my 1100 has 24,256 miles ..do you think its time to change the original belts ....well I know its time! I have been reading other threads about this but my only question is ...do I need a sight glass for this? it seems to me that it is as simple as pulling the covers,loosening the bolts,aligning the timing marks, putting new belts on, retightening tentioners and double checking the timing marks on the wheels??? is that all there is to it? or do I need a sight glass?
thanx for your input
The sight glass is for setting spark timing while the enging is running - not for aligning the timing belts, which is obviously done with the engine "not running" (that would be quite a trick!)
There are tricks to holding the cams and crank steady while replacing the belt... and there are tricks to getting the proper tension on the idler pulleys.
When I did the belts on mine, I had to pull the radiator because I couldnt quite get the center bolts out of the covers. If someone has a trick to doing it without pulling the radiator out, I'd sure like to know myself. It's time to do it again on mine. Its been 5 years, so I think it should be done again to avoid the rubber getting dry rot and possibly fail.
Mike
Elvira-1980 GL1100 Custom
Black Betty-2000 HD Electra Glide
"we are on the cutting edge of cocking about" -Richard Hammond
Wow OCTANE...!!! nice thread!! I just printed out all 24 pages of it and filled it away with all my other work on bike stuff! it will sure be nice to have next to me this winter when I am doing all of my work! seems never ending! with almost 2,000 spent over this summer in extras...this winter I am going to be rich!!! just have to put my energy into all the maintenance that goes along with the bike! I have owned this gl1100 for 3 years and this year I have decided to make her a nice one!
thanx again for your help...GOLDWINGS ARE GREAT!!!! 8)
....well I know its time! I have been reading other threads about this but my only question is ...do I need a sight glass for this? it seems to me that it is as simple as pulling the covers,loosening the bolts,aligning the timing marks, putting new belts on, retightening tentioners and double checking the timing marks on the wheels??? is that all there is to it? or do I need a sight glass? 
I just printed out all 24 pages of it and filled it away with all my other work on bike stuff! it will sure be nice to have next to me this winter when I am doing all of my work! seems never ending! with almost 2,000 spent over this summer in extras...this winter I am going to be rich!!! just have to put my energy into all the maintenance that goes along with the bike! I have owned this gl1100 for 3 years and this year I have decided to make her a nice one!
