according to mileage. No way to definitively say whether it has been changed, as the inspection can only pick up if the belt looks shredded, which is very unusual. Some may change it at the inspection period half way through. Either way, assume it has not been done and go by the distances Alan suggests, or if most of the work is done doing other things just do it.

 I know of belts not done for 190,000kms plus, but that was on late model ST1100s (1999 on)

[Grumpy]

I totally agree with all the above. Mine snapped at 216xxx kms and required a top end rebuild. Interesting experience, but I don't recommend it, especially if you cannot do it yourself. I suspect that mine had never been done before.

Use the mileage and get it done when recommended or get it done if you're not sure. The Gates T35 belt is way cheaper than the Honda one (which is made by Gates anyway).

Happy touring and congrats on the choice  of ride.

Cheers
Grumpy 

[Greencan]

Morning  Sandman et al...

Having changed 3 timing belts on 1100's this is what I have learnt.

1) If you have a pre-used ST1100, it would be abvisable to have the belt checked at 100,000km. What you or the mechanic are looking for is NOT how the belt looks, but how much travel the self tensioner has left.

2) All 3 belts I have removed, all with between 145,000 and 152,000km have all been DIFFERENT lenghts.

What this tells you is just how much work / load / riding effort the bike has been subjected to. For example, if the bike has been towing a trailer, two up or otherwise, expect the timing belt to be streched further than one that had not been as frequently heavily loaded and unloaded as the engine is 'worked'.

One, of many ways in assertaining to whether the bike you have has been riden is to remove the rear wheel and inspect all the exposed final drive components for wear.

Age of the bike isn't a factor, as my second 1100 will attest to. Though it's belt was replaced at 152,000km, it SHOULD have been done 50,000km earlier.

Hope this helps and enjoy motorcycling around the Tweed area and Norther Rivers, I do

Cheers the can:-)

[johnnyYTED]

                                                            
Sandman recently at 150,7?? k's while STranger was off the road we, Abe and I inspected his belt. It looked  was STill pliable,not STretch'd, totally clean and duST free. After checking the entire length,   I decided to leave it , noting that I was "told"  when I got    it had been done after leaving service @ 30,000. I'm checking mine about 175. k'.
 Abe also check'd the valve shims, all STill within .
STranger also had minimal wear on the drive spline's etc  .
 STranger's 1ST  long ride since putting him back together.
  is your ST ex police ? mine is 

[Sandman]

Thanks everyone for the advice. It's much appreciated.
Does anyone have a mechanic they can recommend on the Tweed Coast.

[Greencan]

Sandman Good Evenin',

You did ask that and I waffled on about other things, sorry 'bout that.

The short answer is perhaps, yes (I think). John Henderson who use to run Henderson Suzuki has always been very helpful when ever I ask for help and he is good at his work too

When I last spoke with him he indicated he would be carrying on from home, problem is I am not from here (though some that read this diatribe might differ). I do know he was involved with the local Ulysses Guys here, so they might be able to help contact him and inquire.

As you may have gathered I do all my own maintenance, but on occasions when I needed help, John was ver helpful.

Hope this helps.

Cheers the Can:-)

PS, You wouldnt happen to ride an X police white 1100 by chance?

[Sandman]

Thanks Can, I'll se if I can track John down.
It's an 1100 but it's not ex police. It's a blue one and I've given her the name Ginger.

[Greencan]

OK Sandman, good luck seeking out JH...maybe see you on the road sometime...after this run to Uralla this weekend my Wife and I have to Rtn to Victoria and the cold...enjoy the warmth.

I see that you are refering to your bike in the feminine...it's giving U trouble already!
Cheers the can :-)

[Gnomad42]

My ST1100 has just hit 160000 and I'm about to get a service down with Phil at HiSide Leather. I guess I should get him to do a belt change before he does a carby balance.
Belts first, am I correct?

[Brock]

Yep, belt change before the carb balance etc.

[OleBoy]

As Alan says, the belt is changed according to mileage. No way to definitively say whether it has been changed, as the inspection can only pick up if the belt looks shredded, which is very unusual. Some may change it at the inspection period half way through. Either way, assume it has not been done and go by the distances Alan suggests, or if most of the work is done doing other things just do it.

 I know of belts not done for 190,000kms plus, but that was on late model ST1100s (1999 on)

Mine did 178000km then water pump needed doing: Belt had no visible wear at all ,,,


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[Brock]

Mine is at around 200000Ks, still there, but Wombat has a spare engine for me when it lets go..