Timing belt inspection tips?

SpoogyWoogy said:
Although for the water pump (which I may need to replace…) will have to be ordered from the states and shipped here (cheaper than buying from webike).
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Weird, as the last time I'd ordered a w/pump webike was by far the cheapest, even when including all the strafing 'import charges' of 25% VAT + 5% handling fees we now have to endure here... :cautious:
 
ST1100Y said:
Weird, as the last time I'd ordered a w/pump webike was by far the cheapest, even when including all the strafing 'import charges' of 25% VAT + 5% handling fees we now have to endure here... :cautious:
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Yikes!
I don’t know, on most of my bikes I’ve found that getting parts in Japan are almost always the most expensive option.
However, this is the first time the difference has been so significant.

Looking at the water pump diagrams it seems they are not compatible between abs and non abs models, is that really the case? I have a 1991 (non abs) model.

Thanks!
 
ST1100Y said:
A rebuild kit is avail, the job does require building a jig for the housing and a hydraulic shop-press... (some do it with a column drill...)

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Good to know 😔
I live in an apartment so I can’t do anything that isn’t doable in a parking lot/ in the street.
A water pump rebuild is likely outside of my capabilities at the moment…

Looking around at some other people who’ve had pump issues it seems the leaking is usually quite noticeable and/ or there is some bearing noise before any failure so I am hoping a quick inspection when I swap the timing belt will suffice.
 
ST1100Y said:
good plan as it might as well be another source of trouble as a hose or the w/pump housing O-ring (towards the engine case) that's leaking...
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Agreed. Will keep this updated as I go.
Will probably do an inspection tomorrow as it’s bothering me a bit.

Saw somewhere online that if I’m careful I can get the timing belt cover off without removing the radiator so I’ll try that.
Have you tried this before? Do you know if it’s possible or if there are other ways to get that cover off without pulling off the radiator?

I don’t wanna dump out 4L of coolant when I’m planning to swap the belt once the pulleys arrive in a couple weeks…
 
SpoogyWoogy said:
I don’t wanna dump out 4L of coolant when I’m planning to swap the belt once the pulleys arrive in a couple weeks…
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Larry has discussed using an old plastic (gallon) bottle (cut off the bottom) as a funnel to channel the coolant into a large pan. He says he can do this w/o spilling any of the coolant on the floor. That way you can reuse the coolant. I must say I'm skeptical unless you have practiced this. I tried the old aluminum foil under the oil filter (on my 1300) bent to channel the oil into the pan several times and managed to oil my garage floor the first few times.
 
I replaced timing belt with rollers at 140K km. Judging by the condition of roller bearings I'd better replace them 20K km earlier. The water pump still feels solid
 
Alberto said:
I replaced timing belt with rollers at 140K km. Judging by the condition of roller bearings I'd better replace them 20K km earlier. The water pump still feels solid
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Good to know. The bike is at about 90k kms (58k miles) so hopefully the pump is good. I did order rollers with the timing belt, just waiting for shipping at the moment.
 
SMSW said:
Larry has discussed using an old plastic (gallon) bottle (cut off the bottom) as a funnel to channel the coolant into a large pan. He says he can do this w/o spilling any of the coolant on the floor. That way you can reuse the coolant. I must say I'm skeptical unless you have practiced this. I tried the old aluminum foil under the oil filter (on my 1300) bent to channel the oil into the pan several times and managed to oil my garage floor the first few times.
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I’ve heard about just reusing coolant but I’ve never actually tried that. Always been worried my bucket or container won’t be clean enough and I’d mess up a seal or gasket somewhere in the system…

Is any old bucket good enough to old onto that coolant until I dump it back in?
 
SpoogyWoogy said:
Hi again all,

I recently purchased a 1991 st1100 with 58k miles on it.
I don’t know of it’s service history so I’m going to be changing the timing belt.
(It should arrive in the next week or so but I’m not sure).

Google tells me it’s a ticking time bomb but a lot of forum users seem to ride on original belts for well over 100k miles.

I’d like to be able to ride the bike until the timing belt arrives but I’m not sure if that’s a good idea.

Is there a way to easily inspect the timing belt for any wear (without pulling off the radiator) to see if it’s good for maybe 100 miles or so of chill riding until my timing belt arrives?

Just don’t wanna blow up my engine and I wasn’t able to find a thread on this topic specifically.

Thank you!
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I stumbled onto a 1991 11 years back now. Just a bit over 17000 miles but had been garage parked for right at 20 years. The PO had traded it in on a Hardley who changed the fluids, battery and tires....I still got it cheap. Anyway, I rode it home and around for a few weeks taking notes....stumbled onto this website right after and found some tips. Since I have restored old bikes as a hobby since the mid 1960's I knew what to look for so I ordered the usual suspect parts and pulled the plastic work off. I ended up replacing all of the hoses, vacuum, air, water, oil, fuel. among other things.
Not to make a long story longer but I replaced the timing belt also....experience said I should as time can be a worse enemy than mileage on elastomeric parts. The original part and new OEM Honda spare looked identical, no wear marks or cracks evident and the old one was just as pliable as the new spare. Had I photographed them side by side, I may well have mistaken which was which.

An unrelated to timing belts issue is the original alternator. The original unit has long been out of production and is very difficult to find new. I got lucky and found a spare off a low mile wreck (5000 something miles). It's a lot of work to replace with a later alternator assembly but complete kits are available on Ebay. If you're intent on keeping the bike that may be a good investment.

My 1991 is down right now with an inoperative ignition coil. Got a new set, just waiting on the motivation.

The bike is a smooth runner and very stable on the highway. My wife prefers trips on this bike over our much newer ST1300.
 
Oldbikefixr said:
I stumbled onto a 1991 11 years back now. Just a bit over 17000 miles but had been garage parked for right at 20 years. The PO had traded it in on a Hardley who changed the fluids, battery and tires....I still got it cheap. Anyway, I rode it home and around for a few weeks taking notes....stumbled onto this website right after and found some tips. Since I have restored old bikes as a hobby since the mid 1960's I knew what to look for so I ordered the usual suspect parts and pulled the plastic work off. I ended up replacing all of the hoses, vacuum, air, water, oil, fuel. among other things.
Not to make a long story longer but I replaced the timing belt also....experience said I should as time can be a worse enemy than mileage on elastomeric parts. The original part and new OEM Honda spare looked identical, no wear marks or cracks evident and the old one was just as pliable as the new spare. Had I photographed them side by side, I may well have mistaken which was which.

An unrelated to timing belts issue is the original alternator. The original unit has long been out of production and is very difficult to find new. I got lucky and found a spare off a low mile wreck (5000 something miles). It's a lot of work to replace with a later alternator assembly but complete kits are available on Ebay. If you're intent on keeping the bike that may be a good investment.

My 1991 is down right now with an inoperative ignition coil. Got a new set, just waiting on the motivation.

The bike is a smooth runner and very stable on the highway. My wife prefers trips on this bike over our much newer ST1300.
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Awesome story!

Yep, I’ve heard of the alternator but at the moment it seems to charge good and I don’t plan on adding any accessories (heated etc and the like) so hopefully it’ll last me a while.
I’ve seen some posts/ vids of people fitting different alternators to the bike so perhaps that can work as well.

Also heard that adding a rear mudguard extension can help protect the alternator but not 100% sure if that’s why people do it.

Would really like to swap out the pump as well but so far this has been the most expensive bike I’ve owned to get up to scratch so my finances don’t really allow for a 45k yen part :(.

Hopefully it’ll last me until the next timing belt swap in another 60k miles :)
 
SpoogyWoogy said:
I’ve heard about just reusing coolant but I’ve never actually tried that. Always been worried my bucket or container won’t be clean enough and I’d mess up a seal or gasket somewhere in the system…

Is any old bucket good enough to old onto that coolant until I dump it back in?
Click to expand...
I'd think its common sense. Wash the bucket out w/ soap and water, rinse thoroughly, and you are good to go. If you are using an oil pan to catch the coolant, wash the pan out with a solvent (paint thinner is what I use) then soap and water, rinse.
 
SpoogyWoogy said:
I don’t wanna dump out 4L of coolant when I’m planning to swap the belt once the pulleys arrive in a couple weeks…
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FWIW draining the ST1100 coolant is something like 2.5 liters, so not as much as you suggest.

Also, you may want to check on water pump compatibility over the years. AFAIK, there's one for the earlier models that have the coolant running to the oil filter, and another for later models without. But, the reason I bring this up is I seem to recall that the 1991 model pump may have been unique to that one year, I seem to recall John O. mentioning that before. So make sure you can get the right part for your bike.
 
Early version had the case vent located at the rear of the engine...

Honda ST1100 PANEUROPEAN 1991 (M) EUROPEAN DIRECT SALES / KPH WATER PUMP (ST11000L/M) - buy WATER PUMP (ST11000L/M) spares online

✓ access the WATER PUMP (ST11000L/M) schematic ✓ find Honda WATER PUMP (ST11000L/M) spares easily ✓ WATER PUMP (ST11000L/M) parts quickly delivered
www.cmsnl.com www.cmsnl.com

Later version have the case vent through the pump base plate...

Honda ST1100 PANEUROPEAN 2000 (Y) AUSTRIA WATER PUMP - buy WATER PUMP spares online

✓ access the WATER PUMP schematic ✓ find Honda WATER PUMP spares easily ✓ WATER PUMP parts quickly delivered
www.cmsnl.com www.cmsnl.com

seems easy enough plug that and make it suitable for a '90~'91 model...
 
SMSW said:
I'd think its common sense. Wash the bucket out w/ soap and water, rinse thoroughly, and you are good to go. If you are using an oil pan to catch the coolant, wash the pan out with a solvent (paint thinner is what I use) then soap and water, rinse.
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Thanks for the tip!
Will give it a shot. Luckily I have a 7L bucket lying around.
 
dwalby said:
FWIW draining the ST1100 coolant is something like 2.5 liters, so not as much as you suggest.

Also, you may want to check on water pump compatibility over the years. AFAIK, there's one for the earlier models that have the coolant running to the oil filter, and another for later models without. But, the reason I bring this up is I seem to recall that the 1991 model pump may have been unique to that one year, I seem to recall John O. mentioning that before. So make sure you can get the right part for your bike.
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Oh that’s super helpful to know. Not super read up on water pump compatibility across years. Hm…

Also I thought I saw somewhere that the pans take 4L of coolant. May have been my mistake!
 
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